Evo and M8. Reliable as any and the other can build real power. Btw, sell shirts or have a giveaway in order to get a bagger. Imagine making a video in front of your own big vtwin. Just an idea.
I've got almost the exact same thing. 01 FXDX, .510 CAMS, billet cam chest, high flow oil pump, gear drive, Timkin bottom end, Jagg cooler, Mikuni 42 HSR carb, Supertrapp 2:1, fork brace. Have a 98" Zippers kit waiting to go in
@@timmattle4730 I hear ya. I'm right now diving into the timing chest of a 30,000 miles 2001 Road King that's never yet had the engine opened, to change out all the dodgy HD parts that everyone else changed out over 20 years ago now during their first 6 months of ownership!
They finally got the oiling right in Panheads from 1963 to 65 with the outside Oilers. Speaking of the Shovelhead. I'm an old rider, and I remember in 1973, the Shovelhead oil pump was changed three times until they got it right. Yes, 3 times in the same year. You've got to be careful working on that year engine. I have owned five Shovelheads, a 1966 FL police, 1978 FLH 80, 1978 1/2 FXS , 1975 FLH , and 1979 FLH 74ci. All of them were fine machines once I solved the inherent problems with each of them. I've been riding a 1949 Panhead I built many years ago. I wouldn't sell or trade it for anything Harley makes now.
That's funny. I recently moved to a tc 103 from evos. I got off the tc103 and got on my evo eg ultra, felt like getting off a goldwing and getting on a harley. To each his own.
The twin cam sounds even more "harley like" to me than the evo. Twin cam is like an LS6.0 and the evo is a TBI350. Straigh pipe both and the twin cam has a distict pop and crispness to the exhaust note, the evos always sound a bit raspy and not as clean and distinct to me. Everyone has their favorites, ride whatever makes you smile 😃
I have a 103 in my Fatboy and I love that engine. When I bought it used, there were M8's on the showroom floor, but you hit the nail on the head when you said they sound like metric bikes. Not even tempted to move to an M8 bike. My other bike is an Evo Model 72 Sportster, and that runs like a top too.
I'm pretty new to the game. I bought my 2020 Road King (first HD) with the 107 M8 new. I ran full synth out of the gate, and have had it serviced every 2500 miles except for the 17500 interval. Just had the 20K service done. I can't compare it to anything else as I don't have the experience, and have to rely on you more knowledgeable fellas to help me understand how things work. I turn 70 in 2024, and this is probably the only HD I'll ever own, so I want it to last as long as possible, or at least as long as I'm still able to ride. But I love the machine. I'll keep it stock because it has more than enough power for my needs. I enjoy your channel and find the information fascinating and valuable.
I'm 73 and kinda in same boat. Got my bucket list Harley , 1998 Dyna 80". Legs/muscles are going. Not through riding, eventually add a sidecar. Just want it to outlast me. Those Stock roller lifters got me worried along with that cheap inner cam needle "bearing".
Majority of your content seems about boosting power. It'd be nice to hear you break down an endurance build. Something for those moto-hobo's who want to escape for months or even years going through North and Central America. Maybe something catering to roadside repairs. An engine where 100k miles isn't enough longevity. Even if few of us use our machines like that I'm sure many desire to and would be interested in that content. Just like few will take a multitude of drag strip runs but enjoy building for the big dyno numbers.
@@ericalger5003 nah, I know there are a few plastic parts inside that should be swapped for metal. I imagine you could do a big bore kit but keep compression low enough for bad gas. Different cam focus…. Maybe head work/porting for efficiency. Carb adjustment for mileage…. There’s lots…
If that's what you want make it an evo & use some points as ignition or upgrade to Dyna 2000i ignition the stock electronic module will fail I've seen at least a dozen bikes with that problem
Actually I'd love a valkyrie but... parts are now starting to get harder to get. Harley's will always have the important parts available. @@BobbySchaffer
Big G'day GixxerFoo from Down Under 🇦🇺 You missed the BIGGEST issue with the M8 & that's the compensator ❗ TwinCam 103 man myself May all your days be Harley days 🧡🖤🧡
Have a 107 M8 limited, December 2018 build,I replaced the cam plate,oil pump, leaving the factory cam,but the rest is now S&S , personally I believe this is the way it should have been built in the first place by Harley
I love my Evo, not the most powerful but it's carbed and sounds like a Harley should. As far as the twin cam and M8 I think if you find a bike you like and are willing to do a little work it's possible to have a very very reliable ride. I think any of them can be made reliable if you have the skills to do it
Tried to convince a customer not to sell his Evo. The nicest customized DYNA I have ever seen. Twice. But he sold it. It could win shows. Ive wanted one for the last four years, but have an M8 and cannot afford one or justify a second bike. Totally unexpectedly he offered me the Evo at a price that basically nade it a gift. Had it been any more I could not have afforded it. A motorcycle heaven sent.
Evo all the way. I hated it when I bought my twin cam softail and found out they took out nearly all of the vibration that I loved. I loved my eyes bouncing up and down at a stoplight.
I really hope the M8 isn't the last air cooled motor but if it is, I'd also be proud of what Harley was able to do. We'll probably be able to keep the M8 alive for many years to come but just in case, I'm keeping my cockroach-reliable Evo around
Well they are oil cooled and the newest ones are liquid cooled now but It probably will be the last pushrod v twin emission are getting too strict and honestly you can’t make much more power than what you can do with the m8 in a pushrod v twin platform
My go-to is my 94 FXR 80" EVO for warmer weather riding along with my 14 FLSTC 103" TC. My go-to for touring is my 07 FLTR 96" TC. Each bike has its own personality... 🇺🇸
That's the cool thing about Harley, each family is the same basis like Dyna, Softail or Touring but they each have tweaks that make them completely different bikes.
When you ride a motorcycle that's older than you and is built from parts off dead bikes from various origins, car,tractor,and boat parts; you carry various parts and tools! I've ridden my Panhead all over the country and never had a breakdown that kept me off the road for more than a day. This is a bike I built and rode a year on $275 ($125 for the transmission)!! However, I put a 50gal drum of Blood,Sweat and Tears in it! I went through Bro's Scrap piles,and picked through junkyards and picked up whatever I needed,usually traded for or given to me! Every part has a story! My only rule when building A RAT is that Nothing goes on "just cause it's Ugly!" Anything I use on it Must out perform the part it's replacing (for instance the Chevy alternator instead of the 6V generator) ! When I started riding if you saw a guy riding a fine chopper (or an innovative RAT), that man was "A BIKER"!He built his bike and it reflected His tastes and needs ! These Days all it means is he's got money! If you finance a bike and take it back to the dealership to get your oil and plugs changed, You're NOT a BIKER! You're a Harley owner !😂😊
Still riding my 2 twin cam bikes. They’re both paid for and I don’t need another payment these days. Oh, and both are running great. Both have a stage 1 and put out all the oomph I need.
Big twin cam fan for sure. I do like the m8 for a few reasons, none of which are the sound but I do like it. Every twin cam I've had and or known people who've had them have never had any issue so
Carbureted Evo 100% no question. Anything newer has to many wires and gizmos. Anything older requires to much attention. Not to mention new bikes and antique bikes will cost more than the EVOs.
20th Century Harley Davidson. The last Big Twin Evo was the end of the line for Harleys. Even the new empty logo reflects the fact that the current MoCo is just a shell of what it was. They aren't making Harleys anymore. Now they just make motorcycles.
