Seeing the new bikes with their modern engines and naturally harmonic v-angle, I can't help but wonder whether the 45 degree, exposed-pushrod engine has already been retired on the drafting tables in Milwaukee.

They have the Milwaukee Eight, and they'll let that generation run for a few years, but will it be the end of the line for that style of engine?

Will all the next-generation bikes have modern motors? Will the M8 be retired as soon as they sort out a modern touring motor?

All these aftermarket engine parts suppliers may be seeing the first hints of writing on the wall of their business coming to an end.

 

Yep, Sportsters will be next.

 

Not true. When Harley obsoletes the old bikes the aftermarket will be there to provide the parts to keep them on the road.

 

Yes weather the purist or harley likes it or not. the 45 degree air cooled v twin is on its way out you can only push this old tech so far. the epa will see to that. with emissions regulations getting more strict every year its only a matter of time before it can no longer meet epa regulations. the bikes come from the factory so lean already its crayzy. i dont imagine they will be able to push these engines much further. Liquid coold engines across all model lines is inevitable in the near future. that is if they still want to build bikes and pass epa regulations.

 

Never mind 45 degree V-twins, internal combustion engines are on their way out. Maybe not today or tomorrow but their day will come. The UK has already banned new gas/diesel engines by 2040, Germany by 2030. It's only a matter of time before N. America follows suit.

 

Yes gone in a short while. It was a hell of a ride while it lasted, but nobody likes the shake of a 45 anymore. They have to be counterbalanced to be marketable now and that sucks away power. So, 60 degree is in. Pushrods are next. HD's new performance engine is DOHC for the Streetfighter and the Pan American. The world is changing. Get with it, or get left behind. I just hope I can still get parts for my blockhead.

 

The lean burn 14.6:1 is applied to all engines in vehicles not just air cooled as some posters seem to think. That AFR will not change in the future as it is the AFR that produces less of the three gasses that EPA is concerned about. Go either way from 14.6 to one and the gasses increase.

The internal combustion engine has many years left in it.

 

It's funny I read the same post on here when the 96 came out then the 103 . Now we have the M8 and next it will be 114 then it will be the 117 on all touring . That should get you to 2030. By that time most of you won't be on here anymore.

 

Why worry about something you can't control?

 

In the end it does not matter for at least 40 years.
There is still a shet load of shovel head parts around and being made.