@@BikesandBrezeln overall ranking, I'm with you, but for technical issue, 103 pre Rushmore is the best. Their complication electrical sometimes might save your wallet from unintended expenditure (since you could buy just one of each electrical parts, not the whole module like rushmore). 103 pre rushmore runs cooler than the rushmore (of course the higher compression tends to generate heat more than the lower one). Last but not the least, they're fixing every flaws from the previous gen (cam tensioner issue from the 88, clutch & transmission issue from the 96). I could say 103 pre rushmore is the best modern harley engine ever built. Just my 2 cents 🤟
@@vincentiusrioyoshilistyo6601 The early 103s are a great choice! And when it comes to the price, they are pretty affordable, too. Ultimately its about personal preference. Since I like hard saddlebags and the easy-opening latch, the 2014-2016 won for me ;-)
No mention of the Harley EVO engine which was built to use less oil, outperform their previous designs and could be modified to make 90 horsepower… The EVO was what saved Harley Davidson and is probably the best engine ever made, no sensors no catalytic converter, just a pure combustion engine with no leaks whatsoever, thanks to Willy G
Good summation... Since that's what I have, I'm a 96" guy (but a softail, my Ultra days are behind me). Nicely done -- if one needs the technogadgetry , then your rankings appear solid, but I'm sort of a bare=bones rider these days, so ABS, cruise and hot-n-cold running water I can do without...
I agree. Some riders (including myself) enjoy the oldschool Harley experience without all the modern shenanigans. That's what Rick Astley tried to tell at 1:33 😄 Yet, I have to admit, that I also appreciate having some of the modern features, especially on longer trips (such as the "easy open" saddlebags and the electronic cruise control).
I am the second owner of a 1994 Electra Glide Classic with a Carbureted Evo engine. It is all original. It has 126000+ miles. It makes good power. It rides and stops well. It does not leak nor consume oil. I shall ride her until I die.
My 2009 Ultra Classic has been a good touring companion. Had to replace the compensator, starter, and starter ring gear around 65k miles. Still running well at 99k and look forward to many more road trips.
Thanks for sharing your experience. Yeah the 96 CI models are rather reliable, and I think your high mileage confirms it. Great to hear that you had no major issues.
very well thoughtafter video. i am riding a Anniversary edition V-Rod, excellent motorcycle , but it has its shortcomings, as i have been finding out after my long trips. even adding luggage bags , its still not the same thing as having saddlebags, also, no fairing puts alot of air pressure on the body. small rides, its amazing , but for long distance touring e.g. anything more then 200 miles, a dedicated touring bike is the way to go. i am leaning towards the Road Glide.
I'm also riding a V-Rod, and did a 4,000 miles trip from Mexico all the way to Sturgis in 2023 and 5,000 miles trip in 2024. (Three Twisted Sisters, Sturgis and Million Dollar Highway) The V-Rod is not my first option for long haul trips, but it sure is more than capable for long rides (I also had luggage bags and putting a windshield was a game changer) 👍
@@foxtrotwhiskey874 hey! Yes it was me, at the 1130cc forum and some V-Rod FB pages 👍 and as I said, the V-Rod is not the best option for long rides but it sure is hell of fun 👊😎
I just looked over the used Harleys in the Houston craigslist last week. Unreal low prices for nice bikes! I saw four Springers and they were decently priced. I gave my son my 2001 RK and I ride a 2006 Springer classic. They're just the TC88s that we had the full S&S cam chest upgrades done to each bike. Should be good for many years and miles now. Older HD's rule!
The 88s are hidden gems. You can find them very cheap and with those upgrades they are very reliable and classy motorcycles. I had a lot of fun with a tuned 03 FXDX. Great bike.
After shopping and comparing for the past 3 years, I recently purchased a 2015 Road Glide CVO. I felt it was the best value for my money spent for all of the reasons you outlined. I have not been disappointed. My buddy recently bought a new holdover '23 Ultra Limited and the only thing he has over mine is the newest radio bells and whistles. I have more options for less than half of what he paid. $40K - $16.5K. Mine had around 16k miles so still fairly fresh with the 110ci engine.
Congratulations on your new bike! The 2015 RG CVO is a solid choice. Just make sure to upgrade your lifters, since they can fail around 20k Miles! It's the weak spot of TC CVOs. I use them in my CVO aswell (sovrn.co/13c8cks) I talk about this issue in my other video on CVO Models: ruclips.net/video/PQjZ-nRnKd4/видео.htmlsi=29M2CwErA-THYyPz Safe ride!
