Softail motor?
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: Australia
RE: Softail motor?
ORIGINAL: 12Stones
That's what it's all about, right?
Enjoy the ride.
Unless I get some serious new info, like a revelation, I am giving this topic a rest. I will be out there enjoying my Heritage soon and I can't wait (maybe I will calm down then...or not?)
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
RE: Softail motor?
I had a stage one on my flht standard 1996 evo .. I now own an 04 fatboy with stage one with vance and hinds long guns. the new bike makes nice power especially midrange with decent torque....It blows away the evo when it comes to highway crusing and passing. The 88b engine as far as i am concerned is just fine for everyday riding. and without the balancer, I rode a friends 97 fatboy, and the vibration was almost unexceptable, rode like a large early sportster. so ride your heritage and enjoy. but a set of pipes of choice and the screaming eagle breather kit. rejet carb or set efi. and enjoy.......jim
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 518
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Softail motor?
This has been a most interesting thread as well as being very educational. Being one that owns an '05 EFI, Stage I, Vance Hines, Fatboy, I don't really care about alleged, potential, or real 88b engine problems. I just like the bike and it runs very good. I have a four year warranty which I regret buying because I know I can and likely will sell or trade the Hog for another new one in a couple of years without losing much money at all.
Worst case I can see is that somebody would have to repair or replace an engine without warranty. In the scope of things that the average income person buys, it really isn't that much money from my perspective. There are a lot of choices and options out there when it comes to owning a Harley. Buy used, buy new, build yur own, whatever. Harley's are fun and I damn sure don't worry about the thing.
On another topic, on the non-counterbalanced 88's, it seems to me that the vibration would be destructive to the engine over time...I think I know the replies to this question.
Worst case I can see is that somebody would have to repair or replace an engine without warranty. In the scope of things that the average income person buys, it really isn't that much money from my perspective. There are a lot of choices and options out there when it comes to owning a Harley. Buy used, buy new, build yur own, whatever. Harley's are fun and I damn sure don't worry about the thing.
On another topic, on the non-counterbalanced 88's, it seems to me that the vibration would be destructive to the engine over time...I think I know the replies to this question.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
Likes: 1,473
From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
RE: Softail motor?
You might not have to care about any problems with the 88B, but I keep my bikes as daily riders for 20 years, give or take. And they are used when I buy 'em. So it matters to me that y'all are riding what might be my bike 10 or so years from now, and you might be messing them up! Be nice to 'em! 
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: Australia
RE: Softail motor?
Wolf I agree. Real design flaw or fictious one... I don't care for now, as I am just going to just enjoy it.
I would not worry about the differences between the 88 and 88b as I am guessing the vrod engine or something like it will superceed them with a much more modern design.
Harley will have to modernise their engine design if reliability starts to get them a bad name. I have been told of a time when it was thought that all Harley owners needed a ute because their bike would break down so often. If that was the case today I would not buy one.
There is a "new breed" of Harley owners that don't care to be mechanics just so they can ride a bike, and don't care about how easy it is to overhaul the engine on the side of the road because they prefer to ring roadside assist and keep their hands clean instead! The new breed wants to ride not fix!
And as long as Harley keeps the look, sound and feel right, then the inside of the engine, that can't be seen from the outside anyway, can contain whatever it needs to be robust and reliable and longlasting - so roll on a more modern and more reliable engine design.
By the way, today is Wednesday, (26 jan 2005), and if all goes well I will be picking up my 2005 Heritage this Saturaday! I just can't believe I will be on my iron horse soon. The wait has been so frustrating and has bought me back to my childhood when I couldn't wait to open my chrisy presents....I think we are all kids at heart, and who wants to grow up anyway?
I will post a rundown of my first ride by this time next week...
.
Poco (Skip) you are a true biker and rest assured we will look after our bikes. I am determined to keep mine as stock as possible, all I have done is reverse the effects of the EPA crap, i.e. airflo and mufflers. No need for concern I have been assured, and no need for further mods as far as I am concerned. I want to keep the bike in original condition always.
I would not worry about the differences between the 88 and 88b as I am guessing the vrod engine or something like it will superceed them with a much more modern design.
Harley will have to modernise their engine design if reliability starts to get them a bad name. I have been told of a time when it was thought that all Harley owners needed a ute because their bike would break down so often. If that was the case today I would not buy one.
There is a "new breed" of Harley owners that don't care to be mechanics just so they can ride a bike, and don't care about how easy it is to overhaul the engine on the side of the road because they prefer to ring roadside assist and keep their hands clean instead! The new breed wants to ride not fix!
And as long as Harley keeps the look, sound and feel right, then the inside of the engine, that can't be seen from the outside anyway, can contain whatever it needs to be robust and reliable and longlasting - so roll on a more modern and more reliable engine design.
By the way, today is Wednesday, (26 jan 2005), and if all goes well I will be picking up my 2005 Heritage this Saturaday! I just can't believe I will be on my iron horse soon. The wait has been so frustrating and has bought me back to my childhood when I couldn't wait to open my chrisy presents....I think we are all kids at heart, and who wants to grow up anyway?
I will post a rundown of my first ride by this time next week...
.Poco (Skip) you are a true biker and rest assured we will look after our bikes. I am determined to keep mine as stock as possible, all I have done is reverse the effects of the EPA crap, i.e. airflo and mufflers. No need for concern I have been assured, and no need for further mods as far as I am concerned. I want to keep the bike in original condition always.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 518
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Softail motor?
Poco, I can promise you that you would want to buy my bike when I decide to let it go. I keep all of my vehicles in mint condition and don't abuse any of them. If I have to worry about them, it's no longer fun.
Also, howartthou, I didn't realize you are an Aussie until just now. I have to tell you that you live in a really cool place. I manage a manufacturing operation in Brisbane as well as one here in the States. I get down-under once in a while. It's the plane ride back that isn't too cool at all, LOL! You live in one of the friendliest and most fun countries on the map.
G' day Mate!
Also, howartthou, I didn't realize you are an Aussie until just now. I have to tell you that you live in a really cool place. I manage a manufacturing operation in Brisbane as well as one here in the States. I get down-under once in a while. It's the plane ride back that isn't too cool at all, LOL! You live in one of the friendliest and most fun countries on the map.
G' day Mate!
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: Australia
RE: Softail motor?
Wolf
G'day back matey!
Thanks for the rap on Australia and I have to agree it's a great place to be. I live in Melbourne which in my opionion is the best city in Aus. They actually know how to make real latte's here and have a great outdoors and coffee culture.
I must admit however that I would love to visit the states. Its all that Hollywood we get bombarded with. But its also the birthplace of the Harley....I will get there one day.
Ummmm.....roll on Saturday when I get my Heritage!
I am off to Sydney again friday, get back saturday and run to the dealers to get the bike, can't wait....
G'day back matey!
Thanks for the rap on Australia and I have to agree it's a great place to be. I live in Melbourne which in my opionion is the best city in Aus. They actually know how to make real latte's here and have a great outdoors and coffee culture.
I must admit however that I would love to visit the states. Its all that Hollywood we get bombarded with
. But its also the birthplace of the Harley....I will get there one day.Ummmm.....roll on Saturday when I get my Heritage!
I am off to Sydney again friday, get back saturday and run to the dealers to get the bike, can't wait....