88 vs 96
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,336
Likes: 67
From: SW Minnesota
RE: 88 vs 96
I have an '06 Ultra, made in spring of '06, so I figure I got one of the last '88's with all the improvements to the '88. \\; Three weeks after we bought it, however, \\;the '96/six speed was on the showroom floor.[:@]
 \\;
[:@] \\;was my original thought. However, \\;reading two years of bitching on this forum about high heat/lean burn \\; '96 engines, lack of accessories, noisy tranny's "fixed" by the IDS, and ineffective six gear below freeway speed, I now am glad we bought the one we did. A Screaming Eagle Stage One air cleaner and download, and flow through modified stock mufflers are the only engine mods we've done. \\; We routinely get 42-48 mpg riding two up, with plenty of power for the speeds we ride, which are 65 mph or less.
 \\;
What I don't have yet is a fix for the cam tensioner problem, but that will come with the install of an Andrews 21 \\;gear driven cam this summer. \\; We have 22,000 trouble free miles, btw.
 \\;
Hangfire, the engine size was increased by a longer stroke, which accounts for the increased torque of the '96.
 \\;
[:@] \\;was my original thought. However, \\;reading two years of bitching on this forum about high heat/lean burn \\; '96 engines, lack of accessories, noisy tranny's "fixed" by the IDS, and ineffective six gear below freeway speed, I now am glad we bought the one we did. A Screaming Eagle Stage One air cleaner and download, and flow through modified stock mufflers are the only engine mods we've done. \\; We routinely get 42-48 mpg riding two up, with plenty of power for the speeds we ride, which are 65 mph or less.
 \\;
What I don't have yet is a fix for the cam tensioner problem, but that will come with the install of an Andrews 21 \\;gear driven cam this summer. \\; We have 22,000 trouble free miles, btw.
 \\;
Hangfire, the engine size was increased by a longer stroke, which accounts for the increased torque of the '96.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,977
Likes: 85
From: Nevada
RE: 88 vs 96
ORIGINAL: Hangfire1
I was concerned about the heating issues and it's my understanding the six speed did not add that many more mpg.
Is the motor bigger on the 96 or did they just bore and stroke the 88 block?
I was concerned about the heating issues and it's my understanding the six speed did not add that many more mpg.
Is the motor bigger on the 96 or did they just bore and stroke the 88 block?
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
RE: 88 vs 96
ORIGINAL: reds2harleys
I've ridden both and the 96 def has a wider power band, it really pulls if you do the 103 stage 2 Big bore kit. \\;\\\\\\; I have that combo on my Rocker and it really pulls hard. \\;\\\\\\; Plus the 6 speed is very nice. 88s came with 5 speeds - unless somebody added it.
I've ridden both and the 96 def has a wider power band, it really pulls if you do the 103 stage 2 Big bore kit. \\;\\\\\\; I have that combo on my Rocker and it really pulls hard. \\;\\\\\\; Plus the 6 speed is very nice. 88s came with 5 speeds - unless somebody added it.
all 06 dyna 88's have a six speed
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,570
Likes: 45
RE: 88 vs 96
my 06 has 6 speed 88 inch. (superglide) shes fast !!!
 \\;
pulls as hard or harder then my dads 96inch. Plus my motor
 \\;
has more of a potato sound at idle. 96 inch sounds like a
 \\;
deep bass lawn mower at idle. I mean it sounds fine but
 \\;
i like to hear that uneven potato sound from my 88inch.
 \\;
pulls as hard or harder then my dads 96inch. Plus my motor
 \\;
has more of a potato sound at idle. 96 inch sounds like a
 \\;
deep bass lawn mower at idle. I mean it sounds fine but
 \\;
i like to hear that uneven potato sound from my 88inch.
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Joe Kucinski
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,871
Likes: 4
RE: 88 vs 96
what does it matter when they come out with a 150, we will all be saying how our 96 is better, 88 gives you all you would want any faster ect, you might as well buy a croth rocket, with my 88 stage one andrew cams ect i can out pull a stock 96 with ease