I had a shovelhead back in the late 60's, I road it everywhere (did not own a car) and the only thing I ever had to do was re-ring it every 20K or it would puff a little smoke on deceleration. I'm sure that better rings were later made for it but these were Harley rings. I don't remember many after market parts for Harley's back then other than front ends and wheels...
I have had most from a flat head to the Milwaukee 8. You are right they all have their problems. Just for sound I think the 80in. flathead is hard to beat, but mechanically it’s got its own problems. Now I have a 107 Milwaukee 8, Trike, and a 2016 Softail Slim S with the 110 with a stage 2 kit and S&S cams that I absolutely love. The Trike is the vehicle for two up trips and after having oil problems for months my dealership worked it out finally but I am glad I got the extended warranty and have a great dealership and you are right about waiting mine is a 2017 and had problems. My Softail has had the problems worked out, I have learned over the years to like the twin cam, 02,09, 14, 16. The 103 was the smoothest, least troublesome twin cam I owned but my knees made me trade the ultra for a trike. My 09 had the 113in. Pro Race kit installed in it, biggest mistake I’ve ever made. It ran like a lightning bolt for 12K miles and died a horrible death. As usual outstanding video!
Ordered, purchased a 2003 Road King Classic in late 2002. Ran full synthetic Red Line oil since new. Cam chest was rebuilt at 50,000 miles with Feuling OE hydraulic kit. The Original cam chain tensioner shoes were still intact with life remaining. Will check again at 100,000 miles! The Milwaukee 8 sounds like a METRIC! 💩
I am willing to bet that Red Line oil is the reason your tensioners lasted as long as they did and add life left! People scoff at brand and quality of oil but you've really proven that it does make a difference. Totally agree the M8 has a metric sound, they have a whine to them like a overhead cam metric style bike. They sound like the water cooled Revolution X and Max engines.
My 03 twin cam has 27,000 Mi on it and I started using that red line 20 W 60 and that thing has quieted down and run so smooth and so cool it's amazing
I still have a shovel head 1980 Sturgis, had 05 TC 88 for 12 yrs. Now a 2019 M8 Limited, had to use to the difference but good power. Starting to really enjoy it. Putting a S&S 475 cam chest kit in this winter along with a Thunder max tuner. Ought be a awesome ride after that fingers crossed 🤞🏽
I installed a 447 torque cam in my 2018 Road-glide ultra, bike has 60k on her, new screaming eagle oil pump, lifters, runs mint! Slight oil migration still from my transmission to primary even after installing a 9mm shaft. Own a twin cam & Evo also.., kinda like them all!! Great video!!
Have. TC 103 and a M8 117. Like asking someone to close their favorite child. They’re both fantastic in their own ways. Sound and feel of the TC and the monster power of the M8. Air cooled for life 👊🏽
You are correct in stating that you should never buy a new motor design from Harley for at least 2 or 3 years. They let the consumer do all the testing for them! Second, I have an Evo and 2 twin cams. I prefer the Evo simply because I can get the Evo running with basic skills and tools. With all the electronics on the twin cams you need specialized tools, computer software and MONEY to work on them! I will probably never get a Milwaukee 8 simply because they really don't offer me anything that I don't already have.
Love my 2021 Heritage 114 Milwaukee 8. Even more after I took your advice and added an S & S 475C Cam. The thumping at idle is freaking awesome. Thanks!
I love to hear that! M8's love aftermarket cams and they come to life even with the stock components. Really helps the M8 is already higher compression than the Twin Cam engines stock.
I have both a twin cam and an M8. I like both motors for different reasons. The m8 is a much smoother and more powerful motor for traveling and the twin cam is just a fun bike locally to blast around making noise.
Evos are amazing and i love my 94, but i alos love my 02 TC88. Both bikes are carbed, vance and hines slip ons, the twin cam has a much crisper thump to the exhaust note. I ride with a handfull of M8 bikes, make good power, i just cant get with the exhaust note of the 4v heads. Ill sacrifice power for the huge smile the twin cams exhaust note puts on my face. Its therapeutic for me in a way... ride safe everybody 🤘
I came around after I rode one. The torque is unreal. Kinda felt like a Honda but I could get used to it. I’d still keep my evo and twin cam road kings but would like to add a m8 to the stable
I've had the four most recent Harley engines in various bikes. I ride a '21 RK now, to go a long way comfortably. I ride my '96 Wideglide to soothe my soul. Funny,.... I live in snow country, the Roadking gets covered up and put to bed, and the Evo sits on the lift uncovered, so i can sit on it and watch TV! There!.......... I'm finally out of the closet on that!!
You know, now you have to do a RevolutionMax video, right? Personally, I loved my M8. I've had at least one of the 3 last air cooled H-D engines (Evo, TC, M8) & the M8 was my favorite, but the other 2 did sound better. If the M8 is the last of the air cooled H-D engines, well, what a way to ride into the sunset. Now, I've moved onto the RevMax & I'll tell you, it's a vicious animal. If it's where H-D is heading, then I'm going to be perfectly happy.
The 103 was the best Twin Cam they made if you ask me, the M8's are good motors and they for sure make the power!
6 месяцев назад+1
2018 M8 107 51+K . No problems. Recently installed S/R 30-30 Cam, still OEM xhaust. Upgraded plate pump lifters. Its "strong, like a gorilla. Yet soft and yielding, like a nerf ball" Homer S
I rode on EVO's for a dozen years and I really liked this engine for its simplicity and placidity, its cool side for riding the old-fashioned way without worrying about performance, then I had a 103 HO on a Road King for 3 years, very pleasant for riding faster and for a longer time, more powerful and rounded, but lacking a little flexibility at low revs and now for a year and a half I have had a 107 and a 114, I prefer this last on my FXLRS more torquey with more inertia, very flexible and very pleasant, it's my daily and I have a lot of fun with it, without counting that in addition to the engine the new Softail chassis is really the best part cycle that This is a Harley product.... but each generation has its own charm...
A couple years ago for a road trip I rented a '22 Heritage Classic with the 114 and some Vance and Hines -that thing sounded great and could really move like hell!! About 4 years now I've owned an '08 RKC with a complete stage I -which also has a stupid fun sound -high and low, with the Rinehart exhausts (highly recommended). Not as quick as that 114 (probably a good thing for me🙂but it's its been a super reliable motor, and bike overall -though I bought mine with only 5K miles on the clock. Have to say I'd have no issues with getting another twin cam after this bike -as long as it's 96ci or bigger......
Another great Video Gixer Thanks.. I own a Shorttail Standard with a stage one upgrade its stock internals and i rides great but lacks grunt and I will one day upgrade barrels and heads cams and intake which will help
Loving my built t sport and have a tc 103 fatboy so I'm happy for now . At some stage I'll go m8 for sure. Even my 103 has sumping so she's due for the cam plate oil pump upgrade next winter 😊
You did leave out the pan, knuckle and 45 there. :-D I'm happy with my acquisition of a '99 FXDL with an HSR42 and two into one exhaust, supposedly big bore and a cam but I haven't opened it up yet - it does have a sh!t ton of torque, though. I quite like the sound and vibration, those aspects don't make me think I'm missing out on the M8 - the best thing about them is the abbreviation, we use in UK and Aus for mate. 😀
Twin cam. Thanks largely to you I am aware I will probably need to update the cam plate, tensioner and pump. I did love the Evo when it first came out, but this is probably my penultimate bike. If I could find a basket case 45WLA I'd do another build, though... 😀
If you have an 88 it's worth the investment to upgrade to the hydraulic tensioners! Those WLA's are bringing some big bucks these days if you can find one.
