EVO vs 88 ..
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 899
Likes: 9
From: Franklin, TN
Well I have had both. Had an 03 FXD and now have the 96 FXSTSB.
My take is the EVO is easier to work on (one cam no computer, carb), has a little more of that Harley soul (if you know what I mean) and sounds meaner. Contrary to what some folks will tell you there are still plenty of companies making parts for them. They are kind of the like Chevy 350 just a nice simple motor with lots of bolt on options.
Now don't get me wrong I loved the 88 and the power it had (and the lack of vibration) and I would love to get another one. The motor had no heat issues, was carb, had great power and ran really smooth especially compared to the EVO and sounded sweet.
IMO it's not the motor in that comparison but rather the bike that would drive my decision. Both are nice motors.
My take is the EVO is easier to work on (one cam no computer, carb), has a little more of that Harley soul (if you know what I mean) and sounds meaner. Contrary to what some folks will tell you there are still plenty of companies making parts for them. They are kind of the like Chevy 350 just a nice simple motor with lots of bolt on options.
Now don't get me wrong I loved the 88 and the power it had (and the lack of vibration) and I would love to get another one. The motor had no heat issues, was carb, had great power and ran really smooth especially compared to the EVO and sounded sweet.
IMO it's not the motor in that comparison but rather the bike that would drive my decision. Both are nice motors.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 6
From: Huntersville, NC
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 743
Likes: 4
From: Ohio
I've got a 1995 Evo with FI . My motor has had some work, stage 2 cam and ported heads, but NONE of my buddies bikes with 96" can pull away from me. They are all stage one only though. I'm sure if they did some work things would be a little different.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I started out with a shovel. Now have both Evo and 88. Neither has the immediate response of the shovel! I like the Evo better, although now have an S&S in it. You can't have enough of a good thing!
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 640
Likes: 13
From: Hickory, NC area
Well I can only speak from the EVO perspective because it is all I've ever had or ridden. But on a cool day with just a new air cleaner and 2:1 exhaust it runs like a son of a gun. I love this engine and it has plenty of power and response.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
Likes: 26
From: Windham,Maine
When it comes to making big power the bottom line is your pocketbook.It makes no difference Evo or TwinCam.Both are execellent twins.My 124" Evo goes around most anybody I want whenever I want.Keep that in mind.Good Luck
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,199
Likes: 3,087
From: NW AR
My mostly stock Evo will run with any stock twinky. Out on the road, we've blasted past many a new twinky. I can just about hear them say "OK, I'll let someone on a Evo dresser pass me, but I'll be damned if a GIRL on a SPORTSTER is gonna blow my doors off." They try to stay up with us for a while, then give up.
Now, one year I went across I90 at about 90 MPH the whole way (speedo was broke, just set it at 4K RPM and went) and was passed like I was standing still by some twinkys, so I know some of them will do it.
Now, one year I went across I90 at about 90 MPH the whole way (speedo was broke, just set it at 4K RPM and went) and was passed like I was standing still by some twinkys, so I know some of them will do it.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 15
From: Senoia, Ga., by way of Miami, Fl..
Well, personally, I've riden a couple of twinkies, but never owned one... I have owned a couple of EVO's and can say that I'm perfectly content with them. As a matter of fact, when window shopping for bikes, I stop at '98.. The prices are right and the bikes are just as good (if not better).. I like the sound the EVO produces, MUCH BETTER.. I'm not sure if its the single fire ignition or not, but the Twinkies just dont do it for me in the sound department, even with exhaust.. Then I go to the practicality of it all. The EVO has one cam wich sounds like less money to upgrade. It is gear driven, no chains, wich sounds like less wear. And, nearly all of the custom choppers use the EVO for their platform of high HP/TQ numbers.. So, IMO, the EVO wins.. Cheaper, easier, readily available, LOTS of upgrades available, and popular... I rode a couple of '09s last week and can tell you that other than the weak sound, I could not notice much of a difference from my '94.. And, the 96 does not have the power of mine either. For less than a price of a new bike, I have what I want.. Even including the original purchace price (in '94), engine work, chrome everything, several sets of tires, bars, cables, and new wheels, I'm far below the price of a new bike..
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,137
Likes: 17
From:
Evos run 30 degrees cooler, get better gas mileage, respond to minor engine upgrades better (because of the stock heads flowing much better than stock 88" twinkie heads), sound better (because of the longer stroke, 4.25" compared to 4" for the 88), etc. Notice when Harley went to 96" they did it by stroking?
I wouldn't consider a Twin Cam engine, and I can repair/rebuild/replace my Evo indefinitely.
I wouldn't consider a Twin Cam engine, and I can repair/rebuild/replace my Evo indefinitely.