I started out riding my grandpa's '85 Sporty and finally got my own last summer. I picked up a '91 FLHS and love it. I've had to do some repairs to get it up to par and it's been great. I've learned a lot about Harleys and since it was heavily customized by someone else working on it has "made it mine" if you know what I mean. Any way, shortly after getting mine my dad went from a Goldwing to an '07 Electra Glide Ultra Classic. I was so excited to ride it and see how the new ones are. I got on and hit the start with anticipation but as soon as it fired my excitement sank. It was so quiet and very little vibration. In all the magazine reviews that sounds great, but in real life it's kinda blah. He put on an exhaust and had a guy program it, but to get to the point it doesn't have as much soul or character or whatever as my "old" evo. This makes me appreciate it so much more! I tell my dad that it feels like an old Harley, like how they're supposed to feel. Anyway, I just had to share how much I love my old girl! Thanks for having such an awesome forum!

 

I know what you mean. I sold my 06 heritage for my 97. I have had my share of small problems from an older bike but when it is on the road it just feels so much better.

 

Just as I always said.....progress ain't always an improvement but the reality of it is, the de-souling of Harleys is partly EPA and partly changing peoples perceptions so the breed sells better, to a new audience, and therefore the marque survives.

I know y'all hate rich urban bikers but they are our lifeline these days.

But....if you take a Twin Cam, swap the cams, and pipes and make it a rip-snorting beast of a thing you will get the soul back. I recently did a 2000 FXDWG for a customer...SE heads, 203 Cams, S&S Super E and loud pipes....it went from bland to soul overnight :-)

But I won't be sellng my 1998 Evo anytime soon ;-)

 

[quote=Spanners39;8347275]Just as I always said.....progress ain't always an improvement but the reality of it is, the de-souling of Harleys is partly EPA and partly changing peoples perceptions so the breed sells better, to a new audience, and therefore the marque survives.

Definitely, my dad would never have one like mine, coming from a Goldwing and all. I do think it's great to see all different kinds of people on Harleys and for a long trip I have no problem taking mine but that '07 was pretty damn comfy.

But....if you take a Twin Cam, swap the cams, and pipes and make it a rip-snorting beast of a thing you will get the soul back. I recently did a 2000 FXDWG for a customer...SE heads, 203 Cams, S&S Super E and loud pipes....it went from bland to soul overnight :-)

That would be a bad ****, I'm soooo poor though

 

Sorry about the crappy quote. Still figuring it all out.

 

Last summer I had to go to the coast (about 200 miles) to ride a friend of mines bike back home (he got heat stroke). It is a '99 FLHT (first of the T.C.'s) It has upgraded cams pipes and a stage one kit. It has a lot of power but no soul.

I will sell my '95 heritage when the sun shines in hell.

 

yup is sold my 06 dyna for this very reason. i did pipes tuner tuning etc.still didnt have the sould of a carbed evo or even a twincam with a carb.

 

The very reason why so many of us old school guys like things as they were.To hell with all the modern Electronic everything.Learned a long time ago how to make these twins run like stink and be reliable as anything else on the road.The real plus is these things sound like they were intended to sound.