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[Deuce Bigelow]

Yeah  America is not really known for the cornering abilities of it vehicles

Unless it's a corvette............

[ice6900]

heard this in my head, not from the pool boy

maybe not in 2010 but we are more likely to see some moto guzzi tech coming into the touring line up, i think we wont see  much change in the softail or sportster motors in the near future, oil cooling the heads must be the way to go for harley with the use of a bit of Buell techno. IMHO

god i hate them cooling fans!

[1abastarsmda]

In the tradition of Harley, the 2010's will not be water cooled, rather they have come up with a beer cooled system instead.  There will be a small tap on the system for those times when you are in a pinch and need a cold one.  Local taverns are said to be gearing up with long hoses to maintain bikes.  Who could have expected this turn of events?

[Gone Fishin']

heard this in my head, not from the pool boy

maybe not in 2010 but we are more likely to see some moto guzzi tech coming into the touring line up, i think we wont see  much change in the softail or sportster motors in the near future, oil cooling the heads must be the way to go for harley with the use of a bit of Buell techno. IMHO

god i hate them cooling fans!

Hi Nigel,

Buell is using the Austrian Rotax engine. It seems successful, so expect the entire line to switch to that engine. Moto Guzzi? I cannot imagine what they could do for Harley, as well as the newly acquired MV Augusta. And: The engines for the Dyna, Softail and Touring bikes are all the same, with different mounts and balancers for the Softails. So any change will incorporate the full line up over time, as it may be inefficient to run separate engines for essentially the same use in production. What I can see is a liquid-cooled (maybe oil, and only for the heads) engine which will debut in the fairing equipped bikes, but will spread through all H-D heavy bikes. I bet the guys at Porsche do know more ...

Ride safely,
Louis

[ice6900]

Hi Nigel,

Buell is using the Austrian Rotax engine. It seems successful, so expect the entire line to switch to that engine. Moto Guzzi? I cannot imagine what they could do for Harley, as well as the newly acquired MV Augusta. And: The engines for the Dyna, Softail and Touring bikes are all the same, with different mounts and balancers for the Softails. So any change will incorporate the full line up over time, as it may be inefficient to run separate engines for essentially the same use in production. What I can see is a liquid-cooled (maybe oil, and only for the heads) engine which will debut in the fairing equipped bikes, but will spread through all H-D heavy bikes. I bet the guys at Porsche do know more ...

Ride safely,
Louis

when i wrote moto guzzi i was meaning mv augusta, by new generation motors  i meant more oil cooling of heads tech rather than water cooling. Porsche tech has the wrong piston angle and will take yet another generation for us die hards to forgo the hallowed 45°

[1abastarsmda]

I also heard another rumor that we may see a smaller engine Sportster coming out...like a 500cc with a lower price entry point.  If they aren't doing that, it might not be a bad idea.  That might be an excellent choice for a first bike, especially for the female novice rider, which seems to be a growing segment.

[grandpadoc]

The new FLTWG  (wetglide)  will be in a fixed fairing version first cause it works better that way. The lower fairing acts like a shroud for the radiator   making it more efficient and hides all that stinking plumbing and the ugly engine. I don't know if the improved performance will be enough to trip my trigger though. 

Hey, just my thoughts.  Doc

[SMOKIN' JACKET]

Not sure what you mean by over-rated & ride sucks...mine rides just fine and people let me know it is pretty much the best Harley they have seen (not knocking other models, just what I'm hearing from others). My biggest problem is leaving it parked, too many lookie-loos hover over it when I'm away.

I agree MoCo hit a home run with the Fat Bob, love the agressive stance of it, but they also did with the Springer line.

Everybody stops to comment on my Springer.  It makes the other guys a little jealous to see all of the attention it gets.  The bottom line is- it looks like a REAL motorcycle.  It is appealing.  Plus, with all of the chrome on the CVO- it's a knockout.

I haven't ridden any other Harley other than my 98 Sportster 1200.  I loved my sportster and will undoubtedly love a street glide at one point.  Where Harleys are concerned, it's "different", not "better".  It all depends on where you're headed and what you are in the mood for.

[ragrep]

With sales demand dropping like a rock- and word of fewer models being offered in 2010- I don't expect to see any significant engine changes in 2010. I would expect Harley to work on keeping costs down and squeezing all the profit they can from existing castings and production platforms over the next 24 months- I think the current engines are EPA compliant until 2012- so In my opinion we probably will not see any new powerp lants- water cooled or other, until they are forced to upgrade to meet new EPA standards in 012.

[ice6900]

With sales demand dropping like a rock- and word of fewer models being offered in 2010- I don't expect to see any significant engine changes in 2010. I would expect Harley to work on keeping costs down and squeezing all the profit they can from existing castings and production platforms over the next 24 months- I think the current engines are EPA compliant until 2012- so In my opinion we probably will not see any new powerp lants- water cooled or other, until they are forced to upgrade to meet new EPA standards in 012.

surely its better to ground a new compliant product before the next tighter EPA compliances become mandatory.

[1abastarsmda]

With sales demand dropping like a rock- and word of fewer models being offered in 2010- I don't expect to see any significant engine changes in 2010. I would expect Harley to work on keeping costs down and squeezing all the profit they can from existing castings and production platforms over the next 24 months- I think the current engines are EPA compliant until 2012- so In my opinion we probably will not see any new powerp lants- water cooled or other, until they are forced to upgrade to meet new EPA standards in 012.

What they offer now isn't selling.  They need to tap into other markets, which means water-cooled engines and a lower price point entry level Harley.  They already have water cooled engines in the VRod and we know they made changes to the frame in 09.  What a coincidence if those new frames just happen to be a perfect fit for a new water cooled engines.  They really need to do something to draw in customers from the competition if they want to survive.  They need a bigger market share in a shrinking market.  With the current state of the economy, the current Harley customer is going to be holding on to their current bike longer and you can't draw in new customers with the same product.  They seem to be forced to make a change for survival.  If Harley doesn't see it this way, you had better take real good care of your bike, as they may no longer be available after the next few seasons.

[ragrep]

to your point- it makes sense- But  I see less in 2010, not more, lower production numbers, to keep retail prices stable vs demand. I don't see a new engine in 2010. Anyway it will be interesting to see what happens.

[miker]

More overpriced junk.

[Gone Fishin']

With sales demand dropping like a rock- and word of fewer models being offered in 2010- I don't expect to see any significant engine changes in 2010. I would expect Harley to work on keeping costs down and squeezing all the profit they can from existing castings and production platforms over the next 24 months- I think the current engines are EPA compliant until 2012- so In my opinion we probably will not see any new powerp lants- water cooled or other, until they are forced to upgrade to meet new EPA standards in 012.

Your plan seems to me to trigger the spiral of death for Harley. In my mind they need to add new and attractive models to the line-up as soon as they can. And with lead times for engine and model development between 24 and 30 months, I'd be surprised if those would not be ready rather sooner than later.

We will see.

Ride safely,
Louis

[arcticdude]

Maybe they should slide in one of those 200hp gusta engines in an Fl chassis and really give us something to ride!!