Goldwings get hotter on the nuts than Harley's do.

The early GL1800's like our 2001 had a reverse flow cooling system that blew the air from the fairing vents out the front to try to prevent heat from the engine compartment from getting to the rider. They recalled those because they were constantly overheating. We boiled ours over riding at slow speed in traffic on 494 in the Twin Cities.

The recall changed the cooling fans to what the GL1500's had where it sucked air in the front and blew it out the fairing vents. And those get hot - really hot. There's no gas tank there in the Goldwing and when that heat rises and heats all that plastic it bakes you to crisp. And even going down the road once you going, there's no relief. That's why so many Goldwing owners got those smoked plastic adjustable air deflectors on the side of the fairing to get some air in the cockpit - otherwise they are unbearable in hot weather.

Neither our '89 or nor our present '86 Electra Glides have anywhere near the heat problems in the cockpit that the Goldwings got. We still belong to all the 'Wing forums after riding them for years and years, and it's discussed ad nauseum.
http://gl1800riders.com/forums/showt...e-engine/page2

Frankly, the 2016 Ultra Limited we rode, even with the lowers vents open, was more on par with the Goldwing for engine heat in the cockpit. Uncomfortably warm on a 85 degree day. Not near as pleasant riding as our '86 with the lowers off. With the Rushmore waterheads I don't think you can take the lowers off no more because they got radiators in there.

 

Something I've been thinking of during the last couple of years doing my own is that a niche market for re-manufactured Evos might exist, or come to exist soon.

I'm thinking that the custom guys got it wrong going for big dollar creations but what might be attractive were plain and simple utilitarian rides in the way that most of the FXR revival has remained. I wonder if people would or will come to appreciate such a concept?

I remember when I first looked at H-Ds (when the Evo first came out), there were guys doing exactly that with Pans and, boy, do I kick myself for not buying one now. They were around $4,500. People are doing it with other brands like Vincents or Nortons.

I appreciate it may be a minority view amongst most H-D consumers who want paint jobs and chrome, although I think I share it with other dedicated Evo riders, but I think they went entirely the wrong direction with the CVOs. I am not attracted by them or their glitter and sheen at all. In fact, it puts me off for a number of reasons (I buy to ride not clean).

My dream bike would have been an "Engineers' Special".

Imagine an H-D that the factory allowed the engineers to go at it, not the styling or marketing divisions. A 250,000 mile vehicle that handled, braked, and did not corrode, with a full resolved blueprinted engine. They would not sell a huge amount but I think they could sustain a limited run. And I'd add "lightened" to that list.

Something like the old R90S BMWs were close to that, but I don't like the shaft and opposing twin. An "Classic" or "Officer" type model would be fine. Moto Guzzi seem to have gone off in that direction with their V7 bikes (tank capacity with a range of 300 miles). It used to be only their electrics let them down, and their "Italian" ergonomics did not suit all.

I wonder if people would have the sense or be willing to pay near new prices for an Evo that was remanufactured to better than new standards? May be not right now but in the near future as all this gizmoditry takes hold. I'm thinking that at least all the outlaws, wannabe outlaws and libertarians will soon wanting to be buying rides without GPS tracking devices installed in them by default!


I've just discover MAX BMW is doing exactly this for R-series BMs, although the price is all wrong ($46,000). Apparently BMW Motorrad has retained most of its original tooling. I wonder if H-D has junked theirs?
Is electro-phobia paranoia? No way. That's the reality we are moving into. I predict a future where the government will be wanting the onboard computers to track every journey, documenting speeds, times and locations to be downloaded during obligatory servicing. Just as they are likely to try and move us older machines without them (it's already happening in other countries).

The technology all already exists in trucking (and took all the fun and fringe benefits out of it).

(And then they let him to do this to it ... there's another video "New BMW R90s, Best Test Ride EVER.")

 

Actually, S&S Cycle already does that. When H-D's patent on the Evo design expired, S&S took it and ran with it - improved it and builds NEW engines (not remans) that surpass the original Harley engines. Take a look at their V111 and T111 engines. They even build fully emissions compliant engines (the only ones I know of) that meet current 2016 emissions specs for new-build customs.

The S&S 111 cube engines are square (same bore and stroke) instead of being under-square (long stroke, smaller bore) like the H-D engines are. So they vibrate less because they have better primary balance. And they are torque monsters, producing over 100 lbs of torque at cruise rpm. And they come with a three year unlimited mileage warranty for the touring versions:
http://www.sscycle.com/go-fast-showc...-engines/v111/

http://www.sscycle.com/go-fast-showc...state-engines/

These engines aren't cheap and many people say "why do that when you can buy a new Harley?" BUT - there's a lot of people that don't want all the electronic BS in the new Harleys. And instead will gladly spend $12 Grand to have a classic that's reliable, outperforms the new Harley's, and turns heads because it's rare.

Many people say Harley dropped the Evo and went to the Twinkie because the Evo couldn't meet emissions. This is not true. S&S has been building them for over a decade - with carbs instead of fuel injection.

 

I love silly statements like that! I have an S&S 107", predecessor of their 111", which I bought with the 3 year warranty. I'm pleased to say that expired without incident. S&S engines with that warranty come with their IST engine management system, which monitors the engine, restricts revs during running in and generally keeps an electronic eye on things, including recording data for analysis. Yes mine has a carb, but it has some lovely and imaginative electronics as well! But then I'm not bothered by having such things.

 

Sure, you might have an electronic engine management system. Even my old '86 has an electronic ignition. But it don't have a fancy touch screen computer on it, nor a key with a FOB. And the security system is made by Ruger and the only PIN it has is a firing pin.

 

Best post in the thread! I like my Rugers.

 

So do I, but how do we get side-tracked to guns from bikes?! Doh......

 

i prefer S&W.....without the electronics.

 

Nope. Plastic Springfield for me!

 

Because here in America, EVERY conversation ends up being side-tracked to talking about guns. America is all about the guns.