You are exactly right. I asked if something was maybe wrong with my bike, not the 103 in general but my bike. As you said, the only response I got was to invest another $2K to wake the bike up. You would think that HD would wake them up before you buy them as the Jap companies do. It seems to me that the 103 would do a little better than the 96 but a stock 96 runs better than my bike. Therefore, I have already wasted money on the 103 because if you spend $2K on a 96 and $2K on the 103 the 96 will probably still outperform my bike. I guess I will take it back to the shop.

 

thanks for the info, guys !

 

The Limited is a way for the MOCO to get some more money out of folks. A stock 96 versus 103 will show really no appreciable difference. If you plan to go into the motor, you should buy the 96 Ultra and spend the money on a real upgrade including new cams.

 

Yep, I kind of wish I would have done that but, I got a smoking deal on the Limited so I can't really complain.

 

Hey Just enjoy it. My 96 runs great and has all the power I need. FuelMoto made it run nice and that is all I am going to do but ride the Hell out of it. See y'all at Thunder on the Beach.

 

It doesn't have to be that way. I don't have a limited, but I have a 07 police bike with essentially the same motor. When I got it last year, it seemed anemic, and definitely in need of some performance work. I'd just bought the bike, and was a little cash strapped, so I had to do my stage I on a budget. It cost me a grand total of just over 300 bucks, and the bike ran completely differently. Here's how it broke down:
150 bucks for a set of used screamin eagle slip on's (now known as supertrapp se's)
60 bucks for a brand new stage I air cleaner (from another member here on the clasifieds)
110 bucks for a slightly used fuelpak.

The bike ran better, cooler, and had the performance I'd expected from a 103. There's lots of expensive ways to upgrade your bike, but if you take a hot rodder's approach, you can frequently get 85% of the performance for 20% of the price.

Now this year rolls around, and I've got a little money again, so I get to do the next round of improvements. Take it a step at a time, keep within your budget, and you can have fun and performance without breaking the bank.

 

Actually the 103s in the Limiteds are 9.6:1. And you are right, HD could easily throw a better cam in the engine for absolutely no extra cost, but they really know how to market their aftermarket parts and that is really where the money is made.

I have about 700 miles on my Limited in the last week, and it runs fairly well, but I have parts on order that will make it run a whole lot better.

As for those that say we should just leave them alone and ride them, there is nothing wrong with that thinking, but I for one just can help myself, I have to keep tinkering. So, if you want to keep it stock, have at it, but don't question those of us that don't. I have tasted power (120" in my last bike) and it is really hard not to at least work in that direction.

 

Don't get me wrong, I am fine with folks doing what they want. Power costs money in anything, so no need to whine about the expense. I have built many motors and they all cost money. If HD put 255's in people would bitch because they wanted woods cams, etc. Do what you like, it is certainly your choice, but it ain't free.

 

The thing to keep in mind also is these bikes are heavy. They don't feel like it because the way they are balanced but the weight is there. As far as performace I agree HD could do better and are looking for aftermarket mods for additional profits. To all you guys saying if you want something fast go buy a Honda,Yamaha, or Vicorty, I say most people are not looking for a fast bike when they buy a HD but they ARE looking for some Torque. After all, they sound so dam good they have to have torque, right? And thats what every HD rider talks about after they get smoked by another brand, right? Torque is where its at right ? not speed? To say that HD's cant perform is wrong so stop making excuses for them!! The problem is they don't perform out of the box and require mods ( can only speak for the heavy tour models )

As far as the OP he was just comparing his bike to another HD looking for some answers other than you will need to spend another 2k after he already has for the limited. I am assuming the bike you are comparing your bike to is a same model year Stock 96 Ultra with stock a/c, gearing/pulleys, pipes, and tune? More than likely the other guy has modified his bike in some way. Keep in mind the 2010s have Cats where as a 09 does not. Not sure that Cats make a difference but it may be something different between the bike you are comparing yours to. Weight is another factor (rider and gear). The only other advice I have is to go spend another 1 to 2k for mods to increase the performance because the dealer is going to tell you each bike is a little different. Or they may say it will loosen up after about 3k miles. Mine did loosen up but not enough so I did what alot of others do and dropped some cash. I will say if I bought a Limited I would do Cams and a tune, NOT to be fast but have a little more torque.

 

The bike I was comparing it to was a 3 wk old 2010 Ultra bone stock with approx. 600 miles on it. We were both 2 up with about the same weight give or take 10 lbs. We were cruising about 75 when we hit a long uphill grade. Afterwards, I asked him about it and he said he was running half throttle in 6th gear and he was pulling away from me. I was running full throttle in 6th gear and it was falling off. I had to go to 5th gear. I hardly ever run 6th gear unless I am running 60 to 65 mph or better. I just feel that if his bike could do that, mine shoud be able too as well. I am not wanting to make a race bike, I just think something is wrong with mine. My dad has a bone stock 2007 Ultra and his also runs quite a bit better than mine.