Friday, December 15, 2006

Liquid-Cooled Sportster?

O.K. - so it seems the rumour mill is running full steam, and there have been many reports of a prototype liquid-cooled HD Sportster being spied in Arizona or somewhere. Motorcyclist Magazine even went as far as producing a photoshopped version of what it might look like.

The feedback in some HD forums has been pretty much split; sure the die-hards don't want anything to change (I've even met some that were upset when HD started rubber-mounting the engine), but many seemed open to the idea. Eventually, HD will have to do something to make their engines a little more eco-friendly to meet EPA regulations - maybe liquid cooling could help them meet these objectives?

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've had many motorcycles over the past 30 years. Some have been Harleys but for the past decade I've ridden mostly japanese. Although their all Harley clones, in most cases I find their better and cheaper than the mold from which they've been created in many ways. Maybe its about time that Harley starts evolving their bikes.

Lucky said...

Harley's still have the whole "mystique" built around the marque; because of this something as trivial as adding a radiator to a Sportster can have far reaching effects on sales. Personally, I still wouldn't buy a Sportster even if the engine's innards have been updated - but that's just a question of personal taste. However, if Buell were to update their bikes with liquid cooling; I just might be interested!

Cheers,
Lucky

Giest said...

i know it has nothing to do with your post, but...merry green christmas. ;)

Lucky said...

Thanks Giest,

Same to you, except now it seems that green has turned to white!

Cheers,
Lucky