Quote: ...though I've ALSO thought that by this time H-D should have re-engineered the XL-series by placing a balance-shaft somewhere inside that beautiful motor. I mean it's not as if they haven't had the money to do this for a long long time, eh?!
Harley is a little hard headed about some things, they went to the trouble to isolate the Sportster engines with rubber mounts starting in 2004. Apparently they believe the low frequency Harley v-twin vibration is part of the bike's character and they work to control but not eliminate it. The only air cooled Harleys that come with balance shafts are the Softail series, possibly because of their unique frames.
I dont mind the rubber mounted engine but I think every air-cooled motorcycle should come from the factory with an oil cooler like Triumph. But it is standard only on the Sportster XR1200X, and a dealer installed accessory on the rest of the line.
The real question here is how popular and profitable would a Triumph America/Speedmaster be with a factory option 1200cc engine? Would you pay $2000 more for an America that made say 85-hp and 75-lbft of torque? I would have. Such an engine could also be standard in the Thruxton.
2011 Triumph America (10/2011 to 07/2014)
2012 Harley Davidson 1200C Sportster
2014 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
