Evo suggestions?
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,965
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From: SoCal hi desert
Evo suggestions?
It's been a long time since I was on motorcycle. We want to get back to riding again and are going to buy a Harley as soon as I sell off my car stuff. I don't want and can't afford a real late model.
I'm thinking an Evo might be the way to go. I've seen a few for sale in my price range with 40-60k miles on them. What is a reasonable life span to expect from an Evo that's been serviced regularly? Any particular years better than others? Models? Thing to look out for or beware of?
We plan on using it for some fairly long rides - maybe even Sturgis - and I would like to ride it for a while without having to do any major work.
There is a wealth of experience on this board and I would like to take in as much of it as I can before I pull the trigger on something!
Thanks!
I'm thinking an Evo might be the way to go. I've seen a few for sale in my price range with 40-60k miles on them. What is a reasonable life span to expect from an Evo that's been serviced regularly? Any particular years better than others? Models? Thing to look out for or beware of?
We plan on using it for some fairly long rides - maybe even Sturgis - and I would like to ride it for a while without having to do any major work.
There is a wealth of experience on this board and I would like to take in as much of it as I can before I pull the trigger on something!
Thanks!
Advanced
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Rio Rancho, NM
IMHO
.
Reasonable life span Mine (1998 flhrc-i) went 114,940 before I tore it down. It was still running fine but leaking oil real bad. And now that its apart, it was time to tear it down. (Rufus is smiling and nodding his head up and down
)
Particular years better then others It's an Evo, they are all good. Some might say that the MoCo got the Evo right in 93 but I'm sure the smart guys here will chime in on the details as to why.
Models This is personal preference of course but everyone I know who really rides switched from any narrow 21 front wheel model to a full front fender, rubber mounted model. I personally went from a Springer Softail to a RK and never looked back. But again this is personal preference to each his own. You wrote we so my guess youll be riding two up so go big with 16 tires both front and rear.
Things to look out for oil leaks. These things will run forever spewing oil but trust me on this one .you WILL get tired of that!!
Major work - In my case the only maintenance that was required besides normal oil, plugs, tires, and brake changes was changing the cam, lifters, and inner cam bearing many moons ago, before the cam bearing had a chance to fail. I also had an intermittent throttle position switch at about 100,000 miles, the front fork seals have needed attention over the years and the right header pipe broke in 2 at 113,500, only 300 miles from home!! The only times it quit was when I ran it out of gas and all the original pieces not mentioned made it until I tore it down.
Good luck with your decision.
Reasonable life span Mine (1998 flhrc-i) went 114,940 before I tore it down. It was still running fine but leaking oil real bad. And now that its apart, it was time to tear it down. (Rufus is smiling and nodding his head up and down
)Particular years better then others It's an Evo, they are all good. Some might say that the MoCo got the Evo right in 93 but I'm sure the smart guys here will chime in on the details as to why.
Models This is personal preference of course but everyone I know who really rides switched from any narrow 21 front wheel model to a full front fender, rubber mounted model. I personally went from a Springer Softail to a RK and never looked back. But again this is personal preference to each his own. You wrote we so my guess youll be riding two up so go big with 16 tires both front and rear.
Things to look out for oil leaks. These things will run forever spewing oil but trust me on this one .you WILL get tired of that!!
Major work - In my case the only maintenance that was required besides normal oil, plugs, tires, and brake changes was changing the cam, lifters, and inner cam bearing many moons ago, before the cam bearing had a chance to fail. I also had an intermittent throttle position switch at about 100,000 miles, the front fork seals have needed attention over the years and the right header pipe broke in 2 at 113,500, only 300 miles from home!! The only times it quit was when I ran it out of gas and all the original pieces not mentioned made it until I tore it down.
Good luck with your decision.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,468
Likes: 12
From: Bluffton, South Carolina
If we means you will have your significant other riding with you, then you would probably want at least a Road King or preferably one of the Glide family. Sure you can ride two up on something smaller and you will more than likely be comfortable, but your significant other wont be. So do the right thing and get a touring bike and make both of you happy. Hope this helps
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,039
Likes: 11
From: Northern Ontario
Bottom ends you can expect 100000 miles where as the top ends may need a bit of touch up but you probably wouldn't even notice until after you did the motor work. My 89 flhtp ran great then this winter I did the motor and although I haven't gotten it out of the shop yet I can feel the differnce on the throttle already. Only reason it hasn't seen the road yet is the 02 WG put its hand up first.
I'm thinking for cosmetic purposes like the dash and small things the 96 and newer would be the best evo dressers but other wise the 87 and up is just as good.