I bought a new '88 CI Twin-cam in the year 2004. It run hot, because the engine did run way to lean. It had bad cam chain tensioner and bad brakes. In the year 2010 I bought my '96 CI Twin-Cam and now after 14 years I still ride it today. The bike has way better performance, no overheating, improved chain tensioner, improved oil cooling, and good Brembo brakes. It has also ABS and cruise control. The models after the '96 CI have NO rear crashbars and no batwing passing lamps. Even today I would prefer only the older stock '96 CI air cooled Harley over all other models. The bike brought me thru whole of Europe without any problems.
My 01 Roadglide has the magnetti marelli fuel injection. No aftermarket support. Changes in cam, stroke or larger pistons and cylinders are tougher because of lack of tuning capabilities. Some older mechanics may be able too but they're rare.
That's an interesting point you're mentioning. It is indeed important to consider, that aftermarket parts and know-how decreases if you buy an older bike. For some people it might be less of an issue, especially of they can work on their own bikes. But some people can't, so aftermarket Support is a relevant buying decision. Thank you for noticing.
Awesome review! 👌 My favorite is 11:17 the most aesthetically pleasing model in my opinion! How many Harley models are left that you haven't tried riding yet😅?
Thank you! I've mostly ridden Twin Cams, EVOs, and also Milwaukee Eight models. Yet, I am very curious to ride newer Harley models with the 1250 cc engines. Also, if I gain the opportunity, i'd also enjoy a Shovel or Panhead ;-) Let's see what the future brings.
'02 was the last year of the Timken bearings on the sprocket end of the crank. Which is significant if you are looking to build horsepower in the engine. Also I think after '02 Harley used a pressed together crank which had major runout issues.
I bought a 2nd hands , 2008 FLHTCU and a 2011 VRSCDX. Both in a week. 2008 - Has a bad regulator atm but able to have just short rides but yes they are great to ride but the problem for me is the weight and with a Pavillon, thats furthers up the weigh. The engine runs smooth and fine btw and ya there are some issues with O2 Sensors due to there is that opening at the Back Box to the wiring under the Coil probably isnt working anymore (Got to Cut if Off). Turns at small roads are a nightmare sometimes due to it weigh and when silly drivers are at the edge of their exit points this gives less room if not properly handled. Highways are great since the name is Touring bikes. Definitely a bonus. Once i get the V.Regulators, i’ll be running it far ahead soon and hopefully nothing happens. But its a Powerful Bike. The Night Rod is a blast for small roads, They are really powerful, sometimes too much for a small bike. There’s no windshield for this one, and its really sometimes 😩 compared to the Touring. Both has its pro’s and con’s but spare part out here are getting difficult and expensive especially on shipment costs (Asean Country).
The 96ci seems to be the sweet spot for value/content as well as overall improvements. In 2020 I picked up a well equipped stage I '08 RKC with only 5K miles for $9K. I have put about $2K in extras on it over the years (as most wind up doing) but still well clear of what the bike cost new (about $30K - even in '08 money!!). Bike has been super reliable for me, only needing a battery replacement this year -I plan to take it on a cross country road trip next spring and don't expect any issues at all. I highly recommend the '07 -'09 96ci models for their value/reliability.
My 2004 carburetted Road King is my last resort. You still have the "potato sound" of Evo engine (despite it isn't that good, nothing beats the Evo noise, love it!!) Yet you still can catch up your friends newer bike and the loudness bark it make (i'm using Ker Ker Supertrapp and dual header VnH). Since the engine runs stock (except the exhaust & air filter) and I didn't bring it to drag strip, the cam tensioner still run perfectly. Better check it every 25.000 km
Nice video. For me I'm gonna say buy the 07-08 screaming eagle model. Comes with twin cam 110. Little over a grand in parts and they make 120-130 ft/lb and 110-120hp.
Thank you. You're right, the CVO machines are hidden gems. I will do an episode purely on CVO models soon, since they have their own pros and cons. Stay tuned!
I've had 2 twin cams and now I have a 2019 M8 114ci If I had it to do over again I would have brought a 2016 twin cam took care of it and kept it forever
I have a 1999 88 Road glide injection, a UK main dealer demo bike with cruise control. Not my first choice but after having to sell my evo Electra glide sport a year earlier due to finances, at £3200 the RG was the cheapest HD I could find which wasn't a Sportster..... 5 years on and (although heavy) I do love it. Other than the cam issue I must point out the cost of replacing the fuel lines, these can't be repaired unlike other years and cost £140-220 to replace with Goodridge upgrade, when you can get them?
Thanks for the hint with the fuel lines. I do love the old Touring bikes as well. I think they are pretty good (and cheap) alternatives for sportsters, especially if you travel sometimes.
