Articles | Southside Harley-Davidson

Articles

  • Are there advantages of using a belt drive over a chain drive?

    1/27/2023 | Southside H-D®

    Harley-Davidson® first began using drive belts in its motorcycle models in the 1980s.  In 1984, Harley-Davidson® introduced the FXR Super Glide II which featured a belt final drive, it was the first Harley-Davidson® model to use a belt drive. In the following years, more models were fitted with belt drive, such as the Softail models in 1985, and the Touring models in 1986. This move to belts was part of Harley-Davidson®'s effort to improve the performance and reliability of their motorcycles...

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  • Is the sixth gear really that important for H-D® motorcycles?

    1/25/2023 | Southside H-D®

    The sixth gear was introduced on Harley-Davidson® motorcycles as a way to improve the overall riding experience. One of the main benefits of adding a sixth gear is increased fuel efficiency. With the ability to run at a higher gear ratio, the engine is able to run at a lower RPM, which reduces fuel consumption. This can result in significant savings for long-distance riders, as well as a reduction in emissions...

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