Kawasaki Flat 6

[Sodbuster]

Sorry for luring you into this post ..  .. but was wondering if there are any restriction(s) from another marque designing/building a bike that would have a flat 6 for an engine.  I realize that the V-Twin is basically what everyone wants but does Honda own any rights to the flat 6 engine ??

Boy, wouldn't Honda be pissed if someone else came out with a flat 6 cruiser and it sold like hot cakes  ....

[F6Dave]

I wish someone would, since I've pretty much given up on Honda after the intro of that 'new' Wing (I've heard it referred to as the Lead Wing).  Porsche and Subaru already make flat 6 engines so it isn't unique.  Didn't HD try accusing others of patent infringement at one time?

[valkmc]

Sorry for luring you into this post ..  .. but was wondering if there are any restriction(s) from another marque designing/building a bike that would have a flat 6 for an engine.  I realize that the V-Twin is basically what everyone wants but does Honda own any rights to the flat 6 engine ??

Boy, wouldn't Honda be pissed if someone else came out with a flat 6 cruiser and it sold like hot cakes  ....

It would have to be a good design....the Valk is a great bike and it did not sell like hotcakes.

[GOOSE]

it did not sell like hotcakes because honda did not market it right.  the only problem with it now is that honda has completely forgotten about us, and could care less.  nobody in their right mind is going to shell out $29k for a wing when they can have that new 1600 bmw, or some other that will outperform and have less problems.  honda will never go back to the "old valkyrie" because they would probably sell like hotcakes now.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I can remember the local Honda dealer had '97 and '98 models on the floor in 2000.

[Tropic traveler]

Even a big 4 cylinder would be good. As long as it is smooth & powerful like the Valkyrie I would be open to buying one. I had the Rocket 3 but the highway vibration from the big 3 cylinder was more than I liked.
I guess I've been spoiled.

[SteveL]

I bought a brand new 98, in 2001 for $9K with a full warranty and $500 Honda "Custom bucks" for chrome.

Honda has no interest in building street bikes anymore. They'll run out of 1300cc engines and stop building those silly "Customs" or those VTX1300.

Honda stopped trying in about 2001. I'm surprised they are even in the motorcycle business anymore. They'ld rather make lawn mowers and Civics.

[F6Dave]

That might be nice, a Venture with a 1700 cc V-Max Motor, detuned a bit for loads of torque.  The current version is very Valk-like but the old 1300 cc V4 is just too under powered.  Isn't it interesting how Yamaha continues to build that bike even though they don't sell very many?  Heck, even though Honda stopped making it 8 years ago, I still see more Valks on the road than Ventures.

And that is the difference:  some companies are willing to generate loyalty by continuing to make low volume bikes that are unique.  Kawasaki did it for 20 years with the original Concours, even at times what they sold so few that they had to suspend production for a year or so to sell those sitting on dealer's floors.

[¿spoom]

Sorry for luring you into this post ..  .. but was wondering if there are any restriction(s) from another marque designing/building a bike that would have a flat 6 for an engine.  I realize that the V-Twin is basically what everyone wants but does Honda own any rights to the flat 6 engine ??

Boy, wouldn't Honda be pissed if someone else came out with a flat 6 cruiser and it sold like hot cakes  ....

Nope, nobody has any exclusive rights to a flat six, Porsche, has 'em, the old Corvairs, various aiplanes etc, the configuration is generic and can't be protected for certain uses.

[R J]

I wish someone would, since I've pretty much given up on Honda after the intro of that 'new' Wing (I've heard it referred to as the Lead Wing).  Porsche and Subaru already make flat 6 engines so it isn't unique.  Didn't HD try accusing others of patent infringement at one time?

Subaru builds a Flat 6?

I thought it was a 4.

Forgive me if I'm wrong.

I'm wrong.

They have a 3.0 liter DOHC aluminum engine, looks like it started in 09..

[F6Dave]

Yep, Subaru makes both flat 4 and flat 6 engines.  Several models like the Outback, Legacy, and Tribeca are available with their 3.6 litre H-6.

[Bobbo]

Didn't HD try accusing others of patent infringement at one time?

I think it was over the unique "potato-potato" sound.  Probably got thrown out of court...

[Jim_Orr]

Honda has no patent on the flat six design.  Porsche has been building flat six engines for cars for over fifty years, way before Honda ever started.

[Sodbuster]

....  Didn't HD try accusing others of patent infringement at one time?

Per Wikipedia -

On February 1, 1994, the company filed a sound trademark application for the distinctive sound of the Harley-Davidson motorcycle engine: "The mark consists of the exhaust sound of applicant's motorcycles, produced by V-twin, common crank-pin motorcycle engines when the goods are in use". Nine of Harley-Davidson's competitors filed comments opposing the application, arguing that cruiser-style motorcycles of various brands use a single-crank-pin V-twin engine which produce a similar sound. These objections were followed by litigation. In June 2000, the company dropped efforts to federally register its trademark.

[Stormrider65]

As usual, Honda, in their infinite wisdom , did what they always do, make as much money as they can for on model, and just move on to what they think the public wants.  In 1983 they made the V-65 Magna, at the time was the fastest bike in the world( 0-60 2.8 sec 1/4 mile 10.838 @ 124 mph). They only made it for 3 years.  In 89 they made the FL400 Pilot.  The upgrade to the Odyssey.  Better, faster, even more bulletproof.  They only made it for 2 years.  They forgot all about the Valkyrie for one reason, money.  Thats what I love the most about VRCC.  The wrench parties, the gettogethers, the many forums and posts and tech pages we have.  I have not been a member long here, but this international club of ours is the most well informed and knowledgable on this motorcycle than I have ever witnessed.  Even though Honda had just dumped the Valkyrie off to the side, this bike is one of the most bulletproof I have ever had the chance to ride and own.  And now back to our regularly scheduled program already in progress .


Walt

[sheets]

Didn't the old Greyhound bus' from the 40s and 50s run a pancake engine?  Gas or diesel?