Harley Davidson's new 103 ci motor, what do you think?

roadking · **Posted:** Sun Jul 01, 2012 2:51 pm

badinfluence63 wrote:

Very valid point indeed. I average one close call every couple of days ridsing thru town on the way to work. Not even intersections just people flying out of stores into traffic nearly t boning me.

Also I think loud pipes alert the deer lurking along the road at nite.

Its almost a quiet versus safety issue. On one hand I prefer quite but on the other hand the loud pipes definatley do let people know you're near even if they cannot see you.

I may ride the perfectly good and new stock pipes the first 2-3 years and swap out to the V&H high out put headers and slip ons and use the SE racing super tuner to dial it in.

For the deer you can get a couple of those whistles that attach to the bike, for the knuckleheads that don't "see" you no matter what you try disco balls - led's - neon - pulse beam- without that sound they will never know you are there.

Be super careful in parking lots I've learned no matter what you have they don't see you.

badinfluence63 · **Joined:** Sat Oct 23, 2010 9:51 am **Posts:** 1966

Yeah I ride like they are out to get me. Preferring cautious and slower manuevering in trafficky area. I see other riders ripping and roaring and I suppose I did that too when I was younger.

"There are old bikers and there are bold bikers but there aren't any old and bold bikers".

roadking wrote:

badinfluence63 wrote:

Very valid point indeed. I average one close call every couple of days ridsing thru town on the way to work. Not even intersections just people flying out of stores into traffic nearly t boning me.

Also I think loud pipes alert the deer lurking along the road at nite.

Its almost a quiet versus safety issue. On one hand I prefer quite but on the other hand the loud pipes definatley do let people know you're near even if they cannot see you.

I may ride the perfectly good and new stock pipes the first 2-3 years and swap out to the V&H high out put headers and slip ons and use the SE racing super tuner to dial it in.

For the deer you can get a couple of those whistles that attach to the bike, for the knuckleheads that don't "see" you no matter what you try disco balls - led's - neon - pulse beam- without that sound they will never know you are there.

Be super careful in parking lots I've learned no matter what you have they don't see you.

roadking · **Posted:** Fri Jul 06, 2012 12:22 pm

badinfluence63 wrote:

Yeah I ride like they are out to get me. Preferring cautious and slower manuevering in trafficky area. I see other riders ripping and roaring and I suppose I did that too when I was younger.

"There are old bikers and there are bold bikers but there aren't any old and bold bikers".

Old bikers that were once bold bikers and now know better. I still rip and roar but only when I have a really good grip on reality.

badinfluence63 · **Joined:** Sat Oct 23, 2010 9:51 am **Posts:** 1966

roadking wrote:

Old bikers that were once bold bikers and now know better. I still rip and roar but only when I have a really good grip on reality.

As a life long rider, the naivete' of what could happen has long since passed........

Undertaker · **Joined:** Mon Aug 19, 2013 10:53 am **Posts:** 3

The 103 on my triglide, works well, however with two up and the extra weight of the trike, the 110 would be a better option. Also, the trike should have a heavy duty clutch. All in all I am satisfied with the trike. Jan and I enjoy the ride. :icon_clap:

roadking · **Posted:** Mon Aug 19, 2013 2:19 pm

Undertaker wrote:

The 103 on my triglide, works well, however with two up and the extra weight of the trike, the 110 would be a better option. Also, the trike should have a heavy duty clutch. All in all I am satisfied with the trike. Jan and I enjoy the ride. :icon_clap:

I always thought it would be a great idea to throw a v8 in one of those Trikes!!

AJR · **Posted:** Sun Nov 03, 2013 7:29 am

Y'all have expressed many views (positive) about the 103. I bought new my 2012 FLHTCi in June of 2012. I have since put 13,000 miles on the 103. As a previous Gold Winger, I'd like to mention that I've experienced the 96 cube a couple of times & it was "ok" but just "ok". Demo-riding the 103 @ Americade, I was truly impressed in comparison with the 96. Years ago when Honda came out with the 1500 Gold Wing one of the most impressive changes was the torque. I could do a cloverleaf entrance or exit in overdrive. You couldn't do that with previous Gold Wings. With this 103, I'm just as impressed. I get 45 mpg on the highway if I stay 60mph or less......lose a little @ 65 & above but no big deal. Plenty of torque even with my wife(who is not slender anymore) & pulling the trailer too....even in the mountains of Pa. & N.Y.S. I don't have a single complaint about this bike. Seat very comfortable even with 500 mile days. I don't regret my purchase at all. It feels good to have bought "USA" made too.
AJR :icon_razz:

badinfluence63 · **Joined:** Sat Oct 23, 2010 9:51 am **Posts:** 1966

AJR..enjoyed hearing a GW riders perspective. I too have a 2012 FLHTCUI w/ over 10,000 miles. Thanks for sharing your opinion.

roadking · **Posted:** Wed Nov 06, 2013 11:19 am

AJR wrote:

Y'all have expressed many views (positive) about the 103. I bought new my 2012 FLHTCi in June of 2012. I have since put 13,000 miles on the 103. As a previous Gold Winger, I'd like to mention that I've experienced the 96 cube a couple of times & it was "ok" but just "ok". Demo-riding the 103 @ Americade, I was truly impressed in comparison with the 96. Years ago when Honda came out with the 1500 Gold Wing one of the most impressive changes was the torque. I could do a cloverleaf entrance or exit in overdrive. You couldn't do that with previous Gold Wings. With this 103, I'm just as impressed. I get 45 mpg on the highway if I stay 60mph or less......lose a little @ 65 & above but no big deal. Plenty of torque even with my wife(who is not slender anymore) & pulling the trailer too....even in the mountains of Pa. & N.Y.S. I don't have a single complaint about this bike. Seat very comfortable even with 500 mile days. I don't regret my purchase at all. It feels good to have bought "USA" made too.
AJR :icon_razz:

Very informative!! Pulling a trailer too - gotta love it!! I just did a new cam in my bike and it has a noticeable increase but I don't think it would pull a trailer.

I sat on a newer gold wing a couple years ago - it seemed over the top compared to the ultra. Plus it wasn't very easy to handle. The harley was always more comfortable.

badinfluence63 · **Joined:** Sat Oct 23, 2010 9:51 am **Posts:** 1966

Friend of mine recently purchased a used, low miliage 2009 GW. I sat on it and it was a smidge lower than my Ultra which I liked. It also had Nav,Comm,AM/FM/CD/WB but no CB. It comes down to 2 issues with the GW for me..the frame mounted fairing (which I find weird) and going from lifetime of HD to GW. It would like being a Catholic all your life then switching to Baptist. I'm sure its done but its got to be weird.

The GW is a long reigning and award winning touring bike of the year. Thats not circumstancial or accidental. Although I think the BMW recently unseated the GW this year as the reining turing bike of the year:

https://www.cycleworld.com/2013/08/07/te ... w-k1600gt/

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