Is The Evo Sportster The Best Harley Engine Ever Made?

[@605pilot]

At 70 years of age I ride a 2011 1200 Nightster. The EVO engine is bullet proof.

[@buttcrackcycles]

Yup they're pretty tough

[@SchofieldRex]

True! I build a chopper out of a 2007 nightster

[@TimCausleyhorsemanship]

I have been riding bikes for 55 years-owned 4cylinders-Honda 400f, 750 F, 1100 gold wing, 550 Suzuki triple 2 stroke, KZ 1100-Kawasaki -2007 HD Ultra and 2009Ultra--currently now own a mint low mile stock 2003 Anniversary 883-love it-rides great-upgraded seat to a Mustang touring-reliable and fairly even torque curve right through the rev range-not fast-not slow-a true joy to ride and put through the paces--love Harleys and especially this 883-

[@brookcampbell2940]

What you are saying is very true. As I predicted 20 years ago before You Tube, the FXDX was the bike to get. Now that the air cooled sporties are gone they will rise in popularity. Get one now!

[@SaddleTrampTV]

I agree. You never see an evo sportster motor for sale at swapmeets the way you see worn out bigtwin motors. Those little powerplants just never say die.

[@buttcrackcycles]

They're tough little boogers!

[@exexpat11]

You can find them out of crashed bikes. Then they live again in Hard Frame home made bikes. Evos will be around in 100 years.

[@ALginge]

I'm in the UK and I just bought a cheap, rough running 1988 sportster. It's got good compression but it's in need of lot's of work. A winter project that I can't wait to get stuck into, happy I found your channel.

[@buttcrackcycles]

I bet a Sportster is great on your twisty roads there! Good luck with the winter project and thanks for tuning in

[@jahselasie7269]

Enjoyable video, 883R owner in London here and my first Harley as well after loads of Japanese and German bikes. I was shocked at how good it actually is, now one of my favourite bikes owned ever. Toured over to Ireland on it last year - never missed a beat.

[@buttcrackcycles]

Fantastic, love hearing that! Sounds like a great trip

[@FTW_74]

Right on!!!! All hail EVO... "The AK 47 of Harley Davidson"!!!!!

[@buttcrackcycles]

Haha yeah that's one way to look at it

[@dannyyost40]

I have a 1994 EVO 1200 Sportster I got for $100 that had not been turned over 14 years. I put a kit in the carb and changed engine and transmission oils and it wouldn't start because it wasn't getting fuel to the cylinders. I put the old float back in and it started right up about the second revolution. I've been riding it all summer. It's a great bike. I still have some cosmetic issues that are my planned winter project. I love Sportsters. I love all the old Harleys but have never been a big fan of baggers. I love to ride and when I go on trips a tent and sleeping bag on the handlebars for when there's no room available is all I need. Oh I have my little throw-over saddlebags. I do think the old shovelhead or ironed look better but I like my EVO

[@buttcrackcycles]

Wow $100?! That's a steal! Glad you got it going again

[@tuskratscrew703]

100 bones thats insane !

[@mrjeep4x4]

thanks Paul. I two am a ironhead sportster rider I have Three of them 1970, 1984 ,1985 love all three I ride them on Route 66 in kingman az love the bikes keep up your hard work thanks Jim

[@buttcrackcycles]

Sounds like a good stable of bikes to me

[@duaneherauf2821]

1986 1100cc, now 1275 hammer s+s carb zippers door cr trans dual plugs Andrews V2 cams branch flowed heads new wires 22T cs sprocket 54 mpg. Had Andrews V8 cams but to much overlap V2 cams more low end just hums along at 3500 rpm 75 mph. Adapted 2007 oil pump. Note; right off plug the oil pump pressure relief valve and put in a new twin cam umbrella valve in the cam chest. Here's a little trick to save yourself some grief. Clean the oil plug rubber with brake cleaner and the inside mouth of the oil tank so your plug doesn't blow off and fill your oil tank half way between the oil plug lines for expansion if your running full syn. oil. Evo Sportsters are a blast to ride lightweight nimble and fast as you'll ever need to go. Good luck with yours. Oh yeah Sportsterpedia couldn't have done it without it 👊.

[@Candywarhol]

My 883 and 1200 Evos were the bikes that I rode the most. Zero problems.

[@kevincamilleri1695]

My 2013 883 is my favorite though my 2013 anniversary always gets the thumbs up every time I ride it. Much better chrome and paint.

[@kevincamilleri1695]

Me too and my 883 is my favorite

[@kevincamilleri1695]

Me too both 2013s

[@nbowling10trio]

You see things allot like I do. I bought an 03 883 and hammer 1275 swapped it. Upgraded suspension and I love it . Its fun. I'm surprised you didn't mention the way Buell used the evo sportster engine to make sportbikes and the XR1200 should always have honorable mention and the roadster too. Thank you for your content

[@buttcrackcycles]

Yeah I was going to talk about Buells and forgot! I would love a Buell

[@nbowling10trio]

@@buttcrackcycles I thought about buying one maybe a xb12 ullysys. Parts availability isn't good tho, they're different enough where sportster parts don't fit. Xr1200 is probably the better choice. Maybe I'll keep mine more laid back and pick up an xr for days I wanna ride more spirited😂

[@johnliotta2583]

I did the hammer 1275 kit on my 2017 iron 883 it is awesome!

[@robertjones7792]

As a mechanic I believe from my experience the Sportster is the best because you can change the belt without taking off a primary which cannot be done on the road on any other Harley and several other things that are too much to list. Also it has perfect valve geometry straight up and down push rods with 4 cams that usually never needs to be upgraded.

[@buttcrackcycles]

Good point about the belt

[@michaelhaddan1965]

Righteous brother man. Nothing will ever out-love my '70 Ironhead, but you make such a convincing and educated case about the Evo, I'm ready to add one to my wheelhouse. Keep the great vids comin!

[@buttcrackcycles]

Oh I love my Ironhead, but the Evos sure are great for a little run around bike that doesn't give much grief

[@rl6319]

My Indian 116 engine has three cams I used to have a 1979 iron head sportster had it for years. I loved it.

[@paulwojnar2291]

I always felt that the EVO Sportster engine was the most sensible and resilient engine they ever made. Have owned five since they first came about. Current one is my 2007 883 bumped to 1200. I love it. Will be at least two more in my garage within the next year.

[@jd9308]

I've owned a Evo Sportster and loved it. It was an 05, rubber mount, 1200C. It never gave me a minute of trouble. Easy to maintain and was such a fun and responsive bike to ride. Yeah I caught the usual grief for riding a Sportster, I'd just tell them they were just jealous. I hated when HD stopped its production and went to their "new" Sportster. Good video!

[@buttcrackcycles]

Yeah that new bike just isn't the same! I've never owned a rubber mounted sporty, maybe one day! Appreciate you watching

[@kennyh5083]

@@buttcrackcycles The EVO sportster is the best street sportster engine ever made, the iron head sportsters are the best rough road sportsters ever made!

[@mr2bmw]

I've owned Evos, Twin cam, M8, my absoulute favorite hands down is the Twin Cam 103.

[@mancubzavala865289]

as an ex mechanic, ex sport bike rider, im in the market for a sportster. thanks for dropping some knowledge and experience on us newbies!

[@buttcrackcycles]

You won't go wrong with a sporty

[@paulfiore7083]

I've got an amazing 2001 1200 S if you're interested. Upstate NY

[@bmp72]

For me the 1200 evo sportster is also the most Harley sounding engine.. and that from me being a Shovelhead guy.

[@MrTonyPiscatelle]

Nice video Paul, I started off with an evo sporty great bike and very quick, Then moved up to the big twin and rode all of those models. I learned things I had no idea about watching this video, so thank you for that.

[@buttcrackcycles]

Thanks for watching, glad you got something out of it!

[@geraldscott4302]

I have a 2002 Sportster 1200C that I bought in 2015. I paid $4200 for it. It was basically a new bike, and had 2700 miles on it. It has a lot more now, and I have not had a single problem with it.

