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I like Evo's because it can be repaired without a $500 bill to the local "Stealership" to "Flash" the ignition system.
Parts that must "match" on Evo = 0
Parts that must "match" on Twin Cam: Turn signals, Speedometer, Crankshaft sensor, MAP, ignition module, TSSM module, ignition switch, both key fobs. Go ahead ask me how I know?
A Evo doesn't need software, computer to make it run.
I can brag about my Evo and it won't break, not true about an Twin Cam.
Evo sounds more cool than Twin Cam, especially while drinking beer. Naked women prefer Evo's because of something to do with "Vibrations" (see: Beach Boys)
Sounds like a HD should sound. I could go on but you get my drift, I do like my Twin Cam also because I have sufficient money to afford it, and I got a hell of a lot more tunnel behind me than in front of me allowing me to spend my daughters inheritance on what ever I want. ;-)
I read as much of that link as I could stand. Here's a quote from late in the article:
"I often get inquires asking that if the Twin-Cam Harley-Davidson engines are defective if the older EVO (Big-Twin Evolution) engine should be bought. My answer is a big "NO" as that engine is defective too and unreliable and that is one reason why Harley-Davidson junked the thing and created the Twin-Cam engine. The Evo crankshaft can fail, the valve angles are so severe the push rods bend, etc. That engine is history so leave it be. The Twin-Cam engine is no better for all it does is trade one defect for another so it still has detrimental defects. Frankly, it is a disaster. However, you should consider buying a S&S engine for it is beefed up and does not have the engine defects for it has been redesigned in many critical areas. That is the route I would recommend for you can get a real big-bore engine too that will not fall apart on you."
The author clearly doesn't know what he is talking about.
Yah, that guy's a bit of a crank. He has psychological issues over only being able to afford a new Sportster.
He makes some very good and fair points regarding legacy technologies such as the primary to final drive set up etc, but then loses the plot completely in so many ways.
And he excludes the primary benefits of "legacy", which means lots of cheap parts and alternatives that fit.
Originally Posted by traildog
Because its paid for?
I'm with traildog.
Yup, because it is paid for and was paid for cash ... and the differences between zero debt and 3 or 6 years' worth of debt are too insignificant in comparison to the difference between having to work to pay off that debt, and just taking off from work and doing what I want.
You can buy a 2015 seat and fit 2015 brakes. Once you are going 70 mph, can you feel any difference?
The Evo was the beginning of the top of the Bell curve of development. Personally, I actually disagree with the factory over some of what constitutes an improvement from that point.
I don't think any normal person should, and increasingly can, consider buying a new tourer at least. They appear to be being built for individuals with considerable amounts of disposable wealth, for who it is a choice between a new watch or a totem motor toy.
Instead of all those dumb *** expensive customs, it's a shame someone did not think to make plain Jane utilitarian hogs. Do they still make an Electra Glide standard?
Personally, for me, I even prefer the old Pan/Shovelhead batwing with nothing in it.
In software terms, they talk about "forks" when someone takes a project like an operating system as a base but then heads off in a different direction (fork in the road) of what they consider to a better product rather than just swallowing what the big corporation considers to be a more profitable product which generally just contains more bloat. Generally forks tend to be leaner, more focused on their purpose, and more secure.
I think that's what many of us are doing and the Evo is somewhere between a perfectly adequate and a better platform to do so (better, e.g. in the form of simplicity, cheapness etc).
You can call it a forking Harley-Davidson.
At some point something might happen to force the issue, e.g. cities or States outlawing older or more pollution vehicles, there are signs on the horizon, but it will probably be possible to work around it for longer than my life.
But for a lot of ordinary people, signing up on a credit plan these days is just joining the queue for repossession because of job insecurities etc.
Last edited by Lucky Luke; Oct 16, 2015 at 02:03 PM.
I like the Evo because my wife and I put on about 20,000 long-distance touring miles every year, and it is a simple design, few things to go wrong, and easy and economical to fix on the road if something breaks. I trust a high-mileage Evo when we're 3,000 miles from home, that it won't break down and ruin our annual touring vacation (which has happened with other bikes we have owned in the past). I don't trust the later bikes because they have gotten too much electronics that can have glitches, and are expensive to fix when they leave you stranded.
The last touring bikes we owned, Honda Goldwings, thoroughly ruined our vacation twice. The GL1500 had the rear end go out in South Dakota, which cost us $2,700 and 10 days waiting for parts for it. The GL1800 had the frame break completely off next to the swingarm in Canada (it was under warranty), and Honda refused to do anything about it until two years later when they finally recalled them for broken frames. Ride 'em hard enough, and put on enough miles, and they all break - don't care what brand they are. We went to Evo Electra Glides, which can be fixed on the road with with baling wire and duct tape if need be, and have never looked back. The Twin Cam models are too much like the Goldwings - too much **** that can go wrong.
