Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

2015 vs 2016 engine

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 8, 2016 | 03:58 AM
  #1  
jswatzell's Avatar
jswatzell
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 40
Likes: 10
From: Madisonville, TN
Default 2015 vs 2016 engine

Hello. I need to ask a question about the 2015 engine on a Heritage. I know it is a 103 ci but the 2016 is labeled as a "high output 103". Is there any difference between the 2015 vs the 2016? I have ridden the 2016 and was very impressed with the power. Now I have found a nice 2015 but I want to know if it's going to have the same power. Probably a dumb question but I don't know where to look to compare specs. Thanks
 
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2016 | 04:15 AM
  #2  
EagleRay's Avatar
EagleRay
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 7,492
Likes: 103
From: Stuttgart, Germany
Default

Basically the same engine but with a modified A/C and different cams that provide insignificantly more torque at lower rpms. Similar characteristic like the SE255 cams.....but still EPA compliant.
 
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2016 | 04:28 AM
  #3  
Prot's Avatar
Prot
Club Member
Veteran: Navy
15 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,884
Likes: 18,015
From: Lafayette, Louisiana
Riders Club Member
Default

Cams and air cleaner mostly.

The difference is sort of minimal and you can achieve better results on your own with aftermarket parts and tuner.

Before they took the 2015 to 2016 comparison down on Harley's site, it was only around 4 pound feet of torque.

High output? More like Hyped Output.
 
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2016 | 05:49 AM
  #4  
Nostradamus74's Avatar
Nostradamus74
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 631
Likes: 26
From: Rome (Italy)
Default

I guess 2016 also has 50mm TBW throttle body.
 
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2016 | 06:01 AM
  #5  
EagleRay's Avatar
EagleRay
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 7,492
Likes: 103
From: Stuttgart, Germany
Default

Originally Posted by Nostradamus74
I guess 2016 also has 50mm TBW throttle body.
At least the Breakout has. I can't imagine the MoCo using different engine setups within one engine model line.
 
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2016 | 07:35 AM
  #6  
jswatzell's Avatar
jswatzell
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 40
Likes: 10
From: Madisonville, TN
Default

Thanks for the responses y'all. As usual this group has the answers I can count on.
 
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2016 | 10:40 AM
  #7  
Renoir1's Avatar
Renoir1
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 144
Likes: 45
From: WI
Default

Yeah, as said above I believe the difference is about 4 ft lbs of torque.
I test rode a bunch of bikes over the summer before deciding on a nice used '13 slim. I didn't really notice much of a difference riding the '16.

One dealer did tell me that the '16's have 'beefier' electronics, whatever that means.
 
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2016 | 11:16 AM
  #8  
OldEnuf2NoBtr's Avatar
OldEnuf2NoBtr
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9,167
Likes: 1,912
From: Doghouse... mostly
Default

The "High Output" engine is really nothing more than a marketing tactic.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 8, 2016 | 12:59 PM
  #9  
Snowyone's Avatar
Snowyone
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 604
Likes: 22
Default diff

It may have been just the machines but my Brother and I were waiting around for his Dyna to be repaired and the salesman got tired of looking at us I guess. Talked us into taking a test ride(real hard to do haha). We took a 2015 Heritage and a 2015 RK that had the High Output engine. There was a bunch of difference in the power. I know the're different models and all and I do own two softails and was trying to convince my brother of the Softail way but after changing back and forth few times the RK was mucho better. He ended up buying the RK he liked it so much.
 
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2016 | 01:50 PM
  #10  
EagleRay's Avatar
EagleRay
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 7,492
Likes: 103
From: Stuttgart, Germany
Default

Originally Posted by Snowyone
It may have been just the machines but my Brother and I were waiting around for his Dyna to be repaired and the salesman got tired of looking at us I guess. Talked us into taking a test ride(real hard to do haha). We took a 2015 Heritage and a 2015 RK that had the High Output engine. There was a bunch of difference in the power. I know the're different models and all and I do own two softails and was trying to convince my brother of the Softail way but after changing back and forth few times the RK was mucho better. He ended up buying the RK he liked it so much.
The RK came with a different gearing and different final drive ratio - rear pulley 68T vs. 66T on the Heritage, which would increase the rear wheel torque. Plus as I mentioned before the HO engine comes with cams that deliver more torque than the non-HO (appr. 9.5 ft-lb = 10%). Nothing that couldn't be compensated by installing a proper A/C, cams, exhaust and a proper dyno tune.

Obviously the salesman knew his job....

But most important: Your brother is happy!
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
artsbest
Softail Models
32
Apr 8, 2016 07:19 PM
RexD
Softail Models
4
Sep 9, 2015 06:47 PM
Snarvol
Sportster Models
6
Nov 7, 2010 11:17 AM
slowrollin
General Harley Davidson Chat
12
Jun 22, 2010 02:50 PM
FLHXXHLF
General Harley Davidson Chat
12
Dec 9, 2008 04:04 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:28 PM.

story-0
10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

Slideshow: Not every motorcycle can be a design icon, and these machines prove that bold styling doesn't always age gracefully.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-18 10:29:31


VIEW MORE
story-1
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-3
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-5
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-9
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE