Buying my first Harley and I'm really eager but don"t want to jump before educating myself - I'm thinking about buying a used 2006 FXSTDI with 26000 miles. Does that mileage sound high? What's the typical life span of these 88B engines provided regular maintenance has been done. Is there big difference between the fuel injected versus the carb? Thanks for any guidance you can provide!

 

My 2 cents. The Duece is a nice looking bike, but kind of unique in the Softail family in that lot of parts that fit other Softails won't fit the Duece. To me, 26,000 miles is on the high side for a used bike. Yes, properly maintained, probably not a problem. The problem is, you don't know if it was properly maintained unless the seller has all the service records from day one. Some also say the cam chain tensioners at this mileage should be checked and probaby replaced. It's a bit of an effort to check the inside tensioner. And finally, carb. vs. FI. I have an '06 and it's carb'd. Wish I had the injection. To me, just less of a hassle (meaning turn the key and go, no choke to mess with). But, if you're in to tuning, you can mess with the jets on your carb'd bike. For injection, your going to need a tuner, power commander, etc. etc., and expect to spend some time on the dyno and/or download some canned maps. Take it for what it's worth, I'm a Harley newbie, but this info I've gleaned of many of the threads here on this forum.

Good luck in your search and be patient. There are some great deals to be had.

 

Thanks Glen,

Last question and then I'll start reading...

What is the difference between the deuce and regular softtails? I thought for the most part it was just the tanks and a few other subtle cosmetics that made the deuce different...

 

Here is a good read


http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roa...uce/index.html

 

Sorry, regarding parts don't fit, I should have said, a lot of cosmetic parts don't fit. I'm not sure why, they're basically the same bike except for like you say, the gas tank and the rear fender (plus you get the chrome front end). I just noticed that when you look through the Softail parts catalog, some parts will have the "*", with the * meaning, "fits all Softail models except the FXSTD"

 

Sure do hear this a lot.

 

The Deuce is a great looking bike. Considering the bike was released in 2005, the mileage could equate to only 5,500 a year which is OK. My bike is carbed, my wife is fuel injected. I like them both. I can tinker with my carb to get it running correctly. Hers has a SERT and everything is done at the Harley shop since I'm not a fuel injection guy.

 

I love my Deuce, but if you do purchase one get use to "fits all Softail models except the FXSTD". When available the Deuce was on the high end of the Softail line-up, so it has much more chrome than a Fatboy or Softail Standard. You can always find parts for it, just a little more challenging.

 

I thought the Deuce was released in 2000 and ceased in 2007 or 08 . I could be wrong .

 

The Deuce owners get used to " not for FXSTD" but that is part of what makes the Deuce. Now that it has been discontinued we will become even more of a rareity. I like it!!