You did not mention that the earlier twin cams 1999-2002 had significantly better crankshafts and Timken crank bearings. A major factor in picking an 88 twin cam engine.
Thank's for noticing, you mention it correctly. That's why I recommend the 2009 year bikes, because they are the most sophisticated among the TC96 models.
I have to agree with the other people nobody really wants carburetor. Unless you need a specific application for it. The most bank for buck is the road king. The 96 cube sounds better than 1 03 and I don’t know why.
THB I like both. For long distance traveling I mostly use my 2016 EFI Twin Cam. But I also enjoy the older bikes with their oldschool vibes and the carbs. I had a lot of fun on a '98 EVO Road king.
@@dennytumai love how the evo make sound, but i do like the loudness of twin cam. So, I pick up the 88 with the carb. Although all the issues it has, you'll just have to make sure it was maintained very well
Do you agree with my ranking? I'm curious to hear what you think about my analysis 🙂
I do
I Do. My 2012 Street Glide is awesome!
@@BikesandBrezeln overall ranking, I'm with you, but for technical issue, 103 pre Rushmore is the best. Their complication electrical sometimes might save your wallet from unintended expenditure (since you could buy just one of each electrical parts, not the whole module like rushmore). 103 pre rushmore runs cooler than the rushmore (of course the higher compression tends to generate heat more than the lower one). Last but not the least, they're fixing every flaws from the previous gen (cam tensioner issue from the 88, clutch & transmission issue from the 96). I could say 103 pre rushmore is the best modern harley engine ever built. Just my 2 cents 🤟
@@vincentiusrioyoshilistyo6601 The early 103s are a great choice! And when it comes to the price, they are pretty affordable, too. Ultimately its about personal preference. Since I like hard saddlebags and the easy-opening latch, the 2014-2016 won for me ;-)
Excellent job! This was the best comparison video I've seen on the TC's. Safe travels to you.
I agree with your top pick. Great video, covered all the basics, informative, interesting and helpful. tks
No mention of the Harley EVO engine which was built to use less oil, outperform their previous designs and could be modified to make 90 horsepower…
The EVO was what saved Harley Davidson and is probably the best engine ever made, no sensors no catalytic converter, just a pure combustion engine with no leaks whatsoever, thanks to Willy G
I agree, it is a great engine. I will do a separate video just for the Evo soon.
0:51 bro rocking the dad shoes! Get it son!
😂
Nice review!
You put a lot of work in this video! I appreciate it and thank you.
Thank you. Safe travels!
Good summation... Since that's what I have, I'm a 96" guy (but a softail, my Ultra days are behind me). Nicely done -- if one needs the technogadgetry , then your rankings appear solid, but I'm sort of a bare=bones rider these days, so ABS, cruise and hot-n-cold running water I can do without...
I agree. Some riders (including myself) enjoy the oldschool Harley experience without all the modern shenanigans. That's what Rick Astley tried to tell at 1:33 😄 Yet, I have to admit, that I also appreciate having some of the modern features, especially on longer trips (such as the "easy open" saddlebags and the electronic cruise control).
Excellent video! Learned a lot about twin cams
An excellent video. Thank you.
I have a 96 Evo. Not even a fuel gauge on it.
Thank you.
I am the second owner of a 1994 Electra Glide Classic with a Carbureted Evo engine. It is all original. It has 126000+ miles. It makes good power. It rides and stops well. It does not leak nor consume oil. I shall ride her until I die.
@@fmagalhaes1521 Evos are great engines. I've mostly ridden them on FXRs and Road Kings.
My 2009 Ultra Classic has been a good touring companion. Had to replace the compensator, starter, and starter ring gear around 65k miles. Still running well at 99k and look forward to many more road trips.
Thanks for sharing your experience. Yeah the 96 CI models are rather reliable, and I think your high mileage confirms it. Great to hear that you had no major issues.
very well thoughtafter video. i am riding a Anniversary edition V-Rod, excellent motorcycle , but it has its shortcomings, as i have been finding out after my long trips. even adding luggage bags , its still not the same thing as having saddlebags, also, no fairing puts alot of air pressure on the body. small rides, its amazing , but for long distance touring e.g. anything more then 200 miles, a dedicated touring bike is the way to go. i am leaning towards the Road Glide.
You can't go wrong with the RG, if you don't mind the weight. It's a great long distance ride.
I'm also riding a V-Rod, and did a 4,000 miles trip from Mexico all the way to Sturgis in 2023 and 5,000 miles trip in 2024. (Three Twisted Sisters, Sturgis and Million Dollar Highway)
The V-Rod is not my first option for long haul trips, but it sure is more than capable for long rides (I also had luggage bags and putting a windshield was a game changer) 👍
@@bennavarrete2487 If i am not wrong, you did post your pics of your trip to one of the V-Rod Groups on facebook right? You are a F'in Legand Dude!