Had a brand new softail with the m8 motor. Had it 2 months and the motor went out. Was told it must have been a defect. 7 months later I was back on 2 wheels. Was definitely unhappy with that bike after that happened.
😔 that's so disheartening to hear my friend... M8 is a great platform just the inexperience at the factory these days. I hope you got taken care of and back the road!!
M8 in my first Harley, so nothing to compare. After the cam swap my 107 engine runs like a raped ape. No leaks, easy to service. I love doing all the work myself. I think at some point HD will have to go to full liquid cool just to keep up with modern society. My Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero 1700 still runs as good as the day I bought it. Hopefully the M8 will surpass that.
Evo was a great motor, cam bearing at 41k went south, easy fix. 05 twin cam 88. 70k no issues still running good..30k on the 114 no issues..but if I had to choose ? I'd go back to the Evo
Hi William, In regards to your 05 twin cam, It's time for cam bearings and lifters. Catch it before it becomes a problem. I am a mechanic with 39 yrs experience on Harley Davidsons. My friend just experienced Cam bearing failure on his 05 at 78,000 so you maybe running on borrowed time. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Good luck and ride safe !
I like the way the inmate looks kinda reminds me of the knucklehead a little bit, but what I don’t like is the sound of it stock they don’t have the Harley thump
My 110 tire shredder has been amazing since putting it in my dyna in 2017. Have never ridden a m8 before but would love to have the low rider st in my garage 🤘
The M8 makes power and it comes a lot easier than the Twin Cam but every Harley engine has something for everyone with the feel and the power they make.
My 2000 Twin Cam has just done over 56,000 trouble free miles. Yes, I did change the chain cam drive to a gear drive after around 30,000 miles, and while doing it I also did a cam and pushrod change, but that's all I did to the motor and not because of having a problem with the chain drive, I just didn't like the weakness of the chain. It still has the original cam plate and oil pump, and has perfect oil pressure. In my opinion, to much play is made by the aftermarket companies, frightening owners into believing that there motor is just about to explode if they didn't buy there cam plates, oil pumps etc.
Truth be told, you don't need a race plate in the engine. The stock cam plate and oil pump is more than sufficient to swap in a bolt in cam. I would do exactly what you did and upgrade the tensioners to hydraulic or go to a gear drive. You're year model doesn't have issues with excessive crank run out since it has the timken bearing and the stronger crank. The 2003 and up have the roller bearings and the pressed crank, it's not a good idea to just swap in a gear drive on those motors.
@@GixxerFoo Thanks for your reply. As you say my bike has the stronger bottom end. I recently looked at the S&S and Andrews instruction leaflet, and nowhere does it even mention crankshaft run out. I also have a 2011 96 Heritage, fortunately HD had sorted out the tensioner problem by then. Two things that always make me wonder about Harley Davidsons engineering as a company. I live in England and love my English motorcycles, I used to own a Norton Commando and that had a chain driven camshaft, and that never gave me any problems, ever. The other thing is that when the Twin Cam first came out, I read a magazine that had an article on the new motor. HD claimed that a chain was more accurate than a gear, who did they think they where kidding.
I'd have to say the Evo at this point but that being said let's give the m8 some time. I think it's going to be just as good as the Evo. I like all 3 though. I haven't had any problems with any of them. Keep on top of maintenance and I believe they all last a long time
I have had 2 Harley Davidsons. I have bought both in the last year. One is a 1999 Sportster 1200 Custom. I have really enjoyed riding it. It is so light and fun to ride. I put on mustang touring seat with backrest on it. I love the torque. I think the power to weight ratio is good. It is a stage one. I also have a 2007 Heritage softail. It is pure stock. It has decent power. With only 10,000 miles on it I hope to get many more out of it. I have ridden a few milwaukee eight equipped bikes. The 114 feels really good on the Softail models. I wanted more power on the ultra limited. I rode a CVO roadglide limited. I thought the 117 was better. It was decent. More power would have been nice. I think I like the milwaukee 8 engine best. I am a little concerned with the problems I have heard people have with them. But I have also heard so many people talk about how the first year twincam 96B engines had so many problems. Too much runout on the crankshaft, compensators are bad, running too lean, automatic primary chain tensioners getting too tight and causing more runout in the crank and wearing out bearings in the transmission.
The EVO IS the most reliable H-D engine ever, no exceptions. Most of the problems with the Shovelhead actually could have been solved without changing its appearance enough to really notice. You can even get Shovelhead style rocker boxes for the EVO if you prefer that look. But the EVO is where things stopped getting better, and started going backward. The Twin Cam has some serious fundamental issues, like the pressed together crank and cam chain tensioners (both designs) that were never fixed. I doubt there is a single stock Twin Cam out there that doesn't have a misaligned crank. If H-D had only used the old style bolted together crank, they could have used gear driven cams, and eliminated the chain driven cam problem altogether. Yes, the Japanese brands have successfully used pressed together cranks, but they were used in very smooth running short stroke engines that didn't hammer the crank journals like the Harley engine does. By far the most common cause of engine failure in Japanese engines is cam chain failure. I have owned three Japanese bikes where the engines failed because of broken cam chains. I don't even consider the M8 to be a Harley engine. It is a Japanese design, built by H-D using parts from who knows where. I have owned and ridden a lot of Japanese cruisers. They were reliable, and I put a lot of miles on them. But I was never really happy with them, when compared to a Harley. I finally got the chance to buy a used Harley, and immediately fell in love. I now have three. My only Japanese bike now is a Suzuki DR650 dual sport. The two things I love about Harleys are the sound and the feel. Without those two things, there is no reason to buy a Harley. With the M8, H-D changed it so much that it no longer fits the definition of a Harley. Actually we can still have brand new EVO engines. They are just not made by H-D. The same thing exists in the car world. I have a 1972 Chevy Nova. It has a small block Chevy DESIGN engine under the hood, which I built myself. But it does not have a SINGLE GM part in it. It's all aftermarket. So many people love this engine, so when GM quit making it, there was still a huge demand for it, so the aftermarket stepped in to fill that demand. Both the H-D EVO and the old school small block Chevy engines will likely still be around from the aftermarket for decades to come.
hi i had a 2009 twin cam 96 fatboy. i traded in for 2023 fatboy. the 114 does sound like a sewing machine. very weak sounding. i kinda feel like harley went to a more of a japanese style of engineering to keep up with the neighbors. but, it has amazing amt of power. im getting a s&s 675 cam installed in it and bassani 2 into 1 pipes installed on it to make it sound alot better. i got the idea from some guy on you tube. thanks mr gixxerfoo
Looking at Harley Davidson's heritage their system of development and improvement has always followed this path, people that loved them overlooked the flaws and stuck with the modus operandi of the MoCo knowing how unique they are in todays world, oh and the Evo can easliy be bored or stroked to any level of performance or reliability, was it a coincidence S&S had 88" 96" and 103" options years before?
I hate to admit it, but improvements in design, metallurgy and manufacturing technology made the Evo vastly more efficient, reliable and yes, SUPERIOR than the Shovel. There have been Knucks, Pans and Shovels made with modern machining technology and superior metallurgy that greatly increase reliability and performance. My STD Panheads (on an S&S 96" Sidewinder) use a Shovel style intake tract and are made from high-quality aluminum alloy. They were factory ported 'big valve' heads and flow bench numbers beat an Evo, and seat of my pants tells me these things can pass some gas! But still ya got aluminum block/iron cylinders/aluminum heads and differing coefficients of thermal expansion. Gotta retorque those head bolts and base nuts every so often. Not as often as the low-quality slag of Genuine Harley parts, but still no locating sleeves like an Evo to keep things in-line.
