No thanks to water cooling for me. I worked as a wrench on cages for a few years, and there were always coolant leaks, plugged rads, messed up thermostats, etc... I don't want that or all the extra plumbing and junk like a rad on my bike. If I wanted a big inch water cooled ride, I'd buy one of the Japanese ones out there now.

Cheers!
[sm=icon_rock.gif][sm=icon_rock.gif][sm=icon_rock.gif]

 

YUP.

Maybe they can go to an air/oil cooled setup like the early GSXRs had....small unobtrusive radiator to cool the extra oil spraying around and flowing thru passages

 

Cooling technology in these modern times might surprise you.....I will betcha the moto co will come up with a water cooled system that will be almost invisible to the eye.....Fighter jets have remarkable cooling systems, heat sinks,etc that use the aircrafts fuel to cool hydraulic, and oil systems etc.....Using small radiators [ heat exchangers ] located in the fuel tanks......

I would think the folks at the moto co will do their utmost to keep a harley air cooled vee twin motorcycle lookin like a air cooled motorcycle even if its actually water cooled...

 

Very good question on the frame, maybe it attaches under the tank. As you, I also question the timing of the archives posting in "Enthusiast". If it was "one of the most closely guarded secrets in MOCO history for two decades", why release it now? What is in store for us?

Nice design for the 70's.

 

Jeezzz........... I'll agree that the water cooled bikes will change the looks where some of us might not prefer.. But man, its emissions that no one can get arround.. A good example has been made by comparing to cars.. Would you rather drive a '68 Mustang, with a carb, points, manual steering, manual brakes, crank windows, etc, or would you rather drive a new '07 Mustang Gt with an economical 500hp V-8 that is capable of 20mpg (with the air on) that needs no service(other than oil changes) for 100k mi? You could relate it to how you guys have sold out by buying new Evo's or Revo's instead of driving the "very superior" flat heads with manual spark advance and kick start... Come on guys, its going to be different, but it could be a very good thing moving into the 20th century. I love Harleys and have owned nothing else, but its hard to defend technology that was around with Fred Flinstone and make examples of why its so much better than the competition.. Ever wonder why most bike arguements end with "its a Harley thing, if I had to explain it, you wouldnt understand"? There are no explainations of why they are better (technicaly) its just a feel!! If the V-rod even resembled a Harley, it would have done really well. It hase great power and reliability. I'm looking forward to seeing how they do it. I wont be selling my Evo and I may even buy another, but I wont rule out having a water cooled Harley in the future..

 

Wow! There's a lot of strong feeling s out there about this issue but the real bottom line is that HD has to follow federal guiddelines no matter what. I have both my HD and etric bikes and when ever I go out to the desert areas where I know it is really hot I take a metric so my engine doesn't get too hot. How many of you would opt to drive an air cooled car? I for one am eager to see what HD does to meet standards in the future and will personally ride whatever is available just to be able to ride- heck- I may even have to get a trike someday...........

 

You really wanan go back to air cooled cars?

 

Hey, even a '63 Vette (the baddest automobile ever made[sm=icon_sneaky.gif]) had a radiator!
Don't worry, air-heads - S&Shas a new air cooled twin that's EPA ready for years to come. I'm sure H-D won't be far behind.

 

I hope they keep the aircooled engines as long as damn possible. Heritage, History, Character.



If I wanted an ugly H2O vrod I would have bought one.

 

Hey folks...HD has stated many times the Twinky platform will meet all current and foreseeable EPA guidelines. HD helped the EPA write them...do you think they are going to destroy themselves??? The patents on the new TC96 are going to be good until 2013, so I suspect the TC replacment in 2014. Notice how the TC88 lasted from 99-06 (7 years) until the patents expired?

They will make another water cooled motor when the market demands it and they can make money at it. The Revolution has barely survived. Its a good motor but too big a departure for certain buyers. It revs too high, doesn't have the low end torque, looks too different, and sounds too different for mainstream buyers. The next water cooled motor will likely be a 45 degree single pin crank design and have cooling fins for looks just like the current TC. It will sound just like the current air cooled motors. It will also have a longer stroke than bore and be low revving with tons of low end torque. The radiator will be hidden somewhere like below the motor or it will be small enough to tuck between the down tubes without much notice. On the Ultra it could be between the lowers and noone would notice it much. They may only offer it on certain bikes. I could see Softails staying with air cooled indefinately (just add an oil cooler as stock).

You guys talk as though all metrics are water cooled and no other bikes are air cooled. There are plenty of bikes still air cooled by Yamaha, BMW, Victory and others. Harely hasn't even put oil coolers on as standard equipment yet (except CVO bikes). The TC is designed to run hot. Its not going to hurt it. Put a Stage 1 on it and richen it up a little and it cools right down.

As Harley continues to grow I think we can expect more motor choices...just like the other manufacturers. I could see the Revo, the TC, the Evolution and another water cooled motor all at the same time. They must grow and to do that they need to reach more buyers without losing the current customer base.