EVO better than Twin cam ?

[baldoldfxr]

So why are we all riding an outdated design ?, can't just be cost as older twin cams are cheap now, some of us are riding bikes nearly 25 years old & that does have some drawbacks, Almost every body will have modified something on their motor by now in many cases because of a design problem ,I HAD to change my 86 model clutch it was pretty feeble, & we know there are other things depending on what year your bike is.
Is it looks ? Twin cams are a bit smooth & in my opinion the nose cone looks weird, but Evo's aren't that great,. look at a shovel ,pan etc beautifull engines. so come on let us know what keeps you on your EVO

[PaJoe]

The bike I wanted just happened to be an EVO, it's ironic because the next day I was planning to buy a brand new twin cam. There was something about the looks that caught my eye and I have yet to bump into a newer bike to make me want to give it up. On the other hand,  I don't hang around the dealers where they can constantly work on you to buy a new bike. Some people will buy many bikes and never become attached to any of them, I consider them unfortunate. With me it's a bit like puppies, they are fun to look at and fun to play with but when I come home at night I like the comfort of the old mutt that has been with me all her life. New bikes, like puppies are definitely better, better everything - but not for me. This could all change if the right  new one happens to catch my eye...

on edit: I could probably save money buying a newer twin cam, but what the heck, I am more excited about my new Ultima 113 arriving on Monday...

[lionsm13]

I've never ridden a TC, so I can't say. I heard that they ride quite nice. Have had lots of opportunities, but don't want more debt, as mine is paid for. I would like to take one of those "B" motors out some time. I've heard that they're supposed to be balanced? Geez who woulda thunk?
I've ridden panheads, and evo's are gentler than are pans.
Mine is a 99, the last year of the evo for HD anyway and I am still working on it,
as far as perfecting it as much as I can.
Taking something and improving on it as far as one can.
You'll probably never your money back out of something, but it ain't always about that..
To me I think that's what it's about.

[Tattoo]

The new (07 & up) lower ends are not as near as good as a EVO.
I have been inside many EVO's and twin cams and I dont like what I'm seeing on these new TC lower ends.

[ceduby]

To me it seems that with each new engine generation the motor looses a little more of that potato,potato sound. I got mt 97 because of the simplicity of the design, and it was a deal at the time. Just a hand full of tools is all that is required. Sure I had to "improve" on the motor to get some of potato,potato sound back as well as performance. Other than normal wear and tear, the only thing so far I had to fix was of my own doings. Rode a 2008 RK as well as a 08 Heritage, both stock, and they was just missing something. I'm sure if I got on a shovel again, well lets just say the wife wouldn't understand........
Not saying any one is better than the other, just personal preference.

[Trip]

"Outdated" design ? ..thats just the point..look back a 103 years...what do you see ??.."single cam harley engines" .....the JD and45/80 was was the only waivering and that got dropped in two years(cept for the 45)..............................the Twinkie engine is a move toward water cooled jap style engines....far removed from traditional Harley design.......which one is better???...its apples and oranges.....IMO, twinkies are junk...but thats just my opinion. ...EFI sucks eggs to..it didnt work back in the 70,s and it still aint right on a Harley engine.

[Tattoo]

"IMO, twinkies are junk...but thats just my opinion. ...EFI sucks eggs to..it didnt work back in the 70,s and it still aint right on a Harley engine.

Tell us how you really feel...

[Trip]

     i cant shoot that far anymore....LMAO******************************Mornin Tat!! 

[Caper]

 EVO's... last of the REAL Harley's ..... I haven't heard of too many Evo's having so many crankshaft runout issues as the Twinkies, tensioners wearing out with low mileage('cause evo's don't have em).Less is more IMO. I really don't think you'll see too many Twinkies logging 100,000+ miles without having the bottom end overhauled or replaced at least once, but there are a lot of Evo's with 100K+ miles on them with routine maintenance done(and of course top end hop ups)I have never heard of the Evo crank assembly referred to as "silly putty" but have on TC's more than once, and IMO they're getting worse instead of better.

