Did You Know: Harley-Davidson Connection

by Kurt Scaggs, Managing Editor

You might be aware that throughout the years Porsche has collaborated with several other vehicle manufacturers to lend their expertise with suspension and engine tuning. Two of the most well-known vehicles that Porsche had a hand in creating were the Audi RS2 and the Mercedes 500E. You might even find these lurking in the most passionate collectors garages. It does get stranger though, in the lean years, Porsche collaborated with Lada and Seat. If you’re shifting uncomfortably in your chair, it’s okay. We know they’ve come a long way since then. Perhaps one of the most unusual collaborations though, was that of Porsche and Harley-Davidson. And it happened more than once.

The relationship goes back to the 70’s and ironically, it was Porsche that brought the well known brand into the water-cooled future. After all, they had a little experience of their own with making the leap. In 2002 Harley-Davidson, looking to freshen things up a bit, turned to Porsche to help develop an all new water-cooled 1,131cc V-twin double overhead cam engine. The first of its kind for the company. It made 115 horsepower and 74lb-ft of torque. Quite a bit for the time. The design of the bike was quite a bit different than your typical Harley too. In fact, what appears to be the bikes’ gas tank is actually a cover for the airbox. You had to lift the seat to fill the tank. Weird.

The V-Rod, as it was named, was sold for 15 years alongside the brands’ more conventional models. Considered by many as Harley’s “muscle bike”, the V-twin racing Street Custom went though several iterations, but in 2017 the company sold its last. Strange but true, and better than a Lada. So now you have a little bit of trivia to impress your friends the next time the conversation lulls. You can thank me later. Right: Harley V-Rod on the wall at Texas Harley-Davidson in Bedford.