97 vs 03
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,687
Likes: 9
From: SoCal & West TN
Eh45,
You can see that the ones that still ride EVO models will always say that the EVO is the best.
It may be for them. I was happy with my 1998 Ultra.
When I was forced to replace it, I could have saved a lot of money and gotten one the same year. But I looked at all of the improvements and I had to go out to get the newest model I could. It is never a mistake to test all options and get the one that you know you will be happy owning for many years to come.
You will find that there are a lot of Harley dealers that, unless you are a local Regular customer, will tell you they don't work on EVO models any more.
I have found that when I pulled into a dealer when I was away from home and riding the 1998 Ultra (I had before it was totaled last year) the dealers did not want to talk to me. It is a good thing I worked on it my self and sometimes had to tell the local dealer what to do when they had on in their shop (not mine).
You can see that the ones that still ride EVO models will always say that the EVO is the best.
It may be for them. I was happy with my 1998 Ultra.
When I was forced to replace it, I could have saved a lot of money and gotten one the same year. But I looked at all of the improvements and I had to go out to get the newest model I could. It is never a mistake to test all options and get the one that you know you will be happy owning for many years to come.
I have found that when I pulled into a dealer when I was away from home and riding the 1998 Ultra (I had before it was totaled last year) the dealers did not want to talk to me. It is a good thing I worked on it my self and sometimes had to tell the local dealer what to do when they had on in their shop (not mine).
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 760
Likes: 6
From: Central Wisconsin
[/quote] You will find that there are a lot of Harley dealers that, unless you are a local Regular customer, will tell you they don't work on EVO models any more.
I have found that when I pulled into a dealer when I was away from home and riding the 1998 Ultra (I had before it was totaled last year) the dealers did not want to talk to me. It is a good thing I worked on it my self and sometimes had to tell the local dealer what to do when they had on in their shop (not mine).[/quote]
Can you put a name on those dealers that refuse to work on Evo's? I sure as Hell woun't be troubleing them on my travels!!! I've never had any trouble with a shop not wanting to work on my bike...wheather it was a Shovel, an Evo or a Twin Cam. There is usually an 'Ol' Timmer' or two in the shop that can work on anything.
Last edited by FXSTS-88; May 26, 2010 at 05:24 AM.
Oh c'mon. Nobody was saying the EVO motor is the best. There are some of us old-timers who feel it's still a viable platform, though.
You will find that there are a lot of Harley dealers that, unless you are a local Regular customer, will tell you they don't work on EVO models any more.
I have found that when I pulled into a dealer when I was away from home and riding the 1998 Ultra (I had before it was totaled last year) the dealers did not want to talk to me. It is a good thing I worked on it my self and sometimes had to tell the local dealer what to do when they had on in their shop (not mine).
Last edited by Mike; May 26, 2010 at 01:05 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 556
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, NY
Right now is a great time to purchase a used bike. It is a Buyers market.
In my opinion, the newer the better. If you get any EVO, you are stepping back. It is obsolete and harder to find parts and accessories for them. And you can't beat the EFI for reliability, EVO or Twinkie.
Each year has pluses and minuses but no older than 2004.
2004 has a better EFI.
2006 has better Radio.
In my opinion, you should seriously look for a 2007 or newer for several reasons.
2007 the motor was raised to 96" and a 6 Speed Transmission.
2008 has the 6 Gallon Fuel Tank, Throttle by Wire, and Brembo Brakes. ABS was optional on all Touring Models. the fuel tank makes this year the bottom, as far as I am concerned.
2009 has new frame. This is a Great improvement. this is why i passed up great deals on 2008 models for the new frame.
In my opinion, the newer the better. If you get any EVO, you are stepping back. It is obsolete and harder to find parts and accessories for them. And you can't beat the EFI for reliability, EVO or Twinkie.
Each year has pluses and minuses but no older than 2004.
2004 has a better EFI.
2006 has better Radio.
In my opinion, you should seriously look for a 2007 or newer for several reasons.
2007 the motor was raised to 96" and a 6 Speed Transmission.
