I have the factory service manual here and the XR is rubber mounted the same way as the XL models!

 

I think I will do that. I think a 883 low would fit the bill for me. It has the big tank. I need to research the conversion to 1200 because I honestly dont think I would be satisfied with the power. However, I have heard many say the new efi 883 runs almost as strong as the older 1200's. I will just have to try one out to see. I would love to have the bigger tank, rubber mount and efi. My 1200 is a stage 1 and no slouch imo and it has plenty of power for me.

 

The XR does have a rubber mounted engine like all newer Sporties. I worked at a dealer for a few years, we put a stock 07 XL on a dino. It put out 60hp@79flp torque.

 

So if the old carb Sporties were lighter w/less hp & tq than the newer EFI Sporties(weight more), which is supposed to have more hp & tq, than the bikes should be the same preformance wise. Comparing stock to stock here.

 

I find it easier to access the performance of rubber mounts than the solid mounts, so setting aside which is best on paper, rubber mounts are better IMHO on the road. I can't imagine riding very far at 85mph on a solid mount, but my 2011 883 is very happy.

 

I'm not referring to ride comfort here. There is no doubt that the rubber mounts are much better. What I'm getting at is that there should be little or no gain in 0-60 times and or quarter mile times between the older HD Sportsters since they were smaller and lighter. The newer Sportsters have EFI which was suppose to boost HP & Torque. But at the same time the newer bike has gotten heaver. Hence performance should be roughly the same.....speed wise.

 

I don't think that is a natural conclusion. The torque characteristics of the two are, AFAIK, quite different, so if one of them has a higher torque/weight ratio in the low/mid range it will beat the other off the line. There is no certainty which will be quickest, or if performance is actually the same. It would be pure chance if they are neck and neck in performance.

Unfortunately, where Harleys are concerned, there is precious little reliable info out there on the performance of bone stock bikes! It will be very difficult to work out if solid mounts are quicker or slower than later ones, because nobody can leave the poor things alone!

 

Seriously only a 5+(5-7) HP gain with spending close to a grand for mufflers, A/C and fuel management module? Sounds like a poor return on a big chuck of $.

 

That investment optimises air/fuel ratios, solves any heat problems, also boosts torque, I suspect significantly more than by 5. Modern vehicles are not suitable for back street tuning any more - we have to sneak up on 'em and hijack them with a bit of technology!

 

Let's just hope that we can still keep doing that in the future to get around the ever encroaching, over reaching arms of the Feds.