HD 2012-13 vs 2014 Trike

[retiredff]

I've been researching and I need some real world answers. For 2014 HD upgraded the Trikes, is a 2013 still a viable option because of $$$$$$ or is the 2014 just that much better?

After the first of the year I will start looking to buy and I'm trying to find the "+-" of both years. I think the 2014 will be my max year because of $$$$$$$.

Are the 2014 HO 103 motors that much stronger than the 2013? I usually ride 75% me and 25% 2 up.

Is the overheating issue I read about on the 2013 and older really an issue?

Any info appreciated

Thanks

Tony

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Isn't this kinda the same question?

https://www.triketalk.com/forum/thre...have-questions

Anyway, there are some nice upgrades on the 14 and ups, but, you could probably get a 13 and below to run as well as a 14 and up with some mods.

Harley's are air cooled engines, even the 14 and above. They will get hot. With the trike you have more drag and a different air flow pattern ... if your worried about heat ... plan on spending some money to modify it to cool it down. Things like decatting, tuning, oil coolers, luv jugs, etc will all help. But know in your heart, if your sitting in downtown Phoenix traffic in July ... your gonna feel the heat.

[retiredff]

Isn't this kinda the same question?

https://www.triketalk.com/forum/thre...have-questions

Anyway, there are some nice upgrades on the 14 and ups, but, you could probably get a 13 and below to run as well as a 14 and up with some mods.

Harley's are air cooled engines, even the 14 and above. They will get hot. With the trike you have more drag and a different air flow pattern ... if your worried about heat ... plan on spending some money to modify it to cool it down. Things like decatting, tuning, oil coolers, luv jugs, etc will all help. But know in your heart, if your sitting in downtown Phoenix traffic in July ... your gonna feel the heat.

sort of the same but I'm looking at specific years and any known issues.

I know HD's get hot but dangerously hot (overheating) is what I'm looking for and how to fix it in the 2013 and older, OR, because the 2014's are twin cooled is this a better way to go with less or no heat issues?

Also there is the 2014 103 High output motor vs 2013 103.

[GoSlo]

I just traded in my 2013. It ran just fine with the things I did to improve performance and heat issues. Not perfect but I’ll do most of the same mods on my new one. I replaced the headers so the cat was gone, new E Series slip on exhaust, PV tuner, tank lift, cooling deflector wings and floorboard extenders. Sounds like a lot and it is, but worthwhile to get it running right. Some do more, some less. Just depends on what you’re trying to achieve. The good thing is the “shortcomings” are fixable.

[retiredff]

I just traded in my 2013. It ran just fine with the things I did to improve performance and heat issues. Not perfect but I’ll do most of the same mods on my new one. I replaced the headers so the cat was gone, new E Series slip on exhaust, PV tuner, tank lift, cooling deflector wings and floorboard extenders. Sounds like a lot and it is, but worthwhile to get it running right. Some do more, some less. Just depends on what you’re trying to achieve. The good thing is the “shortcomings” are fixable.

Thanks for the reply. How does your old bike compare to your new '18 Trike performance wise?

I have read the M8's are strong!

[Gorilla]

I have a 13 that I purchased new in August of 2013. I have changed the cams to TTS100. SE air Cleaner, Catless header pipes 2 into 2 Vance and Hines exhaust. Remote oil cooler, Love Jugs. TTS tuner with DYNO tune. I have a oil temp guage instaed of the air temp guage. My trike runs around 220 even on 90 degree days. I have 51k miles on my trike. I have thought about going newer several times but I love my trike so much and it runs super with the cams. I also changed the front drive pulley to the 32 tooth because with all the low end torque I could. She will pull any grade in 6th gear when I have her at 65 mph and that is at 2500 RPMs. I just leave it on cruise and go. I get between 36 to 40 MPH depending on where I am riding and I keep it below 68 MPH. Pushing the wind going faster just eats gas for the little time saved.

[GoSlo]

Thanks for the reply. How does your old bike compare to your new '18 Trike performance wise?

I have read the M8's are strong!

There is a difference, but you can see from Gorrila's response, you can get a 2013 to run great too. I didn't swap out the cams on mine, so the difference is more noticeable.

[retiredff]

Thanks GoSlo and Gorilla, just the info I need. It seems most people use a cooler of some type along with the filter relocation kit. I have read good reports about the TTS cams. I usually ride just me so it may take a season to determine if more HP is needed. I not a big guy, 180#.

Thanks again.

Tony