They talk about the cams and carbs up top causing the engine to be taller on the Vmax. True, but the stroke of the V4 is much less reducing that height too. If they tuned the Vmax engine for more low end and made it in a dry sump model it would sit low too. Lots of excuses for making a cheaper engine and blaming the reason on technology. I can understand the Vtwin design selection much better than I can understand the air cooled decision. I think the reason they went with air cooling is because it "looks" better. When it comes to motorcycles, I suppose Harley has proved that looks and sound mean more than engineering.