I have a 98 Evo. While most folks are moving forward, I'm going backwards. I had a Shovel, never again. I had a Pan, it got stolen at a Rally in Florida. Now I'm wanting a Knucklehead. Finding an original Knucklehead would be nice but I'm not stupid either. They cost more than my truck. I'm thinking it's time to power my next ride with an aftermarket Knuckle. It's a lot less money than a worn out original. An aftermarket should be more reliable as well and easier to build up. That's my plan and I'm sticking to it...
I am no mechanic. I like reliability. I do like power too though. I’ve only owned 2 different kinds of motors with Harley. I bought the twin cam in 2007 when I bought a new Heritage which was an ‘08 model. I didn’t upgrade or trade until 2018 when I bought a year old 2017 Road King. That was a great bike. I liked it so much that my wife and I began taking longer and longer road trips. Pretty soon, she talked me into getting an Ultra Limited. Now, my ‘22 UL has the Stage 3, 122 from Screamin’ Eagle. I’ve not had any problems at all on any of those bikes except there was one small problem on the Heritage within the first 4 months, but they fixed it under warrantee and never had a problem again. I sure like the power I’m getting now though.
Indian has really solid motor, unitized construction and it makes really good power. The M8 makes more power and has way more power potential, they got it sorted for the most part now. The Thunderstroke didn't have really any sumping issues that have plagued the M8, but it's better now with the new oil pump and aftermarket crankcase ventilation. The Indian does have some electrical gremlins but I think they got that sorted now.
I own a TC110 but as we’re discussing Harley motors and comparing them as they evolve, I’m curious about your take on the Rev Max. I’ve been thinking about going that route with the Pan Am. I’m not necessarily limited to Harley’s air cooled history although I love that history. When you talk about power and reliability, I can’t help but go to the Rev Max.
From what I've seen so far it's been a damn good motor. Just like the Vrod was a killer motor and I see the Rev Max as an updated version. It's lighter, more powerful and it has variable valve timing. The Revolution X was a good motor as well, albeit the Street Series was a flop. As with any engine I've seen some problems in the Rev Max but they seem to be very isolated and not wide spread. I love the fact that unlike the Vrod there are no valve adjustments required on this engine either. You really can't beat the power and there's more to be had with exhaust and tuning, I hate to say it but like a well engineered metric engine.
I wish they would have but at the time they were looking ahead to having to meet emissions requirements that were getting stricter and the Evo wasn't gonna meet them. That's why they went with the Twin Cam and then same deal going to the M8.
I love my 97 evo. Many folks in the comments here put up all the reasons save the fact that I will never buy a newer bike that is an electricians nightmare. I used to build shovels and could easily wire one up turn signals, brake lights, the whole enchillada. I will never trust Harleys newer technological nightmares.
Great info on the M8. Did not know they engineered the vibration in. I know it idles at lower RPM. I do like the looks of the motor. Hints of the Knucklehead.
EVO NATION! I learn to like the older versions when the newer versions come out!. Im just now warming up to the twin cam . Having ridden my buddies 06 Street Glide ( yes its black) with the S&S124 ( 180 hp) with the Fat 5 & R&B 2 into1 race pipe . keeping fuel in it is another thin at $10. a gallon. So I am slow to ease into anything new TYPICALLY if it has 20 years of service on it then maybe LMFAO! Sunny side up . Keep the bugs off yer glass & the Smokies off yer Arse. EVO NATION lol
I have a 2012 Road king a year or two before the Mount Rushmore. Glad I got pre-Rushmore it has a full size tires not the stupid low pro. It sits up pretty high very solid Bike, but that twin cam 103 still sounds like a sewing machine to me other than that dynamite bike.
Which engine was absolute best Harley-Davidson ever produced, what is your go to motor?
Evo and M8. Reliable as any and the other can build real power. Btw, sell shirts or have a giveaway in order to get a bagger. Imagine making a video in front of your own big vtwin. Just an idea.
Panhead
Carbed Evo!
@@danielrobey1759Crabed EVO! Yeah! 1 potato 2 potato!
EVO
made my tc 88 bullet proof, geared cams, timken bearings, balanced S&S crank ported, oil cooler, billet cam plate, high flow oil pump, stroked to 103
🔥🔥🔥
I've got almost the exact same thing. 01 FXDX, .510 CAMS, billet cam chest, high flow oil pump, gear drive, Timkin bottom end, Jagg cooler, Mikuni 42 HSR carb, Supertrapp 2:1, fork brace. Have a 98" Zippers kit waiting to go in
A pity The Factory forces us to do all that, rather than be bullet-proof from the get-go.
My Twin cam was ported, polished had a 106" S&S crank and a Fueling cam. I did love it, BUT my M8 with an S&S cam is just a fantastic engine.
@@timmattle4730 I hear ya. I'm right now diving into the timing chest of a 30,000 miles 2001 Road King that's never yet had the engine opened, to change out all the dodgy HD parts that everyone else changed out over 20 years ago now during their first 6 months of ownership!
They finally got the oiling right in Panheads from 1963 to 65 with the outside Oilers. Speaking of the Shovelhead. I'm an old rider, and I remember in 1973, the Shovelhead oil pump was changed three times until they got it right. Yes, 3 times in the same year. You've got to be careful working on that year engine. I have owned five Shovelheads, a 1966 FL police, 1978 FLH 80, 1978 1/2 FXS , 1975 FLH , and 1979 FLH 74ci. All of them were fine machines once I solved the inherent problems with each of them. I've been riding a 1949 Panhead I built many years ago. I wouldn't sell or trade it for anything Harley makes now.
Yes my 64 duo is my go too machine .
Yes I am older than duo .
Tell us about the good old days... I will never catch you in wisdom... Cause i will never catch you in age. Carbs only. No TV screen.
First time I saw/heard a M8 bagger roll by, it sounded like a goldwing.
103 twin cam on my 2013 Dyna.... I'm staying right there 😎
That's funny. I recently moved to a tc 103 from evos. I got off the tc103 and got on my evo eg ultra, felt like getting off a goldwing and getting on a harley. To each his own.
The twin cam sounds even more "harley like" to me than the evo. Twin cam is like an LS6.0 and the evo is a TBI350. Straigh pipe both and the twin cam has a distict pop and crispness to the exhaust note, the evos always sound a bit raspy and not as clean and distinct to me. Everyone has their favorites, ride whatever makes you smile 😃
I have a 103 in my Fatboy and I love that engine. When I bought it used, there were M8's on the showroom floor, but you hit the nail on the head when you said they sound like metric bikes. Not even tempted to move to an M8 bike. My other bike is an Evo Model 72 Sportster, and that runs like a top too.
I'm pretty new to the game. I bought my 2020 Road King (first HD) with the 107 M8 new. I ran full synth out of the gate, and have had it serviced every 2500 miles except for the 17500 interval. Just had the 20K service done. I can't compare it to anything else as I don't have the experience, and have to rely on you more knowledgeable fellas to help me understand how things work. I turn 70 in 2024, and this is probably the only HD I'll ever own, so I want it to last as long as possible, or at least as long as I'm still able to ride. But I love the machine. I'll keep it stock because it has more than enough power for my needs.
I enjoy your channel and find the information fascinating and valuable.
I understand that fast enough thing. I’ll be 74 in 2024. I have a 1999 Fatboy with an S&S 124 super sidewinder with 166Hp.
Fast enough for me 😮
I'm 73 and kinda in same boat. Got my bucket list Harley , 1998 Dyna 80". Legs/muscles are going. Not through riding, eventually add a sidecar. Just want it to outlast me. Those Stock roller lifters got me worried along with that cheap inner cam needle "bearing".
