If it's a choice between an EVO that looks pretty sweet and has lower mileage (say 25-35k) versus a twin cam with higher mileage (say 60-75k), which one would you go for? I'm looking at getting something to replace my current bike but there's so many EVOs priced right about the same as higher mileage twin cams, I'd love to hear from some twin cam owners. Do lifters and rods need to get replaced like the EVOs after a certain point?

 

I would do the EVO in anything but a softail.

 

I went for the Evo - in a Softail.

 

Depends. What kind of riding will you be doing? Longer trips or just local stuff? Evo vs TC is apples to oranges especially in a Softail, Touring bike not as much.

 

Hah! I was looking at a Fat Boy or Softail Heritage Classic. I tend to do 200 mile rides, much more than that in the saddle is too much for me, and it tends to be every other weekend (custody schedule with the kids).

Theres a 92 Dyna Lowrider by me that's running for 5200, which Im sure I can negotiate down even further, but it's only got 6k miles on it, which means it never really got ridden. I worry about the seals (forks, brake calipers) and gaskets. God knows it probably hasn't gotten up to temp in ages, but it looks like it's been polished every weekend. lol

 

An EVO in a Softail is fine. There's a bit more vibration than a TC, but c'mon man, its a V-Twin! It has soul. Its not like you're planning to ride 500 miles a day every day for two weeks.

If you're also looking at a 92 Dyna, I'm pretty sure it would be the Daytona or the Custom. I don't think the Dyna Low Rider came out until 93.

 

Low mileage evo all day long! You think the seals in a 75K bike are ok?

 

IMO, an EVO requires less maintenance (cam chain adjusters) than a T/C 88 engine and it runs cooler, and much cooler than the T/C 96.
The shortcoming is that it has less power, but with some work (and some bucks) it can be made to run fairly well.

I've owned an '87 EVO, Softail Custom, a '92 EVO Heritage, a '95 EVO Heritage, a '96 EVO RK, and I currently own a'98 EVO Heritage Softail Springer (Anniversary Edition).
The '87 had a slight base gasket leak, but for any older EVO, I would highly recommend replacing the intake seals, even if the engine idles normally.
Replacing these is a cheap insurance and if you let them go too long you could develop a serious problem.

 

Low mileage for me.

 

Had 2 EVO's over the years. Mechanically, they're sound. (Once the cam bearing is changed, that is.)
Replace the "gaskets that develop a leak every 10,000 miles" with a quality, rubberized steel gasket, and ride in excess of 100,000 miles without a leak...