[@ranchodeluxe1]

1986-88 883 had factory close ratio gearbox. This helped to optimize gearing for high performance. 18 -inch rear wheel made them spot on. The 86-87 883 had a factory bathtub head, but very small valves. It wasn't long and Mr Branch and others had extra- long 1200 conversion valves for these shallow 49cc chambers that allowed the same size valves as an OE 1200 (not 1100) XL. The 86-87 1100 had a factory bathtub head with large chamber and 1.840 intake valve. I can't recall exhaust size, but it was same as Big Twin, if my memory serves. These, until the Buell Thunderstorm head hit the street, were the heads we all used for racing. I can't recall if Mr. Branch stated in that tech book that it's he that invented the bathtub, or "Branch #4" chamber, as we called it. I'd have to pull out the copy he was so nice as to autograph for me. After the factory bathtub heads went away, the sportster heads pretty much sucked, but the 883 was the best as you could manipulate the chamber shape, valve sizes, port layout, etc because there was so much metal to be moved. I've run 9.9 on a 1200 in a stock chassis, and I was an also ran against the guys who really knew what's up.

[@buttcrackcycles]

@@ranchodeluxe1 he calls it the "no 4 head" but describes it a lot like a bathtub chamber, which is also a great chamber shape for air-cooled VW (I've been 10.80s in a street legal, 1800lb with driver, 1584cc turbo VW on pump gas and DOT tires with similar style heads). Seems like the hammer guys and others like the 883 heads as as starting point.. Thanks for the input. That's a great book isn't it?!

[@ranchodeluxe1]

@@buttcrackcycles He gave me the series. There is one on the XR1000, and one for Evo Big Twin, too. He was a really good dude.

[@buttcrackcycles]

@@ranchodeluxe1 I have the Evo big twin one too, inherited from my late uncle along with a lot of other Harley stuff! My uncle knew how to go fast, so, if that book was in his collection, it was for a reason!!

[@ranchodeluxe1]

@@buttcrackcycles Yes. I installed a lot of the Number 4 heads on Big Twins back in the 80's-90's.He pulled the seats, welded up the side opposite the shelf. Then machined the chamber by hand into the final shape. 1.940 intake valves, oversize exhaust. $775 parts and labor.

[@arthurleino]

My Buddy in the Philippines had a 1200 CC Sportster. Can't remember his year. Had a Guy in our Squadron repaint it. Had my 1983 FXWG there also. Was fun riding in the Philippines together.

[@2adave]

Watching this video is just making my purchase of a 07 1200L feel that much better!! I pick it up Sunday and can’t wait!

[@randersson3672]

Very interesting ! Waiting on my 2017 Iron to arrive, after 40 years of riding I just bought a Harley ! Just waiting for both bike and spring here in Sweden !

[@andresinnett4319]

You can't dispute good mechanical geometry , my neighbour has a sporty , he's allwasys out ridding , I've got an old 86 evo softail I love , but for an everyday minimum fuss ride , I'm thinking of getting a sportster myself 🥳🤪

[@ronsampservice3066]

I've got a 2000 883 that I ride every day. It's got 63,000+ miles on it. Only problem I've had is the ignition module, which I threw in the trash and installed points.

[@buttcrackcycles]

Nice! Keep riding it

[@striker4188]

Beautiful Video and points. I love the sound of the Shovel head but neither the bike nor the mechanics/spares are available in India. Was contemplating between a pre-owned Triump Tiger 800, Ninja 1000 and the likes, especially for touring. The 300cc Chain driven I'm using froze in the middle of the street as the Chain jumped off the sproket. I was servicing it regularly but it happened. 🤷 Decided i didn't want Chain driven any more. Shaft driven TT1200 & GS1250 were too expensive & huge. Belts was the only option and started evaluating Harleys. Initially 883 then 1200. Was tilted towards the FatBob Dyna but the size & weight was high. Today am a very happy and proud owner of a 2500 miles run preowned 😊 2017 Roadster 1200. Came with a Day maker Headlight, Engine Guard, Mini-Sisy bar + backrest. Have done a few 1500 mile rides and am sooo happy i chose this Bike 🔥. Will never sell. Have ordered an Ultra Cool Oil Cooler, TC Bros Enduro Handlebar, Adjustable Clutch from the USA as a friend is visiting. ❤ From Mumbai India ❤

[@BachelorHarley]

Awesome video. I like this type format. Maybe throw in some more pictures of different bikes, but that would require more editing which takes time.

