Unknown if the values of air cooled bikes will go up/down in a water cooled environment....

That would matter to an owner who has a bike for $$$$value/resale and not transportation/leisure? Time will answer that question!

 

The OP has some valid points. Reliably and longevity are also greater with water cooled engines assuming other factors are the same. Fuel efficiency is dependent on a number of factors besides just cooling method. Direct injection is a newer engine technology that could greatly improve fuel economy.

My guess is some older air cooled Harleys may take on a classic status if they are no longer manufactured, like older Honda CB750s and become highly prized collector bikes.

The EPA or any other regulatory body cannot mandate a specific type of engine. They can only set efficiency guidelines, however these guidelines may be too big a hurdle for some engine designs like HD's older air cooled engines that are based on an design that has not evolved much from the 1950's. Eventually they will go the way of the big, slow revving, push rod V8s from Detroit. On the other hand car manufacturers are now building much smaller, lighter, more efficient, cleaner, engines that can easily produce more power than the old V8s. Such is progress.

 

+1, I haven't seen anybody get something right the first time when changing technology, let them get the bugs out first. And I will still keep one of the air cooled.

 

For me, I can't afford an Indian and would never be caught in public on a Victory or Can-Am. And we won't even mention the metric cruisers! I guess I'd have to consider smaller manufacturers.

On second thought... If I had to make a choice between a water cooled Harley and an air cooled V-Twin from a company like Orange County Choppers, I think I'd take my chances with the water cooled Harley!

 

Hey, don't insult my lawnmower!

 

Wrong. In my opinion, I know someone who has a shovelhead that sounds like a Harley should. Definitely has that potato sound. My Evo sounds like a Harley with the potato sounds even though my pipes aren't very loud. My Twin cam with the changed out cams doesn't sound at all potato like. Even a prius can be loud but it doesn't sound like a Harley should. If you like the v-rods that is okay--we let them ride with us also.

 

Harley already make a water cooled bike. V-Rod. If you stick to apple verse apple, same exact weight and motor size and only difference is water cooled with thermostatic control, the water cooled one would win out in less pollution and better gas mileage (at least on paper--seat of paints would be little difference. However the radiator on the front of a Harley would just look like a radiator. Hence why you really do not see a lot of V-rods in comparison to your typical air cooled Harley. You also must remember most water cooled bikes is limited to the head only. In a lot of ways it is still pretty primitive.

 

I've yet to hear an Evo with the potato sound unless its idling dangerously (unwisely) low, so you've got me there, its been 27 years since potatoes. Seems like just yesterday....

But my point is, if they made a liquid cooled pan head (or shovel head, in your vivid imagination), it would have the potato sound.

 

wrong. evo and def.shovels have the potato sound anyone will tell you that! i think the moco lost some od the potato in 1999 (twincam) and most all of the potato in 2007 with the efi twincam. with water cooling id buy one, but ill always have my carbed evo around!

 

Everyone KNOWS that nothing has sounded like a Harley since they dropped the total loss oiling system.