The X -Wedge Files

THE X -WEDGE FILES

Thunder & Showers

I flew to Wisconsin with a radar gun, tripod and acceleration-tracking-software-equipped laptop stuffed in with my checked luggage. With Kevin Cameron handling the in-depth technical view, my sights were trained on acquiring comparative top-gear roll-on and quartermile times aboard a pair of S&S-powered Big Dog choppers-one running the new X-Wedge engine and another with a fuel-injected V117 Series single-cam Evo-style Twin currently used by Big Dog.

Unfortunately, before I was able to nail down a suitable location to gather performance data, the heavens opened up with untimely precipitation. This put a (literal) damper on the test proceedings since our radar gun tracks rain drops much better than it does a motorcycle speeding off into the distance. But it wasn’t a total washout, because where there’s a butt, there’s also a seat-of-thepants impression to be had.

Following a tour of the impressive S&S facility, I headed out with members of the X-Wedge development team for a taste of big-inch torque, riding a loop on the neighboring country roads. I started out aboard the 117-inch Big Dog. This particular model wore a massive 300mm-wide rear tire that made negotiating even modest corners an unnerving challenge. It lent perspective, however, for the “relative” improved handling offered by the 250mm rear meat on the 121-inch X-Wedge-powered Mastiff model I rode next.

Chopper-weird handling characteristics aside, I focused on finding some distinction between the two engines. To be honest, I didn’t detect a night-n-day difference here as both pounded out impressive low-rev torque, made a hell of a thunder out their exhausts and extended a fairly vigorous handshake through the bars.

What of the substantial vibration reduction detailed in the X-Wedge technical brief? I was told to direct my attention to the footpegs, as the current engine has been known to shake boots loose on extended highway rides. Sure enough, there was an appreciable difference.

A pleasant surprise was slipping into the saddle of “Wilma,” pet

project name for a sporting development chassis the S&S folks constructed when faced with the task of piling on durability miles with the “Fred” engine. The S&S-designed frame and swingarm tie a Buell XB fork, front wheel and brake assembly to a Sportster rear wheel and brake setup. A custom-made saddle resides between the Sportster tank and aftermarket rear fender with the Muzzy exhaust canister lending the bike a sporting appearance. Think Super Dyna Sport.

Riding the Fred & Wilma combo provided a yabba-dabba-doo time with light, neutral steering and bedrock (sorry) stability. Its 128-cubic-inch “hot-rod” state of tune offered an even greater sense of X-Wedge performance potential. It’s also a glimpse of S&S’s possible foray into offering chassis kits to customers in the future.

Upon my return home I found a notice of baggage inspection card inside my gearbag. It seems the Transportation Security Administration is on the lookout for guns of all types; fortunately the inspectors didn’t confiscate our test gear. We intend to get full numbers once we get our hands on an X-Wedge bike down the road. As for now, the dyno in my pants suggests HarleyDavidson and Victory best be aware of that other Wisconsinbased power broker.

Don Canet