Most reliable HD engines
#51
04-12-2008, 10:39 AM
RE: Most reliable HD engines
Think about this......
The Twin Cam has been out for HOW many years????? It isonly2.5 years older than the V-ROD engine
The first 6 years track record of the Evo engine was?????? Our shop had plenty of issues with the Evo in the '80's
So now compare those 2 facts with the reliability and PROVEN TRACK performance of the REVO engine (no comparision IMHO).... cause we all know how good the Evo did at the track the first 6 years of its life....
2002 was the first year of the REVO engine... that means it was sold to the public in Sept. of 2001
The Twin Cam has been out for HOW many years????? It isonly2.5 years older than the V-ROD engine
The first 6 years track record of the Evo engine was?????? Our shop had plenty of issues with the Evo in the '80's
So now compare those 2 facts with the reliability and PROVEN TRACK performance of the REVO engine (no comparision IMHO).... cause we all know how good the Evo did at the track the first 6 years of its life....
2002 was the first year of the REVO engine... that means it was sold to the public in Sept. of 2001
ORIGINAL: harleydude68
Revolutions over a long period of time??????? Um what when did they come out 2003?? The Evo came out 1/2 way through 1984 and was produced until 2000 (I think) that's 16 years. My 86 FXR when I sold her had over 50k and still running strong - VERY strong. The guy who was lucky enough to buy her is a VERY happy man and he will put another 50k before he would have to do any major engine work.
I have no doubt the Revolution is a good motor. But it hasn't been around long enough to make a statement that it stands the test of time. IMO
Revolutions over a long period of time??????? Um what when did they come out 2003?? The Evo came out 1/2 way through 1984 and was produced until 2000 (I think) that's 16 years. My 86 FXR when I sold her had over 50k and still running strong - VERY strong. The guy who was lucky enough to buy her is a VERY happy man and he will put another 50k before he would have to do any major engine work.
I have no doubt the Revolution is a good motor. But it hasn't been around long enough to make a statement that it stands the test of time. IMO
#52
04-12-2008, 10:47 AM
RE: Most reliable HD engines
Do we even consider the REVO for this since it's technically not even a Harley motor. Did they have any input in it besides "make it sound like a Harley"?
Okay, okay, don't get your panties in an uproar, we can include the REVO. I was just kidding around. Now go get yourself one of those foo-foo coffees from one of those over-priced yuppie coffee joints and calm down.
Okay, okay, don't get your panties in an uproar, we can include the REVO. I was just kidding around. Now go get yourself one of those foo-foo coffees from one of those over-priced yuppie coffee joints and calm down.
#53
04-12-2008, 10:56 AM
RE: Most reliable HD engines
ORIGINAL: Diavolo
Do we even consider the REVO for this since it's technically not even a Harley motor. Did they have any input in it besides "make it sound like a Harley"?
Okay, okay, don't get your panties in an uproar, we can include the REVO. I was just kidding around. Now go get yourself one of those foo-foo coffees from one of those over-priced yuppie coffee joints and calm down.
Do we even consider the REVO for this since it's technically not even a Harley motor. Did they have any input in it besides "make it sound like a Harley"?
Okay, okay, don't get your panties in an uproar, we can include the REVO. I was just kidding around. Now go get yourself one of those foo-foo coffees from one of those over-priced yuppie coffee joints and calm down.
with the proven track record of the engine you voted for it is clear to me you don't know what you are comenting about...... but, you probably think that H-D stands for Hardley-Dangerous...lol
#54
04-12-2008, 10:58 AM
RE: Most reliable HD engines
ORIGINAL: Diavolo
technically not even a Harley motor. Did they have any input in it besides "make it sound like a Harley"?
technically not even a Harley motor. Did they have any input in it besides "make it sound like a Harley"?
No need to flame you. Just make sure you're wearing your Nomex jacket when we pass you.
Yuppie bike!That rightthere is funny, I don't care who ya are. I don't believe I've ever been called a yuppie before. In close to 40 years of riding, 30 years on street bike, Redneck maybe, but never a Yuppie.
#55
04-12-2008, 11:25 AM
Road Warrior
RE: Most reliable HD engines
The Twinkie is a good motor, once you get past the cam bearing issues of the first 2 years, then follow up with the tensioner pads for the next few years....Hmmmm, my vote goes for the Evo.
Never had an issue or seen a problem that wasn't owner induced.
Never had an issue or seen a problem that wasn't owner induced.
#56
04-12-2008, 11:52 AM
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RE: Most reliable HD engines
Twin cams cameout to about 2000 or so right? Evos been here a long time and have proven to be reliable. Have a 99 in a special c and a 94 in a FLHTCUI. Run like tops.Rarely abused.Ran the 94 1240 miles from Lake Arrowhead, CA to Phoenix, to Tomstone, to Bisbee (and back). Thank God for ear plugs!
