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I have two early Twin Cams.. an '01 Springer & '03 Heritage.... the '01 is Stage I, the '03 is a 95" w/headwork, both are 4 speeds. I love riding them both.. I bought the '03 new, and did quite of bit of "touring" on it prior to buying my first bagger in 2012...
I did address the spring cam tensioners in each bike. Other than that, it's been just maintenance or elective work due to my mod fever... They have been reliable and capable bikes..
I wouldn't let the 88" engine or the 4 speed be a dealer killer, if I found a great bike, at a great price, that I really like...
While the 96" engine and 6 speed trans are nice to have.... there are nits & picks for almost every year... For example- the '07 has the 96" engine and 6 speed, but the very problematic compensator..
Luckily, there is not an issue with a given year twin cam that doesn't have a permanent solution...
Due to the progression of improvements during the Twin Cam years, I believe it is generally best to buy the newest year Twin Cam you can afford... or the newest model between two bikes with similar condition and prior maintenance history.
IMHO, let your budget and the condition/maintenance history of the bike you're considering, be the main deciding factors....
I have two early Twin Cams.. an '01 Springer & '03 Heritage.... the '01 is Stage I, the '03 is a 95" w/headwork, both are 4 speeds. I love riding them both.. I bought the '03 new, and did quite of bit of "touring" on it prior to buying my first bagger in 2012...
I did address the spring cam tensioners in each bike. Other than that, it's been just maintenance or elective work due to my mod fever... They have been reliable and capable bikes..
I wouldn't let the 88" engine or the 4 speed be a dealer killer, if I found a great bike, at a great price, that I really like...
While the 96" engine and 6 speed trans are nice to have.... there are nits & picks for almost every year... For example- the '07 has the 96" engine and 6 speed, but the very problematic compensator..
Luckily, there is not an issue with a given year twin cam that doesn't have a permanent solution...
Due to the progression of improvements during the Twin Cam years, I believe it is generally best to buy the newest year Twin Cam you can afford... or the newest model between two bikes with similar condition and prior maintenance history.
IMHO, let your budget and the condition/maintenance history of the bike you're considering, be the main deciding factors....
Good luck with your search
Where did you find those bikes with a 4 speed, mine has a 5 speed
Curious. Didn't know he had another gear ? I'm ALWAYS lookin' for 6th.
Yeah, when I switch between my 6 speed bagger to one of the 5 speed softails, I will frequently try for 6th gear when pulling on the freeway.... but it doesn't take long to settle back into the 5 speed mode
My friend put an aftermarket 6 spd on his '06 Streetglide the day he bought it new. It was pricy though. But if someone really wants a 6spd there are options.
As Strat pointed out, (Strat and Hatt really know their ****) there isn't much difference between the 2000-2006. That being said, before I can offer you advice on what year Heritage and will work for you is. What are your goals, end game, city sweeper, long haul rider, 2UP tourer? My touring, either weekend or weeklong, is all backroads, never the highway. These are all valid questions.
I have an 05 Classic. This bitch will tour, 2UP or solo with all day comfort, meaning 6,8,10 hours in the saddle. Mind you she isn't stock, but the modifications pretty much made her a bullet proof ride. I'm not a throttle jockey, never hammer it, give her a lil more twist when the extra power is needed. Yup, Stage II, full Feuling #7220 kit, DynoJey PCV and tuned, front & rear Progressive Suspension upgrade and lotsa shiny stuff.
The Heritage will do everything a bagger will do, in style, with a lot more class. I'm not dissing the Baggers at all, but you'll count more cookie cutter baggers in a lot or on the road, then you will a Classic.
So yeah, these guys here know me, I'm a lil biased. And BTW, I never look for another gear (6) but like I said, no highway.
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