Well here's the deal, I got what anyone would call a "to good to be true" deal on a 1999 FXST. I'm not familiar with, nor do I know very much about an EVO motor and I keep getting the same reaction from everyone basically saying "good luck" or "have fun".... I'm just wondering what the disadvantage is to owning and working on an EVO and if there is any upside to it. Any help/info would be greatly appreciated. (I posted pictures of the bike in my garage)

 

One of the biggest upsides is that the Evo motor has practically a bullet-proof bottom end. That can't be said of the Twin-cam motors.

 

There are no negatives to owning an Evo, especially a really late one....you will have fun, fun riding it!!!

 

The only real disadvantages are, you can't make near the horsepower as a twincam with factory parts...if you really want to turn up the wick, you need a healthy dose of aftermarket stuff. Also as far as service goes...they are getting old enough that some dealers will not work on them...turn your own wrenches or find an indy.

On the upside...super easy to work on...super aftermarket support...and with a little care they run forever...my 84 has yet to be rebuilt.

 

Can't forget easy to mod with pipes, intake, carbs and stuff. Very little heat, and you just don't see an Evo everyday (unless you happen to own one), which I do

 

"they are getting old enough that some dealers will not work on them..."

Yeah my home dealership here in North Houston said they won't touch it so I bought a service manual and started contacting old skool mechanics that were recommended to me by friends.

 

You're in good company in here. Plenty of expertise to help sort things out and a great willingness to help you spend your money on things we think you'll love! There are no disadvantages, only plusses. Welcome aboard, from the UK!

 

Just wanted to emphasize factory parts. The aftermarket gives you way more options than the factory ever did.
From what I'm hearing, the factory performance kits for the twinkies aren't all that great anyway.
The only advantage the twinkie has, in my opinion, is the potential for more cubic inches with factory cases. A well-built Evo is capable of more power than most would want on the street anyway.

 

Factory performance kits for TC's are great! Heaps of power and everything fits! I have done a few now and they are very good with excellent HP gains.

The 120R motor is just awesome :-)

 

I've been reading all sorts of incredible numbers from people with 120R motors.
When I had my Evo dynoed a few weeks ago, I had to wait, as the shop owner/tuner was finishing creating a new map for a 120R in a trike, as the Supertuner he installed didn't have what he needed. This guy is a long-time racer, with a great deal of dyno tuning and engine building experience.
The final numbers for the trike were only 7 HP and 13 FP higher than my 96" Evo, a daily rider, with 15,000 miles since I built it, and a lot of abuse.

Edited to add that I don't ride every day any more, but the Evo is capable of it.