Anyone in the market for a new Harley-Davidson needs to pay some serious attention. This could be one of the best years ever to purchase a new Harley. In addition to producing 38 different models (not including the various bikes produced specifically for police departments, fire departments, and eligible members of the service), Harley has turned the American V-Twin industry on its ear. A company that has traditionally erred on the conservative side is acting anything but conservative these days. As we reported last month, Harley's engineers have been hard at work, feverishly revamping the majority of the bikes they produce. There isn't a single family of motorcycles offered for '07 that hasn't been affected by the winds of change.
Highlights Of The '07 Lineup Include: * A completely new Twin Cam 96-inch Big-Twin engine* Six-speed Cruise Drive transmission for all models outfitted with Big-Twin engines* Electronic sequential-port fuel injection (ESPFI) across the entire line of bikes* New mufflers for improved sound* A limited-edition 50th Anniversary Sportster* A new Softail model dubbed the FXSTC Softail Custom* Two new V-Rod models: the VRSCDX Night Rod Special and the VRSCX* A redesigned FLSTF Fat Boy* A redesigned FXDC Dyna Super Glide* Four Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) models* A new hands-free Smart Security System option
By far the single biggest change for the '07 model year is the introduction of Harley's redesigned Twin Cam engine. Prior to the new lines' debut, the standard Big-Twin motor had a displacement of 88 inches. For '07 Harley has increased displacement by 8 inches, resulting in a new incarnation of the Twin Cam powerplant. There are actually two variations of this mill: the TC-96 (Touring and Dyna models) and the TC-96B (Softail models), each with a total of 96 inches of displacement. The new Big-Twin engine will be coupled to Harley's six-speed Cruise Drive transmission, which was introduced last year across the Dyna line.
Bill Davidson, director of motorcycle product development, had the following to say regarding the relationship between Harley-Davidson motorcycles and the engines that power them: "A V-Twin engine has always been the centerpiece of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. It's integral not only to the performance of the motorcycle, but also to its styling, to its sound, and the way it feels to the rider. The new Twin Cam 96 and six-speed Cruise Drive transmission offer enhanced performance while maintaining the traditional aesthetics of the Harley-Davidson Big-Twin."
Mr. Davidson is without a doubt clued into the strong connection Harley riders have with their machines. This link between man and machine is without a doubt far stronger than the mere materials that make up the V-Twin.
When the Harley brass decided it was time to update the powerplant, they knew how important the final design of the engine would be to the buying public. As they contemplated a new engine, they realized that making the changes too radical could turn many riders against them. This was the thinking going into the new motor program. Not only did they have to deal with concerns of their buyers, they had to navigate their way through a maze of government regulations here and abroad, both current and future.
While building engines that meet or exceed levels set forth by any particular agency is nothing new for Harley, this time around it would be more challenging. Not only have many European countries drastically reduced the amount of pollution that can spew forth from a bike's tailpipe, but, in addition, motorcycle sound levels were being drastically curtailed as well. These sound levels dealt with not only the exhaust, but also the entire drivetrain.
Many of the changes built into the new engine were in direct response to these sound-level restrictions. Specifically, the bottom end was redesigned from square one. Components such as the cases, flywheels, and connecting rods have all been redesigned to give the engine less reciprocating mass, making for a more efficient design, as well as a quieter one. The new engine is said to have up to 17 percent more torque than '06 models. This difference varies from model to model. In addition to the lower mass, we're told that although the stroke was increased from 4 inches to 4-3/8 inches, the combination of the new design and multiple new components makes for a smoother-running engine.