[@buttcrackcycles]

I don't think some extra pictures would be too much more work! I think there will be some more of these style videos through the cooler months

[@michaelbach9426]

Thank you for another good video, i love my 94 883 sportster. Stay safe 😊

[@buttcrackcycles]

Thanks for watching

[@AdvenJack]

Great Video! You did a fine job of spelling out your reasons for calling these Sportster Engines H-D's best!

[@BigVeegs]

My 97 XLH883 with 1200 kit is a little cracka. I’m rrrrreally pleased with it and it’s way more fun than my previous bike, a 98 R1.

[@buttcrackcycles]

Right on!

[@Anthony071177]

Really good informative video.

[@disruption3314]

Evo for me (big twin) BUT, my twin cam was flawless, Shovel ran great (till it didn't) point being They are all great engines while riding and all Junk when I have to wrench on them!! LOL Stay Safe, Stay Dry

[@buttcrackcycles]

Hahaha "they're all great while riding and all junk when wrenching" no truer words have been spoken 🤣🤣

[@kevincamilleri1695]

The 2013 1200 heads are bolted to the lower case like the big bore bikes with nuts at the base. Why?

[@ranchodeluxe1]

The VRSC engine is, without doubt, the best H-D engine ever. I was the factory warranty guy. It was like being the Maytag repairman. as air-cooled engines go, I agree. Best bargain in motorcycles. I buy them for $500-1000. and made a 9-second dragbike, a pretty cool knobby tire bike, and still have a couple for projects.

[@Darkrider8500]

One thing you could have added was the Beautiful rubber mount design to eliminate a lot of vibration

[@davidellis7081]

Long time rider, long time Sportster fan, zero time Sportster owner, but I plan on fixing that someday. I'll give you a big THUMBS UP even though it took you 8 minutes to mention Jerry Branch! Carry on, but watch where you're showing that crack!

[@paulfiore7083]

I've got an 01 1200 S with twin plug Buell heads. Have you ever ridden one of these. Very smooth running

[@BachelorHarley]

I love the Sportsters from 1957-2021. So many cool ones to choose. I prefer the evo sportster myself but the absolutely coolest Sportster of all time is the 1983 XR 1000. In the movie “The Mannequin” with a young Kim Catrall there was a red 1987 xl 883. I thought that was so cool that bike. The profile of it. Sportsters have a really beautiful side profile. The ironheads are problematic but iconic. The 1978 anniversary xlch 1000 in black and gold is super cool. And of course the 1978 xlcr cafe sportster, designed by Willie G. A bike everyone hated and trashed when I was a kid in the 80s, but is a highly desired collectors item now. One time I remember in 1999 there was a guy who had a clean original 1978 xlcr and wanted to trade it in for a Titan chopper at a Easyrider dealership and the owner wouldn’t take it in on trade calling it a piece of junk nobody wanted. Imagine that!

[@buttcrackcycles]

That's crazy about the dealer but I believe it! The XR1000 has always been very cool to me

[@191895]

Post 2004 Sportster was the most reliable; you cannot use earlier parts as it was a new design: different pistons, cylinders, lower end, oil cooled pistons, heavy Buell presence here! Very reliable!

[@BigAl53750]

I ride a 1997 Sportster that was an 883, but I turned into a 1275. I’ve had it for 15 years and it’s been ultra reliable. I’m not a fan of the later models that have all the electronics and stuff. At 68 years old I’m keeping it until I literally can’t ride anymore.

[@karlmcpheeters352]

Ha 👍 got 71 an 74. Sportster the cam an push rods are flathead set up you can't beat that. Beautiful

[@buttcrackcycles]

@@karlmcpheeters352 yup, I actually had talked about that but edited it out, flathead had a real long production run too!

[@AmericanSavageGarage-em2oy]

I am a big fan of the EVO, and I have done a bit of work on my 88 FXSTS, but I sure do want to find a shovel.

[@geistwulfuser-yy2id4gl6x]

Have a 09 883 cafe that gets riden all the time all weather and a 09 XR1200 thats bilt up, I look at these as the small block chevys of the bike world. Very good run down on the EVO engines.Geist Wulf Cycles

[@haroldwiser2641]

Good video 👍

[@buttcrackcycles]

Thank you

[@charlesbutcher-Pastor]

I have a '71 XLCH 900 and a '01 1200. Love them both.

