2014 wtf?
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 693
Likes: 1
From: Lafayette, In
I own 2 Harley's and love em, but I'm a motorcyclist first and for most so when I see a company such as HD admitting they know what they need to do to expand and enhance the brand and the riders. I think its about time they try to get with the times! This is the first big change in 16 years. I bought a 2013 Street Glide 2 months ago if I would have known what was coming out I would have waited and bought an Ultra! I always thought all the extra chrome fender guards and bag guards and any other guards(outside of the engine guard) that was on them was silly! I think this is the best way for a company to expand in a very tech fueled world. I know die hard Harley guys that hate moving forward, but the VRod is a great bike too. Tighter government restrictions makes it harder for HDMC that has to continue to squeeze the breath out of the iconic 45 V-Twin got to try to make advancements where they can! Ok I'mm off the soap box.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,636
Likes: 1,207
From: Ohio
My .02
I stopped and saw a Limited today at a dealer. The new bags and tourpak actually look better in person that on the web. The batwing looked decent too and the painted inner also looked nice. Now on the other hand, the water cooling is a mess. Perhaps a casual observer will not notice or care but I don't care for all the added hosing. The hoses come up the frame rails from the water pump and cross in front of the motor about an inch above the rocker covers and go down between the jugs. NO THANKS! I see no reason for all this added complexity. The oil cooler, removed cat, and race tuner with a good Stage 1 tune has mine running cool enough to satisfy me.
I stopped and saw a Limited today at a dealer. The new bags and tourpak actually look better in person that on the web. The batwing looked decent too and the painted inner also looked nice. Now on the other hand, the water cooling is a mess. Perhaps a casual observer will not notice or care but I don't care for all the added hosing. The hoses come up the frame rails from the water pump and cross in front of the motor about an inch above the rocker covers and go down between the jugs. NO THANKS! I see no reason for all this added complexity. The oil cooler, removed cat, and race tuner with a good Stage 1 tune has mine running cool enough to satisfy me.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 795
Likes: 1
From: Douglasville, Ga
I saw the new Street Glide Special today. There was a couple of Victory bikes CC bikes in the lot and one thing that stood out to me was that even with the new changes the Street Glide still looked like a Street Glide and nothing like the Victory. I also realize I am their target demographic. I like the looks, the technology, and don't mind being guinea pig (for cooling). I will be looking at my last bike and it will be the CVO Ultra Limited. Wish me luck!
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,510
Likes: 23
From: Connecticut
[[ I see no reason for all this added complexity. The oil cooler, removed cat, and race tuner with a good Stage 1 tune has mine running cool enough to satisfy me. ]]
It has NOTHING to do with "satisfying you" -- and MUCH to do with satisfying EPA and CARB regulations.
The writing is on the wall:
Within 5 years, the majority of the HD product lineup will be water-cooled.
Within 10 years, there will probably be no air-cooled bikes left at all. Not even Sportsters.
I wouldn't be surprised if ALL the touring bikes are water-cooled for the 2015 production year. Certainly all the fairing-equipped models...
It has NOTHING to do with "satisfying you" -- and MUCH to do with satisfying EPA and CARB regulations.
The writing is on the wall:
Within 5 years, the majority of the HD product lineup will be water-cooled.
Within 10 years, there will probably be no air-cooled bikes left at all. Not even Sportsters.
I wouldn't be surprised if ALL the touring bikes are water-cooled for the 2015 production year. Certainly all the fairing-equipped models...
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 469
Likes: 3
From: Arizona
lol if you won the lottery you would buy one tomorrow.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: Mo.
I like the improvements,but I wish they would make a 1700 [103] that runs like a 1700 should also.We shouldn't have to spend a couple grand to make our 1700cc motors run like a 1300 metric cruiser.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,146
Likes: 471
From: along the Front Range in Colorado
......... i'm thinkin' it'd be really hard to go the 'fairing vent' route w/a shield that slides up/down, right where an effective vent needs to be positioned
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 317
Likes: 1
From: Columbus
Harder to sell the new SG if the new RG fairing looks sick as hell, so to make sure the SG's sell, don't offer the RG for a year or so hahaha