In praise of the lowly 88"...
Thread Starter
|
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,095
Likes: 348
From: Ione, CA
In praise of the lowly 88"...
I guess people look down on the 88" now that the 96" is morphing into the 103". I don't blame them, bigger is almost always better.
But I like 88s, especially when they have been punched to a 95" and had a cam put in them. They have plenty of stonk and cruise nicely in 5th gear.
And... I like carburetors. I know that fuel injection is probably superior and the wave of the future, but Harleys with FI just don't sound right to me. Better running maybe, but less Harleyish... -L- I enjoy the potato-potato sound of a carb'd H-D.
So my new bike is a real score for yours truly, even if the newer and supposedly better bikes are on the scene. I don't think I'd trade mine for anything in the '11 lineup which makes me a happy -- if a bit frugal -- camper...
Anyone else here a fan of the 88/5speed? Maybe it's just me, and that's okay too... -L-
But I like 88s, especially when they have been punched to a 95" and had a cam put in them. They have plenty of stonk and cruise nicely in 5th gear.
And... I like carburetors. I know that fuel injection is probably superior and the wave of the future, but Harleys with FI just don't sound right to me. Better running maybe, but less Harleyish... -L- I enjoy the potato-potato sound of a carb'd H-D.
So my new bike is a real score for yours truly, even if the newer and supposedly better bikes are on the scene. I don't think I'd trade mine for anything in the '11 lineup which makes me a happy -- if a bit frugal -- camper...
Anyone else here a fan of the 88/5speed? Maybe it's just me, and that's okay too... -L-
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,932
Likes: 32
From: Broomfield, CO
I guess people look down on the 88" now that the 96" is morphing into the 103". I don't blame them, bigger is almost always better.
But I like 88s, especially when they have been punched to a 95" and had a cam put in them. They have plenty of stonk and cruise nicely in 5th gear.
And... I like carburetors. I know that fuel injection is probably superior and the wave of the future, but Harleys with FI just don't sound right to me. Better running maybe, but less Harleyish... -L- I enjoy the potato-potato sound of a carb'd H-D.
So my new bike is a real score for yours truly, even if the newer and supposedly better bikes are on the scene. I don't think I'd trade mine for anything in the '11 lineup which makes me a happy -- if a bit frugal -- camper...
Anyone else here a fan of the 88/5speed? Maybe it's just me, and that's okay too... -L-
But I like 88s, especially when they have been punched to a 95" and had a cam put in them. They have plenty of stonk and cruise nicely in 5th gear.
And... I like carburetors. I know that fuel injection is probably superior and the wave of the future, but Harleys with FI just don't sound right to me. Better running maybe, but less Harleyish... -L- I enjoy the potato-potato sound of a carb'd H-D.
So my new bike is a real score for yours truly, even if the newer and supposedly better bikes are on the scene. I don't think I'd trade mine for anything in the '11 lineup which makes me a happy -- if a bit frugal -- camper...
Anyone else here a fan of the 88/5speed? Maybe it's just me, and that's okay too... -L-
I'm with you bjewell, but mine is punched out to 95" with cam and head work. And like you, I prefer my carb to FI, because I can do my own work on it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,741
Likes: 1,598
From: Danbury CT
My 06 88"(EFI) runs stronger the my 09 96". It's cooler too! And it sounds much slower at idle with a great potato potato sound (not like a carb but close enough). The 96" idles way too fast and sounds like a blender. 
Last edited by golfblues; Aug 26, 2010 at 03:17 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,050
Likes: 12,326
From: Arkansas
The 88" is the new Evo. Carb here also. Looked all over the country to find the model I wanted with a carb and bought it in N.C. (I live in AZ). Will NOT buy new again. If it ain't got a carb....I don't want it...Period!!!
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 277
Likes: 1
I've deliberately avoided bigger displacement upgrades because my 88 is an economic commuter, and I don't see any reason to hurt my mileage for very little usable gain. 88 she will stay forever, I'm sure.
BUT... as a cold-weather rider, I have to say, not having to worry about carb icing and messing around with the choke is worth every penny for the EFI! I love it and have no desire ever to go back to carbs.
BUT... as a cold-weather rider, I have to say, not having to worry about carb icing and messing around with the choke is worth every penny for the EFI! I love it and have no desire ever to go back to carbs.
Trending Topics
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,265
Likes: 99
From: Northern VA
88/5 speed here. But I'm with the EFI crowd...
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: Homewood, IL
I've deliberately avoided bigger displacement upgrades because my 88 is an economic commuter, and I don't see any reason to hurt my mileage for very little usable gain. 88 she will stay forever, I'm sure.
BUT... as a cold-weather rider, I have to say, not having to worry about carb icing and messing around with the choke is worth every penny for the EFI! I love it and have no desire ever to go back to carbs.
BUT... as a cold-weather rider, I have to say, not having to worry about carb icing and messing around with the choke is worth every penny for the EFI! I love it and have no desire ever to go back to carbs.
Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 911
Likes: 0
From: KY
I guess people look down on the 88" now that the 96" is morphing into the 103". I don't blame them, bigger is almost always better.
But I like 88s, especially when they have been punched to a 95" and had a cam put in them. They have plenty of stonk and cruise nicely in 5th gear.
And... I like carburetors. I know that fuel injection is probably superior and the wave of the future, but Harleys with FI just don't sound right to me. Better running maybe, but less Harleyish... -L- I enjoy the potato-potato sound of a carb'd H-D.
So my new bike is a real score for yours truly, even if the newer and supposedly better bikes are on the scene. I don't think I'd trade mine for anything in the '11 lineup which makes me a happy -- if a bit frugal -- camper...
Anyone else here a fan of the 88/5speed? Maybe it's just me, and that's okay too... -L-
But I like 88s, especially when they have been punched to a 95" and had a cam put in them. They have plenty of stonk and cruise nicely in 5th gear.
And... I like carburetors. I know that fuel injection is probably superior and the wave of the future, but Harleys with FI just don't sound right to me. Better running maybe, but less Harleyish... -L- I enjoy the potato-potato sound of a carb'd H-D.
So my new bike is a real score for yours truly, even if the newer and supposedly better bikes are on the scene. I don't think I'd trade mine for anything in the '11 lineup which makes me a happy -- if a bit frugal -- camper...
Anyone else here a fan of the 88/5speed? Maybe it's just me, and that's okay too... -L-
Last edited by JerryL....; Aug 26, 2010 at 04:11 PM.