@@foxtrotwhiskey874 hey! Yes it was me, at the 1130cc forum and some V-Rod FB pages 👍 and as I said, the V-Rod is not the best option for long rides but it sure is hell of fun 👊😎
@@bennavarrete2487 amazing i bet!
Well done!
I just looked over the used Harleys in the Houston craigslist last week. Unreal low prices for nice bikes! I saw four Springers and they were decently priced. I gave my son my 2001 RK and I ride a 2006 Springer classic. They're just the TC88s that we had the full S&S cam chest upgrades done to each bike. Should be good for many years and miles now. Older HD's rule!
The 88s are hidden gems. You can find them very cheap and with those upgrades they are very reliable and classy motorcycles. I had a lot of fun with a tuned 03 FXDX. Great bike.
After shopping and comparing for the past 3 years, I recently purchased a 2015 Road Glide CVO. I felt it was the best value for my money spent for all of the reasons you outlined. I have not been disappointed. My buddy recently bought a new holdover '23 Ultra Limited and the only thing he has over mine is the newest radio bells and whistles. I have more options for less than half of what he paid. $40K - $16.5K. Mine had around 16k miles so still fairly fresh with the 110ci engine.
Congratulations on your new bike! The 2015 RG CVO is a solid choice. Just make sure to upgrade your lifters, since they can fail around 20k Miles! It's the weak spot of TC CVOs. I use them in my CVO aswell (sovrn.co/13c8cks)
I talk about this issue in my other video on CVO Models:
ruclips.net/video/PQjZ-nRnKd4/видео.htmlsi=29M2CwErA-THYyPz
Safe ride!
I bought a new '88 CI Twin-cam in the year 2004. It run hot, because the engine did run way to lean. It had bad cam chain tensioner and bad brakes.
In the year 2010 I bought my '96 CI Twin-Cam and now after 14 years I still ride it today. The bike has way better performance, no overheating, improved chain tensioner, improved oil cooling, and good Brembo brakes. It has also ABS and cruise control. The models after the '96 CI have NO rear crashbars and no batwing passing lamps.
Even today I would prefer only the older stock '96 CI air cooled Harley over all other models. The bike brought me thru whole of Europe without any problems.
Its easy to cool down early twin cams by richening the gas/air mixture. There are aftermarket cam chain tensioners.
My 01 Roadglide has the magnetti marelli fuel injection. No aftermarket support. Changes in cam, stroke or larger pistons and cylinders are tougher because of lack of tuning capabilities. Some older mechanics may be able too but they're rare.
That's an interesting point you're mentioning. It is indeed important to consider, that aftermarket parts and know-how decreases if you buy an older bike. For some people it might be less of an issue, especially of they can work on their own bikes. But some people can't, so aftermarket Support is a relevant buying decision. Thank you for noticing.
Well done
Well done; informative. '09 Road King Standard-Vivid Black. Tucson, Arizona
Awesome review! 👌
My favorite is 11:17 the most aesthetically pleasing model in my opinion!
How many Harley models are left that you haven't tried riding yet😅?
Thank you! I've mostly ridden Twin Cams, EVOs, and also Milwaukee Eight models. Yet, I am very curious to ride newer Harley models with the 1250 cc engines. Also, if I gain the opportunity, i'd also enjoy a Shovel or Panhead ;-) Let's see what the future brings.
@@BikesandBrezeln we have 2 twin cams and a 78 Shovel. That Shovel is a blast to ride and gets a lot of positive attention
@@thomasborger6548 I love the shovel sound! My friend is offerering a shovel atm ... maybe i should give it a go 😁
'02 was the last year of the Timken bearings on the sprocket end of the crank. Which is significant if you are looking to build horsepower in the engine. Also I think after '02 Harley used a pressed together crank which had major runout issues.
Thanks. That's a useful remark 👌
I bought a 2nd hands , 2008 FLHTCU and a 2011 VRSCDX. Both in a week.
2008 - Has a bad regulator atm but able to have just short rides but yes they are great to ride but the problem for me is the weight and with a Pavillon, thats furthers up the weigh. The engine runs smooth and fine btw and ya there are some issues with O2 Sensors due to there is that opening at the Back Box to the wiring under the Coil probably isnt working anymore (Got to Cut if Off). Turns at small roads are a nightmare sometimes due to it weigh and when silly drivers are at the edge of their exit points this gives less room if not properly handled. Highways are great since the name is Touring bikes. Definitely a bonus. Once i get the V.Regulators, i’ll be running it far ahead soon and hopefully nothing happens. But its a Powerful Bike.