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#57
04-12-2008, 12:37 PM
RE: Most reliable HD engines
Well, the V-Rod engine isn't a Harley engine since it's not a 45 degree OHV V twin and it's water-cooled, plus it's all metric. So there's no way it can be considered a Harley engine. Oh, and Willie G didn't have one thing to do with it.
But I have to agree it's very reliable. When all it does is sit in the dealerships holding the doors open on nice days, how can it EVER wear out?
As to which REAL Harley engine is the most reliable, it has to be between the Evo and the Twin Cam. The Evo had weak lifters the whole time it was made, and had weak inner cam bearings from '92 on, plus had the crank bearing pressed into the soft aluminum engine case instead of a steel insert for the last 8 or 10 years. They never got the base gaskets right, although that doesn't really affect reliability.
The Twin Cam started off with a horrendously bad cam drive design, but they claim the more recent changes have improved it. I think only gear drive can improve it. Then, in '03 I think, they changed to a much weaker sprocket side crank bearing, abandoning the nearly bullet-proof twin Timken setup, and there is much talk of engine failure when more power is sought, or when mileage gets up in the 100K range. And don't the 96's have the lifters riding in (and wearing out) the engine case instead of lifter blocks? They did solve the base gasket and lifter problems in the TC design.
Overall, I'd have to give a clear edge to the early Evos. The ones with the steel crank bearing inserts and the Torrington cam bearings are probably the best motorcycle engine ever. And of course there are many aftermarket Evos that have eliminated all the flaws the HD versions had.
But I have to agree it's very reliable. When all it does is sit in the dealerships holding the doors open on nice days, how can it EVER wear out?
As to which REAL Harley engine is the most reliable, it has to be between the Evo and the Twin Cam. The Evo had weak lifters the whole time it was made, and had weak inner cam bearings from '92 on, plus had the crank bearing pressed into the soft aluminum engine case instead of a steel insert for the last 8 or 10 years. They never got the base gaskets right, although that doesn't really affect reliability.
The Twin Cam started off with a horrendously bad cam drive design, but they claim the more recent changes have improved it. I think only gear drive can improve it. Then, in '03 I think, they changed to a much weaker sprocket side crank bearing, abandoning the nearly bullet-proof twin Timken setup, and there is much talk of engine failure when more power is sought, or when mileage gets up in the 100K range. And don't the 96's have the lifters riding in (and wearing out) the engine case instead of lifter blocks? They did solve the base gasket and lifter problems in the TC design.
Overall, I'd have to give a clear edge to the early Evos. The ones with the steel crank bearing inserts and the Torrington cam bearings are probably the best motorcycle engine ever. And of course there are many aftermarket Evos that have eliminated all the flaws the HD versions had.
#58
04-12-2008, 02:04 PM
Road Master
RE: Most reliable HD engines
ORIGINAL: mp
Well, the V-Rod engine isn't a Harley engine since it's not a 45 degree OHV V twin and it's water-cooled, plus it's all metric. So there's no way it can be considered a Harley engine. Oh, and Willie G didn't have one thing to do with it.
But I have to agree it's very reliable. When all it does is sit in the dealerships holding the doors open on nice days, how can it EVER wear out?
As to which REAL Harley engine is the most reliable, it has to be between the Evo and the Twin Cam. The Evo had weak lifters the whole time it was made, and had weak inner cam bearings from '92 on, plus had the crank bearing pressed into the soft aluminum engine case instead of a steel insert for the last 8 or 10 years. They never got the base gaskets right, although that doesn't really affect reliability.
The Twin Cam started off with a horrendously bad cam drive design, but they claim the more recent changes have improved it. I think only gear drive can improve it. Then, in '03 I think, they changed to a much weaker sprocket side crank bearing, abandoning the nearly bullet-proof twin Timken setup, and there is much talk of engine failure when more power is sought, or when mileage gets up in the 100K range. And don't the 96's have the lifters riding in (and wearing out) the engine case instead of lifter blocks? They did solve the base gasket and lifter problems in the TC design.
Overall, I'd have to give a clear edge to the early Evos. The ones with the steel crank bearing inserts and the Torrington cam bearings are probably the best motorcycle engine ever. And of course there are many aftermarket Evos that have eliminated all the flaws the HD versions had.
Well, the V-Rod engine isn't a Harley engine since it's not a 45 degree OHV V twin and it's water-cooled, plus it's all metric. So there's no way it can be considered a Harley engine. Oh, and Willie G didn't have one thing to do with it.
But I have to agree it's very reliable. When all it does is sit in the dealerships holding the doors open on nice days, how can it EVER wear out?
As to which REAL Harley engine is the most reliable, it has to be between the Evo and the Twin Cam. The Evo had weak lifters the whole time it was made, and had weak inner cam bearings from '92 on, plus had the crank bearing pressed into the soft aluminum engine case instead of a steel insert for the last 8 or 10 years. They never got the base gaskets right, although that doesn't really affect reliability.
