new softails
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 65
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RE: new softails
I never really understood the whole "ATV" rear tire fad. My '05 FXSTBI already looks assimetrical with the 150 rear and the "O-ring" front. The picture of the '06 on HD's site just looks like a clown bike...the back is so huge compared with the front! I did look into a Deuce rear (strictly for the larger rim diameter - 17" looks less goofy with the 21" front than the standard 16") when I was changing the rims to mags, but gave up on it as just too much hassle. IMO, if they wanted to put a bigger tire on the 'Train, it should've been on the front, not the back. It would have made the front brake less of a joke, and looked better as well.
The 6-speed would be a real improvement, but there are better designs out there (DD6 Baker) than the one they're putting in the '06s. Another BIG improvement, and I hope this one will retrofit, is the automatic primary chain tensioner.
The 6-speed would be a real improvement, but there are better designs out there (DD6 Baker) than the one they're putting in the '06s. Another BIG improvement, and I hope this one will retrofit, is the automatic primary chain tensioner.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 194
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From: Gold Coast, Australia.
RE: new softails
I have heard that the 06 HDs won't be having carbs, they are all fuel injected except the Sportys. Even though the HD website says carb for a Standard.
Does anyone know for sure??
Does anyone know for sure??
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 68,021
Likes: 3,276
From:
RE: new softails
It's interesting why they would do that. I looked at the new Springers last night and they said that they were offered in both. I thought the same as you did that only the efi was going to be offered, maybe they changed their minds?
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From:
RE: new softails
Actually, this is one of the benefits to those "horrible new EPA rules" that everyone here seemed to be dredding; Harley has finally been dragged (kicking and screaming) into the 1990s. They've been forced to update their antiquated "open-loop" EFI. The '06 EFI is a "closed loop" system with an oxygen sensor in the exhaust. You'll now be able to change your air cleaner and/or mufflers and the system will adjust itself without any costly downloads or tuning from the dealers. I'm hopeful there will be an closed-loop EFI retro-fit kit for my open-loop '05 EFI.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,380
Likes: 3
From: NC
RE: new softails
"The '06 EFI is a "closed loop" system with an oxygen sensor in the exhaust. You'll now be able to change your air cleaner and/or mufflers and the system will adjust itself without any costly downloads or tuning from the dealers."
This is an interesting point.. I was just checking up on Rinehart exhausts and they already have the mount to accept the sensor. This means then that ALL the exhaust manufacturers will need to retool for adding one more item to the exhaust, which is no biggie for the big buys like Bub and V&H. It will make things pretty competitive for the little guys that "also sell exhaust pipes".
Does this mean the elimination of having to "remap" at the dealer? That would be a phenominal thing, where H-D actually added something that required LESS trips to the service dept to worry about what they'll forget, leave off, scratch or mis-install. [:@]
This is an interesting point.. I was just checking up on Rinehart exhausts and they already have the mount to accept the sensor. This means then that ALL the exhaust manufacturers will need to retool for adding one more item to the exhaust, which is no biggie for the big buys like Bub and V&H. It will make things pretty competitive for the little guys that "also sell exhaust pipes".
Does this mean the elimination of having to "remap" at the dealer? That would be a phenominal thing, where H-D actually added something that required LESS trips to the service dept to worry about what they'll forget, leave off, scratch or mis-install. [:@]
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 518
Likes: 1
From:
RE: new softails
Nah, this can't be true. It's too much of a new concept to be HD......
You must be on the wrong forum, LOL!
Howl,
Wolf
#####Does this mean the elimination of having to "remap" at the dealer? That would be a phenominal thing, where H-D actually added something that required LESS trips to the service dept to worry about what they'll forget, leave off, scratch or mis-install.#####
You must be on the wrong forum, LOL!
Howl,
Wolf
#####Does this mean the elimination of having to "remap" at the dealer? That would be a phenominal thing, where H-D actually added something that required LESS trips to the service dept to worry about what they'll forget, leave off, scratch or mis-install.#####
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 65
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From:
RE: new softails
Theoretically, it means that downloads for simple mods like air cleaners and mufflers should be a thing of the past. Of course, in reality it will depend on how much "self-adjustability" H-D programed into the system. They have to allow a wide-enough range of adjustment for any possible ambient condition (Death Valley, Pike's Peak, the North pole, etc.), plus some amount of "cushion". The amount of cushion allowed is what will save us or kill us on these mods, but engineers will generally provide a fair "fudge factor" and since you can be sure H-D will still wants to be selling air cleaners and mufflers for the '06s I bet we'll be OK.
On another note, I stopped at two dealers in the Milwaukee area on Friday (Aug. 5th) and each one had an '06 Night Train sitting right inside their front doors. Both were Vivid Black and so looked identical to my '05 from every angle except from the rear. Wow, is that thing chubby back there now! I know many of you crave the "ATV" look on the backs of your scootes and you've got it in spades now. Something you might want to check out before you get too nuts, though: the cosmetically-increased width of the rear tire has come at a possible cost (unless there has been some kind of breakthrough developement in drive belt technology that they're not telling us about...) in reliability/durability. You see, they had to shave the width of the rear drive belt down to about 3/4 of an inch! While this may or may not sound like enough for a stock bike (it looks absolutely puny!) I can't see how it will stand up to any serious HP increases, what with our current 1 inch belts being considered marginal for heavy-duty use already. Time will tell, but you may find yourselves having to chose between "show" and "go"....
On another note, I stopped at two dealers in the Milwaukee area on Friday (Aug. 5th) and each one had an '06 Night Train sitting right inside their front doors. Both were Vivid Black and so looked identical to my '05 from every angle except from the rear. Wow, is that thing chubby back there now! I know many of you crave the "ATV" look on the backs of your scootes and you've got it in spades now. Something you might want to check out before you get too nuts, though: the cosmetically-increased width of the rear tire has come at a possible cost (unless there has been some kind of breakthrough developement in drive belt technology that they're not telling us about...) in reliability/durability. You see, they had to shave the width of the rear drive belt down to about 3/4 of an inch! While this may or may not sound like enough for a stock bike (it looks absolutely puny!) I can't see how it will stand up to any serious HP increases, what with our current 1 inch belts being considered marginal for heavy-duty use already. Time will tell, but you may find yourselves having to chose between "show" and "go"....
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 186
Likes: 3
From: Ft Myers, Florida
RE: new softails
I just purchased an 06 Standard on the 30th of July and the 200 rear looks really nice. I got the carb on mine. I am going to be removing the license plate bracket and installing a side mount holder so that it will open up the rear and show off the tire more.
Not the greatest picture of it but it does show the bike.
[IMG]local://upfiles/3587/2724F1DFEBED48FDAC761C60CCC2F402.jpg[/IMG]
Not the greatest picture of it but it does show the bike.
[IMG]local://upfiles/3587/2724F1DFEBED48FDAC761C60CCC2F402.jpg[/IMG]