[@buttcrackcycles]

👍🏼👍🏼

[@lukewilson4824]

I love my 2002 1200c but I’ll be damned if I don’t have to babysit that bike often. I got it cheap from a sketchy marketplace ad and I’ve definitely had to show that bike love often. Currently chasing a new oil leaks but other than that she’s been solid.

[@headreddedstepchild6177]

How does the big bore kits affect reliability, assuming it's installed correctly?

[@super16g123]

When you referenced the transmissio. Are you just talking about the rigid mount sports? Don't you have to split the cases to get at the trans on rubbermounts?

[@buttcrackcycles]

Yeah the rigid is what I'm familiar with, I believe you're correct in that the rubber ones are much harder to get the trans out of

[@kevincamilleri1695]

Would someone please tell me why the 2013 883 is through bolted while the 2013 1200 jugs are bolted at the base?

[@antonyholditch8849]

Ive had a Dyna and a Sporty i much preferred the Sporty which i have had for 18 years

[@buttcrackcycles]

👍🏼👍🏼

[@girthquake9655]

Awesome content! We need more of this for the motorcycle community. Also... 4:52 made me a little uncomfortable....

[@buttcrackcycles]

That's how I met my first wife

[@girthquake9655]

@@buttcrackcycles 😂

[@wolfeyes9357]

Yes...the evo sportster is the best, most reliable motor HD ever made!

[@RobertMock-i3v]

Good take man

[@SeriouslyMikey]

Other than my own personal experience. My evo sporty not being on the road (should be again in a week!). I've never heard of people having major issues that they haven't been able to solve. They saved Harley for a reason, and though not as pretty as a shovelhead, the evo sporty really is a fantastic engine Gotta say too. Know you're not a guide channel but I've learned a hell of a lot from watching your stuff

[@buttcrackcycles]

Comments like this always make my day, I enjoy knowing people are learning stuff from my videos

[@thestevedoughtyshow27]

I started riding in the Summer of 1967 on a Honda 55. In fact every bike I have owned were Hondas. In 2002 I bought a brand new sporster sport. My wing had 275000 miles on it and I wanted a new bike. I bought the sporster and if it worked out I would buy a bigger Harley later. Before I left the dealership I read the owners manual on how to break it in. At a 1000 miles i took it to the Harley dealership for service, the oil was full and they gave a list of what was done. At 1200 miles it overheated and started to miss. Harley wouldn't stand by the bike.

[@Iron_Horse_883_]

Buttcrack Cycles never misses. Couldn’t agree more. I own a 1978 Ironhead 1000 and a 2011 883 and while I love both, the Evo engine is way more reliable. And I definitely am much more of a Sportster guy than any other bike out there

[@buttcrackcycles]

Appreciate you watching as always bud!

[@super16g123]

According to ryan kruesi, yhe rebuild interval for a big twin is 50k where the evo sportster is 100k.

[@buttcrackcycles]

That's an interesting stat

[@karlmcpheeters352]

Ha i haven't work on ev sportster yet cylinder bolts is better then iron thats good upgrade that make beautiful power tks

[@buttcrackcycles]

@@karlmcpheeters352 it's a pretty good design with good, even clamping force

[@tuskratscrew703]

stoked on your channel....chopped an evo sportster last year...my question is how much more power than that do you need ? i rarely get it into 5th in toronto...so fun and easy...my other daily rider is a triumph 650 tiger 1971...basically that bike sheds something on everyride...it fun but you need to maintain it all the time...the sporster has tons of torque and i dont need to think about anything , just ride it ...a welcome release from the demands of an older less dependable ride...one last thing...i live in costa rica most of the year and ride 125 hondas and 250 crfs as does everyone here...i feel like the giant motors and heavy bikes that people ride in north america are very overpowered and mostly used as a dick measuring contest...rarely is anyone needing that much power or being limited by the motor...mostly the extra heavy bike and the shit handling is what is making you go slower...

