When Porsche Collaborated With Harley Davidson To Create An Unlikely One-Off

Summary

• Harley-Davidson turned to Porsche in 2002 to solve its trouble finding new buyers by creating a new V2 engine for its V-Rod model.
• The collaboration resulted in the birth of the iconic V-Rod, a significant divergence from Harley-Davidson’s traditional cruisers.
• Although the V-Rod was discontinued by Harley-Davidson in 2018, it has gained value and become a sought-after performance classic among enthusiasts.

Harley-Davidson along with its V-twins have a lengthy and prosperous heritage in tandem, dating back to 1914 when the firm unveiled the F-head, the company’s initial big-bore twin. Whether it’s the large Milwaukee-Eight or the mid-range Revolution X, the V-twin is still a mainstay for the company today.

But as much as one loves motorcycles, it would be difficult to find a true gearhead who does not also appreciate Porsche when it comes to cars. Porsche began as an engineering company that offered its expertise to others for a fee; even though they are most recognized for their sports vehicles.

Porsche partnered with other automakers during the 1980s and 1990s. For instance, the 190E 2.3-16 sports sedan is the result of a collaboration with Mercedes. Additionally, the brand collaborated with Audi to produce the first high-performance Audi wagon, the RS2 Avant. However, Porsche has collaborated on initiatives outside of car manufacturers.

Imagine this: American heavyweight Harley-Davidson and Porsche, the pinnacle of German sophistication, working in tandem. As strange as the match may sound, that’s just how things happened around 20 years ago, at the start of the millennium. In an effort to do something a bit different with its V-twin back in 2002, Harley looked to Porsche for assistance. The two firms had previously worked together, but their transatlantic collaboration in the early 2000s was going to have one of the biggest historical effects, giving rise to the V-Twin Racing Street Custom, or V-Rod.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was gathered from various sources like PorcheEngineering, RideApart and AutoEvolution.

Why The Harley-Porsche Partnership Came To Be

Harley Had A Lack Of Reliable, Affordable Motorcycles

Harley-Davidson was having trouble finding prospective buyers in the early 2000s. One of the main problems was that Harley didn’t actually have any reasonably priced, dependable motorcycles. The American maker went to Porsche, a brand that was starting to become synonymous with high-quality performance engineering, in an attempt to solve these issues.

In 2002, development partner Porsche Engineering created a new V2 engine for the American motorcycle company’s “V-Rod” model, dubbed the “Revolution Engine.” For the maker, who is more renowned for its Americana design, the model opened up a whole new world. The V-Rod introduced modern, innovative concepts to Harley rather than relying solely on a brand and a heritage.

All About The New Revolution Max Engine

The V-Rod Carried Two Critical Firsts For Harley-Davidson

Porsche engineers built a 1,131 cc water-cooled motor inspired by a race engine that impressed Harley-Davidson’s picky customers with its powerful sound and impressive performance, something it took Harley years to replicate with its modern lineup. The VRSC-series Harley’s four-valve engine, DOHC valvetrain, with electronically regulated fuel injection produces up to 120 horsepower.

The Harley-Davidson V-Rod was a significant divergence from the other models in the company’s portfolio. Most notably, the ‘Revolution’ engine had twin overhead cams and was water-cooled — two critical firsts for a Harley-Davidson. It’s kind of strange to consider that Harley-Davidson’s first water-cooled engine was developed by Porsche, which was at the time recognized as the leader in high-performance air-cooled engines.

Porsche’s 911, and Boxster sports vehicles had just recently begun to use water-cooled engines themselves. But most critically, the new engine reached a max rev range of 9,000 RPM. Porsche also put the engine through its famed Düsseldorf Test, which involved running the V-twin continuously for 500 hours, to demonstrate the engine’s durability. There was never a reported engine failure.

Engine Specifications

Birth Of The Iconic V-Rod

Nothing Like A Harley Of That Time

The engine was fitted on an all-new model, the V-Rod. In terms of appearance, the V-Rod was different from other Harley-Davidson cruisers. Firstly, it was constructed using an aluminum swingarm and body panels, and it was constructed on a perimeter tube frame that was akin to Ducati’s trellis frame. The eccentric solid disc wheels, stylish twin exhaust tips, and oversize 38-degree rake angle set this bike apart from most other Harley designs of the time.

The airbox was tucked away on the bike using a false petrol tank that was placed on top of the chassis; the real reservoir was beneath the seat. Rather than adhering to tradition, this design was all about attitude and appearance. The V-Rod didn’t have to be afraid to show off its strength, weight, and size.

2002 V-Rod Underpinnings

The company’s experiment had two possible outcomes: it might have established the new standard for all other Harley models, or it may have been a fleeting commercial failure. In fact, what happened was neither of the two. Instead, the V-Rod carved out a unique niche for itself.

Even while it didn’t appeal to as many people as the other Milwaukee products, it was nonetheless successful enough to last for fifteen years, in part because of the recognition it received from the racing community. Based on the production V-Rod, Custom Vehicle Operations unveiled the drag-racing monster, known as the V-Rod Destroyer, to the strip in 2007. It completed the quarter-mile in 6.991 seconds, setting a new speed record.

It Was Discontinued By Harley-Davidson In 2018

A 16-Year Run Helped Set The Way For Future H-D Models

From 2002 until 2018, the Harley-Davidson V-Rod was offered along with a number of cosmetic packages, such as the blacked-out Night Rod Special, in addition to the basic bike and Destroyer, and others from third party companies. But come 2018, Harley-Davidson revealed its official lineup which included 17 models, none among which was the V-Rod. Without so much as a word of appreciation, the V-Rod was dropped from the roster, much like a worn-out boot that had fulfilled its job. At Harley’s, an era unexpectedly ended.

The V-Rod wasn’t exactly a disaster during its 16-year tenure, and it appears that some Harley riders are beginning to value it more. The reality is that every time Harley-Davidson introduces a new model, a small group of conservatives always resist the change. However, over time, some people will always value the model and pick it as their favorite. With time, the V-Rod has gained value and become a sought-after performance classic among Harley enthusiasts who want their bikes to have some sort of German flare.

Harley currently relies on its CVO portfolio to produce bikes that have a greater bite. Though it may be gone, the V-Rod lives on. We will never forget the moment Porsche created an engine specifically for a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, even though the model may have vanished off the face of the planet with far less fanfare than when it originally debuted.