[Trip]

You,re absolutely right!!...its a throwaway engine and those that know.......know....look at a 38 Flathead80 ....they,re still around and still running and still re-buildable...and thats a RARE engine.....how many Twinkie engines will be rebuildable in just 30 years??..i,d say not many!!...EFI ?  LOL**************  right. ...if it dies..call a trailer.

[Trip]

HARLEY DAVIDSON:   

[stroker800]

I hate to bust everyones bubble ,,but we all know the last real Harley was the SHOVEL..it was desined and built in house. I do like the TC crank pin size, the oilers for the pistons and the quality of the materials used . Do I own one ...NO ...will I?..I said I would never own an EVO...I do....I will probaly get a RK cop bike as they are cheap. Ican get a 06 for $12,900....
Dave

[Trip]

The EVO IS a shovel...and a Pan and a Knuck............................perfected..The twinkie engine isnt even close...albeit: its faster...but so is a Honda Goldwing and after 20 years ..they,re in a junkyard to.

[sneakypete]

I'd like to know what exactally makes a twin cam inferior. Most guy's like to build their tc motors up and the a Harley lower end has never stood up well to high compression.
Wouldn't a tc under normal conditions ( stock motor) last as long as any other HD motor? Providing of course proper maintenance was included.
I personally ride both and and  I really like the new technology, that includes Evo's.
The twin cam I think may require some different maintenance and diagnostic tools but that new technology thing makes it necessary.  sp

[Tattoo]

2003 & up twin cams run roller crank  bearings on the left side they are not as strong as the two Timkin the Evo and Pre-03 twin cams used. TC flywheels have pressed crankpin and the 07 & up models have a tapered end on the connecting rod as well as the bushing that are known to go bad. The only problem I have with the twin cams is there lower ends.

[Trip]

Yeh but what would you know ..Tat?      

[Sonny S.]

I've got a carbed 2000 & 2001 TC.

If I had the cash right now I'd be buying an EVO. Specifically a 1999 Black Heritage. I was supposed to get one in 99 and I chose to get a TC instead.
They both have their up's n downs but I think the EVO is more reliable, easier to work on, and cheaper to fix.

Sonny

[Tattoo]

Yeh but what would you know ..Tat?      

Do I know you???

[Trip]

No your Honor!!! ....

[Kirbo]

There are 2 reasons I will keep my EVO, 1) Its paid for and I dont feel confident going into debt anymore in my lifetime, 2) I've worked on just about everything that burns gas and I just dont want to get into all the new gadgets and widgets these newer bikes are coming with. I'll take my carbed, non-computerized EVO anyday for simplicity and me being able to fix it. I'm definitly not an expert on everything on my EVO but I'm learning from seat-of-the-pants and from all of you on how to keep it runnin. Thanks to all of you!

[ModelABob]

Kirbo,

Amen, brother!  I feel just like you.  Hell, I never got past gnerator Harley's until I bought my '94 Softail last year.

AMF/Ride Safe

[Blazing Saddles]

I've got a '92 FXSTC that I have had since '94 and totally rebuilt some time ago. Other than a bad set of cases on a TP 107 engine that I put in during the rebuild, the bike has been dead reliable and I believe that I can keep it going for another 17 years. Do I want a twin cam?? Not really but I do have my eye on an 06 FXSTS - problem is that many aspects of the engine are suspect and its alot of cash to yank the stock engine and put in a S&S  to get a solid bottom end and heads that actually perform.

