Here is the deal (well that is if I buy either of them):

05 heritage softail classic (FLSTCI) -
right color
v & h straightshots slip on muffers
low miles (less then 10k), first 5k service done by hd certified mechanic but not at dealer so not sure if warranty would still be honored by hd
one owner
a few extras and has all original parts as well as part of the deal
$15,000

93 electra glide classic
ok color (black with red/orange tank decal and red/orange pen strips)
radio/bat fairing but no truck
fish tail exhaust and maybe a stage one kit on it
brother says it is in very good shape
history not really known to speak of and has been sitting for around a year in a garage
40k miles
$7,000

Me -
1. Don't know that now is the time to get deeper in debt (is there ever a good time).
2. Sold the 07 rk std after only 1k miles (yes lost money and yes one should not buy then sell right away)
3. Did not like the heat given off of the rear jug on the new 96cc engine, brakes and suspension where ok but not great; maybe sitting on top of the bike instead of in it gave that feeling a bit. Stock seat sucked (imo). Power and shifting was fine. 5th/6th gear noise was bearable (not a deal breaker but indeed 2 thru 4 were nice and quite); 6th gear just seemed geared too high for much use unless on highway.
Never owned a softail but would consider one for this color. Like a radio, wind protection, bags to put junk in (though very little space compared to my gl1800...yes I know two different bikes).

What I would like to hear about:
How different is the 93 engine compared to the 05?
How will the ride feel comparing the two?
(Brother has a 97 softail so i could ride it but figure it won't be the same as the 05 plus his strucks? were switched out which makes his bike even lower/closer to the ground then a stock softail).
Might either bike run cooler then the other (assuming stage 1 kit on 93)?
Is the 05 pipes going to be too lound (or even legal)?
Last, I'm really not into a lot of heat kicking up off the rear jug and though the bat wing fairing effects air flow (the 05 has the rk type windshield) I figure either the 93 and 05 are equal concerning heat thrown off or they are different.

Sorry for the long post but trying to give enough info so you know both what I'm comparing, differences I need to know, and why a 96cc just won't do it for me.

So, tell me am I just wishing for a hd ride again but wont' be happy with the heat or might either of this give me a hd fix without the extra heat the 96cc kicked off?

thanks

 

I would go with the 05 over the other...never know what your going to get into with a older bike...I don't think the 05's had a problem with heat like the 96ers....I envy you that you sold the hunk of junk...better to lose a little now then alot later...gl

 

I own a '05 rk custom. there was/is an issue with the valve seals. You might want to see if they were replaced. It ends up causing abnormal oil burning. You stated that you didn't care for the touring frame, in relation to how you sat. On any of the touring bikes, it will seem that you sit on the bike, versus in the bike like on a softail. From your post, it seems to me you have made your mind on the softail, but the money is the only real thing keeping the touring bike in play. Money is an issue for me, so I can understand that. But how much money would it take you to get the touring bike where you want it? Seems the heritage has what you want already, but at a cost. The engines are different. The '93 has an evolution engine (80 cubes, A motor) and the softail is a twin cam engine (88 cubes, B motor). $14,271 is the average retail for the heritage, so it may be listed a bit high, But if you like it, get it. Either bikes might suit you fine, but for my money, I would go for the heritage (in your case). IMO.

 

Thanks for the input PapaTravis.

Actually I did not find I disliked the rk riding position per say it was just that I was more aware that I sat on the bike instead of lower in the bike. When doing a demo ride on a electra glide I find the seating position and seat just fine really and for what ever reason 'think' I'm sitting lower (as in 'in the bike') instead of on top of the bike. Guessing the seating position between a rk and egc probably are almost the same but it feels better on the electra glide classic to me.

Cost is a big factor once I stop to reallly consider it for awhile. I have a bad habit of, once I find what I did not think I could , (as in the special color hertiage) I then say 'that is it, I must have it' but in the real world I should really consider just how dam long it will take to pay it off.

