This Engine Just Saved Harley Davidson

Harley-Davidson is one of the most recognizable brands in the world. They have 118 years of R&D under their belt, but to some critics they’re heavy, unreliable, and old-fashioned. They know how to survive in a changing world, and their Revolution Max is a brand new engine packed with the latest technology. It’s going to make Harleys lighter, more refined, more reliable, and more powerful than ever. But will the rev max be enough to change the game entirely? Today on B2B we're gonna find out!

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[ReachOutReptiles]

I was an engineer on this design. And I watched your episode on engine speed. So there you go… one did watch it. 😎🤙

[BlockheadMoto]

Stoked to see Donut cover the RevMax! Y’all need to give Jeremiah more moto content, he kills it! Maybe some vids on the Buell he mentioned? Eh? Eeeeh? 😁 Awesome job Donut!

[theofficialsikris]

I am so happy they let Jerry talk about motorcycles. You can tell how enthusiastic he is about them.

[rkp]

Baby boomers have kept Harley alive for so long yet they're also holding them back and almost killed the company. Nice to see them updating and modernizing.

[MN-vwlo]

The story about harley dealerships not working on their own bikes made me laugh. A few years ago I needed to get my tires replaced on my Vulcan, I called a local shop to see if they could do it and they said they, "only work on American bikes." I said, "good luck with your business then, " and hung up. They were out of business a year later, and I still smile everytime I drive past their old shop.

[brianc]

I have been a Harley rider since 1976 and ride a 1200 Sportster in the intermediate group on track days. I LOVE the Rev Max engine and this video described it very well. I might suggest that you get an English major to edit the subtitles to eliminate some of the cringeworthy mistakes like "not" for knock and "Four apt" for fore and aft!

[DeadnCold]

The other big reason they really needed this new engine is emissions laws. Air cooled just does not jive well with lower emissions. If Harley wants to keep selling bikes in twenty years they need to wean their riders off of air cooling and get them used to liquid cooling.

[danielmarek]

I live in the greater Milwaukee area and used to ride a Harley. At that time, 20 years ago, I was one of the youngest. At that time I was 40 ish. I now am 62. Back then many riders/owners were my age now or older. Their big followers back then are now in their 80's or 6' under the ground. Harley has no choice but to attract new younger enthusiasts or go out of business. Lets face it all companies are in business to make money. I'll bet the day Harley came out with their first V-Twin some guy with a Harley single said "That's not a Harley, it's got too many cylinders".

[ccheng]

Loved the video, just wanted to clarify that VTEC's revolutionary feature was Variable LIFT, as Variable "Valve Timing" has been around, and implemented by multiple manufacturers. Variable LIFT (aka, like having 2 different cams in your engine) was what VTEC and Honda brought to the masses and was revolutionary...

[Prairie_Barbarian]

"That's not a real Harley"
"You're right, it's a Davidson"

[ItsJustElenore]

Other brand fans: "Look at the cool innovation of our favorite brand!"

Harley fans: "Oh no! They're improving their bikes! That's terrible! :("

[dsofe]

I just test rode this engine about an hour ago and I'm still smiling ear to ear. They did a really good job on this one.

[bigkg]

I had a vrod for 10yrs. Loved it! Bulletproof crazy fast bike but he's right old school Harley guys didn't like it. I guess since it didn't leak oil everywhere and it was way too well built it wasn't cool.

[ajkrueger]

I’m from Milwaukee and want nothing more than for Harley to succeed and I think this is a step in the right direction

[humoroustumor]

Love the new engine from all I’ve seen about it but the air cooled 45 degree potato potato will always steal my heart. Here’s to another 100 years of Harley Davison Motorcycles 🍻 Cheers, have fun and ride safe.

[mread]

Jeremiah, your impression of different engines was spectacular!

[TheZcoot]

Ignition timing and variable valve timing are independent features.

Any engine with computer controlled spark and a knock sensor can handle pre-ignition.

Variable valve timing is generally for optimising fuel efficiency or power in certain operating conditions.

[gschadalavada]

I’m Indian, and I grew up in America. I recently went into a Harley dealership with my white friend cause he was looking for a new jacket, and when we were just looking at the bikes, an employee approached us. He didn’t make eye contact with me once, and as soon as I spoke his tone changed to annoyance. It wasn’t just the one employee, it was most of the ones there. I can’t really complain cause they’re gonna deny it and move on. Hopefully, with the updates their doing to their bikes, they’ll also update their values.

[michaellawlor]

As someone who’s rode the new sportster s, that new engine is kickass and literally all the hardcore Harley guys I know think it’s cool

[rjlacaillade]

As someone who owns 4 different kinds of bikes, I feel like there are somethings I agree with in this comment section and some misinformation being flung around. I do own a cammed softail slim, but I’m not a “fanboy”.

If I want to do spirited riding I’ll take the 599 hornet out which in my opinion is the last naked bike to have character and some soul to it. I also have a couple of dual sports for dual sport things. Bikes are like tools and when I find myself wanting to ride for 5 hours + I’ll be taking the Harley. As for reliability, the reliability issues that Harley had was in the amf years which was decades ago. This is my third Harley, and I sold my last one with 130 thousand miles on it and it was a twin cam 96.
A lot of people like to compare power output of the air cooled v-twins to metric litre bikes or 600s, but fail to realise just how different they are. Over square vs under square, air or oil cooled vs liquid cooling, push rod vs overhead cams, ect. It’s like comparing an eggplant to a connoli… they’re just not in the same realm… and are built with a different purpose in mind.

I love all bike equally and even some scooters. Every bike has a purpose in my eyes. I love the sound of my Honda, that carbed 4cyl sounds fantastic and is all I’ll ever need to fill my thirst to ride fast ish. The Harley to me just does what it does best and that’s being a cruiser. I know there are better bikes out there but I like it and when I’m doing group rides with fellow veterans it’s just more comfortable.
But as a company I do agree that Harley needs to work on innovation for sure! There are many ways to incorporate their heritage with new designs and engines, the old guys out there need to be open minded and just accept the fact that times are chaging.. to be clear …. I’m actually a triumph fanboy :)