[@andyfox6023]

I got a 1997 883. Trap door tranny and carbureted . Screaming eagle pipes let it run better. The 883 in near standard form has plenty of oomph for everyday riding and is very understressed. I prefer the trap door tranny and carby models over the newer ones for ease of maintenance.

[@sleethmitchell]

i got a lot of use out of my '69 ch. i guess that was the last magneto fired ch. loved it. now, i've got a '96 evo sporty that's been run since 2006? the guys that call them 'girls' bikes obviously had push button starters. that '69 one was not a girls' bike. but now i'm old, i like that push button starter!

[@buttcrackcycles]

A kick only Sportster will make a man out of you real fast!!

[@sleethmitchell]

@@buttcrackcycles ha ha, and give you the lifelong gift of a limp.

[@BobbyMiller3]

💯 % but man I also like the PA rev max 1250 vvt and ride modes that perform completely different (except to look at 😂)

[@buttcrackcycles]

They're just so ugly and plasticky. I would like to ride one just to see, wonder if the dealer would loan me one for a weekend to do a KZbin video 🤣

[@BobbyMiller3]

@@buttcrackcycles yeah it's odd looking. Plastic is mostly the tail rack, fenders, fairings, chain guard I think. Supposed to be easier to replace and lighter weight. The ride modes are pretty cool and the electronic suspension is great - stiffens up instantly in Sport mode. Lots of tech assistance - rides like on rails. I bet they'd loan you a used Pan America for a few hours.

[@SchofieldRex]

On a 2004+ sporty, you have to split the engine cases to remove the trans

[@ImminghamIronhead]

I can't speak for Evos, but I do know that here in the UK nobody ever sells a good Ironhead. Loads available, 99% junkers from the States (mine was from Scotland, but still buggered, obviously) but once you have it up and running there's nothing like it, which means you'll never sell it. Quite apart from anything else, if it's good then you probably spent six times what you'd get for it 😊

[@buttcrackcycles]

Lots of ironheads get butchered here too 😭

[@kevincamilleri1695]

My favorite Harley is the 883👍

[@victorauletta7699]

EVO’s are good motors but, I’ve ridden shovels for the past 50 years. So much easier to work on plus, I like the cool factor of a shovel.

[@rubbabubba6489]

You can make a LOT of power with a evo sportster

[@buttcrackcycles]

Absolutely!

[@deltabluesdavidraye]

Also the top heavy iron head piston has a ridiculous tall dome and 45 (inefficient) degree valve angle. Combustion is forced down and around rhe piston onto the rings as hemispherical combustion chambers tend to do.

[@astrozombie989]

I love the evo sportsters, and also the new M8 engines. I believe these both are Harleys best to date. The last of the aircooled

[@robertjeffery6100]

We built a cafe racer evo sportster with big wheels in the crank forged pistons mikuni carbs2 of them it was so fast the customer wouldn’t ride it… we sold it for him

[@buttcrackcycles]

Should've sold it to me 🤣🤣 I would love to do a cafe racer or track bike from an Evo sporty, I actually think that orange one under the lean to would be a good candidate but I prolly need to flip it

[@thomasr7552]

I bought my 883 sportster 30 years ago while on my first year off apprenticeship. Money was tight and I could not swing the expense/ insurance off a big twin. I lovey that sportster but sold it 8 years later to buy a house. 20 years forward I bought a used 883 hugger with chrome wheels to ride with my girlfriend with her sportster. Now I’m playing with the idea off getting a used evo fatboy that is for sale locally. These evos are super cheap now. Now I’m a little scared to make myself busy wrenching on the evo big twin regularly to keep it going. The sportsters have no base gasket leak issues and it’s easy to change a belt on it. Other than something going completely wrong, the sportster is pretty much fail proof. I can do the mechanical repairs on the big twin my self if needed but afraid off selling my sportster and regretting it later.

[@buttcrackcycles]

The Evo Sportster is, in my opinion, more reliable than the EVO big twin. With that said, the big twin is still a great engine and easy to work on. If there was a way to have both, that's what I would do. Good luck

[@MegaBruceC]

I picked up a '98 883 for $2200 Canadian 3 months ago, ($2200 Canadian equals about $1.47 US)

[@Darkrider8500]

71 yrs old on my 10th 1200

[@Shtevelhead]

It's hard to beat any 2K to 2K3 883 punched out to 12 (or more) for value and smiles/mile. But yeah ... my ironhead is one of my forever bikes.

