So! Why Harley?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,745
Likes: 36
From: Lafayette La
Why Harley..for me it's..their true to their roots Vtwin, large displacement piston Sound. The sound is what I like. I may grip about the rattle loose fit of the compensator and the klunk of the trans gears but I love it.
If it was a german engineered sewing machine, formula one, dead nuts tuned, quite precise well behaved, modern high hp but low torque engine I would not want it.
So I don't know why either.
If it was a german engineered sewing machine, formula one, dead nuts tuned, quite precise well behaved, modern high hp but low torque engine I would not want it.
So I don't know why either.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,059
Likes: 4
From: Florida
I never even though about liquid cooling on my EVO's. My 96 gets so Fing hot, even after tuning that liquid cooling (the heads) seems like a good idea. If HD ever goes to full on, waterjacket cooling, (and OHC) I'm not buying one. At that point, it'll be just like every other cruiser on the market. Why pay a premium for a badge? That's what I thnk of the "street" line. It's nothing special when lined up next to all the other bikes in that class.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 668
Likes: 72
From: Wisconsin
My wife has a metric she dislikes Harley. Too big, too loud. Too much $. I love my bike, it's a Harley. Metrics to me feel like a cheap Smart Car. Air cooled or liquid cooled never was a discussion point. Harley will go in the direction that the EPA and sales leads them. They have met the current EPA standards. But they are also being pushed by the EPA to do more. To take it further. We shall see. There bikes are nice now and will be in a few years. If things were meant to stay the same, we would still buy buggy whips. And yes I do understand the motorcycle purist. I think there's a Rolling Stone song in there somewhere. Peace
Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
Beary
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,386
Likes: 255
From: Southern California
a liquid cooled motor can make better power- tolerances can be tighter for a longer running, more powerful and less polluting motor.
The tolerances can be tighter as expansion of the mating parts in the motor is less extreme, in an air/oil cooled motor the fits of all the parts is sloppy when cold. this slop will contribute to wear over time.
Controlled combustion chamber temperatures can allow a wider range of ignition curves and higher compression. A "water jacket" will also help to control noise emissions ( how many new riders are confused by the sound of the valve train). Compare any vehicle of today with one of 40 years ago- we get much better result for our money now. (I have old motorcycles and cars- and they are fun- but I also like the economy, power and function of newer vehicles) mike
The tolerances can be tighter as expansion of the mating parts in the motor is less extreme, in an air/oil cooled motor the fits of all the parts is sloppy when cold. this slop will contribute to wear over time.
Controlled combustion chamber temperatures can allow a wider range of ignition curves and higher compression. A "water jacket" will also help to control noise emissions ( how many new riders are confused by the sound of the valve train). Compare any vehicle of today with one of 40 years ago- we get much better result for our money now. (I have old motorcycles and cars- and they are fun- but I also like the economy, power and function of newer vehicles) mike
Bingo . . . we have a winner!
Conspiracy theorists need to find something else to worry about IMHO.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 680
Likes: 224
From: Buhl, Idaho
Had air cooled old Jap bikes, fun at the time.Liquid cooled metric cruiser, fun at the time.Had a 1980 GL1100 Gold Wing, before the engine was all covered up, lotsa fun. Ridden many Harleys over the years, and liked every one. Kinda piggy in comparison to some others, but the biggest difference to me was that Harley bikes, even with all their problems, seemed to have that thing we call "personality", or "soul" that none of the others had. Mine now has over 94000 miles on it ("08 FLHT) and I plan on keeping it, as I've had more fun with it than all the others combined.Love the looks, love the sound. What I don't like, well, I try to ignore (mainly prices).Besides, if Harleys are so bad, why does every other maker out there try so hard to copy?Look at all the metrics from a little distance, you'll see what I mean.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,077
Likes: 2
From: Rhode Island
I think Harley makes the most comfortable bikes on the planet hands down. BTW I met a dude in NH this weekend with a 1985 Harley Bagger with over 400K on the Evo Motor! Chew on that for reliability!
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 35,239
Likes: 19,070
From: 40.2444° N, 75.6419° W
The EPA wants to reduce Oxides of Nitrogen or NOX, it is one of the emission gases of internal combustion engines. NOX is conducive to ozone depletion. One way to reduce NOX is to lower the temperature in the combustion chamber. This is EPA and govt. driven, it is the reason why Volkswagen stopped producing the air cooled beetle. The EPA is cracking down of vehicle manufacturers, and H-D has to comply sooner than later.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,580
From: Wisconsin, USA
I can't afford a new bike, so for me it's not an issue, but for someone looking for a new motorcycle in the size I like, tell me WHY I would buy Harley rather than anything else - and please don't give me jingoistic krap about buying American since the Harley is 50+% sourced elsewhere.
Personally, I will keep my '03, until they come out with a water cooled Harley. My 88 is hot enough.