Is the larger motor always better?
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 10
From: Oh
Having run the gamut on motors through the years I have found the size of the motor can be misleading. There are plenty of older bikes with less CC's that will walk away from anything HD puts out today. An older 88" (95" kit w/ right cams) motor with the right modification will walk all over a stock new 110". There are many 96" motors that will do the same. Do some research on "oversquare and undersquare" motors as a start. Cams will also make a big difference as well as flowing the heads.
As the motors get bigger heat becomes a big factor and you are seeing that on today's Harley's, hence the new bikes all have oil coolers. The EPA has made the MOCO go to bigger and bigger motors to get the same HP/TQ ratios, performance of yesterday. I could have bought a 103" bike but, elected to stay with the 96" for some of these reasons. Do your research and good luck on your decision.
As the motors get bigger heat becomes a big factor and you are seeing that on today's Harley's, hence the new bikes all have oil coolers. The EPA has made the MOCO go to bigger and bigger motors to get the same HP/TQ ratios, performance of yesterday. I could have bought a 103" bike but, elected to stay with the 96" for some of these reasons. Do your research and good luck on your decision.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 3
From: NYC
the need to do continual upgrades and modifications is a left brain activity. riding and having fun is a right brain one. If you are a left brain thinker, the mods and upgrades will appear to be an important aspect of bike ownership. if you are a right brain thinker, you will not give a hoot about mods and upgrades and would rather be on the open road having fun.
no advantages to larger motors. the performance gain between 88, 96, 103, 110 is does not have a high return on investment from a dollar spent to horse power gained ration. A stock engine with two riders can out maneuver anything on the road with 4 wheels.
no advantages to larger motors. the performance gain between 88, 96, 103, 110 is does not have a high return on investment from a dollar spent to horse power gained ration. A stock engine with two riders can out maneuver anything on the road with 4 wheels.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 694
Likes: 0
From:
Its a personal thing..... I go plenty fast for me with my 88. Drop down a gear and have
all the passing gitty up I need. I have a 96 and the same is true.. Yes, the 96 is the stronger, but I am not running to spend BIG BUCKS, just to say I have a 96, 103, or 110.
Its a mind game and a VERY subjective subject..... Oh, yeah, alot has to do with your
age as to what "I HAVE TO HAVE"........... I'm a old Geezer, you may be a Whipper Snapper.....................................hdman
all the passing gitty up I need. I have a 96 and the same is true.. Yes, the 96 is the stronger, but I am not running to spend BIG BUCKS, just to say I have a 96, 103, or 110.
Its a mind game and a VERY subjective subject..... Oh, yeah, alot has to do with your
age as to what "I HAVE TO HAVE"........... I'm a old Geezer, you may be a Whipper Snapper.....................................hdman
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,932
Likes: 4
From: 46th State, USA
If you're use to speed and performance a stock Harley is going to be a drag. I also was use to the stock 118 hp of a Goldwing. When I got my first Harley I thought something was wrong with it when I had to down shift to get up a small hill at 65 mph. Now I'm use to it and really never have gotten into a hurry anyhow.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 98
From: Colorado Springs
I'm starting my research for my first Harley. I've been riding streetfighters and sportbikes for the last 16 years. Recently my wife has began to enjoy riding with me so most of my trips now involve two of us. I'm not ready to drop cash on a new bike this year, but I've decided to off my current bike next year and buy a touring bike. I'm leaning towards a street glide or a road king. It seems like everyone on here seems to upgrade motors or advise going for the larger 103's if you can afford it. I'm totally over the "fast" thing, my current bike is 175 hp and redlines at 85mph in first gear, basically anything is going to feel slow to me. I plan on riding a lot of highway miles running between 70 and 80mph. Other than being faster are there other advantages to the larger motor? Is the gas mileage the same? Does it run the same RPM's at highway speed?