My Harley issues were solved when I got my new Wing.
Majority of your content seems about boosting power. It'd be nice to hear you break down an endurance build. Something for those moto-hobo's who want to escape for months or even years going through North and Central America. Maybe something catering to roadside repairs. An engine where 100k miles isn't enough longevity. Even if few of us use our machines like that I'm sure many desire to and would be interested in that content. Just like few will take a multitude of drag strip runs but enjoy building for the big dyno numbers.
Leave it bone stock and do all the required maintenance at half the recommended intervals and that would be about the only way.
@@ericalger5003 nah, I know there are a few plastic parts inside that should be swapped for metal. I imagine you could do a big bore kit but keep compression low enough for bad gas. Different cam focus…. Maybe head work/porting for efficiency. Carb adjustment for mileage…. There’s lots…
If that's what you want make it an evo & use some points as ignition or upgrade to Dyna 2000i ignition the stock electronic module will fail I've seen at least a dozen bikes with that problem
Honda Valkyrie with harley stickers
Actually I'd love a valkyrie but... parts are now starting to get harder to get. Harley's will always have the important parts available.
@@BobbySchaffer
Big G'day GixxerFoo from Down Under 🇦🇺
You missed the BIGGEST issue with the M8 & that's the compensator ❗
TwinCam 103 man myself
May all your days be Harley days
🧡🖤🧡
Compensators on the M8? That's a new one for me, I haven't seen many issues on those!
Have a 107 M8 limited, December 2018 build,I replaced the cam plate,oil pump, leaving the factory cam,but the rest is now S&S , personally I believe this is the way it should have been built in the first place by Harley
I love my Evo, not the most powerful but it's carbed and sounds like a Harley should. As far as the twin cam and M8 I think if you find a bike you like and are willing to do a little work it's possible to have a very very reliable ride. I think any of them can be made reliable if you have the skills to do it
Love my 98 fxdl low rider. Reliable, sure not the most HP, I really don't care. It's comfortable and it runs all the time.
Absolutely, not a fuel injection fan. Jetted mine runs very well. And...you can work on it 😊😊
@@VR-mm4ys and it sounds like a Harley should!
Tried to convince a customer not to sell his Evo. The nicest customized DYNA I have ever seen. Twice. But he sold it.
It could win shows.
Ive wanted one for the last four years, but have an M8 and cannot afford one or justify a second bike.
Totally unexpectedly he offered me the Evo at a price that basically nade it a gift. Had it been any more I could not have afforded it.
A motorcycle heaven sent.
That's awesome to hear! A bike like that deserves a good home in the right hands and it sounds like it got it!
'05 Evo Sporty 1200. Change oil as needed, fill up the gas and go ridin'. Keeps me happy. Thunderheaders for a bit of pop and that's about it.
I love the those three years of the carbed sporty with the really really good heads! That was the best Sportster they ever made!
Evo all the way. I hated it when I bought my twin cam softail and found out they took out nearly all of the vibration that I loved. I loved my eyes bouncing up and down at a stoplight.
It's not much better now with the M8 and the balancers in the engine. It has engineered vibration into the engine and it's really not the same now.
Love my m8 but I also had great success with my TC 88. I believe care and maintenance are the most important thing we can do with our bikes.
I really hope the M8 isn't the last air cooled motor but if it is, I'd also be proud of what Harley was able to do. We'll probably be able to keep the M8 alive for many years to come but just in case, I'm keeping my cockroach-reliable Evo around
Well they are oil cooled and the newest ones are liquid cooled now but It probably will be the last pushrod v twin emission are getting too strict and honestly you can’t make much more power than what you can do with the m8 in a pushrod v twin platform
My go-to is my 94 FXR 80" EVO for warmer weather riding along with my 14 FLSTC 103" TC. My go-to for touring is my 07 FLTR 96" TC. Each bike has its own personality... 🇺🇸
That's the cool thing about Harley, each family is the same basis like Dyna, Softail or Touring but they each have tweaks that make them completely different bikes.
When you ride a motorcycle that's older than you and is built from parts off dead bikes from various origins, car,tractor,and boat parts; you carry various parts and tools! I've ridden my Panhead all over the country and never had a breakdown that kept me off the road for more than a day. This is a bike I built and rode a year on $275 ($125 for the transmission)!! However, I put a 50gal drum of Blood,Sweat and Tears in it! I went through Bro's Scrap piles,and picked through junkyards and picked up whatever I needed,usually traded for or given to me! Every part has a story! My only rule when building A RAT is that Nothing goes on "just cause it's Ugly!" Anything I use on it Must out perform the part it's replacing (for instance the Chevy alternator instead of the 6V generator) ! When I started riding if you saw a guy riding a fine chopper (or an innovative RAT), that man was "A BIKER"!He built his bike and it reflected His tastes and needs ! These Days all it means is he's got money! If you finance a bike and take it back to the dealership to get your oil and plugs changed, You're NOT a BIKER! You're a Harley owner !😂😊
Still riding my 2 twin cam bikes. They’re both paid for and I don’t need another payment these days. Oh, and both are running great. Both have a stage 1 and put out all the oomph I need.
My favorite is the VRODs Revo engine. Absolutely bulletproof.
VROD was a legend that didn't get enough credit.
Big twin cam fan for sure. I do like the m8 for a few reasons, none of which are the sound but I do like it. Every twin cam I've had and or known people who've had them have never had any issue so
Carbureted Evo 100% no question. Anything newer has to many wires and gizmos. Anything older requires to much attention. Not to mention new bikes and antique bikes will cost more than the EVOs.
wouldnt own anything older than an Evo or newer than an Evo
Me too 😊
I'm gonna go with my Rushmore twin cam 103. Once I put the fueling cam plate an upgrade oil pump in its been solid.
I'm going to add this one to my Gixxer playlist, well done lad
Awesome, thank you!
I had several evos but the twin cam is far more superior . I also went gear drive cams. Runs like a top.
Same with the M8, def progression.
20th Century Harley Davidson. The last Big Twin Evo was the end of the line for Harleys. Even the new empty logo reflects the fact that the current MoCo is just a shell of what it was. They aren't making Harleys anymore. Now they just make motorcycles.
I had a shovelhead back in the late 60's, I road it everywhere (did not own a car) and the only thing I ever had to do was re-ring it every 20K or it would puff a little smoke on deceleration. I'm sure that better rings were later made for it but these were Harley rings. I don't remember many after market parts for Harley's back then other than front ends and wheels...
I have had most from a flat head to the Milwaukee 8. You are right they all have their problems. Just for sound I think the 80in. flathead is hard to beat, but mechanically it’s got its own problems. Now I have a 107 Milwaukee 8, Trike, and a 2016 Softail Slim S with the 110 with a stage 2 kit and S&S cams that I absolutely love. The Trike is the vehicle for two up trips and after having oil problems for months my dealership worked it out finally but I am glad I got the extended warranty and have a great dealership and you are right about waiting mine is a 2017 and had problems. My Softail has had the problems worked out, I have learned over the years to like the twin cam, 02,09, 14, 16. The 103 was the smoothest, least troublesome twin cam I owned but my knees made me trade the ultra for a trike. My 09 had the 113in. Pro Race kit installed in it, biggest mistake I’ve ever made. It ran like a lightning bolt for 12K miles and died a horrible death. As usual outstanding video!
I had an evo was a really good engine. Now I have a 103 HO. Love it.
