school me
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 53
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From: wv
school me
I've had the bug bad since my buddy insisted I ride his new 2012 superglide. I can't afford a new bike but from what I'm learning, the EVO models offer good bang for the buck as well as being reliable. School me on what to look for and look out for. I'm partial to softails and belt drive too. I've found plenty of seemingly good deals, but I don't know what I'm looking at. Thanks for any advice you can offer. Tony
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 87
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From: Iowa
If you've ridden a twin cam softail it had a counter balanced motor and was smooth, an EVO softail is not counter balanced and will vibrate considerably. Not trying to bash in any way just making sure you know that so there isn't any disappointment after you ride one. That said, check for signs of oil leaks around cylinder bases, excessive lifter noise, and overall condition of the bike will be the biggest thing regardless of year or miles.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,687
Likes: 9
From: SoCal & West TN
First I would not look at any year before 1994. This is because beginning with the '94 model year, Harley began using the Deutch connectors in the wiring. That means many electrical accessories are a Plug-N-Play. The wiring has less problems with corrosion.
A really easy and fast thing to watch is oil leaking around the heads or base of the cylinders. EVO motors are known for the Rocker Box tops warping and leaking oil when running. The Box Tops can be a pain to seal. If the cylinder bolts are not watched, over time they loosen and the seal on the base can blow and leak. The cost for this fix can be high.
I would look for the CV carburetor, and avoid the early EFI. Listen to how it runs and if there is any "Back Fire Popping". If so, it can indicate an air leak. Now just look at the regular things for any motorcycle. IE...tires forks, shocks, seat.
A really easy and fast thing to watch is oil leaking around the heads or base of the cylinders. EVO motors are known for the Rocker Box tops warping and leaking oil when running. The Box Tops can be a pain to seal. If the cylinder bolts are not watched, over time they loosen and the seal on the base can blow and leak. The cost for this fix can be high.
I would look for the CV carburetor, and avoid the early EFI. Listen to how it runs and if there is any "Back Fire Popping". If so, it can indicate an air leak. Now just look at the regular things for any motorcycle. IE...tires forks, shocks, seat.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 205
Likes: 1
From: Always moving
Find a bike you like, listen for any knocks (not to be confused with a tick) or slaps in the top end. Take you time and shop around, hit CL and even the dreaded EbayMotors.
Evos are great motors and very easy to work on. I had never worked on a bike before and, with the help of this forum, rebuilt my evo top end last month. if you can turn a wrench and read that expensive base gasket leak can be fixed in a weekend with $50. Lifters are $150, cam bearing $5. Im saying not much can break that you cant fix cheap. Just find a bike you love even if it may need a little attention. Just my .02
Evos are great motors and very easy to work on. I had never worked on a bike before and, with the help of this forum, rebuilt my evo top end last month. if you can turn a wrench and read that expensive base gasket leak can be fixed in a weekend with $50. Lifters are $150, cam bearing $5. Im saying not much can break that you cant fix cheap. Just find a bike you love even if it may need a little attention. Just my .02
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 4
From: south of Boston
...this is nonsense
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,719
Likes: 91
From: Florida
I was at a stoplight next to a buddy on a late model ST. He looked over and said "Man, why does your bike shake like that and mine doesn't!??" "Evo, baby, non counterbalanced Evo." He was jealous as fark. Both my bikes are Evos and I love the motor. The Dyna is rubber mounted and the vibrations are a non issue. The Heritage is solid mount and the vibrations only bother my feet. I think if I put the springy floorboards of the newer bikes on there it'd be fine.
Gauges changed in '96. '95 and under use the mechanical speedo with the bright orange needle, '96 uses the newer orange needles. Bar controls changed too. Older bikes have the hi/lo switch on the outside and the horn on the inside (harder to reach) and they fixed that on the newer ones.
Gauges changed in '96. '95 and under use the mechanical speedo with the bright orange needle, '96 uses the newer orange needles. Bar controls changed too. Older bikes have the hi/lo switch on the outside and the horn on the inside (harder to reach) and they fixed that on the newer ones.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,687
Likes: 9
From: SoCal & West TN
You;re right, to a point. It should be 1995 and later.
I forgot the year my friend had was a '94. When I had to work on his wiring, it was a pain.
I forgot the year my friend had was a '94. When I had to work on his wiring, it was a pain.
Last edited by Ultra89Rider; Sep 7, 2012 at 09:59 PM.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 4
From: south of Boston
.... that's too bad, did it hurt?
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,187
Likes: 8
From: Montgomery, AL
You should have no problem finding a clean evo for your enjoyment. There are plenty on the road. There is bias anywhere. There are old evo lovers here with baggers running over 100k miles without rebuild. Research is the key. I would stay away from the efi stick with a carb because now days the dealers won't hardly touch an evo. Cylinder base gasket leaks and rocker cover leaks are really the only thorns imho. Just give it a good looking over and make sure it rides straight.