I'm thinking for cosmetic purposes like the dash and small things the 96 and newer would be the best evo dressers but other wise the 87 and up is just as good.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 280
From: Russellville, Arkansas
Harley never made a bad EVO engine....as they are all good. Over the years, HD did some improvements to the engine and bikes in general.
I personally would go with 1996 up to the 2000 model year. Anything older and it really gets more difficult in finding parts for them. HD seems to drop or forget about older models so they often drop parts.
Some of the Touring models had EFI....either love it or hate it experience. This older system does perform like it should, however the simple carburetor works just as good or better in most conditions.
Having said all that.....you can retroft ALOT of stuff from newer machines to the older models. Just gotta have some $$$ to make that happen.
Of course, this EVO section is probably about the best on the net. The answers can be found here most of the time.
I personally would go with 1996 up to the 2000 model year. Anything older and it really gets more difficult in finding parts for them. HD seems to drop or forget about older models so they often drop parts.
Some of the Touring models had EFI....either love it or hate it experience. This older system does perform like it should, however the simple carburetor works just as good or better in most conditions.
Having said all that.....you can retroft ALOT of stuff from newer machines to the older models. Just gotta have some $$$ to make that happen.
Of course, this EVO section is probably about the best on the net. The answers can be found here most of the time.
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 817
Likes: 1
From: N.E. Ohio
If it is a carb motor it easier to work on. My 87 FLHTC has 78,000. More than half with my Old Lady on the back.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,872
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From: Canton, Michigan
I would get a 96 or later Carb'd Electraglide. Either a FLHTC or FLHTCU if you're considering two-up lengthy trips. You will appreciate the fairing, radio, and electronic cruise control after hours on the interstate. Yes, long trips can be done on other models, but if you like to travel with your 'comforts' (and your rider does too), you will appreciate the pack mule attributes of the big 'Glides.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Ohio
97's and 98's of the big bikes will interchange parts all the way up to around 2007 so expensive items like seats. exhaust and other items, more availability and can score on some good used items. With some work, 97 and later parts can adapt to the pre 97 bikes.
97-98 EFI has more flexability on tuning and nothing wrong with the mid mileage EFI but it can become unpredictable when it starts getting high miles on it and carb conversions become popular. I wouldn't shy away from a slightly warmed up Evo with EFI, it is repairable and many on here can point you in a direction.
The best part about the Evo is it seems to have "SOUL" when riding it, starts to become part of you and addiction sets in, you stand in the garage and stare at it, wake up hearing the Evo sound, a bike goes by your house and instinctively grab your boots, you start watching weather reports in 5 day forcasts and cuss on a rainy weekend prediction, beware of these problems
97-98 EFI has more flexability on tuning and nothing wrong with the mid mileage EFI but it can become unpredictable when it starts getting high miles on it and carb conversions become popular. I wouldn't shy away from a slightly warmed up Evo with EFI, it is repairable and many on here can point you in a direction.
The best part about the Evo is it seems to have "SOUL" when riding it, starts to become part of you and addiction sets in, you stand in the garage and stare at it, wake up hearing the Evo sound, a bike goes by your house and instinctively grab your boots, you start watching weather reports in 5 day forcasts and cuss on a rainy weekend prediction, beware of these problems
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 892
Likes: 0
From: San Diego (Poway), CA
97's and 98's of the big bikes will interchange parts all the way up to around 2007 so expensive items like seats. exhaust and other items, more availability and can score on some good used items. With some work, 97 and later parts can adapt to the pre 97 bikes.
97-98 EFI has more flexability on tuning and nothing wrong with the mid mileage EFI but it can become unpredictable when it starts getting high miles on it and carb conversions become popular. I wouldn't shy away from a slightly warmed up Evo with EFI, it is repairable and many on here can point you in a direction.
The best part about the Evo is it seems to have "SOUL" when riding it, starts to become part of you and addiction sets in, you stand in the garage and stare at it, wake up hearing the Evo sound, a bike goes by your house and instinctively grab your boots, you start watching weather reports in 5 day forcasts and cuss on a rainy weekend prediction, beware of these problems
97-98 EFI has more flexability on tuning and nothing wrong with the mid mileage EFI but it can become unpredictable when it starts getting high miles on it and carb conversions become popular. I wouldn't shy away from a slightly warmed up Evo with EFI, it is repairable and many on here can point you in a direction.
The best part about the Evo is it seems to have "SOUL" when riding it, starts to become part of you and addiction sets in, you stand in the garage and stare at it, wake up hearing the Evo sound, a bike goes by your house and instinctively grab your boots, you start watching weather reports in 5 day forcasts and cuss on a rainy weekend prediction, beware of these problems
Here's a good topic, I have it book marked:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/evo-c...to-me-evo.html
Also, get to know 97bagger and evorider, they do know thier stuff.