Touring motor
I think your good, your just a touch over what I have at 107 hp and 112 tq. I've been running that for just about the entire life of my bike and have had absolutely no problems and still get ~35 mpg on the freeway, more if I go slower.
However, I totally get it. I was looking at some of those 131 ci power plants today that produce 160+ tq. I want but certainly don't need and I doubt my mileage would be very good.
However, I totally get it. I was looking at some of those 131 ci power plants today that produce 160+ tq. I want but certainly don't need and I doubt my mileage would be very good.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 6,129
Likes: 143
From: Santa Cruz
Personalty I believe anything much above 100hp on a stock bottom end is asking for trouble over the long haul. But I'd have no trouble running a nice 117 build... But really how fast ya want to run a touring frame???
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
I seriously looked into using an S&S 145", but eventually came to realise that could well prove to be too much, hence my moderation, as expressed above!!!!
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 498
Likes: 28
From: Iowa
I have a 2012 103 with SE Air and supertrapp 2:1. I have taken a couple of 4000 mile trips with wife on the back and pulling a Bushtec trailer. I ride 2500-3000 RPM's. I come off the line fine with no bogging down. On flat / rolling terrain I have no issues. On steeper grades I lose speed. I've been thinking about Wood TW222 or maybe Andrews
57H. I dont know if a cam would help me hold my speed on those grades.
57H. I dont know if a cam would help me hold my speed on those grades.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
You're running with fairly low rpms, well below your best torque, which is around 3-4k rpms. A change down a gear or two will keep you rolling, by raising rpms when on those steeper grades. A change of cam may well improve things, as also will reduced gearing, if that is possible.
Last edited by grbrown; Apr 11, 2013 at 01:07 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,664
Likes: 184
From: Indiana, USA
My experience is you gain heat with cubes. For many years 74 cu.in. was more than adequate. If yiou need more in a 74 torque is where you start.
Cam up whatever you have for more torque and avoid the heated thigh problem
Cam up whatever you have for more torque and avoid the heated thigh problem
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 421
Likes: 71
From: Hayward Ca
For me a touring motor has to be reliable. There is nothing worse than being stranded a 1000 miles from home. I put 88K miles on my ’08 stage 1 96" motor with no problems what so ever. When the motor came apart to be rebuilt it really looked pretty good. I'm confident I had a lot more miles left in that motor.
That being said I could have definitely used a lot more HP and torque to pull those long grades loaded and 2 up. More torque and HP means a lot more stress on the bottom end so for me a great, reliable "touring motor" starts with a strong bottom end.
I know many here will disagree but if you want something reliable that will go 100K miles and are planning on running much over 100hp / 100tq Id start with the bottom end.
I have many friends that take the quick and inexpensive route on their builds and it seems their motors are apart every few years for one thing or another.
I’m currently running about 107 hp / 124 tq on my 106” build with a pretty bullet proof bottom end. I've yet to meet the grade that can slow me down … I'll let you know in a few years how my reliability / longevity theory pans out.
That being said I could have definitely used a lot more HP and torque to pull those long grades loaded and 2 up. More torque and HP means a lot more stress on the bottom end so for me a great, reliable "touring motor" starts with a strong bottom end.
I know many here will disagree but if you want something reliable that will go 100K miles and are planning on running much over 100hp / 100tq Id start with the bottom end.
I have many friends that take the quick and inexpensive route on their builds and it seems their motors are apart every few years for one thing or another.
I’m currently running about 107 hp / 124 tq on my 106” build with a pretty bullet proof bottom end. I've yet to meet the grade that can slow me down … I'll let you know in a few years how my reliability / longevity theory pans out.
Last edited by BB59; Apr 11, 2013 at 12:59 PM.