[Guest]

This is a shot in the dark, but here goes.. Anyone here swapped a different style engine into their RG or any HD touring bike?

 

[Stash905]

This is a shot in the dark, but here goes.. Anyone here swapped a different style engine into their RG or any HD touring bike?

Like what?? And why?

 

[Guest]

Why is because I like my RG, but don't really like the V-Twin. It would be nice to have some power to the bike without spending $5k or more to upgrade the twin. Even then, the power isn't that much. I could install an inline 4 out of a Hayabusa or ZX14 and have plenty of torque and HP out of the stock engine. I know you guys like the twin sound, but I'm not worried about that. There's also a great sound to come from a cammed up bigbore Busa engine. 200rwhp on 93 octane is a nice thing. Before you tell me to buy a different bike, it's that I like having a smooth running bike with the power that let's me cruise through the mountains without downshifting so much. It would also give me a 6spd and chain drive.

I think it would be a neat project if done right.

 

[1BigGuy]

Why is because I like my RG, but don't really like the V-Twin. It would be nice to have some power to the bike without spending $5k or more to upgrade the twin. Even then, the power isn't that much. I could install an inline 4 out of a Hayabusa or ZX14 and have plenty of torque and HP out of the stock engine. I know you guys like the twin sound, but I'm not worried about that. There's also a great sound to come from a cammed up bigbore Busa engine. 200rwhp on 93 octane is a nice thing. Before you tell me to buy a different bike, it's that I like having a smooth running bike with the power that let's me cruise through the mountains without downshifting so much. It would also give me a 6spd and chain drive.

I think it would be a neat project if done right.

Not my thing, but it would be interesting to see. IMO this is part of what Harley is all about, Customization, making the bike yours. Your bike your engine, go for it.

 

[hotrodad]

it can be done...

I saw a u-tube video of a HAYABUSA motor in a SMART CAR! I don't know why, but it had a 'wow' factor for sure!
...go for it...i'd like to see that. You could sell the motor easy enough to finance the project

 

[Roadie09]

There is no reason you could not mount any engine that would fit within the frame. If you have few fabrication skills and time, I am sure you could mate the busa to the RG. It would certainly get some looks when it took off at a red light.

 

[pte359]

I the power is what your looking for then look at the v-rod roadie, have seen several pictures and looked at one a few weeks ago at a bike show, It did not look bad at all.

 

[Guest]

I saw a pic of a Vrod roadie with a RG front fender on it. Looked cool. It's just that the Vrods don't fit my 6'4 frame too well.

 

[JacktheBagger]

getcha big inch S&S or PRP drag racing motor

 

[Stash905]

Just buy a BMW then. Big touring bike with an in line four

 

[Stash905]

I the power is what your looking for then look at the v-rod roadie, have seen several pictures and looked at one a few weeks ago at a bike show, It did not look bad at all.

Problem there is the Revolution engine does not have the bottom end torque for a heavy touring bike.

 

[groupw]

....... i flirted w/changing engines @ one point. There was an '07 RG 96"r w/a mated 6spd on eBay that ended up going for about $3k. Dealer said it'd bolt in, but it was in California & who knows what actual condition it'd be in when it arrived.
..... oh well

 

[rc74racer]

Interesting idea but I think it would take way more than 5k to pull it off. You are taking a bike with decades of engineering based on an air cooled twin belt drive and making it a water cooled inline 4 chain drive. Busa and ZX14 motors are not made for longevity either they are made to rocket down the road 1/4 mile at a time. You might find a concours 14 or king motor (detuned 14/busa motors) but they would still have the same costly conversion issues. You would be losing torque too so I don't quite follow the not shifting in the moutains as much. These are high HP motors designed for 400lb bikes not 800lbs. You would most likely have serious weight distribution issues making it a bad handling bike. You could easily build a big twin with more torque for a lot less money than a conversion like this that would run forever.

 

[JacktheBagger]

All joking aside here , what do ya have ??

you merely need to make what you have work better

you have an 88" or 96" ??

88" ? make it a 95" , I think you can even make it a 103" , someone else may know .. put a good set of street cams in it , a better breather , some good two into ones like the D&D Fatcats .. Maybe even consider regearing the compensator or clutch hub , so it'll pull better ..

a 96" ??

same mods as above and it'll amaze you as a 96" , definetly this motor need regearing even stock ..

 

[Guest]

Then you know very little about Busa engines. They last a long time if you maintain them. A Busa engine STOCK make around 90 ft lbs of torque at not much higher RPM over a HD. Heck, you can install a base level stage1 turbo kit which will put out an easy 240hp and put your torque about 115ftlbs. That and still able to run on pumpgas and sit in traffic. I know, I used to own a turbo Busa. Did you know you can get a clean used Busa engine for less than $2K? Another thing, I'm doing the work myself. Thankfully I don't pay people to work on my bike.

I've done alot of reading and witnessed a few twins busting parts only putting out 130hp. I know that seems alot of HP, but look at what I used to ride. Big twins with High HP just don't last. That's all there is to it. I've NEVER have seen a long lasting 180hp twin.

Let's kill this thread. I don't know what I was expecting from this. Thanks for the replys.

Interesting idea but I think it would take way more than 5k to pull it off. You are taking a bike with decades of engineering based on an air cooled twin belt drive and making it a water cooled inline 4 chain drive. Busa and ZX14 motors are not made for longevity either they are made to rocket down the road 1/4 mile at a time. You might find a concours 14 or king motor (detuned 14/busa motors) but they would still have the same costly conversion issues. You would be losing torque too so I don't quite follow the not shifting in the moutains as much. These are high HP motors designed for 400lb bikes not 800lbs. You would most likely have serious weight distribution issues making it a bad handling bike. You could easily build a big twin with more torque for a lot less money than a conversion like this that would run forever.

 

[Guest]

I have an 06 RG that has a 95kit in it with cams, heavy breather and V&H propipe. It's nothing to write home about powerwise. I've ridden 103's, 107's and SE 110's(stock and modded). I think I got spoiled with my turbo'd Busa. 270rwhp.

Here's my old bike. I built it from the ground up.

 

[GizmoGlide]

These bikes are for the open road, not the drag strip.

*shrug*

 

[Neano62]

Aint no way ! To take a V-Twin motor out,for a inline 4 is not what a Harley is all about IMHO. You can build a Harley Motor to whatever H.P. and Torgue thats needed for the SANE. U must have a need for that Suzuki back. Lay Back, and take it Easy. Smoke some pot or somthin bro.LOL!

 

[JacktheBagger]

well I've fairly painlessly ( cheeply ) took two EVO 80" Tour Glides to 572,000 miles over a period of 24 years , from 1984-2008 , that , is longevity .. I doubt that Jap motor will do that ..

and I've had a turbo and nitro Harley drag bike , so I know a bit about what I speaketh ...

You can put a 175" EVO style motor in , but it wont make it to 50,000 miles ..

Everybody's different , longevity and reliability are my two main things ..

 

[rc74racer]

I know enough about BUSA engines to know the TQ doesnt' come in at similiar rpms. 7800 for the 90lbs on a busa 2500 for an HD 96in. That is a huge difference. I wasn't trying to be a jerk no need to get defensive. I have a lot of experience with sport bikes and inline 4s we race them in our oval and rc cars. I've also been riding sport bikes most of my adult life. I know what it's like to miss that power. Cams, heads and a big bore kit are on my list for next year, but I knew what I was getting into when I made the change. Even with the lack of power I still love this bike it's just a different animal.

I just think there are too many issues to over come with a swap like that but more power to you that is what customizing is all about make it your own stuff a turbo busa in there.