My wife has an 107 M8 and I have a TC88 as well as 3 EVOS. All great engines with certain mods or updates. Great content, keep it coming. Cheers cb
Shovel head till I'm dead. I have a 79 fx
Lowrider Shovel head still runs great
And it's got a sound all of its own. Love my Shovel head
Ordered, purchased a 2003 Road King Classic in late 2002. Ran full synthetic Red Line oil since new. Cam chest was rebuilt at 50,000 miles with Feuling OE hydraulic kit. The Original cam chain tensioner shoes were still intact with life remaining. Will check again at 100,000 miles! The Milwaukee 8 sounds like a METRIC! 💩
I am willing to bet that Red Line oil is the reason your tensioners lasted as long as they did and add life left! People scoff at brand and quality of oil but you've really proven that it does make a difference. Totally agree the M8 has a metric sound, they have a whine to them like a overhead cam metric style bike. They sound like the water cooled Revolution X and Max engines.
My 03 twin cam has 27,000 Mi on it and I started using that red line 20 W 60 and that thing has quieted down and run so smooth and so cool it's amazing
I still have a shovel head 1980 Sturgis, had 05 TC 88 for 12 yrs. Now a 2019 M8 Limited, had to use to the difference but good power. Starting to really enjoy it. Putting a S&S 475 cam chest kit in this winter along with a Thunder max tuner. Ought be a awesome ride after that fingers crossed 🤞🏽
My 84 soft tail, stock.
First year evo, still on the road!!
Don’t want the latest/ greatest!!!
I installed a 447 torque cam in my 2018 Road-glide ultra, bike has 60k on her, new screaming eagle oil pump, lifters, runs mint! Slight oil migration still from my transmission to primary even after installing a 9mm shaft. Own a twin cam & Evo also.., kinda like them all!! Great video!!
I got a Shovelhead, Twin Cams and M8's love them all
Have. TC 103 and a M8 117. Like asking someone to close their favorite child. They’re both fantastic in their own ways. Sound and feel of the TC and the monster power of the M8. Air cooled for life 👊🏽
I love the Shovelhead & the TwinCam.
Once the Ammonia powered motor comes out, there will be no need to scrap the M8
You are correct in stating that you should never buy a new motor design from Harley for at least 2 or 3 years. They let the consumer do all the testing for them! Second, I have an Evo and 2 twin cams. I prefer the Evo simply because I can get the Evo running with basic skills and tools. With all the electronics on the twin cams you need specialized tools, computer software and MONEY to work on them! I will probably never get a Milwaukee 8 simply because they really don't offer me anything that I don't already have.
I have never had a Harley but have worked on many Shovels and Evos. I like the sound of a Shovel best!
Love my 2021 Heritage 114 Milwaukee 8. Even more after I took your advice and added an
S & S 475C Cam. The thumping at idle is freaking awesome. Thanks!
I love to hear that! M8's love aftermarket cams and they come to life even with the stock components. Really helps the M8 is already higher compression than the Twin Cam engines stock.
I've had the TC88, the TC96, and now the MW114.
I like the MW114 the best so far.
I have both a twin cam and an M8. I like both motors for different reasons. The m8 is a much smoother and more powerful motor for traveling and the twin cam is just a fun bike locally to blast around making noise.
Evos are amazing and i love my 94, but i alos love my 02 TC88. Both bikes are carbed, vance and hines slip ons, the twin cam has a much crisper thump to the exhaust note. I ride with a handfull of M8 bikes, make good power, i just cant get with the exhaust note of the 4v heads. Ill sacrifice power for the huge smile the twin cams exhaust note puts on my face. Its therapeutic for me in a way... ride safe everybody 🤘
Same here, I love the power of the M8 but that 4 valve head I just can't get with the sound.
I came around after I rode one. The torque is unreal. Kinda felt like a Honda but I could get used to it. I’d still keep my evo and twin cam road kings but would like to add a m8 to the stable
I've had the four most recent Harley engines in various bikes. I ride a '21 RK now, to go a long way comfortably. I ride my '96 Wideglide to soothe my soul. Funny,.... I live in snow country, the Roadking gets covered up and put to bed, and the Evo sits on the lift uncovered, so i can sit on it and watch TV! There!.......... I'm finally out of the closet on that!!
Hey ,,, nothing wrong with that !!!! Some times, i just fire it up to feel the vibs !!!! Crazy !!!? Right . lol
Hey I sit on my bike in the shop and watch TV with a cold beer, so guess I'll admit to it too.
@@GixxerFoo very cool
Skipped the Evo and went to twin cam 88 loved my shovelhead but happy with my 06 streetbob and to many beers to tell time keep up content
I hope you kept your shovel head! 06 Dyna was an excellent motor with that 88, had the hydraulic tensioners and the 96 heads on them too.
You know, now you have to do a RevolutionMax video, right? Personally, I loved my M8. I've had at least one of the 3 last air cooled H-D engines (Evo, TC, M8) & the M8 was my favorite, but the other 2 did sound better. If the M8 is the last of the air cooled H-D engines, well, what a way to ride into the sunset. Now, I've moved onto the RevMax & I'll tell you, it's a vicious animal. If it's where H-D is heading, then I'm going to be perfectly happy.
2 Twin cams , 2 Shovelheads love both motors
Love my M8 cam upgrade and exhaust just the right amount of power for me
I liked the EVO didn't like the twin cam much except for the 103. I really like my M8. Probably as much as my EVOS. Great channel thanks.
The 103 was the best Twin Cam they made if you ask me, the M8's are good motors and they for sure make the power!
2018 M8 107 51+K . No problems.
Recently installed S/R 30-30 Cam, still OEM xhaust. Upgraded plate pump lifters.
Its "strong, like a gorilla. Yet soft and yielding, like a nerf ball" Homer S
That's awesome! I imagine that cam swap made a huge difference, you get some free flowing exhaust on there and it will really wake up!
I rode on EVO's for a dozen years and I really liked this engine for its simplicity and placidity, its cool side for riding the old-fashioned way without worrying about performance, then I had a 103 HO on a Road King for 3 years, very pleasant for riding faster and for a longer time, more powerful and rounded, but lacking a little flexibility at low revs and now for a year and a half I have had a 107 and a 114, I prefer this last on my FXLRS more torquey with more inertia, very flexible and very pleasant, it's my daily and I have a lot of fun with it, without counting that in addition to the engine the new Softail chassis is really the best part cycle that This is a Harley product....
but each generation has its own charm...
Every Harley has it's own charm and things we love to hate, Evo was the best engine ever. They all ride different that's for sure!
The evolution motor saved The Motor Company. Engine is bulletproof.
A couple years ago for a road trip I rented a '22 Heritage Classic with the 114 and some Vance and Hines -that thing sounded great and could really move like hell!! About 4 years now I've owned an '08 RKC with a complete stage I -which also has a stupid fun sound -high and low, with the Rinehart exhausts (highly recommended). Not as quick as that 114 (probably a good thing for me🙂but it's its been a super reliable motor, and bike overall -though I bought mine with only 5K miles on the clock. Have to say I'd have no issues with getting another twin cam after this bike -as long as it's 96ci or bigger......
Another great Video Gixer Thanks.. I own a Shorttail Standard with a stage one upgrade its stock internals and i rides great but lacks grunt and I will one day upgrade barrels and heads cams and intake which will help
Loving my built t sport and have a tc 103 fatboy so I'm happy for now . At some stage I'll go m8 for sure. Even my 103 has sumping so she's due for the cam plate oil pump upgrade next winter 😊
Have a Twin Cam 96 love it , want another , but will say nothing sounds as good as a EVO ,
Love my 80" EVO, love my 103" twin cam, LOVE my 131 crate motor with the night prowler cam
You got a monster! 131 the baddest cam on the market is awesome!
