2014 Models and just wondering...
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
We've been round the loop for at least a couple of years, discussing the future disappearance/reappearance of the RG! Recent rumour is that there will be a mid-year introduction of the new model. I suspect that is more to do with things like factory tooling, or enabling them to get plenty of the newly introduced models into the market, before starting on yet more new models. I doubt if it has anything to do with hunkering down!
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 524
Likes: 6
go back and have a look at the Nova project...this was a frame mounted fairing- later used for the FXRP/FXRT/FXRD models.
with a modular 2/4/6 cylinder configuration.
a huge concern for a company like H-D ( and Gibson and Martin guitars) is that they compete in the market with their own past- the customer is often very slow to accept change. ( Gibsons new stuff is sneered at while the 1959 models are "god"...Martin's customer want the guitars built as they were is 1940...however Martin is also very innovative with alternative materials on the lower line guitars)
some manufacturers then develop secondary brands to try innovations--- DeSoto was one of those- Chrysler often tested new developments on the DeSoto line.
Look at me as a traditionalist- I think the softail/road king "fake classics" are a joke- but then I've had 3 panheads ( 53, 53, 63).
I like shovels.
I stayed on a 1995 model until 2010...as I too was slow to accept "innovations"- many of which were not great- certainly not worth going into debt for.
by 2010 the balance had changed as the bikes got better, and my 1995 got worse and she got long in the tooth.
so i gots out my wallet...
Mike
with a modular 2/4/6 cylinder configuration.
a huge concern for a company like H-D ( and Gibson and Martin guitars) is that they compete in the market with their own past- the customer is often very slow to accept change. ( Gibsons new stuff is sneered at while the 1959 models are "god"...Martin's customer want the guitars built as they were is 1940...however Martin is also very innovative with alternative materials on the lower line guitars)
some manufacturers then develop secondary brands to try innovations--- DeSoto was one of those- Chrysler often tested new developments on the DeSoto line.
Look at me as a traditionalist- I think the softail/road king "fake classics" are a joke- but then I've had 3 panheads ( 53, 53, 63).
I like shovels.
I stayed on a 1995 model until 2010...as I too was slow to accept "innovations"- many of which were not great- certainly not worth going into debt for.
by 2010 the balance had changed as the bikes got better, and my 1995 got worse and she got long in the tooth.
so i gots out my wallet...
Mike
Another fine post of interesting reading Mr. Mike-Guitar-Man.
I do hope you kept at least one of those Panheads or Shovelheads??? Pleaze say "yes."
As my neighbor would pass my house on his big Pan-head and I was just a wee-lad I thought my life would be fulfilled if I could but have one of those big Pan-heads with the big Tractor-seats, the bright red and white paint jobs and the fringe flowing from the handlebars. But alas the Honda 750/4 came and stole away my heart. Just as many other sport bikes such as the Honda Hurricane 1000; the Suz Katana 1100 and several Ninja liter bikes until the mid-90s reminded me of my younger loves (many in fact) and I became reacquainted with several GoldWings and Harleys. Not to mention many of the acoustic persuasion also. And I'm not convinced that all those 6 strings you mention sound as good as some might think but rather they bring back a special time in our life; the same as those old Pans and Shovels.
I do love the nostalgia also but sometimes the comfort wins out. Perhaps that is why my garage now wonders what has happened to all the sport bikes. Although the ZX-14 I rode last year was very nice. Not quite as comfortable as my RGU but certainly I wouldn't be uncomfortable for near as long.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 584
Likes: 0
a good way to reduce heat initially is to do a stage one with full exhaust upgrade and tuner of your choice
I have had Power Commander 3 and 5 in the past
Worked well
I did the SE Super Tuner Pro on the SG because of warranty and I will say after Dyno I would do it again regardless of warranty
I reduced heat and has not hurt my MPG ( still at 42mpg )
I put a Fluke IR gun on heads before and after and temp was down 60 degrees front and 40 degrees rear
That was just my observation on one ride nothing scientific
I have had Power Commander 3 and 5 in the past
Worked well
I did the SE Super Tuner Pro on the SG because of warranty and I will say after Dyno I would do it again regardless of warranty
I reduced heat and has not hurt my MPG ( still at 42mpg )
I put a Fluke IR gun on heads before and after and temp was down 60 degrees front and 40 degrees rear
That was just my observation on one ride nothing scientific
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 524
Likes: 6
a good way to reduce heat initially is to do a stage one with full exhaust upgrade and tuner of your choice
I have had Power Commander 3 and 5 in the past
Worked well
I did the SE Super Tuner Pro on the SG because of warranty and I will say after Dyno I would do it again regardless of warranty
I reduced heat and has not hurt my MPG ( still at 42mpg )
I put a Fluke IR gun on heads before and after and temp was down 60 degrees front and 40 degrees rear
That was just my observation on one ride nothing scientific
I have had Power Commander 3 and 5 in the past
Worked well
I did the SE Super Tuner Pro on the SG because of warranty and I will say after Dyno I would do it again regardless of warranty
I reduced heat and has not hurt my MPG ( still at 42mpg )
I put a Fluke IR gun on heads before and after and temp was down 60 degrees front and 40 degrees rear
That was just my observation on one ride nothing scientific
I may end up doing that. I've also had 6 previous Harleys in recent years but I just like the V-Rod motor and was hoping they would do something more with it.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,507
Likes: 23
From: Orange County Texas
I've been riding since the early 70's. First ride was my grandfathers 2 speed Cushman Eagle. Followed by a Honda CB 350 followed by a 1974 Honda 750 K4 which got back over by a duelly truck. It was resurrected in an AEE soft tail frame and a 10" over front end.
