New engine, when??
#13
#14
#16
Harley will stay with the current air cooled v twin until they are convinced they have a viable replacement or until the EPA regs force them to change. A "viable replacement" refers to a motor that won't negatively impact sales/profits.
Harley has marketed themselves into a corner. They have built their brand around the legend of the vtwin. Not just any vtwin but a 45 degree, air cooled vtwin; a motor configuration that may not pass the test of time/EPA. Will it be a Harley if it doesn't have a 45 degree, air cooled, v twin? Will bikers buy a Harley without a 45 degree, air cooled vtwin? We'll see.
Harley has marketed themselves into a corner. They have built their brand around the legend of the vtwin. Not just any vtwin but a 45 degree, air cooled vtwin; a motor configuration that may not pass the test of time/EPA. Will it be a Harley if it doesn't have a 45 degree, air cooled, v twin? Will bikers buy a Harley without a 45 degree, air cooled vtwin? We'll see.
#17
HD actually built a liquid cooled touring bike back in the early 80s (?). It was a V4 designed by Porsche I believe. I remember seeing it on a TV show when they were walking through the museum. There was only a couple prototypes built and then they scrapped the project. Too bad cause it was a really cool looking bike.
#19
#20
I meant goldwing power (as in 120+ HP & 120+ tq) not a boring v6 that's bigger then many car engine's.
I do not see the big deal with going to water cooled. Make it more reliable, run cooler, allow a lot more power to be made etc. It would have to remain veetwin, several vtwin motors pumping out serious power. I do not think radiators make a bike any less reliable considering it allows the engine to stay in a more controlled temp range.
This reminds me of when HD went to Fuel Injection...... man the HD owners were pissed.... not a real harley..... then they added cat's.... again going to kill the sound etc not a real HD.
But for me every improvement they have made over the 14yrs I have owned a street bike has been huge & made my touring experiences much much better with the newer bike vs the older ones. I would think that a company like HD with the clientel they have made for themself would not release a new engine w/o meeting as many of the old criteria as they can with sound probably being the #1 priority.
At least for me when I am riding downtown to work or doing one of my many parades every year I can't go any faster thus it's HOT. That being said my Buell just gets really hot in another area...... it's a hot calf or hot thigh depending on what I ride
I do not see the big deal with going to water cooled. Make it more reliable, run cooler, allow a lot more power to be made etc. It would have to remain veetwin, several vtwin motors pumping out serious power. I do not think radiators make a bike any less reliable considering it allows the engine to stay in a more controlled temp range.
This reminds me of when HD went to Fuel Injection...... man the HD owners were pissed.... not a real harley..... then they added cat's.... again going to kill the sound etc not a real HD.
But for me every improvement they have made over the 14yrs I have owned a street bike has been huge & made my touring experiences much much better with the newer bike vs the older ones. I would think that a company like HD with the clientel they have made for themself would not release a new engine w/o meeting as many of the old criteria as they can with sound probably being the #1 priority.
At least for me when I am riding downtown to work or doing one of my many parades every year I can't go any faster thus it's HOT. That being said my Buell just gets really hot in another area...... it's a hot calf or hot thigh depending on what I ride