best / most reliable engine from 2001 to 2017
#21
#22
Mine is a 103 also with Heads, Cams, Pistons, clutch, and a few other goodies. One of these days try an 07 sportster pulley on your bike and see if it doesn't cost you a few back tires to get the smile off of your face.
#24
If it's as simple as just changing the rear pulley I could do that on a rainy day.
Last edited by roussfam; 08-25-2017 at 05:26 AM.
#25
I had an 07 Street Bob and I agree with you. I wouldn't even bother to hit 6th gear unless I was doing 65 MPH or more. My 09 is much better, 55 MPH and I can hit 6th, but I usually don't hit high gear until about 60 or so.
#26
#28
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.
#29
Not completely untrue either (6 year old thread too). I think the twinkie is a great engine that doesn't suffer from oil leaks like the evo does such as through the stator plug and cylinder base gaskets with pulled base studs. The Evo had a crappy period too where the cases were thin and prone to breaking not to mention the goofy way they mount the engine to the trans that no doubt would flex. People point to the cam chain tensioners on the twinkie. My 06 Electra-glide had the tensioners done at 80k miles as preventative maintenance and thats it. Same compensator, zero trans problems, no leaks. I've had an Evo and there's no way I would seek one out when the twinkie does it all. My 06 doesn't have ABS or throttle by wire, just EFi and Im happy to have that too since its dead reliable.
The following 3 users liked this post by hellonewman:
#30
Not completely untrue either (6 year old thread too). I think the twinkie is a great engine that doesn't suffer from oil leaks like the evo does such as through the stator plug and cylinder base gaskets with pulled base studs. The Evo had a crappy period too where the cases were thin and prone to breaking not to mention the goofy way they mount the engine to the trans that no doubt would flex. People point to the cam chain tensioners on the twinkie. My 06 Electra-glide had the tensioners done at 80k miles as preventative maintenance and thats it. Same compensator, zero trans problems, no leaks. I've had an Evo and there's no way I would seek one out when the twinkie does it all. My 06 doesn't have ABS or throttle by wire, just EFi and Im happy to have that too since its dead reliable.
Easy fix with a upgraded kit.
No different than the 07 up with all
The comp failures, Still running stock
comp in my 06 ultra.
The following 2 users liked this post by buell95:
hellonewman (08-06-2023),
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