Biker for Life said in October 27th, 2009 at 9:18 am
did you say “V Rod”? The HD V Rod is a total disaster! thereare a lot of used V Rods for sale andthereason they are for sale is becauseV Rod’s are JUNK!
Many HD Dealers refuse to sell theV Rod cause they fear it will damage their reputation
oh yea, many HD experts will say I don’t know what I’m talking about, i don’t care what they think! but if you do go out andbuya used V Rodyou will later find out I was right!
This depends on what youare looking for in abike. I personally started on a 1980 FXR and had great luck with it. It was part of the AMF era bikes that have such a bad rep. But it took me all over the country with little trouble.
I then got a used 93 SoftailCustomand I had to put anewmotorand tranny in itatabout 35,000 miles. So you know, that bike is stillrunning with an S&S motoranda baker trans.
I then bought a 05 FXD Dyna low. My wife is ridingit now and I have moved up to a 08 Ultra Classic. Not a problem with either one…
I would just find the right fit for you, and enjoy your new ride. In thenewrubbermountedmotors, if you were to have a bad one, you can drop an S&S in it in the 88 for about $3000.
Look for one with low miles, all the service records and that has been garage kept. Those factors seem to equate to less problems.
Hope this helps.
Cecil said in October 27th, 2009 at 10:32 am
They are all good, but in 1984 they came out with the EVO engineand belt drive. In 99 they came out with the Twin Cam engine. All of these engines are pretty much bullet proof and with half decent maintenance will last for ever. Good Luck. Joe B is right, he doesn’t know what he’ talking about.
reddishp said in October 27th, 2009 at 10:52 am
All years are good just a matter who has worked on them and how they were cared for aharley is like any vechicle its very dependable if has been propley maintain and care for as far as what kind that really depends on thepersonand what they are after I Personally like the FL models
2006, 2007, and soon to be 2008 Harleys with fuel injection. I absolutely love my 2008 fuel injected Lowrider; it is much better than my previously carbed rides.
Happy riding
I would stick with anything over 1999, as these models have the twin cam engine. I have seen many with well over 100,000 miles on them, my 2002 has 45,000 (never been opened)
don c said in October 27th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Anything 1984 or newer. Note 1984 has an enclosed chain vs a belt drive (which started in 1985). I have owned 3 andas long asyou take care of them Evo’s are very dependable motors.
Evo80 said in October 27th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
I own a 1942 a 1955 anda 2002. In the past I’ve owend 1967, 1974, 1973, 1962 and 1989. They are all good.
Related Articles
13 users responded in this post
did you say “V Rod”?
The HD V Rod is a total disaster!
there are a lot of used V Rods for sale and the reason they are for sale is because V Rod’s are JUNK!
Many HD Dealers refuse to sell the V Rod cause they fear it will damage their reputation
oh yea, many HD experts will say I don’t know what I’m talking about, i don’t care what they think! but if you do go out and buy a used V Rod you will later find out I was right!
If you like to do wrenching on your own, you can’t beat any of the Evolution bikes. Despite having a smaller engine, Evos can be made to take on – and beat- the new twin cams without a ton of money. If I didn’t have the experience as a rider, my husband’s 97 wideglide would take my 07 Deuce – at least on the giddy-up. My bigger engine means I could technically go faster if we were to go flat out- but we haven’t tested that theory. The Evolution came out in 1984-1999. The twin-cam 88s replaced them. Love my twin-cam, miss the heck out of my Evo
This depends on what you are looking for in a bike. I personally started on a 1980 FXR and had great luck with it. It was part of the AMF era bikes that have such a bad rep. But it took me all over the country with little trouble.
I then got a used 93 Softail Custom and I had to put a new motor and tranny in it at about 35,000 miles. So you know, that bike is still running with an S&S motor and a baker trans.
I then bought a 05 FXD Dyna low. My wife is riding it now and I have moved up to a 08 Ultra Classic. Not a problem with either one…
I would just find the right fit for you, and enjoy your new ride. In the new rubber mounted motors, if you were to have a bad one, you can drop an S&S in it in the 88 for about $3000.
Look for one with low miles, all the service records and that has been garage kept. Those factors seem to equate to less problems.
Hope this helps.
They are all good, but in 1984 they came out with the EVO engine and belt drive. In 99 they came out with the Twin Cam engine. All of these engines are pretty much bullet proof and with half decent maintenance will last for ever. Good Luck. Joe B is right, he doesn’t know what he’ talking about.
All years are good just a matter who has worked on them and how they were cared for a harley is like any vechicle its very dependable if has been propley maintain and care for as far as what kind that really depends on the person and what they are after I Personally like the FL models
If you are looking at the FLH model. (88A motors). Start with the 2000 and newer. The early models had some cam bearing issues. If it is an older bike make sure it has the Torrington cam bearings. If not I would replace them quick. I am not sure if the 88B had the same problem.
2006, 2007, and soon to be 2008 Harleys with fuel injection. I absolutely love my 2008 fuel injected Lowrider; it is much better than my previously carbed rides.
Happy riding
anything 1984 and newer. don c said anything with the twin cams are good, but don’t overlook the evo. its a great motor, pretty much bullet proof. but it all depends on what you want in a bike.
I would stick with anything over 1999, as these models have the twin cam engine. I have seen many with well over 100,000 miles on them, my 2002 has 45,000 (never been opened)
Anything 1984 or newer. Note 1984 has an enclosed chain vs a belt drive (which started in 1985). I have owned 3 and as long as you take care of them Evo’s are very dependable motors.
I own a 1942 a 1955 and a 2002. In the past I’ve owend 1967, 1974, 1973, 1962 and 1989. They are all good.
i like EVO motors
ah.. none