Among the many different rumors and speculations about the new line of Harley Davidson motorcycles is a prominent rumor that 2012 Harley's will be Liquid Cooled. With each new line up of motorcycles by the popular Harley Davidson brand, there are bound to be rumors and speculations from fans and customers. These come along with the minor changes and alterations that are made to each of the different motorcycles for the new model year. While the company typically doesn't make major changes to its motorcycles, there are nonetheless conversations among fans and customers that major changes may come about. Origin of the Liquid Cooled Rumor Harley Davidson motorcycles have traditionally had air cooled engines for the entire life of the company. This unique method of cooling the engine helps to give it a distinctive sound and feel while you're riding. Liquid cooled engines are more common for newer models of other motorcycles and cars, though Harley Davidson has previously stood behind its air cooled methods. The rumor that 2012 models of Harley Davidson motorcycles will be switched to liquid cooled engines began with a set of documents that were released by the California Air Resources Board and EPA. These documents consisted of certification requests and filings from the company that were filed with the government. Potential Reasons for Liquid Cooling Harley Davidson fans and customers have speculated as to why the company may choose to abandon its tradition in favor of a liquid cooled engine. There are a number of potential reasons why the company may do this. First, current regulations for emissions and engine functioning require certain minimum emissions standards, and liquid cooled engines are better able to meet those standards than air cooled engines. It could, therefore, simply be that the company needs to alter its vehicles in order to comport with the current legal rulings in place for all motorcycles. Another potential reason for liquid cooling has to do with the performance of the motorcycle. Some fans have quoted representatives from the company to say that liquid cooled engines could operate at up to 35 percent higher horsepower than their air cooled predecessors, and that the engines themselves would run considerably cooler. This would mean that the likelihood of the engine overheating and being damaged would be greatly reduced. Ramifications of the Change While it remains to be seen whether Harley Davidson will really make the changes that are rumored to be taking place for the engines in its bikes, fans have nonetheless thought of the ramifications. Opinions are split, with many fans encouraging the progressive changes to the engine design and structure. Other fans, however, are concerned that the look, feel and sound of the Harley Davidson motorcycle will be changed irreparably. If the rumor comes to pass, it is likely that older engines from previous model bikes will make a resurgence on the aftermarket, and these parts will become more expensive as traditional fans search them out for their bikes.
I didn't write it, only reported what I found
Old, old, fucken old. Soapy, you should see the Dynas, Softails and Tourers with the Vrod motor sitting in them. I'm sure they are still posted on the web somewhere.
If they do, they do. If they dont, they dont. I'm over it
If they bring out the liquid cooled engines in all the other models it won't be a bad thing, I have had liquid cooled bikes for many years now I can't see any problems with that.
If you look at HD Forums US, you'l find that this liquid cooled thing started as a April fools joke!!!...LMAO...
Bt
The way I see it is, if H-D did change to water cooled engines, sales would plummet. Why because if you wanted to buy a water cooled bike they're as cheap as chips. I don't know about you guy's but I'm buying my Harley because it's unique. You won't see any other manufacturers with a bike that looks & sounds anywhere near as distinctive as a Harley
change is inevitable , i don't have a problem with that , harleys will still have that distinctive thump if they watercool the v twin , at least therewill be less stress on a 40degree day sitting in peek hour traffic .
You know you're a Harley rider if... ...."water cooled" means standing on the side of the road, in the rain, waiting for a your mate to come in his pickup.
Go the V-Rod engine it's a much better option than the air cooled version in my own opinion :-)
Here's an article about this. Check out the date of the article!
By Basem Wasef, About.com Guide April 1, 2011
Harley Davidson BikesFind your dream Harley right now Find out all you want to know todaywww.harley-davidson.com
Pre-Loved Cars & BikesAdvertise for Free or Search for a Great Bargain. Online Classifieds.www.dinkos.com.au
Harley Davidsons for Sale100's Of Harleys - Range Of Models Softail, Fat Boy, Dyna, FLH & MoreTradingpost.com.au/Motorbikes
Harley-Davidson's notoriously nostalgic, 108 year practice of building only air-cooled engines (with the exception, of course, of the
and
) is about to come to a screeching halt. Thanks to certification documents leaked by the EPA and California Air Resources Board, all engines in the 2012 Harley-Davidson lineup will feature a radiator discreetly wedged between each model's downtubes.
A Harley-Davidson representative reluctantly admitted that the change was coming when confronted with the allegation. "For over a century, our bikes have exuded a singular feel and an unmistakable exhaust note," the spokesperson said during a phone interview, "but toughening emissions regulations and practical considerations have forced us to modernize our powerplants."
The rep suggested that the benefits were not limited to clean air; the new liquid-cooled engines produce up to 35 percent more horsepower, and run considerably cooler than their predecessors-- with a reduction in the signature potato-potato exhaust volume. The radiators, manufactured in Japan by Denso, are purpose built for the H-D application, and feature a similar design to the slim units found on Honda's Fury chopper. All models will feature traditional placement except the XR1200X, which will incorporate a side-mounted radiator. Rumors that the V-Rod will be discontinued due to "redundancy" have not yet been confirmed.
"The time has come," the rep told me, "and our valued customers will soon see that Harley-Davidson is committed to embracing a cleaner and greener future."
Here is a comment from a respectable member friend of mine that works at one of the oldest dealer! The verdict is still out on weather it's a hoax!
This comes up EVERY year. Harley isn't going liquid cooled. California has to approve any new motor in any new bike. Harley has dispatched the 96" motor, and for 2012 all the motors will by the 103. So, when applying for California emission approval, people snoop and see the "new" motor applied for, and they automatically assume its the liquid cooled motor coming. Its crazy, and the internet blows up about it every year. Last year it was the road glide was going to be liquid cooled, cause the application read "FLTRU" , which was a new model, the Road Glide Ultra. Because it was new, it needed the California emission approval, therefore it had to be applied for. The internet blew up with rumors of the first liquid cooled road glide! it was hilarious. Whenever they apply to California for a new model approval or to put a different motor in a bike for approval, the rumor starts. Pretty darned funny stuff! Harley isn't going liquid cooled. They have no interest in it.
