2016 Low Rider!
Different air cleaner, and maybe different cams? Either way, not a big deal, cause everybody changes the air cleaner anyway, and anybody serious about power will change the cams too.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 578
Likes: 0
From: Apache Junction
I have to disagree.
The "HO" motors do actually make more power guys. I'm not boasting that it's something special BUT they do have a larger throttle Body and if you look at the stroke it's ".01" difference (which is nothing performance wise), and also hear say that the cam profiles are different but I haven't been able to confirm that. Just saying they did tweak these motors a bit. Compare stage 1 dyno results on a 103 to a 103 HO motor and you'll see almost 10 more HP to the wheel on these HO motor across the board. My brothers FLRTXS with stage 1 mods made 9 more HP and 13ft lbs more than my Dyna does at the wheel. That's actually a decent gain if you ask me. Compare that in both of the same bike platforms and a 9/13 power difference will walk all over the opposing bike.
The "HO" motors do actually make more power guys. I'm not boasting that it's something special BUT they do have a larger throttle Body and if you look at the stroke it's ".01" difference (which is nothing performance wise), and also hear say that the cam profiles are different but I haven't been able to confirm that. Just saying they did tweak these motors a bit. Compare stage 1 dyno results on a 103 to a 103 HO motor and you'll see almost 10 more HP to the wheel on these HO motor across the board. My brothers FLRTXS with stage 1 mods made 9 more HP and 13ft lbs more than my Dyna does at the wheel. That's actually a decent gain if you ask me. Compare that in both of the same bike platforms and a 9/13 power difference will walk all over the opposing bike.
Last edited by Jesse_81; Aug 24, 2015 at 02:05 PM.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 13
Likes: 2
From: Seattle
I thought the HO 103 had water cooled heads, some time of water cooling that allows it to make a bit more power and tq. So they can throw more air and tuning at it.
To me this seems huge, ALL Dyna and Softails have HO 103 now, except the Street Bob who has the standard 103, maybe to keep price down?
Either way does this really matter since most who want big power are just going to upgrade to 106 +?
The new S models look nice with the new 110" though!
To me this seems huge, ALL Dyna and Softails have HO 103 now, except the Street Bob who has the standard 103, maybe to keep price down?
Either way does this really matter since most who want big power are just going to upgrade to 106 +?
The new S models look nice with the new 110" though!
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 578
Likes: 0
From: Apache Junction
No, the 103 HO is still an Air-Cooled motor. The water-cooled bikes they're calling "twin cooled" (oil coolers and radiators) and it's only available in the full dressers. They're also are a little different. SUPPOSEDLY they have SE255 cams in them but they do have 10:1 compression rather than the HO motor that is 9.7:1.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 578
Likes: 0
From: Apache Junction
The "S" models I'm happy to see just as HD exploring more avenues as far as motor options. Future maybe this will be common? The bike you want in different motor options without paying a bajillion dollars for a flashy *** CVO seems to be a move in the right direction to me. I can go buy me a brand new chevy truck in several different motor options. Why can't we do this with harleys? Maybe not everyone wants to do motor work and would like to have the option for a bit more kick from the factory with warranty in tact.
Last edited by Jesse_81; Aug 24, 2015 at 03:17 PM.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 13
Likes: 2
From: Seattle
No, the 103 HO is still an Air-Cooled motor. The water-cooled bikes they're calling "twin cooled" (oil coolers and radiators) and it's only available in the full dressers. They're also are a little different. SUPPOSEDLY they have SE255 cams in them but they do have 10:1 compression rather than the HO motor that is 9.7:1.
Cool, I like the new S models.
Still plan on building my bob up for more power. Trying to decide the way to go.