Is it ever enough?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,987
Likes: 4,114
From: in the hills.
I have a 2006 FLSTi Heritage with the 88b and I enjoy it. My wife rides a 2008 96b with the 6 speed and I can tell a difference. We both have stage 1s and ride long and short rides. When we rode to Tenn from FL she averaged about 10 to 20 miles per gallons then me due to the 6th gear. I think I would like the 6th gear for highway, but I enjoy back roads more then the highway and feel the 88 is enough fun for me. My wife has ridden on the back of mine and I felt it did it well, she has also ridden on the back of hers (I won't ride Bitch and she won't let me) and I felt it had a little more power, but enough for me to dump my 88. We did leave hers as the 2-up bike because of the 6 speed.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 333
From: Central TX
2001 Fatboy, 95 big bore, mild head work, 5 speed. I travel on highways all the time and the rpms do not bother me at all. I would bet if you had wife on back of my bike and got into throttle hard, neither one of you would think it needed more power, as the bike pulls very hard all the way to redline. Its your bike, do what you want, but if you like the bike, a 98 or 100 big bore will run better than a stock 96 or 103.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 35,239
Likes: 19,070
From: 40.2444° N, 75.6419° W
05 Super Glide TC 88. I have been on the slab cruising at 90 on it, how much faster do ya wanna go? I had the OL on the slab cruising at 70, but I usually go slower with a passenger. I suppose you want to be able to "**** and git" when ya need to, and my stock Super Glide does that. There are big bore kits for the 88, but eventually you will need the 6th gear.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,575
Likes: 3,171
From: Lake Geneva WI
There's always something better out there. I had a budget, and stuck to it. if the budget was bigger I would have gone newer to get the better cam chain system and the 6 speed. As far as power, I think my 88 is just fine.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 1,751
Likes: 263
From: Catalina AZ
Depends on what you are looking for.
I went form an EVO to an 88 TC, to a 96TC and ended up with a 103HO TC.
My 88 was a great running/riding bike.
My 96
ran hotter and did not impress me that much.
My 103
ya baby (be careful if it is a little misty out).
Rode a few M8's but never owned one.
Details (to clarify) on the 88 vs 96.
The 88 was an 01 carbed EG 5spd (most of the time without tour pack).
The 96 was an 09 FI Ultra (loaded) 6 spd (HEAVY).
All in all not much difference in fact seat of the pants, the 01 may have felt faster (never checked).
The 96 ran hotter (very noticeably hotter) great traveling bike, loved rolling down the highway.
I went form an EVO to an 88 TC, to a 96TC and ended up with a 103HO TC.
My 88 was a great running/riding bike.
My 96
ran hotter and did not impress me that much.My 103
ya baby (be careful if it is a little misty out).Rode a few M8's but never owned one.
Details (to clarify) on the 88 vs 96.
The 88 was an 01 carbed EG 5spd (most of the time without tour pack).
The 96 was an 09 FI Ultra (loaded) 6 spd (HEAVY).
All in all not much difference in fact seat of the pants, the 01 may have felt faster (never checked).
The 96 ran hotter (very noticeably hotter) great traveling bike, loved rolling down the highway.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 679
From: San Francisco
The answer for me is no but I'm not going to chase that hp trip. From my current Xbones before it I had a 103, 103HO,110, 107M8 and now a 96. I can say that my 96 is enough to keep me entertained. Not as fast as the M8 SG I just got rid off. My 96 is also the best sounding bike I've had that means more to me than outright speed. I still have my sportbike if I really wanted to go faster.
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Supporter
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 33,694
Likes: 135,910
From: SoCal
05 Softail ....went from 88 to 95 and then on to 106. With this frame and 18 inch 150s on the back....this all the power that I need in the canyons and twisties.
With the 88 and then the 95, coming out of a corner I would just floor it and hold on. Can't do that with the 106 as it will break traction coming out of hard turns
Nice predicament to be in....more power than can be used in practical riding situations.
With the 88 and then the 95, coming out of a corner I would just floor it and hold on. Can't do that with the 106 as it will break traction coming out of hard turns
Nice predicament to be in....more power than can be used in practical riding situations.
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