Quote:
Originally Posted by dynalow
Funny you mentioned Porsche & Harley in the same post.
Harley had Porshe collaborate in designing the V-Rod "Revolution" engine.
Nothing pedestrian or antiquated about the VRod...Just not a big hit. I always thought that maybe they should have introduced a 750cc version as a step in to the HD showroom. The V rod was too fast and quiet for most guys getting into Harleys for the first time.  Scary fast and powerful..and no noise telling you the engine was revving like crazy.... 
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/26/automobiles/a-harley-takes-an-engine-from-porsche.html |
Personally, I thought the v-rod was an improvement on the v-twin (which does not interest me at all), but I'm not their target audience. They had the right idea, they just didn't get it implemented successfully. I don't know what they could do now, it might be too late for them to build a new audience for a new line of products. I do think they are about to get much smaller, hopefully they can rebuild the company.