2017 Harley-Davidson "Milwaukee Eight" line-up
The new Harley-Davidson
V-twin surfaced on the internet, dubbed the “Milwaukee Eight”, H-D has
given fans a first look at its 2017 range of touring rigs carrying the new
powerplant. As surmised, the new 1,753 cc mill is installed in the 2017 H-D
Road King, Street Glide Special, Road Glide Special and Road Glide Ultra
models.
H-D has said that it was important the
heritage of its trademark air-cooled V-twin be preserved in the new engine,
which features visually dominating cylinder heads, and a slimmer barrel fin
design at the waist. The air-cleaner housing now harks back to the Shovelhead
engines of H-D’s AMF era.
More torque is expected from the new
engine, which now features four-valve heads that are said to provide 50%
greater intake airflow, and better exhaust. Fuel economy is also said to be
improved, with vibration reduced and overall power output increased.
The Milwaukee Eight will come in three
versions, the standard air-cooled V-twin and a “Twin Cooled” version – using
liquid-cooled cylinder heads – both displacing 1,753 cc, and a 1,870 cc Twin
Cooled power plant for H-D’s Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO). The traditional
gear drive for the cams is now gone, replaced by a timing chain with an
automatic hydraulic tensioner, with pushrods actuating hydraulic tappets.
A counter balancer has also been
designed into the Milwaukee Eight, cutting down on 75% of engine vibration, but
still managing to retain that characteristic H-D “rumble”. This was in response
to H-D finally recognising that it has a worldwide fanbase, and some of its
customers expect a certain degree of refinement from an engine.
Suspension for the 2017 H-D lineup of
tourers has also been upgraded, with new forks and rear shock absorbers. The
front forks now comes with variable orifices in the damping valves, giving both
low-speed stability and high-speed bump compliance, while the rear absorbers
feature damping adjustment that doesn’t require tools, with ride height adjustable
with an inch of range.
The new Milwaukee Eight
represents a serious amount of investment for H-D, and it hopes the current
evolution of its V-Twin will appeal to both the traditionalist Harley rider,
while also drawing in a new breed of customer.
