06 bike vs new
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: Pittsfield, IL
06 bike vs new
hello all....I currently ride a Honda VTX1300C. I do alot of 2 up riding as well as long days in the saddle. The last couple months I've lived on Ebay and Craigslist as well as local dealers within a couple hundred miles searching for best deal I can find on a used bike...prefer and Electra Glide...I really wanted an 07 or newer with the 96ci motor and the 6speed trans. I've found quite a few 06's that I really like with the 88ci motor. How good is this motor.....are any of them fuel injected or are they all carbs? Some have very low miles and are what I consider a good deal compared to spending 20k for a new one ...which is out of the question anyway...THANKS for any help.....spending 13k or so on a used bike is alot of money and just want to be sure what I'm doing.....
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,639
Likes: 2
From: Australia
The brakes, suspension and frame were all radically changed in 09. The 09 is a very different bike to ride, it is firmer in the ride and handles better at high speed.
The earler twin cam 88s are all injected after about 2001 I think.
The 88ci has a weaker cam drive system which is higher maintenance and has caused a few engines to go south.
Get out there and ride both. Only you will know which bike suits you best.
The earler twin cam 88s are all injected after about 2001 I think.
The 88ci has a weaker cam drive system which is higher maintenance and has caused a few engines to go south.
Get out there and ride both. Only you will know which bike suits you best.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 4
From: Oklahoma
I bought my 06 fuel injected EGC in October 07. I bought it for two-up touring, and it has taken my wife and me in comfort from the Pacific Coast Highway to the Blue Ridge Parkway without missing a lick. The Good Lord willing, we're headed for Yellowstone and Glacier NPs next summer.
My wife likes to take a lot of stuff, and the Harley touring rigs are absolutely the only ones (including the GoldWing) which will do this without pulling a trailer. Put on an aftermarket seat and a luggage rack and you're good to go.
I bought mine with 6k on the clock. It now has 35k troublefree miles. The only thing I have done to it aside from faithful routine maintenance is replace one tourpak latch and do a home fix on the fairing braces.
The only weakness with the TC88 motor is the cam tensioner pads. They will wear out on you somewhere between 20k and 60k miles, and can trash the motor if you don't replace them before they wear out. But treat them as wear items to be replaced when the time comes and you will be ok. At 35k, mine still have a ways to go. I check them every 10k now.
I can't speak to how the 88ci five speeds compare to the newer 96ci six speeds, but my bike is everything I need or want in a tourer.
My wife likes to take a lot of stuff, and the Harley touring rigs are absolutely the only ones (including the GoldWing) which will do this without pulling a trailer. Put on an aftermarket seat and a luggage rack and you're good to go.
I bought mine with 6k on the clock. It now has 35k troublefree miles. The only thing I have done to it aside from faithful routine maintenance is replace one tourpak latch and do a home fix on the fairing braces.
The only weakness with the TC88 motor is the cam tensioner pads. They will wear out on you somewhere between 20k and 60k miles, and can trash the motor if you don't replace them before they wear out. But treat them as wear items to be replaced when the time comes and you will be ok. At 35k, mine still have a ways to go. I check them every 10k now.
I can't speak to how the 88ci five speeds compare to the newer 96ci six speeds, but my bike is everything I need or want in a tourer.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 906
Likes: 0
From: State College, PA
I have an 06
Love my 2006 model and would not trade for one of the newer ones.
Zero problems so far.
I like the 06 because it is the last year before the excessive heat, trans
wine and inner primary bearing probs.
Zero problems so far.
I like the 06 because it is the last year before the excessive heat, trans
wine and inner primary bearing probs.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 960
Likes: 1
From: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Used vs. new, 88 vs 96; $ vs. $$$...the issues are the same whether it is a car or a motorcycle. I usually look at new, but end up buying used because of the money savings. I can't speak for the 96 inch, but I purchased my 2006 used with 12,400 on the clock. It now has over 25K. No problems or regrets.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 4
From: Oklahoma
You check the tensioner pads by removing the cam "nose cone" cover (lower right side of motor) to see inside the cam chest. In order to get clearance to remove the cam cover, you have to remove the right exhaust pipe.
Once you have opened the cam chest you can easily inspect the outer tensioner pad. The inner one is harder to visually inspect because it is behind the cam support plate. But with a flashlight and a dental mirror you can see enough of it to tell how it is wearing.
All told, it is about a one hour job. No special tools required. You may need a new cover gasket, although so far I have not had any leaks when I reused the old one.
Some people prefer to keep track of the tensioner pads by cutting open their oil filters at oil change time and examining the filter material for tiny orange tensioner particles. I have tried this, but my experience is that cutting open the old oil filter is a big mess. Also, I just feel better seeing how much wear is left by seeing the pads themselves. Harley recommends replacing them when they are 50% worn.
Once you have opened the cam chest you can easily inspect the outer tensioner pad. The inner one is harder to visually inspect because it is behind the cam support plate. But with a flashlight and a dental mirror you can see enough of it to tell how it is wearing.
All told, it is about a one hour job. No special tools required. You may need a new cover gasket, although so far I have not had any leaks when I reused the old one.
Some people prefer to keep track of the tensioner pads by cutting open their oil filters at oil change time and examining the filter material for tiny orange tensioner particles. I have tried this, but my experience is that cutting open the old oil filter is a big mess. Also, I just feel better seeing how much wear is left by seeing the pads themselves. Harley recommends replacing them when they are 50% worn.
Trending Topics
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,263
Likes: 36
From: Georgia Mountains
Cam tensioner shoes have been beat to death on here. A search will result in hundreds of responses.
That being said. It's the weak link in the engine, but is easily monitored or remedied. The TC88 seems to run cooler than the 96's for reasons unknown to me. The 5 speed is more than adequate for most riding. I cruise at 3000 to 3200 RPM all day.
As I recall, I had the option of Carb or FI in 2005, so you need to look for that.
That being said. It's the weak link in the engine, but is easily monitored or remedied. The TC88 seems to run cooler than the 96's for reasons unknown to me. The 5 speed is more than adequate for most riding. I cruise at 3000 to 3200 RPM all day.
As I recall, I had the option of Carb or FI in 2005, so you need to look for that.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public
Verdad Gallardo
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
From: CNY
A friend of mine had a VTX and hid dad has always owned wings. My friend sold the VTX for a Hatley and could'nt believe a Harley could handly better than the Hondas. As the others have said keep an eye on the above issues and the TC88 will be good to you. I know a few guys with 100k on them and saw one with 190+ on it. I live in NY where it can be tough to put a lot of miles on a bike so you do not see bikes with these kinds of miles often. These are older guys that treat there bikes very well and do not beat on them as well as keeping the fluids changed on time.They just ride the crap out of them. One guy even tows a trailer with his. I have a 09 and the ride is not as plush as the older chassis but handles better. This suits my riding style well though. Good luck.
Last edited by Rnemhrd; Nov 10, 2009 at 08:49 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 944
Likes: 2
From: Tennessee
I have an '06 and I'm happy with it. I have not had any problems with it and it does not run hot. I would not trade it for one of the newer models but I might park a newer model next to it one day...