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[Ironhorse]

If I understand correctly, the engine is a 110 with an option (standard on the CVO) for water cooled exhaust valves. Does this mean that if the bike experiences total leakage while on the road, it can still be ridden using only air to cool it? It's a 110 right? The only thing that gets cooled by water is the exhaust valves right? There are thousands of 110s that are only air cooled right? I'm not saying to continue riding the Rockies, but safely make it to a dealer. I imagine the water pump might fry without coolant passing through it, but would the engine be okay?

Just curious that's all.

[GregKhougaz]

Motorcycle Philosophy 101.  Good question.  I would expect this question to be answered in the owners manual. What does it say if a red light comes on for over heating?

[dogilo]

the air cooled 110's have an oil cooler. Water cooled do not.

[Ironhorse]

the air cooled 110's have an oil cooler. Water cooled do not.

Good point. But what if it's a cool day, temps in the 50-60s or below?

[North Georgia Hawg]

Good point. But what if it's a cool day, temps in the 50-60s or below?

It would probably be OK for awhile.

But it won't stop working at 50-60 degrees... It will wait to break until it's 95 outside, and you're in traffic on the freeway!

Ken

[tweeter13]

I have thought about this myself.  Personally I wouldn't.  I am sure the factory tune takes this into consideration and with out the cooling of the water or more fuel to reduce the heat I would think that this may be a place for the head to crack due to the extreme heat and most likely will have a lot of spark knock or pinging.    There would be I guess a air gap then where there should be coolant.  The air cooling would cool the out side but not the inside.  But I think we will hear more about this as more of them hit the road. 

Todd. 

[OBB]

Just wondering what would happen to the water pump if it tried to run dry for a while. I don't think it would be very good on the seals.

[grc]

Without knowing what kind of (if any) safety features Harley may have built in to the system, I don't know that anyone can answer this question yet.  Rather than guess, I think it would behoove H-D to let everyone know what the proper response would be to a loss of coolant.  Anyone have an owner's manual for one of the Twin Cooled bikes and care to post what Harley has to say on the subject?

Jerry

[cowboy7123]

I just called Harley customer service and they told me there are no safety features installed if you lose your coolant. I asked them if you could run still run the bike and he said "NO" and they would tell us to see the dealer. The heads are still oil cooled, the only part that is water cooled if the exhaust ports.

[acevtwin]

They only thing I can add to this is according to my Harley Tech friend, Every water cooled bike that has came into his dealership has leaked. He said it's a clamp issue.
Our conversation started like this; "Hey Brian, any trouble with the new water cooled bikes leaking?"  Brian: "They all do that"....

[dlaws01]

My understanding is that they have a way of determining if the engine has been operated for very long once the coolant has all leaked out, maybe via the ECM thermostat control and that if it has been determined the engine has suffered damage due to the operation without coolant then the warranty will be denied. 

[revkev]

My 2014 CVO Ultra is still on order so I cannot speak from experience, but I spoke with a factory Rep in Milwalkee about the bike loosing water.... He said the engine timing is advanced with the water cooling to get the xtra hp and tork, however if you loose water, the engine automatically changes back to the retarted timing to reduce the heat. It allows you to run the bike to get it to a dealer for repairs. I cannot wait until my bike comes in. Ordered the red CVO Ultra.