So did twin cams until 2003.

 

When I was speaking with the seller of the 06 I bought (original owner with all documents and accessories from new) I asked if the bike was a slug being an 88" engine. I had a 103 RK 6 speed in the past so I had my concerns but he said he didn't find it lacking and he was right. I was surprised it didn't seem like a down-grade from the 103 which goes to show how small the incremental improvements are when it comes to a Harley. Riding two up loaded with gear the 103 would shine but thats not what this bike is used for and the 5 speed shifts much better than the 6.

 

A good (not dealer done) Stage 1 88" is a nice running bike, until you need some real power to get around a line of cars on the highway. Then you will understand why their owners modify them. It doesn't take a lot; a set of torque cams like Andrews 21s will really help.

 

Maybe the 5 speed made it feel like it had more power than it does.

 

Evo Sporty - real solid daily ride. The 2004 up feature the rubber mount engine and Buell heads. 2007 brought fuel injection and such crisp throttle response.Stage one tune will surprise you as it wakes up the XL. Suspension upgrades are a must. As you age it’s an easy bike to ride, cheap to keep. My 2007 XL1200R a keeper.
I also had a Twin Cam 96” Ultra until last Sunday….early twin cams 88” have had cam chest issues, later twin cams 96” etc - compensators. My TC stranded me when the compensator went taking out my starter clutch at 17000 miles. Put a Baker in and avoided the HD parts - terrible - even the SE comp.
If you want a big twin still the later TC 103’s were much better. That compensator issue though really was a plague on the earlier TC’s.

 

They just get chintzier and chintzier and the factory keeps charging more and more.....Now the M8 has gone to a single cam with a chain drive from the pinion...

​​​​​Harley Davidson isn't a motorcycle anymore, it's just a brand.

 

there were cases of tc88 comps coming loose, but in general I never heard they were an issue. Issue seemed to come with 96" and maybe bigger engines.

 

14'+ Sportster EVO hands down
Oil Changes/Primary-Trans Fluid, Air Filters, Spark Plugs and it will outlive you and your children

 

For what its worth, here is my experience. Had two Evo's, a 1990 and 1991. No real problems with them. One sold at 39,000 miles, the other at about 43,000 miles. Have a 2014 Twinkie now that I bought new. 47,000 miles now. No oil use, no problem with GPS, compensator or water pump. BUT, the transmission bearings had to be replaced at 43,000 miles - can you believe it! My Toyota Sienna van, why.....it had to have the entire transmission replaced at 33,000 miles. Thank God for Japanese reliability. Right?

 

Which oil were you using in the '14 TwinCam's transmission? Just curious