I've gotta friend that a 99 RK looks just like the new ones. Runs great rides great and a heckuva a lot cheaper. If you're not into it real deep and like the bike build the hell out of it and enjoy it. A lot of people seem to need the peace of mind of a warranty. mine will soon be 2 years old and it's never been back to the dealer. If i had it to do over again I'd buy a used one that already had a lot of up grades done to it.

 

I could afford a new one, but would like to have as much fun riding it as with the 88. Are the sensation as good ?

 

I took my 88 out to 95 stage IV ( SE heads, Andrews TW31G gear drive cams , flat tops, mikuni 42/Vand H propipe HS, Dyna Ignition cometic kit etc) it was WAY quick and pulled like a freight train with 104hp/108lbs ft.

I now have a stage II 103 ( SE 255/jugs/SERT/SE slipons) it is only 95hp but 111 lbs ft .
A lot smoother and more than adequate power , not noticeable change riding 2 up loaded.
The big advantage of my 07 vs the 02 is the 6 speed , which is great on the super slab.

If you like your bike go to the 95 /heads/ cams it is easily capable of running with many 103's.If you want the 6 speed/Brembo's/ABS etc then go toa new bike with the 103 .

 

Here's how I felt....... 1st Harley just over a year ago with a sweet deal on an 01 Dyna Glide 88w/ carb. Rode it a year and found out I would never look back. Knew I wanted to stay with an 88 but wanted EFI. Went on a search for the last year of the 88 an 06 w/ a better ride. She came to me sitting in the back of the shop of Great South HD w/1450 miles bone stock. I don't know how long it will take me to wear out an 88but when I do I will punch it out to 95 and do it again or who knows maybe by then a Jims 131.

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I have a '08 Street Glide. It's 96" engine made 62hp stock and now makes 80hp with a stage 1 kit. 80hp is enough for me but if you need more you can go to stage 2 or stage 3. I assume that the 95" and the 103" have the same size pistons and if they do then they both make the same amount of power. The 103" just can't rev as high as the 95" but makes more torque and is better for the street because it doesn't have to rev as high - more bottom end torque, lower rpms is better for stop and go street driving.

If you buy an '08 you also get a 6 gallon gas tank, Brembo brakes, 6 speed transmission, different engine mounting in the frame, and shall I say it, new tires too. But you pay more money for that. On the other hand, your '01, as was already said,will always be an '01.

The power output of a stock 88" is the same as a stock 96". The reason is that power is determined by piston area not piston displacement. Both the 88" and 96" have the same size pistion diameter just different length strokes. The different strokes determine the rpm that the engine can rev to safely, the 88" revs higher (6,000 rpm stock)than the 96" (5,500 rpm stock)but makes less torque and the power ends up the same. If you modify the 88" and 96" the same, they will both make the same amount of power at different rpms because you can use a longer duration cam in the 88 because it can rev higher.If you rev the 96" to the same rpms as the 88" it won't last as long because the average piston speed will be higher and there will be more load on the crankcase, the crank and the rods and the pistons. The lower the engine revs the broader the power bandwidth is, or the more low end torque it will have relative to it's top end torque. This is the main reason HD went to the longer stroke in '07 to make the 96" engine. It makes a better street engine that doesn't have to rev as high as the 88". Also, they make more money selling piston kits seperatly, otherwise they would have put a 95" engine (with bigger pistons than the 88" and more horsepower)in the bikes instead of the 96" (with a longer stroke than the 88" and the same horsepower).

If you modify your engine to make more horsepower you need to increase the piston diameter (once you've reached your limit though normal hot rodding - porting heads, higher compression, over revving,etc., etc.). The reason is that if you want bigger valves (to let more air in)you must have bigger pistons. You can't put bigger valves in an engine that you just stroked. If you modify your engine to make a broader power bandwith you need a longer stroke and a milder cam (more torque, lower rpms, same amout of power).

 

IMO the moco keeps making Harley's better every year, more improvements in the way of heads, caming for sure, fuel injection. They all look the same, but I would not go back to an EVO from my TC96!

 

I've had two 88's and now have a 96", which is now a 103", and I like it.....a lot.

 

I've got a '01 with a 95/1550 with SC heads, S&S .510 gear drive cams, flat tops, race tuner and D&D Fat Cat exhaust and I love it! Over 100+ hp and she pulls like a freight train! Best part....it's paid for!!!

 

IMHO, which isn't worth much, take your time and figure out what fits your wallet and the type of riding you want to do. If you buy an older bike you won't pay as much up front so you will have more for the bling and the power. You also won't have to struggle with wondering how any engine/bike mods might effect your warranty. I have an '02 Ultra with a 95" and cams, which is plenty of power to pull me, the better half, and packed bagsaround. It doesn't have Brembo, or ABS, but it is a great bike thatwe will get many more years of enjoyment out of. I must agree, though, that the technology of the new HDs is almost too good to pass up. I guess that's why I just bought an '08 RG with ABSfor a commuter bike.

 

Go rent a new one then decide.