It’s official, Harley Davidson has introduced their next big twin engine family, the Milwaukee Eight. It comes in two displacements, 107 and 114 cubic inches with either oil cooled or liquid cooled heads, depending on the model and each head runs dual spark plugs. It has a single chain driven cam and valve lash is set at the factory for life. Interesting. The engine weighs the same as the Twin Cam it replaces plus it has 10 percent more torque and 11 percent quicker acceleration. A single internal counter balancer cancels 75 percent of primary vibration at idle and the charging system delivers 50 percent more output to the battery at idle. On top of it all, (literally) are the new 4 valve heads which are more visually apparent from every angle.
Of course, with eight valves, who can resist even more performance, so Screamin Eagle kits will be available in Stage 1, 2 and 3 variations for as much as 24 percent more torque than stock.
The engines will reside in every Touring and Trike model for 2017. So I guess all that remains now is to head on down to your dealer and check them out.
Press release follows:
MILWAUKEE (August 23, 2016) – The all-new Harley-Davidson® Milwaukee-Eight™ engine, ninth in the lineage of the company’s iconic Big Twin engines, delivers more power and an improved motorcycling experience for riders and passengers while retaining the iconic look, sound and feel of its predecessors. An all-new design, the Milwaukee-Eight engine offers quicker throttle response, more passing power, purer sound, a smoother ride and more of the feeling riders want from a Harley-Davidson Touring motorcycle engine.
“The guiding principle behind the Milwaukee-Eight engine was our voice of customer research from every region of the world,†said Scott Miller, Harley-Davidson Vice-President of Styling and Product Development Strategy. “Riders asked us to create a new engine designed to enhance their motorcycle touring experience in every way. Those same voices also demanded that we
stay true to our legacy and respect the defining elements of a Harley-Davidson V-Twin. It was a big challenge, but one we’ve met. With the Milwaukee-Eight, a new era of Harley-Davidson power, performance and innovation has been forged.â€
New Milwaukee-Eight engines will power every 2017 Harley-Davidson Touring and Trike motorcycle model. Milwaukee-Eight engines will be offered in two displacements and three variations:
Milwaukee-Eight 107 (107 CID, 1750cc) featuring precision oil-cooled cylinder heads for the Street Glide®/Street Glide® Special, Road Glide®/Road Glide Special®, Electra Glide® Ultra Classic®, Road King® and Freewheeler® models.
Twin-Cooled™ Milwaukee-Eight 107 (107 CID, 1750cc) featuring liquid-cooled cylinder heads for the Ultra Limited/Ultra Limited Low, Road Glide® Ultra and Tri Glide® Ultra models.
Twin-Cooled Milwaukee-Eight 114 (114 CID,1870cc) featuring liquid-cooled cylinder heads for the CVO™ Limited and CVO™ Street Glide® models.
More Power
Each Milwaukee-Eight engine produces 10 percent more torque than the engine it replaces in Touring models. In addition to increased displacement, the Milwaukee-Eight engine features a higher compression ratio and four-valve cylinder heads with 50 percent more intake and exhaust flow capacity. The valve train requires no adjustment as the design of the rocker arms enables valve lash to be set at the factory for life. Dual spark plugs for each cylinder contribute to more- efficient combustion. A single chain-driven camshaft is lighter, mechanically less complex and creates less friction and noise.
“The Milwaukee-Eight engine retains the classic Harley-Davidson 45-degree V-Twin design,†said Alex Bozmoski, Harley-Davidson Chief Powertrain Engineer, who led the development team. “It also retains the power characteristic that is the real legacy of the Harley-Davidson Big Twin: strong low-end torque with a broad, flat power curve through the mid-range that’s ideal for the Touring motorcycle rider.â€
Quicker Acceleration
The Milwaukee-Eight engine weighs the same as the engines it replaces, so all of its extra power contributes directly to improved acceleration performance.
- The Milwaukee-Eight 107 accelerates 11 percent quicker 0-60 mph, equal to a two to three bike length improvement, and 11 percent quicker from 60-80 mph in top gear, equal to a one to two bike length improvement, compared to the Twin Cam High Output 103.
- The Milwaukee-Eight 114 accelerates 8 percent quicker 0-60 and 12 percent quicker 60-
80 than the Twin Cam 110â„¢.
