HD could easily come out with a modified TC which has water cooling on the upper 1/3 of the cylinder/head portion, much the same as the Kaw 2000cc. They use pushrods too, and are high hp/tq motors on a large touring platform, and they are reliable machines. It would sound the same, run cooler, etc. To call a Vrod a "Jap" bike is waaaaay off the mark. HD will either change to meet not only EPA requirements, but to meet new market demands by younger potential customers, or they will suffer the consequences on the sales floor. At least the Vrod is able to come right out of the box with 110+hp, meet the EPA standards, and not leak oil all over the cases, and run so hot that the rider has to protect his/her thighs from the rear cylinder heat. And yes, I can take a completely stock 1250cc Revo motor and beat any stock Air cooled HD currently made. Period...end of discussion. With less than 5k, I could take the same Revo motor and still beat the majority of Air cooled Vtwins. HP wins, every time. For HD NOT to come out with a touring/sport touring model of the V rod would be foolish...it would sell like hotcakes, and I'd buy one in a NYM. If they did it even half way right, and used decent suspension components, HD would hit a mark they've never hit before.
Hell, my V will hit 150 as is, but I don't have the 'nads to get it there, but Don can tell you it will hit well into the triple digits and do it quickly...just ask him...