Blazin'

[Riverside Joe]

I've both and I ride each when I want to go in a different direction. My 86 is simpler to work on and the bore/stroke ratio is the same as the shovel and has the kicker 4 speed with modified FX frame. The ultra has all the new stuff on it and is very reliable turning 42-45 MPG. I wasn't too sure about the efi but since the only vehicles that I have that run a carb (69 bug/ 79 Powerwagon) I've learned about efi  by default on my other vehicles and aside for the parts price, can live with it. I'd sell the ultra before the FX ifn I had to but if I'm hurt for cash I know I can safe pop bottles and beer cans to keep my evo on the road.------RJ

[Phu Cat]

I've always been one to try to keep things simple, so we've stuck with the Evo.

But a secondary reason is cuz when I was still married to the first wife we bought an '88 FXRT.  I told her since we have a '68 (BSA), a '78 (Kaw 750 twin) and an '88, when the 98's come out it just stands to reason that we'll have to get one of those, too.  She said "No way"!!!  Shortly after makin that statement, she bit the dust and I went on to buy two 98's. 

PC

[96dynabagger]

In short, its a simple design that's easy to maintain.  It starts every time, and has never left me stranded.  WHY would I consider getting anything else?   Lots more parts on a twin cam, plus the EFI.  Lots of stuff that can't be fixed on the road with only basic tools.

[Pilgrim]

By God, I know I've gotten old when I recall several generations of riders bemoaning the engine changes from shovel to Evo, then from Evo to Twinkie.  It's always the same, and it's worth a laugh to see.

I have a 1984 FXRT with about 185,000 miles on it.  I put an S&S 107" in it at around 135,000 miles because getting 85hp/95tq out of the built 80" mill and it using to cover mile after mile at high speed (85 - 90mph cruise) just wore it out, top and bottom.  Among the things that failed was the crank (the old 5-piece one); the flywheel spun on the output shaft as I pulled away from a light, and no, I did not drop the clutch on hi revs so I could do burnouts (IMHO, they're just downright stupid), or use an impact wrench on the comp sprocket.  Another time, at around 100k miles the front piston blew up, and I mean it blew up so thoroughly that the biggest piece left was about the size of half my thumb, hanging from the crankpin.  It took place while I was cruising I-5 at about 70mph, steady throttle.  Never did find out what did that.

Now I have an '07 Road Glide that I've done stage 1 mods to, and put in an Andrews 26.  After 20k miles on it in a year, I can say that except for cornering clearance, it's a better bike than the stock FXRT ever was - and I thought they'd bury me with the FXRT.  I still ride it, and love it in a nostalgic, "we were there" sort of way, but if I've absolutely, positively gotta be in Denver tomorrow night (I'm in central Washington) the RG is what I'll straddle.

What I'm sayin' is that no engine Harley ever built has been without problems somewhere - learning to live with 'em is part of the charm.

What I do miss with the Twinkie is being able to work on it beside the road with a Crescent wrench and a bent Phillips screwdriver.  But then, I haven't had to work on the RG beside the road, so maybe I don't need to miss that at all.  At home, in the shop, well, I got all the tools I need except maybe a Scanalyzer.

Pilgrim

[motardue]

I have a 2003 fxdx Twinkye and an 1997 FXDL Evo. Gear driven andrews 26 on TC,  Ev3 on the Evo. Both are good bikes, lights, good handling and pretty fast but....If I have to do an all day long run I have no doubt in choosing the the TC: is smoother, has more torque than the evo, absolutely reliable (40k miles on it)and has a better mileage (stock carb with n72). If I go out for a short trip Evo is my choiche, its more ruvid, has a rough character, but I like it more. Even having the crap roller on bottom end I am not so concerned about life expectancy of the Tc. I know how I treated it, and when I installed the GD runout was in the specs perfectly. Nevertheless it I will have to let one go this will not be the Evo: it seems me more precious at least because it SO difficult to find in good conditions.

[HogBob]

My '95 Ultra has the 80" Evo motor and will lope along at 75-80 mph all day. Close to 100,000 miles and the bottom end has never been split. Still carries 20 to 23 psi oil pressure going down the road. My '99 FXDX has the 88" TC motor and runs and sounds good. Put the upgraded cam bearing and Crane cam in just for peace of mind. Both are carburated and very reliable. Love 'em both. I don't like riding along at 85-90 mph anymore. Too many deer, junebugs, road stones and nitwits on the road to be enjoyable for an an old fart like me. I just like to ride along enjoying the sound of my pipes "smelling the flowers and seeing the sights.

