FFR vs Harley Davidson [Archive] - Factory Five Forums

chopthebass

07-23-2015, 03:08 PM

So my biking co-worker rides a 1200cc Harley Davidson and he is convinced there is nothing quicker on the road. Even though my Mk4 isn't finished yet, he has thrown down the gauntlet!
I wonder which will accelerate quicker? I suspect the bike. I know how a Hayabusa accelerates. But, it would be nice to wipe the smug grin off his face though!

Bren

07-23-2015, 03:31 PM

chopthebass

07-23-2015, 03:35 PM

could be a while yet! Only just finished my front suspension!

frankeeski

07-23-2015, 04:50 PM

Just make sure this is done in the controlled environment of a race track. Street racing is for IDIOTS!. Do not put other peoples lives in jeopardy to satisfy your need for speed.

Plebeian

07-23-2015, 07:05 PM

If I remember correctly the 1200 CC Harleys were pretty slow at around a 13 second 1/4 mile. I'm sure it feels fast to him though. For comparison, the "majority" of Cobra replicas run in the 12's. All depends on what you're running, how well it's set up, and the nut behind the wheel. Our local track won't let Cobras drag race unless they have a full halo cage, and they won't let you line up against a motorcycle. Good luck.

BEAR-AvHistory

07-23-2015, 07:41 PM

If its stock you will win unless you kill your launch

Jester

07-23-2015, 08:13 PM

Funny - I am considering an Ultra Glide Classic - not for speed but for the wind without the attention.

I think it will be a nice addition to the garage and look great next to my FFR Mk4. Tough choice - which would get the love on any given day.

chopthebass

07-24-2015, 08:21 AM

I am not a street racer but enjoy the rush that great acceleration gives you. Just he is convinced he knows everything! Oh and to quote "there's no way your plastic Fiat with a V8 will weigh less than my Miata..."
I would love to shut the guy up, in a safe and controlled manor obviously!!
Assuming I can get a good launch!

Jester, you need to get one! I am still a biker at heart, although most of my bikes have been supersports. Only since coming to North America have I gotten interested in classics.

BEAR-AvHistory

07-24-2015, 08:46 AM

Not sure about what your power or tires are but try about 1500rpm to start feed in the power as you release the clutch. Found I can get running & not fry the tires. Smooth application of power should keep them from slipping. I back off on my shifts & again try to engage the clutch/power as smooth as I can. I run Nitto 17X315 555R drag radials on the rear & the bite is very good. With a low RPM launch the car just goes with no dramatics. My BMW would run the 30ft in 1.957, 1/4 in 12.1 @ 116mph & my seat of the pants dyno (not the greatest tool) says the FFR is way quicker off the line

Best stock Harleys should run in then 4.2+ range to 60, many are in the 5/6 second range. Depends on the model, the bigger the slower. Back in the bad old days of the British invasion my BSA Lightning 650 used to eat their lunch including the Sporster CH developed to stem the British tide

He may depending on launch beat your 60ft run but you should pass him in the 2 second range & run a sub 4.0 to 60mph.

BEAR-AvHistory

07-24-2015, 08:51 AM

Please, somebody, post a video!

I once had a guy on a Harley want to race me with his passenger mouthing to me the whole time, "Don't do it." Of course I didn't, but I have wondered what would have happened...

Sounds like the passenger had a well developed sense of self preservation, good for him or her.

mrmustang

07-24-2015, 11:01 AM

chopthebass

07-24-2015, 01:03 PM

If only we had one in Calgary! Or a racetrack for that matter. We used to.

jrcuz

07-24-2015, 01:33 PM

CTB
No street racing please!!!
JR

chopthebass

07-24-2015, 01:52 PM

Absolutely not. I encounter idiots every morning on my commute. I apologize if my post sent out the wrong message! If I can safely have a bit of fun, I will.

TimC

08-12-2015, 05:13 AM

So my biking co-worker rides a 1200cc Harley Davidson and he is convinced there is nothing quicker on the road. ....!
There are bikes with 1/2 the displacement that'll beat the HD anyday.

Jazzman

08-12-2015, 10:53 PM

Be careful, you might be surprised by a sleeper Harley bagger. Mine looks very cool, but heavy and slow.
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=44381&d=1439439376
However, the 106" S&S engine will surprise you. It's pretty fast, but mine is not even close to the fastest bagger I know of. My friend and motorcycle customizer recently put a S&S 143" engine into a bagger that he calls "ridiculously fast". Puts out a dyno-tested 170+ HP at the rear wheel. HP to weight ratio could favor the bike, even a Harley bagger. Stock Harley could never beat you even with a head start! But a massaged engine . . . Who knows! Be careful and have fun.

