12-15-2015, 05:28 AM
(12-15-2015, 04:52 AM)Paulb_imp Wrote: I began riding back in 1966 and my bikes have mostly reflected the air cooled unfaired style of that era. Bikes I've owned include: Vmax 1200, Bandit 1200, Buell, Enfield 500, Suzuki VX800, Guzzi Californian 1100 etc. I bought my CB1100 because it perfectly fits my design criteria of being a modern bike designed to a retro style. Unfortunately, some manufacturers confuse 'retro' with 'fake'. I'm thinking of water cooled engines with cooling fins and fuel injectors designed to resemble carburettors. The new Triumph Bonneville and Truxton fall into this category and Harley have been down this route with fake Hardtail suspension. One of my favourite new bikes last year was the Indian Scout and I think the engine looks great without fake cooling fins. I'm not having a go at bike designs, just voicing my personal opinion and I would appreciate hearing other views. Perhaps a poll might be appropriate.
It is getting harder to meet emissions and make power with air cooled engines. Even our beloved CB isn't 100% air cooled with its external oil cooler. While I share your sentiment when it comes to fake cooling fins on water cooled bikes, I don't think it is completely useless. Even with a radiator, cooling fins still provide some cooling benefit. If that allows the use of a smaller, less obtrusive radiator, it's not all bad. The new Triumphs do a nice job of minimizing the radiator. I'd like to ride a new Thruxton R.