Bob

[mp]

Well, the Evo comes standard with a gear drive cam, and the super strong tapered Timken crank bearings on the sprocket side. 
Evos run cool, while ALL TC's run hot, and the new 96's run even hotter.
Evo's have the quiet 5 speed as opposed to the current 6 that makes so much noise some owners report they're embarrassed to ride them.
Evos get much better fuel mileage.
As bad as the stock EPA Evo cam is, it's still better than any stock TC cams, as it keeps the power down low, where it belongs.
Most Evo rubbermounts have the proper 3 rubber mounts; the TC rubbermounts have only two rubber mounts which cannot stabilize the drivetrain in the frame like the triangulated Evo mounts. (Dyna Evos have only two rubber mounts, and I think some of the FLH Evos have only two.)
The Evo, and a few shovelheads, came in the superior FXR frame, still by far the best frame the Motor Company ever came up with.
An admittedly weak point of the Evo was when they replaced the Torrington full complement inner cam bearing with the INA caged bearings.  Which regularly fell apart.  But the newest TC's don't even HAVE a bearing for the cams in the support plate!  Nor a bushing, nor anything else!  The shaft just spins merrily away in a machined hole in the plate, metal on metal, and you'd better hope some oil gets in there.
Evo heads flow better.
There are some things about the TC design that look better than the Evo on paper.  And some things are plainly better.  Like the lifters.  But in the real world, overall, the Evo is just plain superior.

[brick1]

exactly what Kirbo said..........i dont know everything about her, yet, but i'm gettin' there!

i've had countless compliments from folks passing by, looking at the motorcycles parked anywhere at bike week and biketoberfest.......as long as they see her and say, that is a beautiful bike, i'm keepin' her!!!  i get up every morning, and before coffee, i run out in the garage and hug her and tell her how much i missed her.....my lovely bride of 42 years, senses an affair??

well, all those close to me always said i aint right??

bill

[Flat Dog]

I love the smoothness of the Ultra Twinkie I have, but it just didn't have the balls of what I consider a real Harley. Heck-I used to swear I wouldn't own an evo, and now have one and a twinkie. I like the Evo better just for sheer personality...the Twinkie is almost like riding a Honda.

[sandrooney]

I also swore I would never own an EVO,I rode shovels, pans, and old ironhead sporty's my whole life. Then one day I said to my wife ( who by the way at age 58 was still riding her 76 FLH ) that once in my life I would like to push a brand new Harley off the showroom floor. She said lets go get one. After about 15 miles away from the dealer on my 05 Ultra I was hooked nicest ride I ever had,didn't know what I had been missing. Of course in 07 I had to go for the 96" 6 Speed so traded the 05 for an 07 Ultra. Then I said we skipped right over the EVO we better get one. I searched and found a 95 RK with 15,000 miles from the original owner. I rode it home 200 miles and WOW again didn't know what I was missing, solid, tight, smooth, just felt right like a Harley should. I love my TC 32,000 miles, I have only had the EVO since Aug. and only 5,000 miles and it has become one of the bikes that will be with me forever, it is just a great bike.
SR

[Flat Dog]

SR-couldn't have said it better myself...sounds almost like you told my story.

-John

[RKC03]

If I may jump in here gentlemen, I LOVE my EVO because it's the last of the potato- potato sound. The new bikes with their EFI cause them to have to idle so much faster, combine that with a performance cam, and it don't quite sound "harley-ish". Like was said several times plainly, it's the ability to do anything but the simplest of repairs on the road ended with the EVO .  Just my .05 worth (.02 don't  get ya much these days, but then again what will .o5 git ya?)  LOL    RKC03