flynrider wrote:There was a time when just about all bikes were air cooled. Overheating wasn't much of a problem then and it isn't now.
I live in the desert, where it gets up over 100F for about half of the year. The only time you need to worry about overheating is if you leave the bike running while standing still for an extended period of time (20 min. or so) on a really hot day. Even if traffic is moving slowly, the engine will dissapate heat. If you're stuck in a traffic jam that's not moving, then you just shut off the engine.
As for the original post, I don't know if '09 is the target for HD to go water cooled, but they will have to do it eventually. Water cooling is the only way bikes are going to be able to pass future emissions requirements. The bike of the near future is going to be much like cars are today. Computer controlled ignition and fuel systems are going to be common, as well as water cooling to control combustion temperatures.
Harleys meet current emissions requirements with no catalytic converter.
That's correct. The regulations that take effect in 2010 will require manufacturers to reduce hydrocarbon and NOx emissions by almost 50%, from today's levels. Air cooled, carbed bikes are just squeaking by today's standards by using overly lean mixtures. There's not much chance that they'll be able to meet the 2010 standard with any of the air cooled designs their putting out today.
I did overheat on a CB550K. It was a 4th of July weekend and I was stuck on the George Washington Bridge in a total standstill. I rode the shoulder and a cop stopped me but when I told him of my problem, he actually let me go on!
Interesting article, although it has more to do with the new closed loop EFI system trying to keep up with the wide range of temps in an air cooled engine.
This is why motorcycle companies will be going to water cooling for emission control. You just can't regulate combustion properties well when the combustion temps are all over the place. This is the same reason that VW dropped the air cooled bug in the U.S. back in the early 80s.
In response to the posts before. All harleys are EFI. most have some form of a cat in the mufflers. some its only 1 out of two. some of the international models havefull cats in both and europe have a "power valve" in the pipes to limit noise. Japan has "quiter" mufflers. why pay more if you dont need to. emmisions regulations will not do in Air cooled bikes. ever tightening noise regulations will first. water cooled bikes have a water jacket and this absorbs some of the noises inside. HD dont so you hear lots of cam, lifter, valve train noises. water cooled bikes will kill alot of this. harley would not switch to all waterer cooled bikes. noone wants them. the Vrod was the trial ballon. sold well in Europe but not anywhere else.