mikespms

08-13-2015, 08:32 AM

Hey Jazzman,

Nice looking roadglide, It all depends what kind of 1200 harley you are talking about a sportster or vrod can be very fast with some engine work,a vrod is very fast stock,a shovelhead or pan head is a different story. A stock vrod has 120 hp stock and is in the 500lbs range do the math. I have a 04 ultra with the s&s 4 1/2 stroker kit,baker dd6 and a few other goodies,110hp,120 torque,it makes my 2015 cvo limited feel like i am pedaling,60 to a 100 in a blink of an eye but I would not recommend going over 120 these are touring bikes,sound systems,gps,heated seats and grips,intercom,cb radio,bluetooth,cruise control not meant to be drag bikes. I have toured all over the us and canada,10,000 mile average cross country trip. Still don't under estimate a well prepped harley,you may be surprised! http://mikespms.weebly.com/harley.html

Al_C

08-13-2015, 08:37 AM

just my 2 cents... how about a 'statistics' race? comb through the harley forums - a quick check showed a bunch of 1/4 mile times - compile a bunch of representative times, then do the same for Roadsters. See who wins statistically. Cheap and safe.

Plebeian

08-13-2015, 09:06 AM

You can always take him for a ride in your Cobra when it's done, his perspective may change after that.

Plebeian

08-13-2015, 09:42 AM

A stock vrod has 120 hp stock and is in the 500lbs range do the math.http://mikespms.weebly.com/harley.html

I punched in a search for stock Vrod weight and the 2011 came up at 640 lbs and the 2013 at 660 lbs. Add a 200 lb rider and it's probably the equivalent of a Cobra with around 325 hp at the flywheel. I doubt his friend has a Vrod though, but who knows.

chopthebass

08-13-2015, 09:49 AM

Nice bike Jazzman!! I will try to find out exactly which model my buddy has. I know from my biking days how fast bikes can be (2001 Hayabusa - before they restricted them to 186mph!)

Plebeian

08-13-2015, 10:34 AM

I know from my biking days how fast bikes can be (2001 Hayabusa - before they restricted them to 186mph!)

Those Hyabusa's are no joke. I raced a stock one once and was barely pulling on it. I've seen video's of them with turbo's, absolutely insane.

ursa5000

08-13-2015, 10:46 AM

A LOT of factors play into any senario, but two Nitto's slap a heck of a lot more HP onto the asphalt than one bike with a 1200cc engine... As long as you don't screw up the launch, IMHO you should easily take 'em by at least one to one and a half seconds.

Da Bear

donshapansky

08-13-2015, 01:20 PM

Many years ago I modified a 1978 Silver Anniversary Corvette from the 205 hp. small block to a 454 LS7 with a turbo 400 and stock (3.73:1) gearing. It had a GM L88 converter with about 2,500 rpm stall. I changed the camshaft to a more street type grind with hydraulic lifters so it sounded fairly stock until I got on it. It had side pipes that were hidden with turbo mufflers and an H pipe. It ran 12.30's @ 118 mph easily and no sport bike (FZ 750 or equivalent) could beat it at the launch but I didn't try it at a track to see what would happen at the other end. The tires were stock but that chassis would squat with just about the right amount of wheel spin to make me look like I knew what I was doing. After I thrashed a few bikes the car became notorious in my town and I told them it was a 327 modified!

mikespms

08-13-2015, 06:01 PM

1/4 mile vrod vs hayabusa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNygpSJPLL0

JoeT

08-13-2015, 07:19 PM

I'm a harley guy myself. I've owned about 25 of them over the years, and as many as 4 at a time

bone stock, his 1200 sportster (depending on rider) is a 13.5 quarter. with some "work" he's into the 12's. There are plenty of bikes and cars faster than his sportster.

I've seen 9 second street driven sportsters, but it's unlikely your buddy has one. And if he's saying there's "nothing quicker on the road" I'm guessing he hasn't ridden other bikes, not only from Harley, but from other manufacturers. stock gsxr 600s run low 11's and stock gsxr 1100's are in the high 8s.

because we're talking harley's ... here's my current ride. 95ci, jockey shifting(foot clutch, hand shift) fatboy
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p92/jtehan/Mobile%20Uploads/1416530975_zps2bbdcd17.jpg
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p92/jtehan/Mobile%20Uploads/1416530981_zpsdb249f16.jpg

Plebeian

08-13-2015, 07:43 PM

1/4 mile vrod vs hayabusa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNygpSJPLL0

Busa lifted off the throttle before the finish (note his trap speed), Vrod was a 30k drag bike.

Mesa Mike

08-16-2015, 11:56 AM

I was on the way home from a show one night when a harley came up to me and started some ****. He had to slow for traffic in his lane so I accelerated to get ahead of him some. Well he came up again and did it again. I look ahead at a completely empty freeway with a 2 mile view and straight with no on/off ramps. Dropped it from 5th to 3rd and smoked is ***. He did have a pax on board. At 110mph I showed to the posted limit and here he came again. This time he slowed and gave me a thumbs up. Who would figure.