How big are the benefits of the step up? Especially if the bike will be used for country riding and occasional touring?

What are the comparisons like with performance upgrades? I think I read somewhere that the 88s could be made into 95s...?

Any insight / thoughts appreciated.

 

I'll probably get flamed for this.... nevertheless....

I went from a 96" 6 speed Fat Boy to a 88" 5 speed RKC. since I almost always ride within the speed limits, and am not into racing light to light, I really can't tell the difference - except for trying to slip it into 6th gear once in a while out on the highway. oh, the ride between the Fat Boy and the RK is different, especially 2-up.

all that to say - I wouldn't trade my King for another soft tail.

 

To make the 6 speed in a 5 speed case, Harley made things thinner. Also had to compensate for the side thrust of helical gears. If like me you drive moderate speeds, I rarely exceed 65 and and mostly local, your better off with 5 over the 6. Harley does not give you a choice. Top end for me is fine. In fact I would like 300 more rpm's for the lower gears per mph. Maybe a 6 would do that. My Harley does not like even MPH like 30 and 40 that we have around here. Harley made the 88 to 96 with stroke. Cylinders and pistons are the same. Guess the 95 would be with larger pistons. Just my opinion.

 

How is the 5-speed on the highway? Thinking about getting an touring 5-speed.

 

My 2000 road King had a 95 inch kit. Very smooth and steady.. After 93 mph there is still more, but it is a slow climb.. A decent 95 inch will outperform a stock 96 inch easily.. I have no expirience with a six speed..

If I were in the market for another bike (which I am not) I would look for a 2001 or 2002 with the engine as close to stock as possible.. The 1999 & 2000's had some troubles.. In 2003 the engine tolerances were loosened..

Moe Taters

 

Where I live my main road in is a smaller road (Rt 7) and even that gets moving around 65-70 mph in places. When I have to take our toll road or Beltway I am REALLY missing 6th gear. If I knew then what I know now I would have passed on the savings with my 88 and spent a bit more for the 96 with 6 gears.

 

96
You might be missing 6th gear, but your bike isn't.

There was never a reason to put a 6 speed in a touring bike as Twin Cams LOVE 3,000 rpm. They're right smack in the middle of their torque band and running at max efficiency. Their gas milage proves that. But some riders want to slow 'em down.

My 95' big bore ( at 91,000 miles,) will out pull any comparable 96" Stage I I've ever come across and doesn't work as hard at it to boot.

The 88/95 should even last longer, given the significant reduction in piston speed with the older 88/95 4" stroke motor. vs the 96" 4.38" stroke.

I've never been a big fan of the 96" ( can you tell?) and the threads here with '07 and later compensator, clutch basket, starter ( clink, clank, grind!) and crankshaft run out problems testify to that.

Sadly, the best Twin Cam motor made was the 99 to 02 with the hot forged crank and Timken Lefty bearing.

 

The differences are more than just cubic inches and an extra gear. 6th provides an overdrive, to keep down rpm at turnpike speeds. The TC 96 is an evolutionary upgrade from the TC88. And the later bikes, themselves, have further evolutionary refinements.

 

More than occasionally, I find myself looking for 7th gear.

 

I'm with Stiggy on this one. Just for chits and giggles, here's a mph to rpm's chart for the 3.15 geared, 5 speed twin cams.

5th Gear
MPH RPM
45....-----
50....2050
55....2300
60....2500
65....2700
70....2900
75....3100
80....3300
85....3500
90....3700
95....3900
100....4100
105....4300
110....4550
115....4750
120....4950