Heat Management
The Milwaukee-Eight engine offers improved rider and passenger thermal comfort due to reduced heat absorption, increased heat rejection and a redesigned exhaust system. Each Milwaukee-Eight engine features a precision cooling strategy based on the specific demands of the motorcycle model, using a targeted flow of either oil or liquid coolant around the hottest areas of the cylinder heads. A new knock sensor for each cylinder enables more-precise timing control. The rear exhaust pipe is re-positioned and the exhaust catalyst is relocated to move heat away from the passenger. Idle speed is lowered from 1,000 rpm to 850 rpm.
Improved Fit
A new, slimmer primary drive cover and the low-profile shape of the air cleaner cover provide improved rider legroom around the engine and an easier reach to the ground for many riders. All Milwaukee-Eight powered models are fitted with an Assist and Slip Clutch with improved hydraulic actuation that reduces clutch lever effort by 7 percent.
Reduced Vibration
The rubber-mounted Milwaukee-Eight engine features a single internal counter balancer that cancels 75 percent of primary vibration at idle for a more-refined feel and more-comfortable experience for rider and passengers while retaining the classic character of Harley® V-Twin engines.
Richer Exhaust Note
Lighter valves, a single camshaft, optimized cover designs and improved driveline components eliminate mechanical powertrain noise. The engine intake and air cleaner are designed to reduce intake sound while ensuring maximum air flow. As a result, the new Milwaukee-Eight engine is mechanically quieter, enabling a richer exhaust tone, and meets all global noise and emissions standards while allowing the unmistakable rumble of its exhaust note to resonate.
Improved Charging
The Milwaukee-Eight engine charging system delivers 50 percent more output to the battery at idle to better support the power demands of Touring riders, including accessory lighting, performance audio, and heated gear and other accessories.
New Engine Styling
The Milwaukee-Eight engine features sleek, modern styling that respects the heritage of previous Harley-Davidson Big Twin engines.
“The Milwaukee-Eight engine is styled to project power,†said Brad Richards, Harley-Davidson Director of Styling. “I compare it to the back of a swimmer, lean in the waist but broad and muscular in the shoulders.â€
“The rocker covers look like skin stretched taut over muscle, like the rocker arms are about to burst out of the engine,†said Richards. “For the first time since the Knucklehead, the rocker covers reflect the action going on below. And they are massive. When you sit on the bike you can look down and see more of this engine.â€
Link: Harley Davidson
Dano says
My grandpa will love this.
Paul Crowe says
If he rides a big touring rig and likes a lot of smooth performance, he certainly will.
Fred M. says
“A lot of smooth performance”? Compared to what? Oh, that’s right, other Harleys. There’s a reason that Harley doesn’t compare it to the engines in touring bikes like the BMW K 1600 GTL or the flat 6 in the Honda Goldwing.
How is 81hp at the rear wheel anything other than an embarrassment (results of Fuel Moto dyno run of stock 2017 Road Glide with 107 cu. in. Milwaukee Eight by Fuel Moto)? A stock BMW K 1600 makes at least 50% more power with less displacement.
Being smoother and more powerful than prior Harley engines is like being the smartest kid on the short bus.
Lostboy says
Exactly.
Scott says
My Grandparents would love this also..I’ll forward this to them by way of the post office.
Craig says
Personally I can’t wait to demo a bike with this new engine. I still have a 97 Electraglide Classic with the Evo engine.
Edward Utter says
My 1983 Honda Nighthawk has valves that never need adjusting. That is not to say Harley has not improved their engine, but nothing that is claimed is new. (Except for a Harley)
Pony says
wouldnt mind a pair of those heads for my evo
Hawk says
I can’t believe that 95.5 HP from 1800 odd cc is something to crow about. Road cars in the 60’s had that kind of performance. Today, 100 HP/liter is quite common especially in motorcycle engines.
Also, H-D continues to ask their customers to pay extra for “upgrade” kits. Really? Why not build it properly in the first place? Oh yes, put in a Screamin’ Eagle and you void the warranty. Nice move H-D. Maybe the $12 million fine for violating their stated emission standards didn’t get through?
I think they should be paying a lot of attention to what Polaris is doing with the Indian brand.
Sorry, I’ve never been and never will be an H-D fan.
