The Harley-Davidson VR1000 was the famous American marque’s first attempt at a true road racer, set to compete with the output of small, fast European and Asian bikes from the likes of Ducati, Honda, and Kawasaki. Sporting a Ducati-style fuel injected V-twin and a water-based cooling system, the VR1000 picked up the nickname of “the anti-Harley” in engineering circles (via Hemmings).
With 135 hp at 10,000 rpm or better, not to mention a curb weight of just 388 pounds, the VR1000 was a distant departure from Harley’s traditional “big muscle, big iron” approach. By the numbers, it was ready for serious AMA racing (via Motorcycle Specs).
Emphasis, alas, on “was.” For Harley-Davidson, new to the world of light fast-revving superbikes, changing manufacturing approaches took time. Harley also had a brand identity to defend. Even in years before Harley-Davidson onesies and wine koozies, Harley was supposed to mean American big metal, not razor-edged, plastic wrapped global performance. Those concerns left the development of the VR1000 with Roush Racing. Per Hemmings, it was over a year before Harley itself took over construction.
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