HD 103, first impressions
Retired Admin
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 21,865
Likes: 9,047
From: Wisconsin
I've taken a couple of 2 and 3 hundred mile trips with my Stage II 103" build with the 255 cams, SE AC and SE Touring mufflers. No SEST, just the ECM flash. I'm very happy with this build too. Lots of low end grunt and I can get up to highway speed very quickly even with the wife on the back end. Hills are easy as it can be.
I'm coming off a 2002 Heritage that had a 103" engine with 260 cams, SE Heads and I don't think I lost much power at all.
I'm coming off a 2002 Heritage that had a 103" engine with 260 cams, SE Heads and I don't think I lost much power at all.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 0
From: Metro Denver
Here's an "mpg" update after my ride today.
Rode 250 miles, average speed was 53.7 (GPS info), winds out of the SW at 10mph, and my bike gave me a great run of 44.13 mpg.
Having copious amounts of torque (plus horsepower to back it up) allows this 103" Stage III to cruise effortlessly, even with the wind.
(Note: If I owned the bike outright, I may have looked at an HQ 107 or a JIMS 120 build, just to compare the options, but since the bank still owns the majority share and I have a warranty to consider, the 103" Stage III was 'my' preferred option.)
Rode 250 miles, average speed was 53.7 (GPS info), winds out of the SW at 10mph, and my bike gave me a great run of 44.13 mpg.
Having copious amounts of torque (plus horsepower to back it up) allows this 103" Stage III to cruise effortlessly, even with the wind.
(Note: If I owned the bike outright, I may have looked at an HQ 107 or a JIMS 120 build, just to compare the options, but since the bank still owns the majority share and I have a warranty to consider, the 103" Stage III was 'my' preferred option.)
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,663
Likes: 7
From: Northeast Ohio
Glad all of you are satisfied with your 103's. Problem is you dont have a comparison, and that is probably a good thing, if you rode a well prepped 113, 117 or 120, you would be robbing your kid's piggy banks to finance one!!
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 267
Likes: 1
From: S.C.
No Piggy bank here to Rob!
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 987
Likes: 2
From: Sierra Nevada Mountains of N. Calif
Well I can't say much for gas milage. When I was breaking in the motor and taking it easy I was around 45 mpg. But now I am lucky to get 180 miles on one tank. Every time I fill up I promise myself that I will stop twisting so hard but than it happens. Every single acceleration from a stop I just have to crank it. Seriously, I can't stop it. I am afraid I am going to wear out my motor real quick but its so hard to ride it easy. Someday I am going to do the HQ107. I want this bike to act like my motocross bike. When I twist the throttle I want to be able to lift the front tire off the ground. But than again, with my lack of self discipline maybe that would not be a goog idea
Last edited by Hoffy; May 3, 2009 at 08:33 PM.
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 457
Likes: 0
From: West Virginia
Hey Hoffy,
I love my 103 set up , other than some heat issues from time to time. The 255 cams work well for my taste. I had the heads done along with the deal . The only goof was not doing the cam tensioners. I'm not going to the gear drive. I'm opting for the hydro SE package at a latter date. I did it when the bike was new so I can't compare it to a stock TC88 but I can say that it is way stronger that the old Pan Head or Evo that I rode.
Tom
I love my 103 set up , other than some heat issues from time to time. The 255 cams work well for my taste. I had the heads done along with the deal . The only goof was not doing the cam tensioners. I'm not going to the gear drive. I'm opting for the hydro SE package at a latter date. I did it when the bike was new so I can't compare it to a stock TC88 but I can say that it is way stronger that the old Pan Head or Evo that I rode.
Tom
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Texas Fat Boy
Touring Models
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Dec 29, 2009 05:47 PM
