Question on HD motor differences
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,032
Likes: 9
From: Alabama
Softail "B" engines are counterbalanced & hard mounted, so no vibration. Touring engines are not counterbalanced and rubber mounted, so lots of vibes.
Some don't want vibes, some do. Thankfully HD recognizes this and markets bikes to both segments. For me, a bike's vibes are its personality- it lets me know I'm on a motorcycle and not in a minivan. My ex had a Softail Custom that felt no different than the Suzuki 1400 Intruder I owned back in the early 90's. That's not for me. Might as well buy a Camry- it's just as exciting, your leg doesn't fry in traffic, and you don't have to worry if it's gonna rain.
It's like fast cars- do you prefer a 450 hp Mercedes that's so smooth a glass of champagne won't spill a drop when placed on the engine at 5000 rpm, or a cammed-out Hemi 'Cuda that shakes like a dog shittin' peach pits, rattles windows, and vibrates the ground.?
I'll take the 'Cuda myself...
Some don't want vibes, some do. Thankfully HD recognizes this and markets bikes to both segments. For me, a bike's vibes are its personality- it lets me know I'm on a motorcycle and not in a minivan. My ex had a Softail Custom that felt no different than the Suzuki 1400 Intruder I owned back in the early 90's. That's not for me. Might as well buy a Camry- it's just as exciting, your leg doesn't fry in traffic, and you don't have to worry if it's gonna rain.
It's like fast cars- do you prefer a 450 hp Mercedes that's so smooth a glass of champagne won't spill a drop when placed on the engine at 5000 rpm, or a cammed-out Hemi 'Cuda that shakes like a dog shittin' peach pits, rattles windows, and vibrates the ground.?
I'll take the 'Cuda myself...
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
Likes: 26
From: Windham,Maine
All our twins have a sweet spot in their rpm range,the secret is to gear them so that most of the time we are in it, aka cruising.Don't forget the original VTwins were never supposed to run.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,728
Likes: 9,235
From: Snow Hill, NC
Softail models have a TC96B motor that has counterbalancers...next time there is a demo day take one out for a spin...any model softail and you will see what we mean...
Tourer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 449
Likes: 0
From: Helena, AL
The counterbalancing weights sap some of the torque and HP from the motor. I think I heard around 6-7 hp. Touring bikes are heavier, so they need all the power they can get. The motors are rubber mounted to absorb some of the vibration so it doesn't get through to the rider very much over around 20 mph.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,570
Likes: 45
just ride my 90 evo! that thing has the vibs!! rigid non balanced mounted engine. before i went on my long trip i thought id be exausted, but it turns out i was more comfy on that bike verses my 06 dyna. idk maybe i just got used to it!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,182
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix
Softail "B" engines are counterbalanced & hard mounted, so no vibration. Touring engines are not counterbalanced and rubber mounted, so lots of vibes.
Some don't want vibes, some do. Thankfully HD recognizes this and markets bikes to both segments. For me, a bike's vibes are its personality- it lets me know I'm on a motorcycle and not in a minivan. My ex had a Softail Custom that felt no different than the Suzuki 1400 Intruder I owned back in the early 90's. That's not for me. Might as well buy a Camry- it's just as exciting, your leg doesn't fry in traffic, and you don't have to worry if it's gonna rain.
It's like fast cars- do you prefer a 450 hp Mercedes that's so smooth a glass of champagne won't spill a drop when placed on the engine at 5000 rpm, or a cammed-out Hemi 'Cuda that shakes like a dog shittin' peach pits, rattles windows, and vibrates the ground.?
I'll take the 'Cuda myself...
Some don't want vibes, some do. Thankfully HD recognizes this and markets bikes to both segments. For me, a bike's vibes are its personality- it lets me know I'm on a motorcycle and not in a minivan. My ex had a Softail Custom that felt no different than the Suzuki 1400 Intruder I owned back in the early 90's. That's not for me. Might as well buy a Camry- it's just as exciting, your leg doesn't fry in traffic, and you don't have to worry if it's gonna rain.
It's like fast cars- do you prefer a 450 hp Mercedes that's so smooth a glass of champagne won't spill a drop when placed on the engine at 5000 rpm, or a cammed-out Hemi 'Cuda that shakes like a dog shittin' peach pits, rattles windows, and vibrates the ground.?
I'll take the 'Cuda myself...
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