LC for H-D in 2014?

[misterO]

This just in- Harley Davidson, not immune to ever tightening regulations, is going water cooled on some models. Much gnashing of teeth is predicted.

http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-news-new-bikes/water-cooling-on-2014-harleys/23263.html

[BIG DOUG]

Its only the heads on the ultra that are watercooled,more interesting is the forks are now 49mm and have a proper top triple clamp harley people will know what I mean.

[Crasherfromwayback]

,more interesting is the forks are now 49mm and have a proper top triple clamp harley people will know what I mean.

Yeah 'bout time too.

[Big Dave]

Yea. After completely wringing a Street Glide's neck keeping up with a hyperbike out west - so do I now.

[AllanB]

Out in the air is good but open to crash damage. Why not simplify it with one radiator down the centre of the front frame tubes

[Crasherfromwayback]

Out in the air is good but open to crash damage.

Harler riders crashing? Don't be crazy! :innocent:

[nallac]

Out in the air is good but open to crash damage. Why not simplify it with one radiator down the centre of the front frame tubes


old school looks..... Harleys don't have radiators

[BIG DOUG]

The radiators pass the hot air out to the left and right side of the bike and in winter you can turn them(not sure how this works until we see one)to face your legs ,so I suppose like turning the heater on in winter which would be nice on some of these chilly winter days.

[Erelyes]

It almost seems that instead of shaving weight off, the engineers tried to find practical ways of adding it on.

That the marketing department came up with 'precision cooled' is the real riot though. I thought H-D were supposed to be more of a blunt force tool (k'now, the hammer to the Japanese scalpel!

[Big Dave]

Seems to me the engineers have found practical ways of meeting emissions targets without effecting the aesthetics.

The 'ugly' radiator has been the common bugbear with most transitions to liquid cooling by other makers.

I dunno about the 'teeth gnashing' either. We knew this has been coming for quite some time. Harley have offered liquid cooled bikes for over 10 years now.

[misterO]

The VRSC family hasn't exactly been embraced by the Harley community, but I'm sure LC isn't the only reason for that. For HD "the look" is at least as important as the ride so this new direction will certainly present some design challenges for them.

[Big Dave]

Yeah - the attraction for most is the Heritage style, but there are still quite a few VSRC's at the H-D events and rides. They don't stand out as unique anyhoo.

It will be like when Triumph released the new Bonneville. Internet outrage gave way to a lot buying a Hinckley eventually.

[Crasherfromwayback]

The VRSC family hasn't exactly been embraced by the Harley community, .

And will be discontinued by HD after the 2014 model year.

[Big Dave]

And will be discontinued by HD after the 2014 model year.

Is that official somewhere or speculative?

[Crasherfromwayback]

Is that official somewhere or speculative?

Bit of both BD. It's gonna happen...just the timing. But it certainly looks like no more after 2014 at this stage.

[Big Dave]

Keith and the concentrated product.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Keith and the concentrated product.

Has a lot to answer for for sure. In the last few years I've losy Buells to sell...then XR's...soon VR's. Not a happy wee salesman. Tis a lot of new units I don't get to sell anymore.

[Big Dave]

10+ years is a pretty good model run, meltdowns notwithstanding.

[Big Dave]

have a proper top triple clamp.


I've just been all over the press releases and can't spot any mention. 'Stiffer 49mm' forks is all it has.

Source?

[Crasherfromwayback]

I've just been all over the press releases and can't spot any mention. 'Stiffer 49mm' forks is all it has.

Source?

The boys are currently at the HD Summer Dealer meeting BD and emailing news back to us. The for legs used to be held in place by a tiny bolt looked like it belonged on a B120...now we believe it's properly held in a much beefier triple clamp and bolted in properly.

[BIG DOUG]

Looked at the forks on the new features video at work,them be proper forks now.

[Big Dave]

Looked at the forks on the new features video at work,them be proper forks now.


OK thanks - I can probably access that video.

[98tls]

Couple of pics for those interested...

[AllanB]

Thar be water bottles x 2.

[scumdog]

Couple of pics for those interested...

Hmm, not much room left for me egg-sarmie...

[AllanB]

Hmm, not much room left for me egg-sarmie...

One could put a pie in the radiator cover and keep it warm.

[98tls]

Hmm, not much room left for me egg-sarmie...

Yea but look on the bright side mate the yanks will love that as theres room for a tube or 2 of cleanming products,essentials 1st.

[Big Dave]

Those pods were next to useless anyway. And yeah all I ever did carry in them was a cleaning rag.
Chrome has to shine.
They didn't secure very well with a press tab system and you couldn't lock them.

[misterO]

So, what's the next surprise from Harley Davidson- a 500cc bike, or even an electric bike? Um, yeah, as a matter of fact...

[scumdog]

So, what's the next surprise from Harley Davidson- a 500cc bike, or even an electric bike? Um, yeah, as a matter of fact...

Surprises?

I didn't buy no Harley for no freakin' surprises dude...;)

[Drew]

Surprises?

I didn't buy no Harley for no freakin' surprises dude...;)
Yeah, he wanted reliable self changing oil!

[ruaphu]

old school looks..... Harleys don't have radiators

Too true, have you seen all the metric cruisers with their huge radiators down the middle, horrid.

I've got a 2000cc kawa vulcan crusier with similar engine head set up to HD with push rod set up but water cooled. The maaaaaaasive radiator is the worst part of the bike, even with the after market chrome cover in an attempt to hide it.

HD may have essentially 'copied' the Kawa head cooling set up but at least they had the brains to be subtle with the two small radiators well hidden. Well done them, great looking bike, be keen as to give it a whirl.

[BIG DOUG]

Just rode a 2014 flhtk ltd today,awesome bike and the touchscreen is easy to use and the 49mm fr end is way better than the old 41mm looking forward to a longer ride.