[RonC26]

They surprised me putting the water-cooled heads on the 16RGU, and it's got me considering trading. I've seen comments that they're great and comments that they don't really make much difference.

From you guys that have ridden the new water cooled, how much difference does it really make??

Thanks in advance!

Ron

 

[dbell66253]

Why not go to the dealer and take a test ride, that would eliminate all other opinions besides yours, which is the one that counts.

 

[Reccerick19]

I can only compare the 103 on my 2012 fatboy to my new RGU and my leg is no longer melting my opinion not sure of any other difference as they bumped up compression ratio a little with the twin cool engine seems to run smooth and effortlessly however I haven't ridden a touring bike before I am pleased but don't expect anymore power just a little cooler running engine

 

[RonC26]

dBell - I agree & did that. Our dealership keeps the test ride fairly short, although I did buzz it down the interstate to try to get a feel for it. Was a cooler day, but I thought I did notice some improvement. Just curious from folks that have spent some time in the saddle and have a better opinion.

 

[Big_gary]

I asked a bud the same question, he rides water head BWT. He said maybe a little but it's still hot as hell in the summer down here in S. Ga.

 

[GlideShark]

I asked a bud the same question, he rides water head BWT. He said maybe a little but it's still hot as hell in the summer down here in S. Ga.

So instead of burning your cojones until they are raisins, water heads will leave you with some cherries, cool.

 

[Wharf Rat]

Once we drop below triple digits I'll have a better handle on how my wet-head ride compares to my '11 FLTRU. It may not be a fair comparison, as I lack the non-twin-cooled 110 data point.

What I have noticed is that you have to more carefully position highway pegs to keep your leg (ankles) out of the fan exhaust on the lowers.

But riding in 110º weather doesn't allow one to readily discern a single source of the discomfort.

 

[tdkkart]

My '11 103 used run 260-270* head temp on the highway in 70-90* temps according to the Power Vision mounted to the bars. In town I would seen 300 or a smidge over.

My twin cooled 110, runs water temps of 170-175, and head temps consistently run 35-40 above that. I rarely see more than 210* head temps, except in town where it will go to maybe 240*.

My take is that it is significantly cooler and more comfortable to ride.

 

[Hillsidecycle.com]

With temps staying more stable, the engine wont grow and shrink.
Scott

 

[RonC26]

Thanks - had not even thought of the fan or engine stress.

 

[e.nigma]

Not directly relateable, but while riding around AZ and NM a couple weeks ago, my stock 13 RGU ahd a lot of trouble with pinging at part throttle but my buddies 15 CVO RGUs had no trouble at all. Fuel was 91 octane on all bikes. Also 1 other guy with an 09(I think) 96 incher with an atermarket tuner and exhaust had no troubles either.

 

[fuelmoto]

When the twin cooled 103 motor came out we bought a bike for R&D, some of the first tested we did was related to cylinder head temps. We took two equally equipped bikes our 14 FLHTK and a 14 FLHX and set out to do some datalogging. The ET and cylinder head temp on the twin cooled bike was consistently cooler, at times pretty significantly (for ex. when sitting stationary in traffic).

The graph below represents a test where we compared the average running engine temp running side by side on the road for an extended period between the twin cooled & air cooled bikes.

 

[05Quadrasteer]

This being my first Harley (2015 RGU CVO) I don't have the knowledge of what it used to feel like. But I can tell you to me it isn't the head temperature that gets to me. It is the heat from the catalytic convertor that is the problem. Even my wife has mentioned it while we are our riding. She has had to move her right foot off the boards and put it up in my lap to get her foot to cool off from the heat being generated by the catalytic convertor. I also feel the heat in my right boot while out riding along at cruising speed. Thank goodness I have the highway pegs to move my feet forward and get them away from that heat on the right side.

Bill

 

[RonC26]

Thanks guys & thanks Fuelmoto for the hard data!

Ron

 

[James]

I will start with the fact that I have no clue about the new systems but I have experience on a v-rod. Now this is real technical, so hang with me. Lmao. Riding next to air-cooled buddies and using the super calibrated oil dipstick thermometers I would rarely see anything over 190 while they would see 260. I do know that the heat on your legs when sitting in traffic that was blasted on me by the fans sucked a lot. I really noticed this at bikes blues and BBQ while idling on Dickson street for extended periods. So that's my cool story, bro. :laugh:

 

[Lu]

Test rode a 10’ CVO at Americade and the heat was so unbearable that it almost burned my inner thighs.

Demoed a 16” CVO a few weeks ago in low 90s weather, and it only felt warm. Much cooler than my 11’ 103”.

That sold me that Twin Cool works.

 

[Reccerick19]

If you go to the Harley catalog screaming eagles section under cams you will see that the torque curve hp curve are near identical so the only difference is temperature on the heads, we all know more stable cooler temperatures prolong engine life so you need to ask yourself is the added cost worth it to you, for me I do a lot of mileage and plan on keeping this bike 7 years so it was worth it plus all the other extras that came on my ultra

 

[Big_gary]

If you go to the Harley catalog screaming eagles section under cams you will see that the torque curve hp curve are near identical so the only difference is temperature on the heads, we all know more stable cooler temperatures prolong engine life so you need to ask yourself is the added cost worth it to you, for me I do a lot of mileage and plan on keeping this bike 7 years so it was worth it plus all the other extras that came on my ultra

http://www.roadglide.org/3-*general...0-miles-my-2008-road-glide-3.html#post2982530

No water head needed .