Several other bikes but one of note was a Norton Commando 850 Mark III and an iron head sportster and finally my 09 Road King.
I was really considering a 2013 Road Glide. I'd heard the they would be discontinued and was getting ready to seal the deal on a 13. However, I also have heard a mid year re-release of the Road Glide. So I'm Waiting.
Given the updates to the new Ultra. Many of which would not fit the Road Glide in it current configuration. So whats to come.
I can see the new duel cool system built into the the fixed mounted fairing with no lower fairing. And of course the new infotainment system would in no way fit the 2013 fairing but I'm sure a redesigned fairing will include it.
I can even envision a power windshield that can be raised and lowered depend what your doing.
Just a Little dreaming. 8^)
Several other bikes but one of note was a Norton Commando 850 Mark III and an iron head sportster and finally my 09 Road King.
I was really considering a 2013 Road Glide. I'd heard the they would be discontinued and was getting ready to seal the deal on a 13. However, I also have heard a mid year re-release of the Road Glide. So I'm Waiting.
Given the updates to the new Ultra. Many of which would not fit the Road Glide in it current configuration. So whats to come.
I can see the new duel cool system built into the the fixed mounted fairing with no lower fairing. And of course the new infotainment system would in no way fit the 2013 fairing but I'm sure a redesigned fairing will include it.
I can even envision a power windshield that can be raised and lowered depend what your doing.
Just a Little dreaming. 8^)
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 17
From: Mid West
From my local dealer parts man, the RG fixed Fairing is to be totally redesigned, even more streamlined, his low voice major comment, single headlamp again as well the reposition of infotainment/instrumentation, inner fairing will take the most conversion. He did infer there is a test sled out there with the Porsche on it, nothing in line to set for production but a possibility on a RG touring platform and not just a V-Rod in RG clothes. He stated he had seen other test platforms in Milwaukee, with cooling only on the RGU base platform and that the RG CVO could be history due to heat concerns with no lowers.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Interesting stuff ddm, thanks. Casting back to the faired FX bikes, way back, they had air scoops for ventilation, and I can imagine an RG fairing with integral radiators and scoops. Someone suggested the RG fairing moulds had reached the end of their production life, as a reason why they were being discontinued, but I am more inclined to think they are sorting out a new fairing with radiators in it. The 2014 batwing looks completely new, although very similar to the old one, and it is reasonable to expect a new RG will either be similar, or deliberately very different. How long do we have to wait?!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,475
Likes: 3,001
From: Charleston, SC
How and why would you put a radiator in the fairing?
That's right in line with the rider.
On another note, and I'll say it again, someone is going to put the radiators between the saddlebags and the tire... All the heat out the back...That would be cool.
lp
That's right in line with the rider.
On another note, and I'll say it again, someone is going to put the radiators between the saddlebags and the tire... All the heat out the back...That would be cool.
lp
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,507
Likes: 23
From: Orange County Texas
I'd bet if you looked at the air flow being split by the front wheel, the flow is going straight into the radiators.
As far as putting the radiators towards the rear, this is problematic. The back third of the bike is dirty, ever notice how dirty the back side of the the saddle bag are. This dirt would build up in the radiators. Also, the airflow in this is not smooth. Everything in front of it would disturb the airflow plus the heat from the engine and exhaust would decrease the efficiency of the radiators.
Just some thoughts.
1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: texas
Do you want to talk about the 2014 water cooled bikes? I bought a Limited (3) days ago. This bike now has 16 miles and that is where it will stay. This thing will roast you. The engine puts out a lot more heat than my 2013. The twin radiators will cook your shins. Heat pours out the lower fairings whether you are at highway speeds or city speeds. Believe me you DO NOT want a water cooled 2014. If I would have ridden this bike on the highway, I would never have bought it. I called the dealer when I got home and said what would it take to kill this deal? He said it was now my bike. Trust me, you don't want one of these unless you live in Alaska.