I'm new to my Street Glide. In fact I've only gotten to ride it on my test rides then it went in for a long winters nap.

My previous bike was a Heritage and I loved the balanced motor and I'm wondering why that is not on touring bikes.

Thoughts?

 

It has to do with the way it is mounted. Unbalanced is rubber mounted, balanced is solid mount.
The cams and crank are different also. balanced has chain on the crank for the counter balance. As for the cams the harley tech said that the bearing is smaller thats why I couldnt buy a 251 cam for my dyna.

 

I understand why the solid vs rubber are used and what makes the two motors different but I guess I'm looking for reasons why they dont solid mount the Balanced motor in a touring frame. Seems to me the best of both worlds

 

You lose a little power, plus more parts that really aren't needed. Give your new bike a few thousand to break in...you'll be amazed at how smooth the engine is off idle.

 

The balanced motor vibrates like a sob at speed....part of it's drawback. Our unbalanced doesn't.

 

Ive had some newbys to Harley ask me this
" Why don't they mount balanced motors in a the Rubber mount Frames"?

 

You know, I never ride real fast, but I've been fairy fast on the 96B, and let me tell you, though I've heard it 1,000 times, there is no vibration at speed at all, no low vibration, no high RPM buzzing, nothing. Maybe it's the 6 speed, or maybe it's that I don't ride at 120 mph...

 

Those people don't need to be buying v-twins...

 

I agree. My heritage was smooth as glass at idle and low speeds, but my hands and arms would be numb from vibration after cruising 80 mph for 500 miles in one day.

SG is just the opposite. Vibrates at idle and is smooth as glass at all other speeds.


Dennis

 

Ride for 8 hours on a solid frame mounted 96b, and then do the same on the isolated rubber mounted engine on an HD touring bike and you will have your answer.