The Milwaukee Eight-first new H-D engine in like 15 years

[HappyHighwayman]

If HD fans are happy, I'm happy

 

[byke]

That's a really weird video. All the guys discuss is the way the engine looks, something something "visually spilling out of the motorcycle" something something "like an athlete's back"?? I can't really see a bunch of HD dudes in the shop admiring the way the cylinders look like an athlete's back.

 

[Blankpage]

A new engine every 20 years whether they need it or not.
If I were them I wouldn't change either as long as it was selling. Give the people what they want.

 

[Jalopyshoppe]

Wow that's a lot of heavy metal, bass-ackwards engineering and retarded complexity just to remain "traditional" and avoid going DOHC. WTF is the point in that? Under-informed customers who value made up "traditions"?

I would venture to guess the pushrods are more about packaging. Look at the Chevy LS Smal block. There is no denying that OHV and DOHC engines are taller and therefore wider when in V configuration. Harley likes low seat heights and narrow profiles. Pushrods are narrower than timing chains, . They still use knife and fork rods in order to keep the cylinders in line rather than staggered. That engine design contributes to the chassis design, which is what makes a Harley a Harley.

The rocker assembly looks like a mutated EVO rocker. I also think the return to single cam is pretty funny.

File under "meh"

 

[scootergmc]

A new engine every 20 years whether they need it or not.
If I were them I wouldn't change either as long as it was selling. Give the people what they want.

Harley R&D gives .gov the required emissions standards. Harley marketing says "whiz-bang shinybits 'Mericuh" to their customers. Win-win. You gotta respect it. It really is amazing.

 

[orbframe]

Yeah, I know. Thread title is The Milwaukee Eight-first new H-D engine in like 15 years. Liquid-cooled engines still count as new engines.

Except you said air cooled. And that title is just the thread author, the article correctly refers to the big twin lines..

 

[stangmx13]

Harley customers are really demanding. they want more power, less noise, and less heat all with pushrods, cooling fins, and some vibration.

i do think its funny that the forks have a shim stack and its a selling point.

 

[Sharky]

The 107 is to one up the freedom 106 from victory, interesting to see if victory punches their engine out.

The Indian has a 111 already.

 

[byke]

You guys are totally overlooking what's important here....did you not see the drag racing air filter??

 

[Blankpage]

Indian was absent for way to long. No matter the cu" they have a lot of catching up to do in the marketing appeal dept.

 

[cmdrSheppard]

ditto on HD marketing brilliance

setting the HD vs everything else argument aside, i too admire the results of HD's marketing department. They continue to crank out exactly the kind of content that speaks to their target audience.
If i ever go back to marketing game, i would love to work on their marketing material.

 

[byke]

But they don't push any of the tech/specs/performance, which is the same to say that their demographic doesn't care about tech/specs/performance. You could reply with, "and??", in which case I'd just give the same look as in my avatar.

 

[rugbydawg13]

I would venture to guess the pushrods are more about packaging. Look at the Chevy LS Smal block. There is no denying that OHV and DOHC engines are taller and therefore wider when in V configuration. Harley likes low seat heights and narrow profiles. Pushrods are narrower than timing chains, . They still use knife and fork rods in order to keep the cylinders in line rather than staggered. That engine design contributes to the chassis design, which is what makes a Harley a Harley.

The rocker assembly looks like a mutated EVO rocker. I also think the return to single cam is pretty funny.

File under "meh"

The tallness is partly because they opt for long stroke motors. If Ducati can deviate from their long-held traditions in engine AND frame design (that are revered but an equally fanatical following) and still sell a butt-ton of bikes, Harley could too. They are just notoriously stubborn to venture out.

 

[rugbydawg13]

setting the HD vs everything else argument aside, i too admire the results of HD's marketing department. They continue to crank out exactly the kind of content that speaks to their target audience.
If i ever go back to marketing game, i would love to work on their marketing material.

I would say they have very little clever marketing. They have a dedicated following and just stick to the formula. Put their "marketing people" into an environment that required some nimbleness and creativity, they'd likely drown.

 

[Blankpage]

A buddy has a Harley and non motorcyclist we encounter will sometimes ask him how fast it is. He tells them it will do over 140 mph and he actually believes it. I think its a Fatboy, like its owner. But ain't no way in hell its going near 140.

 

[scootergmc]

I would say they have very little clever marketing. They have a dedicated following and just stick to the formula. Put their "marketing people" into an environment that required some nimbleness and creativity, they'd likely drown.

Coke tried to get clever.

My guess is HD's marketing department keeps a can of Coke II somewhere in the office with a plaque that reads, "Don't do this."

 

[rugbydawg13]

That was actually a brilliant planned move that boosted sales of "old" Coke through the roof, got them tons of free press, and carried that momentum long after the disappearance of "new" Coke. Ballsy and brilliant.

 

[scootergmc]

That was actually a brilliant planned move that boosted sales of "old" Coke through the roof, got them tons of free press, and carried that momentum long after the disappearance of "new" Coke. Ballsy and brilliant.

Bridge for sale....

 

[redtail]

The Indian has a 111 already.

Yeah, but there are two versions of the new motor the standard 107 and:

"CVO Limited and Street Glide models are equipped with the Twin-Cooled Milwaukee-Eight 114..."

So as I mentioned before, 107/114 to "top" Victory and Indian from Polaris.

Perhaps HD acknowledging their competition.

 

[louemc]

I have no experience with the new Harley's to know anything about feel or reliability ..

But new ones parking in front of the saloon I'm posting from,
sure look like Harley finally hired some savvy Engineers.
Every thing I can see by just looking, looks great.