Pre 99 Softails vs Post 2000

[Buddy Seat]

I guess I'll add my 2 cents as well.. I'm on my 2nd EVO softail.
1st was a 1990 Heritage, now I have a '94 FatBoy.. Old hardtail chopper rider, so these are great to me.. I also have a '97 RK, but I prefer riding the FatBoy..My OL likes the RK.....

Since I work on bikes I do get to test ride different models.. Maybe I'm just into evo's as my newest bikes. Cause I really dig 'em.

The TC's I've ridden run too HOT, (especially summer-time) that is very uncomfortable..
On another thread there is posted that softail tranny dipsticks are breaking off from the vibes I suppose.. Seems most are TC's this is happening to..Least that's what I understood..

[mammoth357]

Hi all;

Just spoke to local Harley dealer...they claim a HUGE difference between pre99 and post 2000 as to vibration and said I could stop on over as they have a few post 2000 softails and I am welcome to check them out (around the parking lot)...

I will post back after I get over there.

Do the post 2000's have rubber engine mounts or are they mounted directly to the frame like the pre-99's are?

Thanks
Jake

[Shaw_2112]

Originally Posted by mammoth357

Hi all;

Just spoke to local Harley dealer...they claim a HUGE difference between pre99 and post 2000 as to vibration and said I could stop on over as they have a few post 2000 softails and I am welcome to check them out (around the parking lot)...

I will post back after I get over there.

Do the post 2000's have rubber engine mounts or are they mounted directly to the frame like the pre-99's are?

Thanks
Jake

B motors are hard mounted in softails, for the baggers they have rubber mounted A motors (no counterbalance)

[ChopperDude]

Originally Posted by mammoth357

Hi all;

Just spoke to local Harley dealer...they claim a HUGE difference between pre99 and post 2000 as to vibration and said I could stop on over as they have a few post 2000 softails and I am welcome to check them out (around the parking lot)...

I will post back after I get over there.

Do the post 2000's have rubber engine mounts or are they mounted directly to the frame like the pre-99's are?

Thanks
Jake

They are mounted directly to the frame, but in a much different way. Your current bike has a "plate" that is part of the frame that the engine sits on, and is bolted to. This transfers much of the buzz throughout the bike.

The TCs are mounted a little differently, that helps some. Plus, the TC Softails have an internal "counter balancer" that the other models do not have. The purpose here is to also decrease vibration.

End result is greatly increased vibration, just a matter if it's suitable to you.

Unfortunate they'll only let you ride it around the parking lot, as a highway test would be a much better sign.

Jake... regarding the bike rental option I mentioned previously...
I went online to the MoCo site, and indeed saw that there are no bike rentals in the entire state of NY (this surprised me). But all the adjoining states DO have it, there's one in Vermont as well as the others. Not exactly sure where you are in upstate NY, but guessing that dealership in VT was no more than a couple hundred miles?

I still think a day rental would be the best test for you... I just don't think you're gonna find out from a parking lot ride.

Best of luck in your search...

[mammoth357]

Thanks Chopper....
I did a quick search and found Wilkins Harley in South Barre, Vermont...their website shows they rent softails for $135 a day and they are only 113 miles from me...so that may be the answer to at least finding out if the vibes are any better "for me" with a post-2000 softail.

I had not even thought of checking adjoining states...so you did me a major solid with your suggestion...THANKS MAN!

I am making every effort to find a harley I can enjoy and live with as to my eyes and the vibration problem. It would not take me more then 10 minutes on the bike to know if it would work for me...but I would gladly pay $135 to find out. Better that then buying again and having to sell...like I now must do with my current bike.

I might be able to get over there end of next week...as my safety course is M-T-W next week...will post up here when I find out more!

Thanks kindly
Jake

[1bdBagr]

in your last post you said you're doing the safety course, so i'm assuming you DON'T have a MC license. You'll need it (i believe) to rent a bike. Another thing would be to go to a large bike event (like Laconia) or Bike Week and test ride one there. Harley usually has a LARGE fleet of bikes available for demo rides. Again, you just need a valid MC endorsement on your licence. Not sure if a permit works.
And like others, i'll say a post 2000 bike would be a good choice. I rented a 2000 Fat Boy a bunch of years ago for shits & giggles and also owned a 94 softail too. 99 and down Evo equipped softails are tried & true and a bit cheaper, but vibrate a bit. Didn't bother me a bit. If budget is tight, i'd look for a 96-99 FL softail...newer style wiring connectors, later hand controls and lots of parts interchange abilities. If you got the coin, get a low mileage newer TC88b Softail.
Hope you get what you want, good luck,
Tim

[mammoth357]

Hi Tim:
I have a New York State learners permit right now. I will complete my safety course on Wednesday evening....that will get me my motorcycle license and I should have that within several weeks....then I can go to Vermont and rent a bike (or two).