Pony says
Please reference your quote of 95.5 hp
Hawk says
Fair comment Pony. I’d seen it but when I went looking almost none of the articles talked about engine HP. Oh yes, they said things like 10% more power but 10% more than what? The articles talked about starter power and alternator output … but engine? nada!
Here are three (of many) articles. The first one talks about engine HP:
http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/harley-davidson/harley-davidson-to-announce-107ci-and-114ci-milwaukee-eight-engine.html
http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/harley-davidson/scoop-harley-davidson-milwaukee-eight.html
http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/automotive/sc-2017-harley-davidson-lineup-autocover-0825-20160823-story.html
Hawk says
Here’s another one about HP.
http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2016/08/epa-confirms-new-larger-and-more-powerful-harley-engines-for-2017/
The comments are probably more entertaining than the article.
5150 Pops says
Hawk, are you my pal that used to have a sweet 1986 gsx-r 750?
Rock on, H-D will finally run itself out of business, once it’s core consumers die off, and the rest of them wake TF up!
Hawk says
Not me Pops. Old Triumphs, BSA’s, Hondas and now a 650 Burgman.
arnero says
It is all about avoiding noise. Short timing chain with these offset teeth to minimize engaging noise. Rubber mounting. Personally I like intake noise, but hey, they are not typically HD. So you want a cruiser and like sound, so take a HD. The available upgrades in performance use stiffer springs for higher max RPM and lead to more noise in the valve train. No one above the twenties wants that.
And ugly plumbing for water cooling everything? On a naked bike?
Scott says
My Grandpa likes Indians…the bikes.
Lostboy says
Agreed. I thought the same thing about the upgrade kits. Obviously a money thing. They’re also the only MC company that will quickly and efficiently drag their old bikes through the mud in order to sell new ones. I like Harleys. Mostly the older ones, even Evo’s, but the company to me is a GIANT joke. Their engineers are hardly unique except for making insignificant changes to already archaic technology.
Pony says
Let’s call it the “tit head” because of the pleasant pair of round shapes on each head
doug says
Those are the eyes of the tribal monkey depicted on each head. The head bolt in b/n is its button nose and above the protruding jaw
“MonkeyHead”
Bob says
The name “Butthead” might do in a pinch.
Simon Kooger says
HD engineering has been obsolete and totally uninteresting for decades. This dying behavior of a religion and its followers. GO DIE!
Drive the Wheels Off says
Take it easy koog.
How many new Bonnies & Thruxtons is Triumph selling to the crowd that wants to pretend they’re riding a bike from the 60s?
Many people want character from another era in their Moto experience. It can be argued HD is doing the best at that due to their looks & engine and that the other OEMs are not going far enough for that experience (I.e. The others are just going for the look. See that…you cafe racer dudes are the real posers! 😀
Maintaining that bygone mechanical experience in today’s emission standards is an engineering challenge.
Have you ridden a big twin ?
The only HD criticism worthy of anything to me is their lack of performance bikes in their catalog. But, that doesn’t mean the big twin bikes need to be discontinued.
Hawk says
I knew Trevor Deeley from perhaps 1948 until he passed away. His Father and Grandfather operated Fred Deeley Imports which has now morphed into several names, one being Harley-Davidson Canada. When H=D asked him to join the Board in the early 80’s, many of his ideas turned the company from bankruptcy. You can find a lot of the history online.
I remember talking with him perhaps 20 or more years ago now and I was ragging on him about the unreliability, lack of technology, etc. of the Harleys. Trev smiled at me and said, “There is one reason to be in business …. and that is to make money.”
Indeed, no matter how much we think that the product is inferior, they’re still here outselling the other brands and have made many of their shareholders millionaires. Incredible, yes.
But I still don’t want one.
steve welte says
Until sales fall completely in the gutter and no other company chooses to try to copy (at least in style) to gain sales for themselves, how much should they change? Sure I see other brands on the road but not normally in high numbers. A spattering of this model or that but not of one model. Engineering is by purpose not because they can’t. I would guess they could put a truly modern machine in the HD showroom and have it be a compete flop in sales. Put the same exact machine in someone else’s showroom and have a success. It really has to do with who walks through your door and understanding who your customer is. Personally I’ll never buy another new motorcycle of any brand. That doesn’t mean I won’t buy another motorcycle but it is highly unlikely. I believe I have enough machines for the rest of my life and I really don’t like techno..