Why the Evo?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,530
Likes: 546
From: Wayne County, PA
I had mine for 25 years and 223,000 miles and it still ran like a fine watch to the day a careless driver wrecked it.
I’ve moved on to an M8 Softail, but, to me, the Evo will always remind me of what a Harley-Davidson should be, solid, dependable, simple to work on, classic style and endlessly rebuildable. The M8, while arguably a better motorcycle in every respect (faster, better handling, more features and technology), feels and looks more like a generic Asian cruiser than it does a Harley-Davidson.
I’ve moved on to an M8 Softail, but, to me, the Evo will always remind me of what a Harley-Davidson should be, solid, dependable, simple to work on, classic style and endlessly rebuildable. The M8, while arguably a better motorcycle in every respect (faster, better handling, more features and technology), feels and looks more like a generic Asian cruiser than it does a Harley-Davidson.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 4,686
Likes: 5,283
From: Behind you, making faces
I'm not that mechanically inclined, so when I read about the issues with the Twin Cam engines, in particular the cam chain tensioners, the Evo was a no-brainer. That's not to mention that I had wanted an early to mid-90's Fatboy for a long time.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,590
Likes: 444
From: Ohio
I had mine for 25 years and 223,000 miles and it still ran like a fine watch to the day a careless driver wrecked it.
I’ve moved on to an M8 Softail, but, to me, the Evo will always remind me of what a Harley-Davidson should be, solid, dependable, simple to work on, classic style and endlessly rebuildable. The M8, while arguably a better motorcycle in every respect (faster, better handling, more features and technology), feels and looks more like a generic Asian cruiser than it does a Harley-Davidson.
I’ve moved on to an M8 Softail, but, to me, the Evo will always remind me of what a Harley-Davidson should be, solid, dependable, simple to work on, classic style and endlessly rebuildable. The M8, while arguably a better motorcycle in every respect (faster, better handling, more features and technology), feels and looks more like a generic Asian cruiser than it does a Harley-Davidson.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,007
Likes: 7,541
From: Poolville
Technically the single cam engines are really all I know. Never bothered to mess with the twin cam and don't really want to. I'm tired of learning new ****.... I just stick to what I know is good.... And you can get more power out of an Evo than most think, so why go any bigger?... Where you going to use it.....? Oh and one more thing, can a Twinkie get 52 mpg?
Last edited by 98hotrodfatboy; Sep 9, 2019 at 10:01 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 130
Likes: 80
From: NV
I found this link in another post a couple days ago while searching for something I don't recall anymore.
http://www.hdopenroad.com/guest-arti...e-sweet-years/
It summed up my thoughts and feelings since I was about 10 years old and used to visit a local bike shop whenever I could (not often enough).
I've only owned my Evo for a couple months but the bonding has begun. I plan on taking good care of it, in exchange it's going to take me places and show me things.
http://www.hdopenroad.com/guest-arti...e-sweet-years/
It summed up my thoughts and feelings since I was about 10 years old and used to visit a local bike shop whenever I could (not often enough).
I've only owned my Evo for a couple months but the bonding has begun. I plan on taking good care of it, in exchange it's going to take me places and show me things.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,142
Likes: 2,971
From: WACO
I have never owned one. I missed the Evolution. So. While I was laid up last year I went Evo shopping and found one. It is the link between the Shovel Head and the Twin Cam. Basically a Shovel lower end with the Evo top end. Single cam. No cam chains/shoes to wear out. My Evo is carbed not EFI. Has a Crane HI-4 ignition. I can tune it. Not have to take it to get it "dyno tuned". I really dig my Evo.
Improvement on the Shovel without all the computerized BS. Yes go pre-EFI. Spark, fuel, and air, everything else you can see and trace out. NO VOODOO. Once they're set up you have a dependable almost bullet proof bike.
When you look at the internals, you can draw a fairly straight line from the Knuckleheads to Pans to Shovels and end up at the Evo. The basic architecture is the same. I think of the Evo as a fully evolved Knuck.
In that sense, Evos are the end of a line that started on Bill Harley's drafting table.
TC's and M8's broke the chain.
In that sense, Evos are the end of a line that started on Bill Harley's drafting table.
TC's and M8's broke the chain.
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