With all this talk about the Prestone Glide I was curious if the oil cooler supposed to be on the new bikes would satisfy the new "more stringent" 2013 EPA requirements. All of us have seen the water cooled heads sketch, but was curious if the cooler might be an attempt to keep from it.

 

Did I ask the question wrong?

 

I think they will avoid the water cooling as long as permittable, but putting an oil cooler on every bike for a couple years will not prevent it from happening eventually. By waiting until they went 103 to make an oil cooler standard equipment, HD can claim the additional displacement is the justification, without admitting that all the Twin Cams should have had an OEM cooler. It is not impossible to develop another new generation air cooled motor that would satisfy the EPA, but water cooling will be cheaper.

 

S&S did it already.

 

Again, if the bikes not moving, the oil cooler is just a decoration.......Fuel management system with high flow a/f, get rid of the cat in the header, some Mobil 1 or the like and your be fine....

 

This isn't a "how do I keep my bike cool" thread, but thanks for sharing your opinions, even though you are dead wrong about the oil cooler.

 

So basically my answer is H-D will have to redesign or water cool to meet the new EPA mark?

 

What exactly is the new EPA mark going to be compared to what it is now?

 

This is probably a stupid question. I've only been a Harley owner for a few months.
Why would Harley resist building a water cooled touring motor? My last bike was water cooled and it never gave any trouble at all. In fact, I would guess most late model big bikes other than Harley are water cooled. It seems like the sensible thing to do.

 

Tradition.