Should Have, Would Have, Could Have
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 334
Likes: 5
From: Central IN
Should Have, Would Have, Could Have
Been sitting on the fence & getting tired of picking the splinters out. I have a stock '03 Ultra Classic w/ 31,000 on the clock. Ride 2 up 90-95% of the time. Bought the bike last spring & we put on 7100 miles this year. All but 750 were 1 day rides (leave at 8:00 in the morning & back at 8:00 at night). We're looking to take more overnight rides next year.
Was wondering if I should go from the 88" to the 95" & cam route, OR trade up and get a newer bike? I'm wanting some more low end torque for passing, carrying the extra weight (400# for both of us- that means I need to go on a diet..) as well as packing for longer trips. With a fresh top end I'd keep it for a few more years.
So what I'm asking is :
1. If you rebuilt/upgraded the motor, are you glad that you did?
2. If you rebuilt/upgraded the motor, do you wish that you had just traded up?
3. If you had traded up, do you wish that you had rebuilt/upgraded the motor of your old bike & kept it?
Thanks for any advice.
Ride safe.
Was wondering if I should go from the 88" to the 95" & cam route, OR trade up and get a newer bike? I'm wanting some more low end torque for passing, carrying the extra weight (400# for both of us- that means I need to go on a diet..) as well as packing for longer trips. With a fresh top end I'd keep it for a few more years.
So what I'm asking is :
1. If you rebuilt/upgraded the motor, are you glad that you did?
2. If you rebuilt/upgraded the motor, do you wish that you had just traded up?
3. If you had traded up, do you wish that you had rebuilt/upgraded the motor of your old bike & kept it?
Thanks for any advice.
Ride safe.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 28,559
Likes: 3,955
From: Vermont
Depends on what all you want. Yes there are a lot of great things about getting a new bike like the upgraded tensioners, better oil pump, larger 6 gallon tank, better frame, TBW, etc. etc. Older bikes are also great when upgraded. All boils down to money. For starters, your tensioners need to be looked at so you should definitely go in there anyway. If you keep the 03, I'd throw in the upgraded SE kit with pump, plate and tensioners then put in a good torquey cam and throw on a stage 1 air cleaner and some pipes and get a good tune. I think you'd be happy.
Club Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,633
Likes: 54
From: GA
Don't forget the 6 speed the newer bikes have!
That being said, I think a lot, not all, of the advancements/different bits the new bikes have can be added to your rig and it'll cost less than a new ride. From what I've seen, these bikes will go a whole lot further than 31K miles so you got nothing to worry about there.
That being said, I think a lot, not all, of the advancements/different bits the new bikes have can be added to your rig and it'll cost less than a new ride. From what I've seen, these bikes will go a whole lot further than 31K miles so you got nothing to worry about there.
Last edited by Gadgetech; Dec 26, 2010 at 10:16 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,507
Likes: 23
From: Orange County Texas
It also depends on how comfortable you are on your 03. It takes a lot of work to get a bike just right. If everything else is the way you want it and all you want is more power, then go for more power.
But, if you want a new bike you know the answer.
But, if you want a new bike you know the answer.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 334
Likes: 5
From: Central IN
If I rebuild, it'll be with hyd tensioner & upgraded oil pump, Andrews 21 cam, flat top pistons (no compression release) don't know about the Tru Duals yet...
If I get a newer ride, 6 gallon tank, bigger tires, newer bike...
Leaning towards the rebuild right now, but...
Thanks for the feedback Dawg, GT & TR
If I get a newer ride, 6 gallon tank, bigger tires, newer bike...
Leaning towards the rebuild right now, but...
Thanks for the feedback Dawg, GT & TR
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,561
Likes: 280
From: North Cental Iowa
If you're going to have somebody do the work the rebuild will probably be around 3 grand, to trade up somewhere around 9 or 10 grand, but you then have a newer bike that's worth more. Depends on how much you can afford to spend, nothing wrong with an older bike as I've got a 2000 with 92K on it. I'm looking to get another year or two out of it & then trade for an 09.
If you can afford it, my personal opinion would be a new bike...or at least an 09+
96, if not 103 inch motor
new frame = LOVE IT!
TBW = cheap and simple to add cruise (or do Power Package, which gives the 103 motor, cruise and security)
96, if not 103 inch motor
new frame = LOVE IT!
TBW = cheap and simple to add cruise (or do Power Package, which gives the 103 motor, cruise and security)
Trending Topics
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,403
Likes: 20
From: Indy
I have a buddy I ride with on occasion, he has 204,000 miles on his 03, it has had 2 top ends, and the cam plate upgrade , he did go with a 95 kit on one of the top ends.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 736
Likes: 23
From: Waverly Hall,Ga
I will tell you to save your coin and just upgade the cam chest...run that stock 88 till it needs a rebuild then go 95 or 98...I ride an 06 so much coin and still not finished and motor is still stock with Rush 1.75...How fast do you need to go...mine loves 75-80 all day tank to tank...
