So! Why Harley?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,476
Likes: 3,003
From: Charleston, SC
I've had about 6-7 Harleys and never bought one because it had an Air-cooled V-Twin. I bought them because they sound awesome, ride well, and look the part. Options galore and a great user base to assist in whatever.
I don't know too many people (here) that made a purchase based on how the engine is cooled. A ton of people buy these bikes as status symbols or something, and as long as it says Harley on the side, they feel like they are in some special club. Regardless, I do hear a ton of people complaining of crotch heat once they finally get on one of our beloved bikes and naturally the next thing they think of is, "Hey how about water cooled?".
When HD dropped the Twin-Cooled bikes I was skeptical. I stood in line to make fun of them for about 2 years etc, and etc, just like about 90% of people on this thread. It wasn't until I actually rode one in intense heat that I became a believer. This bike is about 30 degrees cooler in traffic than the last 6. Believe it. I have no reason to embellish. I would not own it if there was not a difference. I don't just go spending 30K on a bike without fully knowing what it can offer or what it will do.
So... the purists can rant and rave about how much the new bikes suck, how much the Twin-Cooling is a joke, etc. Just know I don't give a FK and while you're all hatin and coming up with "theories" and "schoolin" people on what Harleys "Should be", I'm enjoying the hell out of this twin-cooled bike (GF too since her ankles are no longer burning) and that's about that. Right?
Yep.
I don't know too many people (here) that made a purchase based on how the engine is cooled. A ton of people buy these bikes as status symbols or something, and as long as it says Harley on the side, they feel like they are in some special club. Regardless, I do hear a ton of people complaining of crotch heat once they finally get on one of our beloved bikes and naturally the next thing they think of is, "Hey how about water cooled?".
When HD dropped the Twin-Cooled bikes I was skeptical. I stood in line to make fun of them for about 2 years etc, and etc, just like about 90% of people on this thread. It wasn't until I actually rode one in intense heat that I became a believer. This bike is about 30 degrees cooler in traffic than the last 6. Believe it. I have no reason to embellish. I would not own it if there was not a difference. I don't just go spending 30K on a bike without fully knowing what it can offer or what it will do.
So... the purists can rant and rave about how much the new bikes suck, how much the Twin-Cooling is a joke, etc. Just know I don't give a FK and while you're all hatin and coming up with "theories" and "schoolin" people on what Harleys "Should be", I'm enjoying the hell out of this twin-cooled bike (GF too since her ankles are no longer burning) and that's about that. Right?
Yep.
Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
My own opinion and thoughts.
While there are still manufacturers of air cooled motorcycles, IMZ-Ural, Royal Enfield, these are niche market bikes, occupying a tiny portion of the overall motorcycle market. I do not see Harley having any desire to relegate themselves to niche marketing.
While there are still manufacturers of air cooled motorcycles, IMZ-Ural, Royal Enfield, these are niche market bikes, occupying a tiny portion of the overall motorcycle market. I do not see Harley having any desire to relegate themselves to niche marketing.
That is my point, owning a Harley isn't about performance, it is about owning something more. I agree with the one poster who said the Harley is one of the most comfortable motorcycles on the market. But, the air-cooled V-twin is still the reason Harley is everyone elses competition.
Kind of funny, I like to hang around the Indian forums because I like to see how Polaris markets their bike. There is a discussion going on right now of how Polaris can survive the future economy better than Harley. It's a funny discussion because it is a back handed way of attacking their rival. Indian owners love to hate Harleys.
My original question is why own a Harley if the engine becomes water cooled? Comfort is the only good reason I've seen so far. But is that good enough to stay the number one company in the US?
Beary
Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
So... the purists can rant and rave about how much the new bikes suck, how much the Twin-Cooling is a joke, etc. Just know I don't give a FK and while you're all hatin and coming up with "theories" and "schoolin" people on what Harleys "Should be", I'm enjoying the hell out of this twin-cooled bike (GF too since her ankles are no longer burning) and that's about that. Right?
Yep.
Yep.
Just the facts man, just the facts.
Beary
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 444
Likes: 93
From: xx
As a new member of the Harley family, I can tell you I could care less if it is air or water-cooled. As long as it sounds good, has the torque, and is as smooth as my RK, sign me up. Of course, cooler running would be nice!
Why Harley? For me it is the comfort, classic looks, and sound. Not to mention ability to spend $$... I mean customize to your heart's content. I will always require a sportbike as my second bike (at least as long as I can use it...), but I love the RK, it's build to be ridden, and it will definitely see 10k+ miles a year under my watch.
Why Harley? For me it is the comfort, classic looks, and sound. Not to mention ability to spend $$... I mean customize to your heart's content. I will always require a sportbike as my second bike (at least as long as I can use it...), but I love the RK, it's build to be ridden, and it will definitely see 10k+ miles a year under my watch.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,191
Likes: 2,420
From: USA
Speaking purely for myself, I bought a Road King, my first and only Harley, because after test riding one I found I enjoyed riding the bike more than any other bike I'd ever ridden. Here it is several years later, and the statement still stands.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,476
Likes: 3,003
From: Charleston, SC
Ya know, you had a pretty good post going until you went into touchy-feely-the-world-is-against-me. Is it so hard to be an adult and give an opinion without trying to kick everyone else down. We don't care about your GF ankles (well a picture might change that), we just wanted to know if you would still consider a Harley if the engine changed and why? Shessh.
