Can I get your thoughts on the 103 engine please. I hear they run very hot and are not as reliable as the 96 or 88. I am considering a 2016 Fatboy with a 103 engine

Thanks.

 

ALL EFI bikes run hot due to EPA emission requirements. TC 88 had bad cam chain tensioners. The TC 96 saw the improvements that the 88 needed. The TC 103 is a bored out TC 96. FYI - my 2007 Dyna has over 106,000 miles on it are runs perfectly.

 

its a keeper

 

Hot is a relative term. The 103 is a solid engine. biggest issue iss going used. You never know what the last owner or two did to it .
Often the screw them up that is why it is for sale.

 

I live in Texas and rode a 103 Heritage for 51K miles before trading it. I rode it all over Texas, and the surrounding states. I found it to be a fantastic running machine that never gave me a single problem.

In my opinion, the engine didn't run any hotter or cooler than the other Harleys I've owned. I wouldn't think twice about buying another 103.

Good luck with your decision.

 

103 is solid . 2016 last year for them , as good as it got.
True that used can be problematic, but I would not be overly concerned. If bike appears to be taken care of.

 

Actually 2017 was the last year. HD went to the M8 for Touring bikes in 2017, but Softails got the M8 motor in 2018.

I only know this because I had a 2017 Heritage and it was a bitch trying to find aftermarket seats because the frame got changed for the 2016-2017 models.

 

Thanks for the correction. I did not know as I've only been on touring bikes for quite some time now.

 

The one shown as my sig bike was a 2005 Fatboy CVO. I no longer own that bike, but when I did it didn`t seem to run any hotter than other 103 air cooled motors. Living in Oklahoma our summers get pretty hot with 100* plus temperatures, but as long as I could stand up to riding in those temperatures I never had heat problems even when stopped at a traffic light. However, I wouldn`t say that could work very well stuck in traffic while idling. Keep in mind that Fat Boy models went to 6 speed transmissions in 2007, which lowered the engine rpms at higher speeds resulting in generating less heat and better mileage.

 

The 103 is a damn good engine. I’ve not had a single issue with any of the 103 tc bikes I’ve owned. IMO the heat is tolerable with an aftermarket cam, good tune. I would not hesitate to own a twin cam of any variety.