The big thing for me is to just understand how each engine will be different from one another. It seems the 80cc was a solid engine for the most part back in 93 and just read a review of a 06 dyna wide glide (point being that in it they spoke about some owners having issues with cam bearing failures though this seemed to effect the twin cams when that engine came out in 99...if I have that correct).

Most likely, once the lady gets the replacement key made later this week I will ride the classic and if it feels right and looks in really good shape then take it to local dealer and ask that they give it a 'once over' to confirm no issues are noticed. Then buy it I would think if it 'moves' me the right way.

I'm guessing the 05 engine is just a bit tighter and all the bites and pieces designed a bit better then the 80 A engine and like wiseI'm sure the 96cc engine better in the same waycompared to the 88 B engine. Not sure if my brothers 97 heritage engine is counter balanced or if that was done in later year softail models (04..05 ?) so if I ride his it may not really let me know whata 05 softail rides like.

Anyway, with luck the 93bike won't be as hot as the 96cc was. The 93 is cabs so it is old school (not to say that is better or not but it is what it has).
Will keep you posted on whatI do.
thanks again

 

Did you mean to say the '93 was a carb, and not cabs?'Cause I have no idea what cabs is, LOL. Like I said, I have a '05 rk custom, and my bike has a carb. I actually looked for a bike with one, so I can relate there, as well. And, I did ride a lot of bikes before buying mine, and yes, I feel the softail frame does make it seem like you are sitting more into the bike. If you decided to get the '93, you should have a lot of extra green to make it sparkle and run great. Heck, for $7k you could rip out the older moter and put in a brand new one, and still be under the price of the '05. just a thought.

 

"I figure either the 93 and 05 are equal concerning heat thrown off or they are different. "

The evos run much cooler, avg around 180 degrees, the TC88 will run at least 220 degrees, the 96 even hotter. I think the fairing makes it even hotter.

None of the evos are balanced, started that in 2000 with the TC88B, the evo has way more tork than a stock 88 and is comparable to a TC95.
Lots' of cream puff evos out there, look around. I saw a 1994 FXSTC (not what you're asking about) go for $7800 on ebay this week. Also a 1998 Fatboy last week for $8500, comparable to the Heritage. Lots of good bikes out there for under 10K.

Also longevity would be a concern of mine the evo (unmolested) will run 70-100K with no work needed. I doubt you will see anything like that from a TC engine. My buddies cam tensioners needed replaced at 15k. How long is the chain gonna last on the balancer? Complete rebuild if that goes.

I myself prefer the softail frame to the FLH. It feels more like you are part of the bike as opposed to sitting on top of it. To each his own.

If money is the issue get an older model, they are everwhere and not selling. make a lowball offer. You may get lucky.

The sellers market sucks right now and ain't getting any better until at least spring. I know, wanna buy a 94 FXSTS?

 

Oh yeah if you get an evo softail it will shake a little more than the new TCB models. Because it isn't balanced and the engine is rigid mounted.

"I ride an evo softail, the mirrors are just for looks!"

 

Ok, I see Know next to zip about hd models through the years. So to recap what has been said recently:
1. The Evo (84 thru 98) engine runs cooler then the newer ones (99 onward).

2. If the 93 has a Stage 1 kit then it could have any of the following:
free breathing air cleaner, free breathing exhaust (i.e. the fish tail mufflers), rejetted carb [did a search] [8D]
If it has any/some of above then engine would run hotter or cooler due to more air/fuel/opened up exhaust ?
I'm guessing cooler

3. The 93 is I'm guessing a rubber mount engine but not counter balanced. My brothers 97 softail is a frame mout engine that also is not counter balanced. The 05 is of course counter balanced ridge mounted engine.

Imade a note saying fuel injection started back on 95 and in 2000 they added it to the softail line thus not sure what bikes came without fuel injection in 95 forward but it seems one could get a 05 carb model...