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Not much power difference felt due to changed gearing.
EFI (depending on you ... a lot prefer simple carbs).
88 Ups ..
Cheaper 88 engine can be modified with new Oilpump/Cam tensioner and throw in better cams/plate for around 1.5K CAD$ (shop labor included).
Without the previous upgrade after 40K you run risk of destroying your engine.
Can be obtained in Carbs in certain years, and a lot of peeps prefer that.
Runs Cooler stock.
Personally, I prefer smaller engines on lighter bikes, I would be on a sporty rigid if I did not have a passenger, but I digress.
I prefer Carbs, if I wanted Electronics and technology I would be riding Liquid cooled Jap.
Personally, I like my bike to cost me as little as possible and I will have to measure the budget between older 88+mods vs. newer 96.
Not to mention different finishes (I am happy with my standard but some days I wish it was the cool black engine ).
I've ridden both on the same model (Heritage). Hard to really tell any difference at all. My brother has an '06' 88 inch and I have an '09' 96 inch. The main thing I like is the six speed. If you're shopping and find a really nice 88 inch I wouldn't let that stop you from buying.
As a general rule when it comes to money or engine displacement: more is better!
+1
And there are plenty of bikes out there running o2 sensors that are tuned by Sert, Sespt and TTS that run great and get 40 - 50 MPG and more at cruise.
Not much power difference felt due to changed gearing.
EFI (depending on you ... a lot prefer simple carbs).
88 Ups ..
Cheaper 88 engine can be modified with new Oilpump/Cam tensioner and throw in better cams/plate for around 1.5K CAD$ (shop labor included).
Without the previous upgrade after 40K you run risk of destroying your engine.
Can be obtained in Carbs in certain years, and a lot of peeps prefer that.
Runs Cooler stock.
Personally, I prefer smaller engines on lighter bikes, I would be on a sporty rigid if I did not have a passenger, but I digress.
I prefer Carbs, if I wanted Electronics and technology I would be riding Liquid cooled Jap.
Personally, I like my bike to cost me as little as possible and I will have to measure the budget between older 88+mods vs. newer 96.
Not to mention different finishes (I am happy with my standard but some days I wish it was the cool black engine ).
96 downs
Weak cranks
88 downs
Seen tensioners go at less that 20,000 and ruin an engine.
If I were to get an 88, it would be a pre 03 as they had the strongest bottom end of the twincams, still cheap *** inner cam bearings though.
Last edited by chester1957; Sep 9, 2010 at 07:04 AM.
Reason: error
96 has about 2 hp more than the 88... big difference would be the tranny, otherwise it's all pretty will feel the same
88 has a weak tensioner as mentioned though
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