The Night Rod is a blast for small roads, They are really powerful, sometimes too much for a small bike. There’s no windshield for this one, and its really sometimes 😩 compared to the Touring.
Both has its pro’s and con’s but spare part out here are getting difficult and expensive especially on shipment costs (Asean Country).
Congratz on your two awesome bikes. I agree, the weight is an important Factor, when considering buying a touring model.
The 96ci seems to be the sweet spot for value/content as well as overall improvements. In 2020 I picked up a well equipped stage I '08 RKC with only 5K miles for $9K. I have put about $2K in extras on it over the years (as most wind up doing) but still well clear of what the bike cost new (about $30K - even in '08 money!!). Bike has been super reliable for me, only needing a battery replacement this year -I plan to take it on a cross country road trip next spring and don't expect any issues at all. I highly recommend the '07 -'09 96ci models for their value/reliability.
My 2004 carburetted Road King is my last resort. You still have the "potato sound" of Evo engine (despite it isn't that good, nothing beats the Evo noise, love it!!) Yet you still can catch up your friends newer bike and the loudness bark it make (i'm using Ker Ker Supertrapp and dual header VnH). Since the engine runs stock (except the exhaust & air filter) and I didn't bring it to drag strip, the cam tensioner still run perfectly. Better check it every 25.000 km
Early carb Twin Cams are awesome! I agree, they do sound great. Ride safe.
Nice video. For me I'm gonna say buy the 07-08 screaming eagle model. Comes with twin cam 110. Little over a grand in parts and they make 120-130 ft/lb and 110-120hp.
Thank you. You're right, the CVO machines are hidden gems. I will do an episode purely on CVO models soon, since they have their own pros and cons. Stay tuned!
I've had 2 twin cams and now I have a 2019 M8 114ci
If I had it to do over again I would have brought a 2016 twin cam took care of it and kept it forever
The late model TCs 14-16 are great and reliable bikes. I think they will remain rather stable in price. Maybe you'll find a nice, used TC some time.
I have a 1999 88 Road glide injection, a UK main dealer demo bike with cruise control. Not my first choice but after having to sell my evo Electra glide sport a year earlier due to finances, at £3200 the RG was the cheapest HD I could find which wasn't a Sportster..... 5 years on and (although heavy) I do love it. Other than the cam issue I must point out the cost of replacing the fuel lines, these can't be repaired unlike other years and cost £140-220 to replace with Goodridge upgrade, when you can get them?
Thanks for the hint with the fuel lines. I do love the old Touring bikes as well. I think they are pretty good (and cheap) alternatives for sportsters, especially if you travel sometimes.
You did not mention that the earlier twin cams 1999-2002 had significantly better crankshafts and Timken crank bearings. A major factor in picking an 88 twin cam engine.
There was also a chassis redesign that started in 2009 which made the touring bikes 2009 and newer much better handling bikes
Thank's for noticing, you mention it correctly. That's why I recommend the 2009 year bikes, because they are the most sophisticated among the TC96 models.
I’m thinking about getting me a street glide I seen a 2015 for 16k
Sound's like a good option!
My 2002 EG came with factory cruise control.
Thank you for the Info. I will include it in my next Review.
I thought this said, "bikes and beards." I guess I don't pay attention or know how to reed. Well, since I'm here... back to the video.
Don't worry sir! Take a seat and have a pretzel ;-)
I have to agree with the other people nobody really wants carburetor. Unless you need a specific application for it. The most bank for buck is the road king. The 96 cube sounds better than 1 03 and I don’t know why.
Curious to know, why the 96 sounds different than the 103. Maybe the mapping was different on the 96 engines?
Quick answer is “who can afford a new Harley anymore?”
Some new harley's are getting ridiculously expensive. I hope my guide helps finding great used ones. Ride safe.
WHO prefers carbs over FI
everyone one with a brain
THB I like both. For long distance traveling I mostly use my 2016 EFI Twin Cam. But I also enjoy the older bikes with their oldschool vibes and the carbs. I had a lot of fun on a '98 EVO Road king.
Me, Nothing sounds like a carb.
@@Green2011LeafYou mean the sound of it cranking and cranking
@@dennytumai love how the evo make sound, but i do like the loudness of twin cam. So, I pick up the 88 with the carb. Although all the issues it has, you'll just have to make sure it was maintained very well
Carbs on my Shovelhead till I’m dead !
My friends with shovels love those bikes! I think on these old bikes Carbs make a lot of sense, especially, if you like that oldschool feeling.