But. . How big do they have to be? The 103 engine has enough power and can be built for even more. You can put bigger engines in anything but, they still sell plenty of 4-cylinder cars everyday. So, HD and others just have to keep getting bigger and bigger? There are always those who will build motors, no matter the motor but, for the average person, when does the stock motor size really need to change? What about things like mileage, weight, balance and, overall bike performance? Does the engine have to keep getting bigger?


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True, and the CVO 103 and today's standard 103 are two different engines as well but the OP is correct on his point.
Every so often HD bumps up the standard motor by matching the Cubic inches of the CVO engine (within a Cubic inch or so ) and then releases a new CVO engine which is larger.
We're way overdue in that regard... It's been since 2007. Did get the 103 standard in 2011 but still... come on HD.

 

I was surprised, personally, that Harley didn't take the 110th anniversary as an opportunity to make the 110 standard in the touring bikes. Or at least in the "Anniversary Editions." Seemed to me like a no brainer as far as marketing.

 

My opinion.... When the Ultra limited was introduced, with a 103ci, from an engine perspective, it was between the other touring bikes (96ci) and the CVO (110ci)

I'd like to see 3 tier offering again:
Cvo =120
Ultra limited and RG limited =110
SG special and RG special = 110
Ultra, SG, RG, RK = 103
Introduce a RK special with 110.

Specials and limited models have 110 - really make them special... A bigger screen does not make them special just different

Similar to autos. My car has 4 trim levels, and the higher the trim level, the bigger the standard motor is. With each level building on prior level.

 

I like your thought process there

give the CVO the monster motors, give all the limited, SGS, RK Special (i like that new model you created there) the 110

heck even give the softail like and the like a special series with the 110 option and then make a normal like with the 103

 

Since I just bought a touring bike this year, I can guarantee that the larger engine will be standard on touring bikes next year.

 

Harley just released a street legal 120 within the last 2-3 months. My sales guy showed it to me on paper.

 

haha i've been there before

i think we might see a more powerful 103 before we see a jump in displacement. maybe something like 103 coming stock with a 255 cam or similar. personally i think that would be a great idea for them instead of throwing the 110 in the base models and the 120 in the CVO, but either way ppl are going to flock to the dealers to get what ever is next.

i honestly think some ppl would trade a 103 for a 88 if it was the newest model lol

 

I agree entirely, very odd that they didn't. When Harley celebrated their centenary in 2003 S&S celebrated their 45th anniversary, so introduced a 145" engine as a joint celebration. Made sense......

 

Exactly! Haha. I bought a cvo so based on that the 120 will be in them next year. Oh well.............