First of all I have had my 01 Road King for quite a while (got used with 15K, now 70K +) and have always thought bigger was better. IOW, 96 ci, 103 ci, 110 ci and so on. Have not considered the 120R. Having recently had Andrews 37 cams done on the bike and reading on this and other forums I have formed my own opinion that I may have the best motor that HD has offered. That is JMO and did not open this thread to make the statement that the TC88 IS the best motor but to get others thoughts about the HD engine evolution. Now open to thoughts and hope for honest and informed opinions. Hopefully from those that have at least 2 of the aforementioned motors.

 

A very subjective topic! The 88 is a great engine but each year variation has it's own issues as well. To be entirely honest between my 06 Dyna that had an 88 and my 08 96" Street Glide it's a toss up. Of course there are other factors that come into play like the shitty gearing on the bagger as well as the weight. In the end the 88 may be the winner just because it was the last carbed engine and it was also the last one before the EPA neutered them.

 

from my POV the 96" is dandy- and when shopping in 2010 I went for the 96" rather than drop another 1400 or so for the 103".

The 103 has more torque which would be nice- but i was coming from an 80" evo and happy enough with the 09's attributes incl an EFI system finally sorted out, brakes, abs, the frame etc.

My Pal stores his 103" Limited with me in the winter and I ride it lots- it confirms my decision to keep the cash in my pocket.

I still have an evo and a pan.

There are many things I understand are superior on the TC- but I think it took HD a lot longer to get where they needed to be with that motor.
and because of that I stayed away from "upgrading" through the first 8 years of the TC, and added 2 more years for good measure


as for "BEST" the knuckle wins for aesthetics and historical precedent being the direct ancestor of the pan, shovel and evo- the TC was a huge redesign- I don't thing it would be accurate to suggest a direct descendent
HD buried Indian as Indian was still building Flatheads 16 years after HD came out with an OHV motor

mike

 

IMHO the best HD engine is a late model carbed Evo. Rattling top end, leaks & weeps, but as reliable as a tax audit for the self-employed.

 

Thinking back I guess I have to agree with the 80" EVO. I know a couple people that have them and they seem all but bulletproof. Was riding with a guy on an 1984 model when he turned 200,000 miles and had never been inside the motor. Just talked to a guy yesterday with an older EVO that had a boatload of miles with very minor motor work.

If one day when obama makes my life better (LMAO) and I can afford a new bike, not sure what motor I will go with but I know my 88 ain't going anywhere. I have been wanting a Road Glide for a few years now and thinking I wanted an 09 or later, mostly because of the new frame design, ABS, etc. but have lately been looking at 06 and earlier, knowing the potential of this motor.

I thought this thread would get more feedback and really hoped to hear more from those with the 103 in particular. A riding partner has a 96 and has had more problems with that bike than I can keep up with. Not saying all 96's are like that but his must have been a Monday/Friday bike.

 

Vrod motor. Most power with the least amount of issues....

 

Agreed on revolution motor. Had one and beat
The living hell out of it with nary a wimper!!!
Little more complicated when you open them
But worth it for all that power and reliability.
Having said that love my 96 TC.

 

Sad thing is, the airhead lovers and HD refuse to believe it!

If HD made a proper touring version(big frame, better gearing)of a vrod I'd be all over it!

 

I'd take an Early Evo ( the bottom breathers ) that is built well - with a good carb, good cam, torrington cam bearing, some decent headwork. Puts out a decent amount of power, is very reliable and easy to work on.

That being said, my current 103" in the SG is also a great motor. It's more a reflection of my past and skill set. When I look at and work on a Carbed EVO, there is more experience and greater comfort with that motor...

Wish I could have a built S&S early style , carbed EVO motor with the 6 speed, ABS and all the other inprovements that the SG has.

 

would love to see that v-rod in a dresser configuration--fugly fairing, nice bags, proper frame and suspension. ought to eat up the miles in style.