How about intake and exhaust mods, what are the advantages other than speed and sound? Will the bike run cooler or get better gas mileage? Will a pipe swap alone make a difference or should I do both?
I'm guessing the standard motor will work fine for me, but I don't want to find out later there were a bunch of advantages to the larger motors other than just being faster.
How about intake and exhaust mods, what are the advantages other than speed and sound? Will the bike run cooler or get better gas mileage? Will a pipe swap alone make a difference or should I do both?
I'm guessing the standard motor will work fine for me, but I don't want to find out later there were a bunch of advantages to the larger motors other than just being faster.
In the late 80's I sold my V-Max for a Harley. At the time the Max was the fastest production motorcycle made. It would run 10.5 second quarter miles, and I'd had it to 155mph indicated on several occasions. No fairing. Hell of a wild ride. Only thing Harley makes that'll come close to that stuff is a V-Rod.
What an air cooled Harley will give you is stump pulling torque at idle through mid range. With the proper cam the torque will stay on until 6K or so, but the fun of a Harley is in the low and mid ranges. It is a visceral experience that no other manufacturer has been able to duplicate, although Victory IMHO comes close.
More cubes will give you more of what is great about a Harley. It'll pay dividends on every ride. Solo, two up, in the hills whatever.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with a 96 or an 88 for that matter. But if you pop for a 103, I guarantee you'll never be wishing you'd got the 96. I can't say that the other way around.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,647
Likes: 11
From: Stockbridge, GA (Atlanta)
totally agree -- stock motors are slugs but if you like slugging around no need to spend $$$ on motor upgrades -- instead of HD 103; i would look to an aftermarket 107
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 17
From: Rosamond, Cali
The 88" TC was the standard 'bagger' engine for 8 years. Had it been inadequate, it couldn't have lasted that long. I've got an 04 stock displacement with SE 203 cams, and Stage 1 (intake/exhaust). It's plenty fast enough. In the summer when it's warm, it gets 42 MPG easy. (BTW, I just got rid of my 08 Busa, so you're making a similar transition.)
Of greater concern than displacement (in my opinion) is the various years' other engine features. Example: In 05, there were issues with some early bikes with valve guide seals; up until 07 the cam chain tensioners could be suspect; in 07 is when you got the 96" and a 6-speed (and also, the likelihood of heat-related issues on a stock bike); in 02 they went to Delphi injection; in 03 they dropped the Torrington left-side crank bearing and forged crank...etc. I recommend you read up on these things, and others, and get to 'know' the later model Harleys. BTW, if I was buying a used bike, I'd be very partial to a fuel injected 02 bagger with low miles. I'd change the cam chain tensioners (either upgrade to hydraulic with roller chains, or get gears), do the cams, air-cleaner, and exhaust, and ride the heck out of it. It'll be plenty strong enough to carry you and the missus up hills, past slow trucks, etc.
Good luck,
Alan
Of greater concern than displacement (in my opinion) is the various years' other engine features. Example: In 05, there were issues with some early bikes with valve guide seals; up until 07 the cam chain tensioners could be suspect; in 07 is when you got the 96" and a 6-speed (and also, the likelihood of heat-related issues on a stock bike); in 02 they went to Delphi injection; in 03 they dropped the Torrington left-side crank bearing and forged crank...etc. I recommend you read up on these things, and others, and get to 'know' the later model Harleys. BTW, if I was buying a used bike, I'd be very partial to a fuel injected 02 bagger with low miles. I'd change the cam chain tensioners (either upgrade to hydraulic with roller chains, or get gears), do the cams, air-cleaner, and exhaust, and ride the heck out of it. It'll be plenty strong enough to carry you and the missus up hills, past slow trucks, etc.
Good luck,
Alan
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,146
Likes: 471
From: along the Front Range in Colorado
........ my 'itty bitty 88' takes me & the girlfriend wherever we wanna go, reliably & w/o issue. Sure size DOES matter, but for a starter tour rig, they'll all get'cha there. Some just cost less.