Yesterday coming back from Arkansas on a 1300 mile, 3 day trip, we got to messing around in those long flat farm land roads and took off after a stop sign just to try the bikes out. Now we were fully loaded with our gear for multi-day touring.
I have a 2012 Limited with 13K, a 103 basically stock except for the cats removed.
My friend has a 2006 Ultra with 50K on it with a 88 ci that has stage 1 down load, Rhineheart true duals and Screaming Eagle tuner that has been dyno tuned.

I got off the line first and pulled out about 2 bike lengths but he gained on me come up to the back edge of the saddle bags...I could not shake him off at all...
We finally let off at about 100, him still right there. Now he did not blow by me but it very well held its own.
I was kinda surprised, that old 88 done real good...now I got some work to do. Can't let that happen again...

 

Pipes, AC, and a good tune and you would feel like you had a different bike. Funny how through the years a stock HD still feels about the same power whether it be 88, 96, or 103". They all need a little help to feel good.

Zach

 

You shouldn't be surprised, a stock 103 isn't all that impressive and against a free flowing, well tuned 88", well, you probably produce about the same power. Swap out the exhaust and air, tune it and try it again, things will change. Add a nice cam and things will be way in your favor. Go to 107" and, well, you get the picture. My 96" Road King with Rush slip ons, Big Sucker and a Fuel Pak could keep up with my stock 103", no problem at all.

 

there are an awful lot sof variables, but my 80" evo FXRP has shamed many a twin cam.

tuning can sometimes be optimised for a specific altitude/temperature ( air density), wear like plug wires may not be taken into account, 50 W oil instead of a multigrade, 30 pounds of forgotten crap in the saddlebags, gearing, etc. etc.

on a good day, they see my back once I get over 3000 rpm, gone..


compare that;

80" ca spec = 45 HP

80" 49 State= 55 HP

80" stage 1 63~65 HP

80" with cam 75 HP.

88" 49 State 55 HP

96" 49 State about 63 HP

Now a lot of power from these motors until you do something to them.

the TC 88 motors make more torque than the evo, but HP about the same in stock trim




Mike

 

Engines are nothing more than an air pump. The one that pumps the most air in a given amount of time, makes more power. That's it really. A stage 1 will help immensely. Flow more air in and out and allow that motor to rev to 6250. (again, just more air going through the pump)

 

Wait till you find someone running a "stroker" 88 or 98 build with head work. Yes nothing makes up for displacement but there sure as hell a few ways to make it really interesting.

 

Not surprised considering his upgrades.

 

Wait until my wife finds out I spent $20k on an air pump

 

Have him stop by here, I'll show him what a 103 can do that has been massaged just a tad.

 

I'm surprised you got off the line quicker, my 02 88 was much faster off the line than my longer stroke 96. Also remember you are starting with at least 75 more lbs (I think its 75) just from the new frame.

Beary