You did leave out the pan, knuckle and 45 there. :-D I'm happy with my acquisition of a '99 FXDL with an HSR42 and two into one exhaust, supposedly big bore and a cam but I haven't opened it up yet - it does have a sh!t ton of torque, though. I quite like the sound and vibration, those aspects don't make me think I'm missing out on the M8 - the best thing about them is the abbreviation, we use in UK and Aus for mate. 😀
I usually don't go back the Shovel, there are very few of the pans still running around these days! Is your 99 an Evo or a Twin Cam?
I haven't noticed a difference in torque between my tuned 103 HO and those 114 M8 of friends.
And ...torque is where I need it...151 Nm at 3200rpm!
Twin cam. Thanks largely to you I am aware I will probably need to update the cam plate, tensioner and pump. I did love the Evo when it first came out, but this is probably my penultimate bike. If I could find a basket case 45WLA I'd do another build, though... 😀
If you have an 88 it's worth the investment to upgrade to the hydraulic tensioners! Those WLA's are bringing some big bucks these days if you can find one.
I have an Evo Sportster, a 1975 FXE, love my Shovel but still thinking of a new Street Bob for the stable
I am big fan of the Street Bob, I loved the Twin Cam version! The M8 version just isn't the same to me.
Just bought a twin cam 110 so hopefully it'll be my favorite! 😅
You should do a video about the differences between 49 state bikes and 50 state bikes! I'm in CA and it was all bad buying a 49 state bike!! Lol
I have a TC103 and will stay with that.
Had a brand new softail with the m8 motor. Had it 2 months and the motor went out. Was told it must have been a defect. 7 months later I was back on 2 wheels. Was definitely unhappy with that bike after that happened.
😔 that's so disheartening to hear my friend... M8 is a great platform just the inexperience at the factory these days. I hope you got taken care of and back the road!!
M8 in my first Harley, so nothing to compare. After the cam swap my 107 engine runs like a raped ape. No leaks, easy to service. I love doing all the work myself. I think at some point HD will have to go to full liquid cool just to keep up with modern society. My Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero 1700 still runs as good as the day I bought it. Hopefully the M8 will surpass that.
Evo was a great motor, cam bearing at 41k went south, easy fix. 05 twin cam 88. 70k no issues still running good..30k on the 114 no issues..but if I had to choose ? I'd go back to the Evo
Hi William, In regards to your 05 twin cam, It's time for cam bearings and lifters. Catch it before it becomes a problem. I am a mechanic with 39 yrs experience on Harley Davidsons. My friend just experienced Cam bearing failure on his 05 at 78,000 so you maybe running on borrowed time. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Good luck and ride safe !
1995 Road King SS E carb. W Andrews cam Evo 80ci. Engine that saved HD.
2000 FXD carb. TC88 w Fueling cams and cam plate.
Those Evos run good with the S&S carb! Got the 88 with the good crank and hot setup too? You got it made!
Very good video! Thanks
❤ my m8 mate. Got the pump upgrade and my oil level fluctuations are over. 🇦🇺
That's awesome to hear! Glad you got that done and you can just ride and enjoy it!
I like the way the inmate looks kinda reminds me of the knucklehead a little bit, but what I don’t like is the sound of it stock they don’t have the Harley thump
They really don't have the thump like they used to back in the day.
People say my twin cam is bullet proof. They lied. Now I have a hole and broken fins!
You hanging out with a rough crowd or what?!
My 110 tire shredder has been amazing since putting it in my dyna in 2017. Have never ridden a m8 before but would love to have the low rider st in my garage 🤘
twin cam is the far better engine in my opinion just enjoys the engine it works for me thanks
There are different aspects that I can appreciate from each power plant as far as performance M8
The M8 makes power and it comes a lot easier than the Twin Cam but every Harley engine has something for everyone with the feel and the power they make.
My 2000 Twin Cam has just done over 56,000 trouble free miles. Yes, I did change the chain cam drive to a gear drive after around 30,000 miles, and while doing it I also did a cam and pushrod change, but that's all I did to the motor and not because of having a problem with the chain drive, I just didn't like the weakness of the chain.
It still has the original cam plate and oil pump, and has perfect oil pressure. In my opinion, to much play is made by the aftermarket companies, frightening owners into believing that there motor is just about to explode if they didn't buy there cam plates, oil pumps etc.
Truth be told, you don't need a race plate in the engine. The stock cam plate and oil pump is more than sufficient to swap in a bolt in cam. I would do exactly what you did and upgrade the tensioners to hydraulic or go to a gear drive. You're year model doesn't have issues with excessive crank run out since it has the timken bearing and the stronger crank. The 2003 and up have the roller bearings and the pressed crank, it's not a good idea to just swap in a gear drive on those motors.
@@GixxerFoo Thanks for your reply. As you say my bike has the stronger bottom end. I recently looked at the S&S and Andrews instruction leaflet, and nowhere does it even mention crankshaft run out.
I also have a 2011 96 Heritage, fortunately HD had sorted out the tensioner problem by then.
Two things that always make me wonder about Harley Davidsons engineering as a company. I live in England and love my English motorcycles, I used to own a Norton Commando and that had a chain driven camshaft, and that never gave me any problems, ever. The other thing is that when the Twin Cam first came out, I read a magazine that had an article on the new motor. HD claimed that a chain was more accurate than a gear, who did they think they where kidding.
You made some really good points Thanks 😊 👏
I'd have to say the Evo at this point but that being said let's give the m8 some time. I think it's going to be just as good as the Evo. I like all 3 though. I haven't had any problems with any of them. Keep on top of maintenance and I believe they all last a long time
I have had 2 Harley Davidsons. I have bought both in the last year. One is a 1999 Sportster 1200 Custom. I have really enjoyed riding it. It is so light and fun to ride. I put on mustang touring seat with backrest on it. I love the torque. I think the power to weight ratio is good. It is a stage one. I also have a 2007 Heritage softail. It is pure stock. It has decent power. With only 10,000 miles on it I hope to get many more out of it. I have ridden a few milwaukee eight equipped bikes. The 114 feels really good on the Softail models. I wanted more power on the ultra limited. I rode a CVO roadglide limited. I thought the 117 was better. It was decent. More power would have been nice. I think I like the milwaukee 8 engine best. I am a little concerned with the problems I have heard people have with them.
But I have also heard so many people talk about how the first year twincam 96B engines had so many problems. Too much runout on the crankshaft, compensators are bad, running too lean, automatic primary chain tensioners getting too tight and causing more runout in the crank and wearing out bearings in the transmission.
The EVO IS the most reliable H-D engine ever, no exceptions. Most of the problems with the Shovelhead actually could have been solved without changing its appearance enough to really notice. You can even get Shovelhead style rocker boxes for the EVO if you prefer that look. But the EVO is where things stopped getting better, and started going backward. The Twin Cam has some serious fundamental issues, like the pressed together crank and cam chain tensioners (both designs) that were never fixed. I doubt there is a single stock Twin Cam out there that doesn't have a misaligned crank. If H-D had only used the old style bolted together crank, they could have used gear driven cams, and eliminated the chain driven cam problem altogether. Yes, the Japanese brands have successfully used pressed together cranks, but they were used in very smooth running short stroke engines that didn't hammer the crank journals like the Harley engine does. By far the most common cause of engine failure in Japanese engines is cam chain failure. I have owned three Japanese bikes where the engines failed because of broken cam chains.
