Air cooled engines

[sandy]

I keep hearing that air cooled engines are going to find it pretty much impossible to comply with ever more stringent emissions / noise regs as the years go on.
For most manufacturers I don't suppose that matters as nearly all have ditched large capacity air cooled engines now but what about Harley, BMW (Twins) and Moto Guzzi.
I did read that BMW have a liquid cooled twin just about ready for production.
My local Harley dealer tells me that it's a worrying prospect, as the V Rod, whilst it sells in relatively small numbers, has not been embraced by the purists because it's liquid cooled.
Should we be concerned about Moto Guzzi ?

[ghezzi]

Anything air cooled that currently passes whatever Euro/California/Bullshit emission laws is Ok with me.
If Guzzi change to water cooling in the future, I'll be one of the die hard ol'farts on me old skool dunga.

My Bellagio may currently run hotter than older models, but I will soon add PC-5 etc to remedy that.
At 54 and after owning 40 odd bikes, I'll be fairly happy to ride this one till the death (of me), after that, who cares.

If I live long enough, my bike will eventually be classified as a classic/vintage/veteran etc ..............just like me.

[Ad B]

Hi,
I hope I can ride my Griso long enough, till my end time of motorbiking...
I have my Harley for nearly 20 years now, my Griso for one.
And I'm nearly 53 years YOUNG (!).
53 + 19 =...
Maybe the Griso will last a tiny bit longer...
Oké, I'm satisfied with that outcome, by that time I can drive myself to the cementary...

I'll keep my head and cylinders in the air!
Ride on.

Ad B

[Averb]

I have to say that I really don't see what the big deal is about air vs liquid cooling. I currently own 2 V twin shaft drive bikes, one air cooled and one liquid cooled. There are a lot of major differences between the two bikes but I have never spent any time comparing the two based their cooling systems

Steve

[sandy]

I have to say that I really don't see what the big deal is about air vs liquid cooling. I currently own 2 V twin shaft drive bikes, one air cooled and one liquid cooled. There are a lot of major differences between the two bikes but I have never spent any time comparing the two based their cooling systems

Steve

Steve I think you missed the point.
I don't care particularly either, but the fact is that air cooled engines are facing a major shake up in the context of ever more stringent noise and emissions regs.
Would you be OK with a water cooled Guzzi.
I suppose that's what I'm asking.

[ghezzi]

The threat of "killing off" the air cooled engine for the reasons you've mentioned has been around for a long time.
Much the same as the old smoky 2 stroke, but technology evolves. There are now manufacturers (in boat and off road arenas) who have gone back to 2 strokes, using direct injection etc that more than qualify for Euro 5 standards.
They produce enormous torque such that makes equivalent sized 4 strokes look like aneamic gutless screamers.

My point is, who knows where technology will take us.
I love the Guzzi engine in its current 2V form with all its ancient and simple methodology, if they go high tech, watercooled, in-line, multi-cylinder whatevers I will observe from a distance. But with Mandelo Marrow in my bones I'm very satisfied admiring my Bellagio as created, with a few personal enhancements

[sandy]

The threat of "killing off" the air cooled engine for the reasons you've mentioned has been around for a long time.

Indeed, and lets face it, the air cooled engine is now pretty much "killed off" so the threats have not been hollow.
Only Harley, Triumph Guzzi hold onto them.
Where have all the Japanese air cooled twins and fours gone ?
Even BMW have now conceded and introduced a liquid cooled flat twin.

http://www.allaboutbikes.com/feature-ar ... -published

[leafman60]

I do not want a water-cooled update. The radiators are ugly and cumbersome and there is more complexity.

I prefer clean, classic simplicity.

Ive heard this "have to convert water due to emissions regs" for 25 years.

[sandy]

Ive heard this "have to convert water due to emissions regs" for 25 years.

Yes and if you divert your attention away from Guzzi's for just a second you'll see that it has happened.
Air cooled engines have more or less gone.
Only the manufacturers that have a tradition of building them hold onto them.
Do you think BMW are water cooling their flat twins for a bit of a laugh ?
It's expensive developing a liquid cooled engine, and they are much more expensive to produce than the air cooled equivalent.
It's got to happen.
Air cooled engines simply will not be able to meet the criteria.
Remember that in terms of emissions, the world has a very different attitude to the one it had 25 years ago, which is why, I guess, Moto Guzzi are preparing themselves.

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/newsa ... index.html

[Mark111]

Who cares?
I'm happy with my air/oil cooled engine and will keep it for the long term but who knows what might capture my interest in future years.
If they build a water cooled engine and you don't like it, don't buy it.
Everyone can make their own decision if and when they put one in to production, I will wait until the future technology arrives and evaluate it on it's merits before I make any decisions.

Mark