best / most reliable engine from 2001 to 2017
#11
#13
Consensus? I don't agree. Nor would a lot of riders who have owned multiple ascending year HD's since 1984. The 1994 and newer EVO's are the most reliable of that group. But they are not as reliable as the newer (2007 and up) twin cams engines. You'll find a lot of 100K+ twin cam bikes around that have had only minor engine repairs done and are ready for 50K more. Not so for the EVO's, even the later year versions. A top end is almost mandatory for one over 75K. Plus you have to consider the availability of parts and service locations if you have an EVO equipped bike. That just goes hand n hand with what reliability is all about.
The following users liked this post:
ddhill (12-07-2023)
#14
If I take the title of your post literally then the answer is ...the Twin Cam....
If I take it figuratively then the answer would be ....the 2017's
As the Twin Can matured, each subsequent year got the latest updates, upgrades, improvements.
Oh yeah, welcome to the Forum and congrats on your first post
If I take it figuratively then the answer would be ....the 2017's
As the Twin Can matured, each subsequent year got the latest updates, upgrades, improvements.
Oh yeah, welcome to the Forum and congrats on your first post
#15
I've only had one TC which was an 88B engine. I did the cam tensionor upgrade at 40,000 miles even though it showed very little wear just as a precaution.
I sold it in 2013 after putting 88,000 miles on it in 8 years and the only issue it ever had was a weeping shift shaft seal. It was a 2005.
I sold it in 2013 after putting 88,000 miles on it in 8 years and the only issue it ever had was a weeping shift shaft seal. It was a 2005.
#16
The following 3 users liked this post by Bubba Zanetti:
#17
The following 4 users liked this post by tonymontanna1983:
#18
Evo pros:
Great sound
Reliable
Easy to upgrade for power
Evo cons:
Parts hard to find
Not much power
Early 90s sometimes crack cases around lifter blocks
Weeps (not leaks) from almost every place where 2 pieces of metal join
Twin Cam pros:
Better power
Easier to get parts
Looks more "refined" than Evos
Very little weepage anywhere
Twin Cam cons:
Cam tensioners (pre '07)
Certain bearings are sucky
Valve guides ('04 & '05)
Great sound
Reliable
Easy to upgrade for power
Evo cons:
Parts hard to find
Not much power
Early 90s sometimes crack cases around lifter blocks
Weeps (not leaks) from almost every place where 2 pieces of metal join
Twin Cam pros:
Better power
Easier to get parts
Looks more "refined" than Evos
Very little weepage anywhere
Twin Cam cons:
Cam tensioners (pre '07)
Certain bearings are sucky
Valve guides ('04 & '05)
#19
Cons of the 07 twin cam 96, the 6 speed transmission, the gears are too tall, I had to put a Sportster rear pulley on my Road King to make the Transmission and the rest of the bike work together. Also I had to have my transmission rebuilt at about 57000 miles, because of the **** poor stock bearings.
The following users liked this post:
Tony P (08-09-2023)
#20