The shorter stroke "88" is a better config. As prev stated, the "95" will run the a$$ off an 07 or 08 96 (in stock, or stage-1 form)

Saw/heard an 02 Softail with the 95 kit, 510 geardrive and a Mikuni 42 and a pro-pipe. What a sound !!! Thing would just tear it up !!!

 

+1 on the "88" ........but biased

 

Keep your eyes peeled for an 2002. They have the best of everything. IMO, they are the most desireable year so far.

 

Spend the $4,500 on bling and upgrades you're gonna want to make your bike your own. Not like you're gonna' be left in the dirt by a 96ci 'cause you will not be. As someone above stated, not a dime's worth of difference and certainly not $4,500.00 worth IMHO.

 

Why 02? That's my fav year RG (because of the paint) Solid color. Just a pinstripe, black * chr motor.

 

- Better FI than '99-'01 bikes.
- Better swingarm and stronger rear axle than '99-01 bikes.
- Stronger crank bearing than '03-up bikes.
- Forged crank unlike '03 and up bikes which have a cast crank.

 

I just picked up my '06 SG yesterday after getting a Stage I big bore kit, D&D fat cats, and a race tuner installed. I am very happy with the decision to upgrade. Definitely a change in power and well worth the money in my eyes. I'll need 500 miles before I can get her dyno'd, but I imagine they will be able to get even more out of her. I'll be riding every day to work up to the 500 miles. Will keep ya updated with the gains. Either way will be a good decision for you!

 

You must also consider resale value when you eventually sell it, and based on that and the prices you're getting I'd say the '07 is the best deal. The '04 could be brought up to a powerband similar to the stock '07 (w/AC & pipes) by installing an Andrews 26 cam or similar with upgraded cam bearings and new tensioners while you're in there.

The '07 engine has some advantages, like the cam layout and better powerband in the low-end and midrange. It also has the 6-speed tranny which I prefer over the 5-speed, but to get the most out of it (i.e., no clatter) you'll need to install IDS if it doesn't already have it.

So, if I bought the '04 I would upgrade the cam, bearings, and tensioners right off the bat--which is probably $600 or so with labor (just a guess). For the '07 IDS is $200 at Zanotti's and is an easy install not requiring a dealer for most owners with even modest DIY skills.

 

Not in the low-end and midrange, which is where many of us prefer our power to be available. The 95" with stock cam might one-up the 96" a bit in HP, but not TQ in the low-end and midrange, both because of the shorter stroke. The 95ci upgrade will cost enough to make the total price near the '07, and come trade-in time the BB kit won't add much if any to the trade-in value, thus you'll be losing that upgrade money in the long run without gaining much power in the short run.

I have a friend with a 95" w/mild cam and head work and we're about even on a midrange romp at highway speeds. My '07 is stock except mufflers, AC, and PCIII. I would imagine he would pull me a bit in a *****-to-the-wall drag race where we're at peak HP through the gears, but at practical speeds there's little difference.

 

If the guy said he wouldn't be doing many hiway miles WHY all the talk about POWER? For mostly arround town ridein the 06/07s do have some heat issues. I han't had any heat issues with my 03 88inch. Arround town on a RKC I dont think there is a dimes difference between the 88or 96, unless your a redlight racer.
I run thousands of miles of 2lane hiways and the 88 does just fine here in the south. I would take the 88inch and use the 4500 bucks to ride the bike tons of miles this summer!! For 4500 bucks you can take a hell of a lot of day trips and weekend trips and several week long trips and maybe even a month long trip thrown in, or you can have a slightly bigger motor and a 6th gear you seldom use.
I'm a long rider so give me the bucks to travel!!!