Just the facts man, just the facts.
Beary
Just the facts man, just the facts.
Beary
Thought you wanted our opinion. That was mine. If pushing my point of view in your private thread (that I don't give a FK if it's water-cooled) is touchy-feely, well, that's something. I guess?
Point is, my Twin-Cooled is still a Harley. I love it. I don't think having water in it changes anything but the heat felt on those lovely ankles of said GF.
Going to full water-cooling just makes me want to buy more Harleys. Heck look at all the Limiteds running around here. They seem pretty popular to me...
I know it's scary to start your own thread. May feel like you have to defend it. Try not to take comments you don't agree with personal. Especially if they are "Childish". It's an internet forum. "Facts" themselves are hard to find around here. You've been here long enough to know that.
Carry on.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,148
Likes: 6,171
From: SE Michigan
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 25
From: Texas
the only issue ive ever had with a watercooled bike was when a rock punched a hole in my radiator, lol. it was an easy fix though, so not big deal. what bugs me is how some manufacturers can hide the radiator really well, and others dont bother. i love suzuki cruisers, but when i look at an M90/M50, all i see is that giant tacked-on radiator stuck to the downtubes. whereas a Vulcan 900 or some Hondas, they managed to fit the radiator between the downtubes so you dont even notice it.
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 103
Likes: 3
From: RI
I doubt many people buying a new bike bought their Harley because it was air cooled as some have stated. If that same bike was sitting on the showroom floor with both air and water cooling, I would have a hard time believing that the water cooled bikes wouldn't outsell the air by a healthy margin. As the demographics change, so will the resistance to change. The ones who love the nostalgia are probably buying used/older bikes anyway and realistically, they are life customers so though they will complain, they wont switch brands as Harley can do no wrong. Just like jeeps, the purists state that the older model is always considered to be better but sales keep climbing as they "ruin" it. I see the same thing on those forums where the next model will be horrible and now they are "going to keep their JK forever" which was bashed thoroughly not that many years ago.
EPA regulations will inevitably change down the road as its a constant trend and so will the desire for more HP. Though a showroom Harley meets the regulations, most bikes really don't because a stage 1 upgrade is virtually automatic to cool it down (lean = hot) as well as a large bump in power. All it would take is for a US wide crackdown on exhausts like the've done with the diesel tuning world and if forced to stay stock, the push for water cooled will increase. Harley has also more competitors today than there has been for a while. If Polaris (Indian or Victory) came out with a 150hp bagger next year which was water cooled, do you think Harley would just take it in the chin and stick with air or make the jump to something with more power and less emissions?
EPA regulations will inevitably change down the road as its a constant trend and so will the desire for more HP. Though a showroom Harley meets the regulations, most bikes really don't because a stage 1 upgrade is virtually automatic to cool it down (lean = hot) as well as a large bump in power. All it would take is for a US wide crackdown on exhausts like the've done with the diesel tuning world and if forced to stay stock, the push for water cooled will increase. Harley has also more competitors today than there has been for a while. If Polaris (Indian or Victory) came out with a 150hp bagger next year which was water cooled, do you think Harley would just take it in the chin and stick with air or make the jump to something with more power and less emissions?
Last edited by RIGlide09; Jun 16, 2015 at 11:52 AM.
Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
Oh sorry Bear-Bear. My post wasn't directed at you. Didn't quote you did I?
Thought you wanted our opinion. That was mine. If pushing my point of view in your private thread (that I don't give a FK if it's water-cooled) is touchy-feely, well, that's something. I guess?
Point is, my Twin-Cooled is still a Harley. I love it. I don't think having water in it changes anything but the heat felt on those lovely ankles of said GF.
Going to full water-cooling just makes me want to buy more Harleys. Heck look at all the Limiteds running around here. They seem pretty popular to me...
I know it's scary to start your own thread. May feel like you have to defend it. Try not to take comments you don't agree with personal. Especially if they are "Childish". It's an internet forum. "Facts" themselves are hard to find around here. You've been here long enough to know that.
Carry on.
Thought you wanted our opinion. That was mine. If pushing my point of view in your private thread (that I don't give a FK if it's water-cooled) is touchy-feely, well, that's something. I guess?
Point is, my Twin-Cooled is still a Harley. I love it. I don't think having water in it changes anything but the heat felt on those lovely ankles of said GF.
Going to full water-cooling just makes me want to buy more Harleys. Heck look at all the Limiteds running around here. They seem pretty popular to me...
I know it's scary to start your own thread. May feel like you have to defend it. Try not to take comments you don't agree with personal. Especially if they are "Childish". It's an internet forum. "Facts" themselves are hard to find around here. You've been here long enough to know that.
Carry on.
Good reply, thanks brother.
Beary