When will Big Enough be Big Enough

[JustUs]

I'm asking when you think HD will stop making Bigger engines, and what will that size be?
103, 114, 122, 130, etc.?
I ask because why buy this years model with the 96 CI, when next years model might have the 103. Etc., etc., etc.
If size matters...

[motorcyclist]

Originally Posted by JustUs

I'm asking when you think HD will stop making Bigger engines, and what will that size be?
103, 114, 122, 130, etc.?
I ask because why buy this years model with the 96 CI, when next years model might have the 103. Etc., etc., etc.
If size matters...

the "bigger is better" mentality is still alive and kicking so the 'when will they stop?' is determine by those consumers. if there's profit to be had, HD or any manufacture for that matter will continue to pursue it. it's business....

HD with performance mods to stock HD ratio is easily 2:1 from what I've seen over the years due to the more is better thing.

[VStarMan]

I've always thought the 1200 Goldwing was a perfect size touring bike....

OMG now they are 50% larger than 1200cc's......

[phat01]

I think that unless HD goes to water cooling in some fashion - be it just the heads as has been rumored, or by sticking a variant of the Revolution (VROD) engine in other bikes - that the Current 110 in the CVO bikes is about it...

The 96" runs hot, the 103" runs hotter and the 110" is absolutely hottest - I have one, trust me it runs super hot especially when ambient temps are above the 80 -85 degree range - And on an air cooled engine heat is the enemy and from everything I hear the 110" sometimes require rebuilding (at least the top end) after only about 30k -40k miles, even less in some cases. I'm hoping that a richer fuel mixture using an aftermarket tuner will hep the longevity of my 110...

I know ...HD has that sweet 120R... the key is the R which is (according to HD) intended for race applications only.

I personally think the 110" is just about the perfect size displacement wise and it has plent enough torque to get the big Ultra moving at a brisk pace rather quickly for such a big heavy bike.

[ArcherSix]

Remember when a 74" was a big bike? Heck, my 650 certainly wasn't a small bike when new(1977), I don't think it's small now.

[PlowBoy]

Do the larger engines actually run hotter or just give off a greater volume of heat? I wonder.

[Fid_Hawser]

Originally Posted by PlowBoy

Do the larger engines actually run hotter or just give off a greater volume of heat? I wonder.

Excellent point. One would hope the oil temp, valves, etc. would remain in a reasonable range, but they could be much nearer their limit.

[King Vitamin]

If the physical size of the bike keeps going up, then the physical size of the engine to drive the bike will likewise keep going up.

When your bike has bags, tourpak, fairing, lowers, backrest, stereo, floorboards, light bars, highway pegs, chrome doodads, flags, a trailer hitch, and a strap-on stuffed animal, it's going to weigh a little more than an old 650 triumph, and will likewise require a good bit of engine to drag it around.

[FXDC]

Originally Posted by phat01

I think that unless HD goes to water cooling in some fashion - be it just the heads as has been rumored, or by sticking a variant of the Revolution (VROD) engine in other bikes - that the Current 110 in the CVO bikes is about it...

The 96" runs hot, the 103" runs hotter and the 110" is absolutely hottest - I have one, trust me it runs super hot especially when ambient temps are above the 80 -85 degree range - And on an air cooled engine heat is the enemy and from everything I hear the 110" sometimes require rebuilding (at least the top end) after only about 30k -40k miles, even less in some cases. I'm hoping that a richer fuel mixture using an aftermarket tuner will hep the longevity of my 110...

I know ...HD has that sweet 120R... the key is the R which is (according to HD) intended for race applications only.

I personally think the 110" is just about the perfect size displacement wise and it has plent enough torque to get the big Ultra moving at a brisk pace rather quickly for such a big heavy bike.

the sad thing is TC motors have pressed together cranks. non balanced too. anyways, they are not rebuildable including the rods!!!! i would happily get rid of mine and go back to a smaller and lighter evo.

[FXDC]

Originally Posted by King Vitamin

If the physical size of the bike keeps going up, then the physical size of the engine to drive the bike will likewise keep going up.

When your bike has bags, tourpak, fairing, lowers, backrest, stereo, floorboards, light bars, highway pegs, chrome doodads, flags, a trailer hitch, and a strap-on stuffed animal, it's going to weigh a little more than an old 650 triumph, and will likewise require a good bit of engine to drag it around.

thats so sad, imho.