I stopped by the dealer over the weekend looking at the new '07s. I have an '06 Deluxe with only 3500 miles. I have only ridden a couple of times where a 6th gear would have been nice. My wife rides too, but we like mostly countryside riding. I'm not on the interstates very often. The semis will run you down if the SUV's don't get ya. I don't need a bigger engine either. With Stage I, and Rush slip-ons my ride runs strong enough. The salesman told me guys were bringing their '06s back and trading up to the new ones and losing a #$@*load of money. One guy had only made one payment. I think the MoCo saw this as a good marketing plan, they know their customers. We're never satisfied. Jr.

 

I think the moco better be careful. One of the biggest reasons people love harleys is that they're the same bike.. over and over and over. When I got my first one, a 90 Heritage, I was amazed that the catalogs I looked at had parts fitting my bike all the way back to some bikes in the 50's and 60's.. Not much the case anymore.

Now the moco is drastically (my opinion) changing their bikes with the 200 rear tire and new stuff to the engine and/or drivetrain each year. Used to be a primary was a primary was a primary. Now who knows what fits what. If they get too year specific with these changes, they're going to run off some folks that like the fact that the bikes are the original, the one. Change every year and you're no different than just "this year's model".

If it's the EPA that's after them or some other government entity for emmissions or noise, they need to get some lobbying done and call upon their customers for help rather than changing the bikes and putting the burden of yearly change onto their loyal customers. The stupid cam chain belt tensioners and the twin cam design is a perfect example. We've suffered issue after issue with law suits and failed engines because of a rushed change to meet new noise standards set by people that have never even sat on a bike. but that's one example. Did the Evo really need to go away? Uh, you can't kill an Evo engine. The 80 inch evo was so perfected after being in production since 1984 or so that it's setup is STILL the mainstream for the custom builders. Even Exile sold a $40k plus bike with a stock moco crate 80inch evo in it. I'm thinking of picking up one or two crate engines just to HAVE when they force the water cooled stuff onto H-D. Buy up an old salvage frame for the vin, and start building.

Also, change for the sake of change, like the big swooshy stripe that defaces the tank and fender of new fatboy is just some marketing "genius" who couldn't get hired on at GM or Chrysler to sell their crap.

hehe.. sorry.. strong coffee this morning. French roast! Good morning.. Off me soapbox now.

If you got an 88B that runs, ride it and enjoy the wind.

I've got a 96 trooper that may be "obsolete" but it will climb up a tree or do 90 down the highway at 140k miles. I don't intend on changing that anytime soon.. at least until 250-300,000 miles. The old trooper serves me, not me it.

 

I say put gear drive cams and big bore into 88B motor. I personally don't need a 6 speed, my bike will run 75 mph all day long no problem. Some people have to keep up with friends in the ego dept. Harley counts on it.

 

Yep, since when did harley riders have to "keep up with the Jones'"?

Now a six speed though.. I'd like. But I'd go with a Baker.. Probably an OD6.

 

I have an 05 deluxe with the big bore kit. I would not have done the big bore if i was not going to do cams and heads and rockers i cant do something with out going all the way one of my buddies had the big bore on his deluxe no heads and i kept flying by him . he later had his heads done did not install screamin eagle heads done the stock harley heads i still fly by him last time we went at it i looked back when he pulled up he said he missed a shift lol

 

I would wait, the problem being that you may have this trade, lose some cash, and in 2 years they come out with a 103 motor stock. Then what? Trade again? Run what you have or build it up, trade it when it starts giving you major problems.

 

If you have the cash use the money that you would loose on the trade and put a big bore kit in and a baker 6 speed. You would have a better bike than the '07's with more power and a better tranny.

 

Hey! New 96" does have some different internals aimed at lighter weight for moving parts and has the longer stroke used to make a 103 from a TC88. Both the '06 5-speed and the '07 6-speed have a 1:1 final drive...the '07 get it's lower RPMs in 6th from a taller primary gear. I'm waiting on the Stage II upgrade to be finished on my new '06 before I pick it up (next week I hope!!). I had a deposit on an '07 Deluxe but no engine upgrades are available until November, nobody makes pipes for it yet, there's no performance head available...hell, not even a magazine ride review yet! All in all, I took a new '06 from my dealer with a discount-I'm getting the Stage II kit with SE heads for what an '07 with the 103" upgrade would have cost but I've got a proven engine with lots of parts available. Plus it'll have enough cojones to pull a taller primary gear or an OD 6-speed if I want. I'll probably have this bike for 10 years like my last one-I just want it to be strong and reliable starting now!

Cragg

 

The dealer busted $1,500 off the price of my fire red pearl 2006 standard right off the floor w/chrome wheel upgrade...bone stock '07 would have run me an extra $2,000.00! I took the '06!

 

I'm with KY on this one.

Crazy Canuck[sm=smokin.gif]