Thread: New Harley or stick with the old?

I've been living with models and motors from the past when it comes to Harleys for a long time. I was very reluctant to even begin to consider a new model, but recently i saw that they released a new model for this year that caught my eye, the Lowrider S, and i'm wondering if i should take it for a test ride. I've only ever owned pre '96 Harleys with Evo and earlier motors like Dynas, FXR's and custom frisco style stuff and bobbers...but i'm not gonna lie, a new bike with a big motor and a factory warranty sounds good. Am i loosing my mind, should i stay stuck in the past? I've never ridden one of the newer big twin cam V-Twins and i always hear mixed things about their reliability. A worked Evo motor is, in my eyes, the most reliable motor Harley ever put out...is it worth taking a risk with something newer? I only ride American and English bikes, and just like the Harley, i see that Norton have got a new Commando trying to take my attention away from the classic Nortons.

The twin cams are very reliable engines, and they have been out awhile to get the bugs out. If you go touring I,m not so sure about the Rushmore projects with the water cooled motor. Still too new. So I wouldn't worry I've had 4 of the twin cams and they take on any build up to make a very strong motor.

But. Ill Disagree with you the Evo is a pretty good motor, I just did a cam job on one that is really strong. But the Shovel is the best engine they ever produced, it will develope more torque and run circles around an Evo with the same mods done to it. Always remember " how do you bury an Evo? With a Shovel" So go for it, we only live once. Tc

Might go give one a test ride. On the twin cams, did they do away with the plastic shoes that ride on the cam chains, or did the hydraulic tensioning system straighten things out?

I love the reliability of the EVO. I had an FXRT that i put over 100,000 miles on with no issues and just regular maintenance and repairs. I agree about the Shovel in terms of torque though...i love working on them, and they look a lot better than an EVO. I used to ride a pretty much stock EVO on long trips and had a worked shovel for around town and messing with imports at the strip. Is it relatively easy to get reliable big power out of the shovels?

They replaced the cam chain tensioner in 2007 on with a hydraulic system that doesn't wear out the shoe like the predecessor. So it's a good fix, or just go ahead and cam it up with a gear drive system. The 2003 I just did at 12,000 miles already had the show coming apart. So the new bikes are alright. Tc

That Norton sure looks sweet!!
Love the cafe racer look.

I think we have similar tastes, as I can see myself riding either of those, but would lean to the Norton. I say, ride 'em both and see what floats your boat.

Just took the Low Rider S for a ride. Really nice bike...torque for days, comfortable, nimble and a nice looker too. Might be time for me to go with my first twin cam. I like the idea of a warranty too.

I really like the new Nortons, but they are a little out of my budget at the moment, and i was also looking for something that i can use with bags for long hauls. Maybe i'll eventually get an older Norton at some point, or maybe i'll get lucky and stumble across a Vincent barn find on my travels.

I would love to go with another custom FXR, something like these, but the good weather is here, and i don't really have the time to be doing any customization work.

This thread is not helping my ever increasing urge to finally get a Harley. The only one I have ever owned was a Harley Baja 100 about 40 years ago. When I cracked the transmission casing (no big surprise given that there was nothing between it and the front wheel) the guy at the Harley shop told me he couldn't weld it. He said it might be aluminum, an aluminum-magnesium alloy, or most likely G D (not gold dollar) melted down spaghetti cans.

It WAS fun to ride. Look at the back sprocket!!! The engine was not much but the torque was enough to that it could go up ANY hill, even some that I couldn't stay on the bike on the way up.



I'd really like to get a Harley for the road.

My first bike was a 1967 Triumph Bonneville. My second bike was a Harley. If I hadn't been riding an R1200GS into that eight point buck, I wouldn't be writing this.

To keep the argument balanced:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izzlN2zC8PU

Firstly I have to agree with Tc there's nothing better than a shovelhead.

Next I wouldn't own anything made by Harley after 06 as that's when they quit building carbureted bikes an I'm not a huge fan of fuel injection on my bike I also am not a big fan of abs on cars or motorcycles an it seems that's now a standard option for Harley so if it were me I would stay with the older Harley's but that's just my 2 cents.