Where I am here in Lake George,NY they have a BIG rally each year called Americade. It is coming up June 2nd....with over 40,000 bikes in town during the rally each year for this event! You can see their website at americade.info and they claim to be the worlds largest touring rally!

Harley does set up a huge display and does allow test runs....but the lines are LONG and you would easily spend half a day waiting in line....I would rather go to Vermont and pay the rental fee then kill half a day in line!

Maybe in Vermont I could pay the rental fee and take out say 3 different models for like an hour each...or something like that. Have to call them and explain my situation....hopefully they will be helpful!

Thanks kindly and best regards;
Jake

[kustom_flames]

You will probably have better luck in VT than anywhere else close to you...

Good luck, enjoy, and let us know!

Pat

[Buddy Seat]

mammoth357-

Perhaps try a superglide or Dyna Low rider (both rubber mount) if you really need to iron out the vibes..

[Y2K]

Soon as you ride a B motor Softail you'll buy one,it'll hit ya up side the head like a lead filled snowshoe.
Apples and oranges comparing the evo and TC B motors.
You should just go by one lol and save the rental money for a good ride on your new bike.
It's that big a difference,I've ridden a couple now and couldn't believe the difference from Evo Softys I've been on.
I still prefer the rubber mount touring bikes because I do a lot of long hauls two up and often ride 80-100 mph but those Softails are real nice cruisers and are smoother than my E-Glide at lower speeds.
By the way I'm also 51 but been riding non stop since I was only 10.

[Colonel Sanders]

"By the way I'm also 51 but been riding non stop since I was only 10."

Nonstop for 41 years? Wow! I bet your a$s is sore by now! Sorry, couldn't help myself.

To the author, I really think you'll love the TC B. Others have mentioned it having a buzz in the pegs and/or bars (for me it was just the bars) at higher speeds and this is true. However, if it's something that's going to bother you, you can re-gear (I simply changed my front belt pulley two teeth higher which is a 6% change) to move that vibration to a higher speed. A 6% change would move you from an 80 MPH buzz to an 85 MPH buzz.

[mammoth357]

Hey THANKS Gents! You guys have been great and I appreciate all the help and ideas!

I have put my bike up for sale in the local paper as well as on ebay last night so maybe I can get her sold and get on to a different bike. I need to get 13,000 out of it to break even so hopefully that will happen. I threw a reserve on it of 12995

Am I allowed to put a link to the bike auction on the forum? Don't want to break any rules and have been so dang busy had no time to read all the rules yet. I am currently restoring a 10' Mammoth Tusk getting it ready for sale so been REAL Busy....

Anyway...Thanks kindly to all of you for your help and suggestions!
Jake

[road_king]

Originally Posted by mammoth357

Am I allowed to put a link to the bike auction on the forum? Don't want to break any rules and have been so dang busy had no time to read all the rules yet. I am currently restoring a 10' Mammoth Tusk getting it ready for sale so been REAL Busy....

Don't know about posting the Ebay auction link but why not post the bike for sale in the Classified for sale forum here.

[mammoth357]

Howdy all:
Just got back from Harley (local dealer)...sat in the showroom on a 2008 Softal Classic and they let me start her up...could only run it for like 3 minutes....but difference was like DAY AND NIGHT when compared to my bike and the vibrations.... the 2008 was smooth.

Next step: take my safety course this week....get my license...then go to Vermont Harley and rent one for the day. If that all works and my eyes can handle it...I will buy a new bike! If not, then will keep checking other models.

Also started and sat on the Ultra Classic...seemed to me it had vibration at idle...once I punched her up a bit, smoothed right out.

Of course, this little test was sitting in neutral and not riding them.

Will keep you posted!
Thanks again!
Jake

[machinist]

I put boards off a fatboy on my train and I have never felt them buzz. Fastest I have been on her is 105. Sustained running at 90.