New to HD
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2010
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New to HD
Ok, sorry, in advance. I've been reading forums, and articles for hours now, and my head is spinning.
I'm looking to buy my first Harley soon. Really my first motorcycle, not counting a few years dinking around with a '79 KZ400. I've rented, and ridden just about every bike in the Harley lineup, and prefer the "down-in-it" feel of the Softails, to the touring bikes. Dynas are too small for the riding I plan on doing (to and from work, some all day rides, and the occasional 2-3 day trips). I'm a short dude, so the Touring bikes, while comfortable, are too tall, without lowering them, and didn't really like the "sitting-on-top" feel. Don't like the skinny front on the FXS, so a FLS of some sort is in the works for now.
I LOVE the look of the Heritage Springers, but DAMN, are those things pricey! Trying to stay around $10k for a purchase price, so I can add the pipes I want and maybe change the bags (love those Boss Bags in a springer style), and end up around $12k total. Dig the Deluxe, and the Fat Boy Lo feel. Heritage looks a little too cookie cutter (I see them everywhere).
Ok, to the question. What are some things a Harley newbie NEEDS to know? I usually work on rock crawlers, and cars, so I'm no newb to wrenching. The EVO vs. TWIN-CAM debate has my head spinning. 88" or 96" if I go TC? gear driven cams seem to be a must do mod.
Ok, FLAME AWAY!
I'm looking to buy my first Harley soon. Really my first motorcycle, not counting a few years dinking around with a '79 KZ400. I've rented, and ridden just about every bike in the Harley lineup, and prefer the "down-in-it" feel of the Softails, to the touring bikes. Dynas are too small for the riding I plan on doing (to and from work, some all day rides, and the occasional 2-3 day trips). I'm a short dude, so the Touring bikes, while comfortable, are too tall, without lowering them, and didn't really like the "sitting-on-top" feel. Don't like the skinny front on the FXS, so a FLS of some sort is in the works for now.
I LOVE the look of the Heritage Springers, but DAMN, are those things pricey! Trying to stay around $10k for a purchase price, so I can add the pipes I want and maybe change the bags (love those Boss Bags in a springer style), and end up around $12k total. Dig the Deluxe, and the Fat Boy Lo feel. Heritage looks a little too cookie cutter (I see them everywhere).
Ok, to the question. What are some things a Harley newbie NEEDS to know? I usually work on rock crawlers, and cars, so I'm no newb to wrenching. The EVO vs. TWIN-CAM debate has my head spinning. 88" or 96" if I go TC? gear driven cams seem to be a must do mod.
Ok, FLAME AWAY!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,068
Likes: 11,086
From: San Diego, CA
I've owned two shovelheads, an evo, and two twin cams... all bought new.
Each one would have served me well if left stock.... sadly I can't leave' em stock... yeah, it's a sickness.
Each one had it's quirks and things to look for...
Each one had a popular series of mods available for extra power... from stage I through big bore!
So get the bike you love, want , and can afford... then research it and deal with its quirks and decide what, if any, mods you'd like to do...
Two specific points...
1) Gear cams are NOT a "MUST DO" mod. In fact, after about '02ish (someone will correct the exact dates) the MoCo loosened the tolerances of allowable crank run out. That will preclude any twin cam with over .004 of run out from using gear cams. Gear cams avoid all the tensioners issues that seem to creep up with mileage. Upgraded cam plates with hydraulic tensioners and roller chains will do just fine...
2) Personal preference here- I would avoid the evo/tc years 1995-2001 with the MM (Magneti Marelli) EFI system. In a TC get a bike with the Delphi FI system (2002+). While there are many MM bikes running awesome, the MM FI is obsolete, getting harder to find support for it, and there are few who can tune it effectively. Those that can, find it a challenge (pain in the butt). There is far better support for mods to the Delphi FI systems....!
Whatever you choose, ride it, have a blast, and ride safe.....
Last edited by hattitude; Apr 16, 2015 at 01:55 PM.
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Intermediate
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Thanks for all the input guys, REALLY! Keep it coming.
I've found a few bikes for around $10k. Some as low as $8.5k, up to $11k, that I might be willing to go to, but would prefer to have a little left over for anything it may need, or things I may want....
I found a SMOKIN deal on an '05 Luxe, with only 3k miles, but it was gone before I could get my checkboook out. Too good a deal, I guess. Found a '05 FatBoy for $9k, with 7k miles, but looks like it was definetly stored outside (paint flaking around brake cylinders, rust on many bolts), and a small dent (1/4") on tank where something hit it. It has pipes, but looks stock otherwise. I thought you needed to do an intake, and tuner, at the same time, on an EFI bike......
Rode a '98 FatBoy, with intake, exhaust, and the dealer claimed a "power commander". Rode nice. 14k miles, $8,999. What does a "power commander" do on a carburated bike??? Dealer full of it?
I've found a few bikes for around $10k. Some as low as $8.5k, up to $11k, that I might be willing to go to, but would prefer to have a little left over for anything it may need, or things I may want....
I found a SMOKIN deal on an '05 Luxe, with only 3k miles, but it was gone before I could get my checkboook out. Too good a deal, I guess. Found a '05 FatBoy for $9k, with 7k miles, but looks like it was definetly stored outside (paint flaking around brake cylinders, rust on many bolts), and a small dent (1/4") on tank where something hit it. It has pipes, but looks stock otherwise. I thought you needed to do an intake, and tuner, at the same time, on an EFI bike......
Rode a '98 FatBoy, with intake, exhaust, and the dealer claimed a "power commander". Rode nice. 14k miles, $8,999. What does a "power commander" do on a carburated bike??? Dealer full of it?
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Intermediate
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What do some of these mods cost (ballpark)? Intake, and exhaust, i can install myself, so they're just parts. Dunno about a tuner. What does a tuner cost? New bars? Clutch?
The '05 FB had horrible bars, and I think it would need a tuner.
The '05 FB had horrible bars, and I think it would need a tuner.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: Martinsburg, WV
And a tuner won't do much at all for you until you do the internals and then you'll need it with a Fuel Injected bike. A tuner does the same thing as rejetting the carbs basically.
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Intermediate
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what are the different mile markers I should be aware of? Time to change cam tensioner, time to rebuild, change clutch......?
Found an '05 with 36k miles. Too high? What should I be worried about on a bike with that many miles?
Found an '05 with 36k miles. Too high? What should I be worried about on a bike with that many miles?