Good thread, evrybody chiming in... Fact is uncle sam will have the final say on the matter. The air cooled is just filthy at the exhaust, and being in a motorcycle is the only reason they haven't put a stop to it. The end is near!!

 

why not an oil cooled harley aka buell but super sized

 

Now that's just plain sick!
Would have to have big honking stereo so I could play recording of '48 FL exhaust

 

I've kinda wondered this as well. A true, oil cooled design with the oil flowing near the exhaust valves, under the pistons, and all the critical areas. It could use two oil pumps; a high pressure, low volume for lubrication, and a low pressure, high volume for cooling. It works on BMW's R bikes but they have the benefit of both cylinders poking out in the breeze.
There are some that believe water cooling, by nature, will solve the *rider* heat issue. I'll argue that's just not the case. The hottest, most uncomfortable to ride in hot weather, motorcycles that I've ever ridden have been water cooled. Hot air still wafts up from the engines, and the radiator as well. Then when the fan comes on and blows it really gets uncomfortable.
On my K1200GT heat is a non-issue, but not because it's water cooled. It's due to plastic shielding (fairing), some insulation, and air flow being directed from the radiator and engine down under the bike. I don't see this look making it on a Harley though.

 

Irony?

 

Of all places, parked in front of the HD factory? :-) Gotta hand it to BMW on this one though. And what a motor!

 

Again with the water cooled question? When they are they are, and nobody can do anything about.

 

Not a very attractive bike is it .. It kinda looks like Darth Vader

 

LOL, it's an "acquired taste".

 

All I can say is welcome to the 21st century. Sure air cooled HDs are the way they are for the reasons they are. But HD is going to succumb to the politics of government. Thats the way it is whether we like it or not.
Whens the last time you followed a stinkin car exhaust, not since the 80's, and no more 300d Mercedes benz' thank god. It is evolution! And HD is the last air cooled m/c engine around, they cant last forever.
IMHO thats why they came out with the Vrod when they did, so it can be refined and tweeked to be ready for a future compliant engine platform.

Personally if they did put a vrod in all HD's there be a lot more fatalities, because the weekend wannabes will crash and burn with all the added HP. Besides the entrepreneurial minds of investors and engineers are thinking 10 years ahead of the times to make a better and ultimately a compliant vehicle.
Some will disagree, and some will shoot flames, but swami says its not a matter of if its going to happen, but when. I will run mine until it cant be resurrected anymore.