Someone told me that only the exhaust valves are water cooled on some of the touring models... way to go, EPA! This doesn't mean more H.P. I don't think... as it would in the case of a water cooled ENGINE... this means leaner AFR's only?

 

I'm seeing 104.7 ft lbs of torque compared to 105.5 ft lbs of torque. Not much of a gain to say the least.

 

I had a liquid cooled 04 Honda Shadow A.C.E. 750. That bike cost under $7000 out the door. You would think HD should be able to outfit a bike that cost 2x-3x as much. MOCO you disappoint me. Shame!

 

I got to see a Street Glide Special up close this morning, and it had one thing I HADN'T heard about - a hydraulic clutch...!

 

Tourers have beefier 49mm forks and abs linked braking - they are moving into the 21st century.

 

I'm getting a second bike, an Indian. I would have purchased another Harley but the water cooled never came this year...

 

Maybe its because I owned a water cooled bike before my Rocker, but I personally dont have a problem with water cooled Harleys.

 

If we are going to gain weight and lose horsepower then who wants water cooled? What is the appeal.

 

It might add a bit of a safety margin under extreme operating conditions. It also might allow keeping the power level up when things get really hot, rather than retarding the timing.

 

It's all about meeting EPA standards. Just like having DPFs and use urea on diesel trucks now. No one wants it because it adds complexity and cost, but manufacturers reach a point where they have done all they can by just adjusting fuel and air mixture. If they don't do something to meet those specs eventually they won't be selling product. We can all thank Cali and CARB as what passes there eventually makes it to the rest of the country.