The Twin Cam started off with a horrendously bad cam drive design, but they claim the more recent changes have improved it. I think only gear drive can improve it. Then, in '03 I think, they changed to a much weaker sprocket side crank bearing, abandoning the nearly bullet-proof twin Timken setup, and there is much talk of engine failure when more power is sought, or when mileage gets up in the 100K range. And don't the 96's have the lifters riding in (and wearing out) the engine case instead of lifter blocks? They did solve the base gasket and lifter problems in the TC design.
Overall, I'd have to give a clear edge to the early Evos. The ones with the steel crank bearing inserts and the Torrington cam bearings are probably the best motorcycle engine ever. And of course there are many aftermarket Evos that have eliminated all the flaws the HD versions had.
and just because the V-Rod engine is not a 45 degree v don't mean it's not Harley-Davidson.....if you will remember the first Harley-Davidson bike ever made was a single...........guess that means all the V-twins aren't Harley either.
#59
04-12-2008, 07:29 PM
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RE: Most reliable HD engines
ORIGINAL: mp
Well, the V-Rod engine isn't a Harley engine since it's not a 45 degree OHV V twin and it's water-cooled, plus it's all metric. So there's no way it can be considered a Harley engine. Oh, and Willie G didn't have one thing to do with it.
But I have to agree it's very reliable. When all it does is sit in the dealerships holding the doors open on nice days, how can it EVER wear out?
As to which REAL Harley engine is the most reliable, it has to be between the Evo and the Twin Cam. The Evo had weak lifters the whole time it was made, and had weak inner cam bearings from '92 on, plus had the crank bearing pressed into the soft aluminum engine case instead of a steel insert for the last 8 or 10 years. They never got the base gaskets right, although that doesn't really affect reliability.
The Twin Cam started off with a horrendously bad cam drive design, but they claim the more recent changes have improved it. I think only gear drive can improve it. Then, in '03 I think, they changed to a much weaker sprocket side crank bearing, abandoning the nearly bullet-proof twin Timken setup, and there is much talk of engine failure when more power is sought, or when mileage gets up in the 100K range. And don't the 96's have the lifters riding in (and wearing out) the engine case instead of lifter blocks? They did solve the base gasket and lifter problems in the TC design.
Overall, I'd have to give a clear edge to the early Evos. The ones with the steel crank bearing inserts and the Torrington cam bearings are probably the best motorcycle engine ever. And of course there are many aftermarket Evos that have eliminated all the flaws the HD versions had.
Well, the V-Rod engine isn't a Harley engine since it's not a 45 degree OHV V twin and it's water-cooled, plus it's all metric. So there's no way it can be considered a Harley engine. Oh, and Willie G didn't have one thing to do with it.
But I have to agree it's very reliable. When all it does is sit in the dealerships holding the doors open on nice days, how can it EVER wear out?
As to which REAL Harley engine is the most reliable, it has to be between the Evo and the Twin Cam. The Evo had weak lifters the whole time it was made, and had weak inner cam bearings from '92 on, plus had the crank bearing pressed into the soft aluminum engine case instead of a steel insert for the last 8 or 10 years. They never got the base gaskets right, although that doesn't really affect reliability.
The Twin Cam started off with a horrendously bad cam drive design, but they claim the more recent changes have improved it. I think only gear drive can improve it. Then, in '03 I think, they changed to a much weaker sprocket side crank bearing, abandoning the nearly bullet-proof twin Timken setup, and there is much talk of engine failure when more power is sought, or when mileage gets up in the 100K range. And don't the 96's have the lifters riding in (and wearing out) the engine case instead of lifter blocks? They did solve the base gasket and lifter problems in the TC design.
Overall, I'd have to give a clear edge to the early Evos. The ones with the steel crank bearing inserts and the Torrington cam bearings are probably the best motorcycle engine ever. And of course there are many aftermarket Evos that have eliminated all the flaws the HD versions had.
The first HD engine was a single from 03-34 in various sizes plus the Hummer and Topper single cylinder Harley engines. For your educational purposed there were also no OHV engines until 1936 when the Knucklehead was released. Not to mention the snowmobile engine that Harley "never" built. Suck it up!
#60
04-12-2008, 09:15 PM
RE: Most reliable HD engines
all in all a very weak poll IMHO and this is nothing personal but.....
no sportster choice -
changed poll mid way through -
and a couple other's I won't mention
By three methods we may learn wisdom:
First, by reflection, which is noblest;
Second, by imitation, which is easiest;
and third by experience, which is the bitterest.
no sportster choice -
changed poll mid way through -
and a couple other's I won't mention
By three methods we may learn wisdom:
First, by reflection, which is noblest;
Second, by imitation, which is easiest;
and third by experience, which is the bitterest.