just gonna ask. Looking at the specs section on HDs web page. Area that says "Engine Torque Testing Method", then "J1349". What does that mean, specifically, and what does it matter??? 
What it means is that the results posted were determined in accordance with the J1349 standard protocol set up by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). TLR explained it well; if you don't have universally accepted and applied standards to measure this stuff, anyone could claim any sort of ridiculous number. And btw, there are other systems in use in other parts of the world, like DIN (Deutsches Institut für Normung). Thus the need to specify which standard Harley used to determine their claimed output.
Does it really matter to you as a consumer? Probably not unless you're one of the anal folks who like to quote specs rather than just ride the bike. For folks in the business world however it is very important. There are many standards organizations in the world, like ISO for instance, that promulgate standards for all sorts of things that affect businesses. So it's not just a Harley thing, it's something that affects commerce and industry throughout the world.
Jerry
Author
Topic: I've ALWAYS wondered what the hell this really means..... (Read 5253 times)