2008 has the 6 Gallon Fuel Tank, Throttle by Wire, and Brembo Brakes. ABS was optional on all Touring Models. the fuel tank makes this year the bottom, as far as I am concerned.
2009 has new frame. This is a Great improvement. this is why i passed up great deals on 2008 models for the new frame.
So, don't hesitate to look at anything older than 2007. It is all a big fallacy that bigger is better.
Last edited by Stash905; May 26, 2010 at 10:00 AM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,377
Likes: 223
I'd reccomend getting the newest Electra glide you can find in your price range.
From experience, it takes a lot of preventative maintenance and upkeep to keep an older bike on the road and have it "perform reliably for thousands of miles". Unless you really like wrenching and running an older 'glide, your better off with a newer one.
I keep my EVO, only because I love the f*cking thing and all the memories I've made with it over the years. But that means that I do all my own work and get most parts for it from the aftermarket. It is not the kind of ride that if something goes on it , you can drop it off to any dealer and they'll fix it right.
From experience, it takes a lot of preventative maintenance and upkeep to keep an older bike on the road and have it "perform reliably for thousands of miles". Unless you really like wrenching and running an older 'glide, your better off with a newer one.
I keep my EVO, only because I love the f*cking thing and all the memories I've made with it over the years. But that means that I do all my own work and get most parts for it from the aftermarket. It is not the kind of ride that if something goes on it , you can drop it off to any dealer and they'll fix it right.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 760
Likes: 6
From: Central Wisconsin
Kinda off Thread...
I just rebuilt the fuel system on my Ol' '88 Evo. Broke the damned plastic L-joint fuel inlet on the carb. The carb rebuild kit, fuel inlet, intake gaskets and a new petcock all came from a H-D dealer...all were in stock. I try to do most of my own work, so can't vouch for this dealer's skills. Seems to me that if they have the parts, someone there probably knows how to do the work.
I didn't have much of a tool selection, but the task got done w/o too much hassel. Only had to buy a 1/4"x5/16" ratchet wrench.
BTW, I'm visiting family in MD...1100 miles on a 22 year old Evo!!!!!
I didn't have much of a tool selection, but the task got done w/o too much hassel. Only had to buy a 1/4"x5/16" ratchet wrench.
BTW, I'm visiting family in MD...1100 miles on a 22 year old Evo!!!!!
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,479
Likes: 4
From: SoCal
I'd get a 99-newer bike to have the Twin-Cam design. I wouldn't avoid the pre-'03 EFI models since the newer Delphi EFI was chosen to meet stiff new EPA emissions requirements (throttle-by-wire and closed-loop) that the MM EFI design was never meant nor
designed for. Both are good EFI platforms, HD had no choice to go to the newer system if they wanted manufacturing licenses to sell their bikes. And don't let anybody tell you the MM EFI systems are difficult to modify, I"ve gone from stock through Stage III+ and the system is without flaws.
designed for. Both are good EFI platforms, HD had no choice to go to the newer system if they wanted manufacturing licenses to sell their bikes. And don't let anybody tell you the MM EFI systems are difficult to modify, I"ve gone from stock through Stage III+ and the system is without flaws.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: Boise Idaho
How long to you want to keep the bike you are going to purchase? Are you buying it to ride until you are ready to buy the next bike or are you looking for your long term dream bike? I was lookingat used bikes when the 09's came out. My wife gave me great advice and suggested that I just find a way to get the one I really wanted and be done with it. That motivated me to look at all my toys and sell a few that made the purchase of a new bike possible.
Of course I didn't fully understand that with the bike came various crack dealers in the form of the accessory catalog, aftermarket catalogs, and this forum that now has me obsessed with looking for more power. The good thing is that I am spending money on a bike that I plan to keep for a very long time.
Of course I didn't fully understand that with the bike came various crack dealers in the form of the accessory catalog, aftermarket catalogs, and this forum that now has me obsessed with looking for more power. The good thing is that I am spending money on a bike that I plan to keep for a very long time.