I've been admiring the 2010 Fat Boy Lows for a while now. I think it's just a great looking ride. I've been riding for many years. Right now I'm on my second Sportster (among about 25 bikes over the years). One thing I like about the Sportster is that, othet tyhan the primary chain, there are no othet chains whirring around binside bthe engine. Cans are gear driven. Any time there is a chain on a motorcycle, of course there has to be tensioners. Even the Japanese have had their problems with cam chain tensioners.And the Twin Cam engines have two cam chains with tensioners. But the 96B engine has the balancer chain and tensioner. The cases have to be split for access.

My question really concerns the reliability of the 96B balancer system with it's chain and tensioner. Has there been anything more than isolated problems here? I understand it uses a hydraulic tensioner.It must also use ba tensioner "shoe" that could wear and come apart.

Also just curious what the bike might get for gas mileage and range per tank.

Thanks for any comments.

Jon in Puyallup, Wa.

 

The 96B motor gass milage is pretty good from my experiance, I did a 1200 mile trip around the north of England at Easter, two up with luggage for two for the week. I had a base about 220 miles from where I live and traveling at an average 65mph-75mph I did the run on one tank, no fill up and the fuel warning light was unlit when I landed at my friends place.

As for the cam issues, I've no problems as yet as my bike is still quite new. It seems most problems occurr later on high milage bikes. The only thing that is disconcerting is the top end noise, the 96B can be a bit rattly.

Reddog

 

Not that there aren't any but have never heard of issues with the B motor balancer chains.
Mileage is similar to other big twin motors. I used to get mid 40's with my Heritage with a motor putting out better than 100hp/100tq.

 

i had both and the sportster ride wont compare to the softail. i have 59k on the 96b and so far so good. just take care of the service

 

The newer style cam chain tensioners (07 and up)work great. No issues I know of. It was the 2000-2006 bikes that had issues with that. You can always replace the cams with gear driven if you like so that becomes a non sequiter.

 

I've got 2 bikes with the 96B engine. Went up from a Sportster just like you. Haven't had any issies with either engine. I like how the Softails are a much smoother ride with the engine steady instead of bouncing. As for mpg... get about 220 miles per tank on the long highway rides and more like 180 miles when I'm gunning it around town.

 

All the time spent here at the forum and i have yet to see a post regarding a faulty balancer.

 

I love my B motor it is a little noisy but not as loud as my pipes,and about mid 40s on gas milage but i like to hear them pipes so i use a little more fuel. My wife just perchased a new superlow 883 and i rode it home for her and i will tell u that there is no way i could ride it after my heritage