I don't even consider the M8 to be a Harley engine. It is a Japanese design, built by H-D using parts from who knows where. I have owned and ridden a lot of Japanese cruisers. They were reliable, and I put a lot of miles on them. But I was never really happy with them, when compared to a Harley. I finally got the chance to buy a used Harley, and immediately fell in love. I now have three. My only Japanese bike now is a Suzuki DR650 dual sport. The two things I love about Harleys are the sound and the feel. Without those two things, there is no reason to buy a Harley. With the M8, H-D changed it so much that it no longer fits the definition of a Harley.
Actually we can still have brand new EVO engines. They are just not made by H-D. The same thing exists in the car world. I have a 1972 Chevy Nova. It has a small block Chevy DESIGN engine under the hood, which I built myself. But it does not have a SINGLE GM part in it. It's all aftermarket. So many people love this engine, so when GM quit making it, there was still a huge demand for it, so the aftermarket stepped in to fill that demand. Both the H-D EVO and the old school small block Chevy engines will likely still be around from the aftermarket for decades to come.
Winner!
Past October marks my 64th year riding.
You summed it all up nicely.
hi i had a 2009 twin cam 96 fatboy. i traded in for 2023 fatboy. the 114 does sound like a sewing machine. very weak sounding. i kinda feel like harley went to a more of a japanese style of engineering to keep up with the neighbors. but, it has amazing amt of power. im getting a s&s 675 cam installed in it and bassani 2 into 1 pipes installed on it to make it sound alot better. i got the idea from some guy on you tube. thanks mr gixxerfoo
As a teenager I can remember the phrase “ Here no EVO, see no Evo, Speak no Evo”.
The Evolution is the best engine HD ever made. Bar none.
I have to agree, there will not ever be anything like that made from Harley-Davidson ever again.
If you want reliability, but some of us want more power.
I can jog faster than a Evo
@@freebehindbars8654 Buy a Hayabusa
Looking at Harley Davidson's heritage their system of development and improvement has always followed this path, people that loved them overlooked the flaws and stuck with the modus operandi of the MoCo knowing how unique they are in todays world, oh and the Evo can easliy be bored or stroked to any level of performance or reliability, was it a coincidence S&S had 88" 96" and 103" options years before?
I hate to admit it, but improvements in design, metallurgy and manufacturing technology made the Evo vastly more efficient, reliable and yes, SUPERIOR than the Shovel. There have been Knucks, Pans and Shovels made with modern machining technology and superior metallurgy that greatly increase reliability and performance. My STD Panheads (on an S&S 96" Sidewinder) use a Shovel style intake tract and are made from high-quality aluminum alloy. They were factory ported 'big valve' heads and flow bench numbers beat an Evo, and seat of my pants tells me these things can pass some gas! But still ya got aluminum block/iron cylinders/aluminum heads and differing coefficients of thermal expansion. Gotta retorque those head bolts and base nuts every so often. Not as often as the low-quality slag of Genuine Harley parts, but still no locating sleeves like an Evo to keep things in-line.
I have a 08 twin cam. It works for me
Nothing wrong with that, if it works for you that's all that matters.
I have a 98 Evo. While most folks are moving forward, I'm going backwards. I had a Shovel, never again. I had a Pan, it got stolen at a Rally in Florida. Now I'm wanting a Knucklehead. Finding an original Knucklehead would be nice but I'm not stupid either. They cost more than my truck. I'm thinking it's time to power my next ride with an aftermarket Knuckle. It's a lot less money than a worn out original. An aftermarket should be more reliable as well and easier to build up. That's my plan and I'm sticking to it...
Are you getting the after market knucklehead engine from S&S or Mototecnic mfg
@@Charlie-d1w4p probably going with a S&S...
I am no mechanic. I like reliability. I do like power too though. I’ve only owned 2 different kinds of motors with Harley. I bought the twin cam in 2007 when I bought a new Heritage which was an ‘08 model. I didn’t upgrade or trade until 2018 when I bought a year old 2017 Road King. That was a great bike. I liked it so much that my wife and I began taking longer and longer road trips. Pretty soon, she talked me into getting an Ultra Limited. Now, my ‘22 UL has the Stage 3, 122 from Screamin’ Eagle. I’ve not had any problems at all on any of those bikes except there was one small problem on the Heritage within the first 4 months, but they fixed it under warrantee and never had a problem again. I sure like the power I’m getting now though.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on the M8 vs the Indian motor. Pros & cons etc.
Indian has really solid motor, unitized construction and it makes really good power. The M8 makes more power and has way more power potential, they got it sorted for the most part now. The Thunderstroke didn't have really any sumping issues that have plagued the M8, but it's better now with the new oil pump and aftermarket crankcase ventilation. The Indian does have some electrical gremlins but I think they got that sorted now.
I own a TC110 but as we’re discussing Harley motors and comparing them as they evolve, I’m curious about your take on the Rev Max. I’ve been thinking about going that route with the Pan Am. I’m not necessarily limited to Harley’s air cooled history although I love that history. When you talk about power and reliability, I can’t help but go to the Rev Max.
From what I've seen so far it's been a damn good motor. Just like the Vrod was a killer motor and I see the Rev Max as an updated version. It's lighter, more powerful and it has variable valve timing. The Revolution X was a good motor as well, albeit the Street Series was a flop. As with any engine I've seen some problems in the Rev Max but they seem to be very isolated and not wide spread. I love the fact that unlike the Vrod there are no valve adjustments required on this engine either. You really can't beat the power and there's more to be had with exhaust and tuning, I hate to say it but like a well engineered metric engine.
Surprised that HD never upped the capacity of Evo engines whereas the TC had capacities ranging from 88” thru 95”, 96”, 103” and 110”
I wish they would have but at the time they were looking ahead to having to meet emissions requirements that were getting stricter and the Evo wasn't gonna meet them. That's why they went with the Twin Cam and then same deal going to the M8.
I love my 97 evo. Many folks in the comments here put up all the reasons save the fact that I will never buy a newer bike that is an electricians nightmare. I used to build shovels and could easily wire one up turn signals, brake lights, the whole enchillada. I will never trust Harleys newer technological nightmares.
I'd say M8 for power and future support. But I've chosen twincam 103 because Wide Glide and it was affordable for me
Good choice 👍🏾
Great info on the M8. Did not know they engineered the vibration in. I know it idles at lower RPM. I do like the looks of the motor. Hints of the Knucklehead.
EVO NATION! I learn to like the older versions when the newer versions come out!. Im just now warming up to the twin cam . Having ridden my buddies 06 Street Glide ( yes its black) with the S&S124 ( 180 hp) with the Fat 5 & R&B 2 into1 race pipe . keeping fuel in it is another thin at $10. a gallon. So I am slow to ease into anything new TYPICALLY if it has 20 years of service on it then maybe LMFAO! Sunny side up . Keep the bugs off yer glass & the Smokies off yer Arse. EVO NATION lol
Evo is the best engine ever and the S&S Evo motors are absolutely awesome!
I have a 2012 Road king a year or two before the Mount Rushmore. Glad I got pre-Rushmore it has a full size tires not the stupid low pro. It sits up pretty high very solid Bike, but that twin cam 103 still sounds like a sewing machine to me other than that dynamite bike.
That's a good point when they changed that front wheel, they don't ride as good as the older model with the bigger wider tire to me.
I'll stick with my EVO . It's been great to me
Best HD motor is the Evo Sportster. But my M8 is also rock solid.
I would of loved to of seen Harley make a big twin version of the Evo Sportster