[Mylander]

Despite avid reading of all things motorcylce for some months now, I have a few newbie questions that I hoping a few of you more seasoned and technically inclined V-Rodders could help with:

1. Why do people refer to horse power "to the rear wheel"? Where the heck else can it go? I wonder if manufacturers sometimes publish engine hp numbers figured some other way (before mounting in a motorcycle?) that artificially inflates the hp figure. What's the deal?

2. I grew up thinking of motorcylce engine sizes in "cc's". Then I started reading about Harleys and V-twin sizes are in inches. But then again I've only seen V-rod #'s in cc's -- like 1130 cc's. Why the difference?

3. Do I have to wave at Sportbike riders?

4. If I'm pulled over wearing a non-"DOT certified" helmet will I get a ticket, or, would I only be risking death and serious brain damage?

Thanks for bringing me up to speed (although I did recently take a sizeable bug in the face at 100+ mph.)

 

[Ketsugo]

Hello and welcome.

1. HP at the crank is what manufacturers quote. The stock V-Rod makes 115 hp (at the crank) and 102 rwhp (approximately). You can see why they quote hp at the crank.

2.The V-Rod is 69 cubic inches which is 1130 cc's.

3. LOL, I wave at all that wave at me.

4. The ticket for sure, and you really don't know how much protection a non DOT helmet provides, if any.

John

 

[Max]

All good questions.

1.Why do people refer to horse power "to the rear wheel"?

To measure HP at the rear wheels is considered true or net HP. The manufacture will sometimes take measurements at the crankshaft on a dyno stand but it is a false number when you add the trans and sprockets.

2.I grew up thinking of motorcylce engine sizes in "cc's". Then I started reading about Harleys and V-twin sizes are in inches. But then again I've only seen V-rod #'s in cc's -- like 1130 cc's. Why the difference?

There really is no difference, it is just a trend of the times to use metric measurments instead of standard. If you look even Ford and GM now class there engines by cc's rather then cubic inches.

3. Do I have to wave at Sportbike riders?

Waving is a personal choice, I wave at anyone that rides on two wheels.

4. If I'm pulled over wearing a non-"DOT certified" helmet will I get a ticket, or, would I only be risking death and serious brain damage?


I think that in an area that the law is specific about DOT standard that you could get a ticket if they stop you and check. But this I am not 100% sure about.


Max

 

[Max]

Damn John you beat me again.

 

[Super Kaz]

You Both spend way to much time with your computers!:yak:

 

[CW-VRod]

:stupid: