Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Porschestan]

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/06/09/500-million-investment-in-manufacturing-focus-on-core-brand-lead-to-harley/

[GregKhougaz]

Thanks for posting, Stan.        Here is the AP take:  Stripped-down Harley rebounds from recession

[Porschestan]

Yep!

[BUCKNUT GREG]

Did any one catch this:The company will unveil the first model to come from its new design process at its summer dealer meeting. Wandell wouldn't give details but said he thought it would show the company made the right decisions.

Very interesting for sure ... 

[johnsachs]

Maybeeeeeee water cooling. They been working and testing some. 
John

[ridefar]

A very well placed source(not the pool boy) but a gentleman that is operating what may be the longest running dealership, has said the last couple years that H-D R&D has been running a punched out V-Rod based dresser with good success. The question is will they have the balls to build it? Just don't make the proper noise don't ya know!

[mrmagloo]

Imho, a 2000 cc version of the VRod motor, with 120+ hp/tq would be a huge hit. While I would risk being first in line, especially after watching the 110 fiasco and how they handled that, but once they got it ironed out, I'd never look back.  Imho, sooner or later, they are going to have to do it.

[grc]

Imho, a 2000 cc version of the VRod motor, with 120+ hp/tq would be a huge hit. While I would risk being first in line, especially after watching the 110 fiasco and how they handled that, but once they got it ironed out, I'd never look back.  Imho, sooner or later, they are going to have to do it.

I'm still waiting for them to "iron out" the Twin Cam problems that have persisted, as well as the new ones they seem to invent almost every year in their ongoing "cheapening" programs. 

While a shift to water cooling makes sense for improved durability, they will definitely have to phase it in gradually.  If they were to just drop the air cooled engines and substitute a bigger V-Rod engine in all the Touring bikes at one time, they'd probably lose over half their sales the first year.  It's still the old school crowd buying most of the Harley's being purchased every year.  I'd probably propose a single model within the Touring line if I were the one doing the planning.  That way if it bombs I'd still have a chance of hanging on to my job.

Jerry

[mrmagloo]

I think they've got the 110's at least as zipped up as they can, but you're right, it would be a huge mistake to do a cold turkey cut-over, especially with their history.

I think the best route would be to make a special version of the SEUC as the test mule on a limited run, say a few hundred to 1,000 units max. Give those early adopters carte-blanch, with extended warranties and free loaners, in the event things go south. I'd rather see that, then them try this on a larger scale where they can't afford to keep the peasants happy. This way, with a controlled limited scale launch, they can keep close tabs and quickly react to the normal bugs and get them ironed out. Imho, this would be a big step, and with a little caution, could help them competitively in a big way going forward.

[ridefar]

You guys are correct, of course. I was thinking they bring out a liquid cooled Ultra Limited and give folks a choice, new or "traditional". Maybe even have a pre-order system so they have a number to work with in terms of how many to build. Make mine metallic silver with some subtle ruby red striping.

[mrmagloo]

As a follow up, I had a discussion with a MOCO rep and I brought up the water-cooled patent, and the "wink" I got suggests 2014 is the year, and it will be a limited run on the Ultra.  He wouldn't say if it will be a CVO or not, but it's coming.

As we all know, this is just a water cooled head configuration on an otherwise standard V-Twin. Also, the radiator(s) are housed in the lower fairings. While this should help, I just can't help to wonder about lower leg comfort?  I doubt they are going to retune the motor with higher compression or anything to leverage the water-cooling.

Still, Imho, the ultimate route is to develop a 2000+ cc version of the Revolution motor with 125+hp, with the radiator in the more traditional location.  I'm thinking this 2014 design is simply a cheap testing opportunity to see how the market embraces liquid V-Twin Harley's before making the commitment to invest the amount of money necessary to make a new ground up liquid motor.

My .02 fwiw.

[Harley Guy]

I have an 09 SEUC with 50,000 miles - a hot mother to ride in the summer heat.

Waiting for a water cooled engine, but only after letting others "test" it before I "buy" it.

[North Georgia Hawg]

As a follow up, I had a discussion with a MOCO rep and I brought up the water-cooled patent, and the "wink" I got suggests 2014 is the year, and it will be a limited run on the Ultra.  He wouldn't say if it will be a CVO or not, but it's coming.

As we all know, this is just a water cooled head configuration on an otherwise standard V-Twin. Also, the radiator(s) are housed in the lower fairings. While this should help, I just can't help to wonder about lower leg comfort?  I doubt they are going to retune the motor with higher compression or anything to leverage the water-cooling.

Still, Imho, the ultimate route is to develop a 2000+ cc version of the Revolution motor with 125+hp, with the radiator in the more traditional location.  I'm thinking this 2014 design is simply a cheap testing opportunity to see how the market embraces liquid V-Twin Harley's before making the commitment to invest the amount of money necessary to make a new ground up liquid motor.

My .02 fwiw.

The V-Rod Muscle makes 125 HP stock... with only 1249 CCs. Just imagine what a 2000 CC version of the liquid-cooled Revolution engine could make!

I would certainly be interested in a Touring bike with that engine... no matter WHAT it sounded like!

Ken

[porthole]

The V-Rod Muscle makes 125 HP stock... with only 1249 CCs. Just imagine what a 2000 CC version of the liquid-cooled Revolution engine could make!

I would certainly be interested in a Touring bike with that engine... no matter WHAT it sounded like!

Ken

I've been saying that for a few years, A touring bike with a V-rod 4 cylinder would be awesome.

[DCFIREMANN]

I've been saying that for a few years, A touring bike with a V-rod 4 cylinder would be awesome.

I wouldn't be surprised!!!! I guess we will know tomorrow!!!!

Be Safe

THE DAWG