[@buttcrackcycles]

I would really like to do a 1275 as a track bike one day ..

[@tomhighway1952]

The word "Best" is a very subjective concept. It can mean different things to different folks. So, when I think of "Best" motorcycle engines, I think in terms of reliability. Assuming proper maintenance is observed, (that means performing every item on the maintenance list, on schedule), the Evo big twin is the most reliable big twin engine Harley has produced to date. I think it is slightly more reliable than the Evo Sportster. Overall however, the most reliable engine Harley ever made is the WL. Those little darlings are practically bullet proof. You can't kill them. Of course, if you add performance modifications into the equation, that's a whole different ball of wax. My opinion comes from having ridden, raced, and built motorcycles starting in 1963. I also turned wrenches on these things for a living for a good many years.

[@buttcrackcycles]

The Evo big twin is a fine piece of machinery, I just am a little more partial to its little sibling!

[@ctsnider88]

Last year, when I was looking for a new bike to replace my 78 Goldwing, someone or I should say many people online and in-person told me to get a sportster because of reliability. I was not a fan of Harley's but after I test road a few I understood. So I bought the creepiest one in my area. Although frustrating at times and having to buy an entire set of standard tools, I love working on it.

[@buttcrackcycles]

Yeah, they need a little love sometimes, but they're pretty great bikes!

[@ctsnider88]

@@buttcrackcycles Oh geeez, I just saw the my post says I bought the creepiest one. I could have sworn I typed cheapest one. 😅

[@buttcrackcycles]

@@ctsnider88 creepiest and cheapest often go together in my area of the world 🤣🤣 methhead neighborhood bikes are always cheap

[@ctsnider88]

@@buttcrackcycles 😅😅

[@Josh_The_Fabricator]

People can talk all the crap they want ... the evo sportster is the best platform the MOCO ever made. My wife has a 2009 nightster that's a complete hot rod . I still love my carbuertated night train and my shovelhead but can't discount how well they hit the nail on the head with the sporty. I've worked with some knuckle draggers that think they are girls bikes but they ride gawdy bikes with skulls and mitered apes. Sooooo......

[@buttcrackcycles]

Right on!

[@choppfatha]

Yes, it is

[@FourIntoOne]

The EVO is absolutely technically better than an iron head. But I ain't going to sell my 82 iron head anytime soon, much prefer the old rattly ironhead lol

[@buttcrackcycles]

Oh I'm with ya! I love my shake and rattle machine

[@jeffreyness9741]

Yes it is.

[@buttcrackcycles]

👍🏼👍🏼

[@mikecollins3406]

Thanks Paul! Great video. I currently have 2 Evo Sportys. I have a 2006 883 and a 2007 1200 that I actually won on a raffle at Shovelheadffej KZbin channel. Love my Sportys!

[@buttcrackcycles]

Haha that's pretty cool about the raffle bike

[@mikecollins3406]

@@buttcrackcycles yeah i have never won anything before lol. He has a video up of me picking it up. Super cool guy.

[@YeahNahMaybe947]

Liquid cooled abomination. Well put.

[@exexpat11]

I would have preferred a liquid cooled progression of the Evo than the trouble prone Revolution. Plus the water jacket or whatever that thing is over the engine looks like a plastic cover.

[@ah-yp6vp]

I could never ride a evo sporty after riding an ironhead!! But best harley motor probly a 80 inch evo

[@buttcrackcycles]

I love my ironhead, though I'm well aware of their issues 😅😅

[@Wyeleecoyote]

I just bought a 883 running for 750

[@buttcrackcycles]

That's a great deal

[@nbowling10trio]

Indian thunderstroke engine look like it should be the evo big twin by the pushrod tubes😂

[@buttcrackcycles]

Yup!!

[@evltwin984]

Only a seppo could rhyme cross and sauce 😂

[@norego6237]

its crazy my 30 year old son rides a m8 srtreetbob and he thinks my 94 sporty sounds heaps better than his . im with you evo sporty engine the best the moco ever made but id rather a evo fatboy

[@buttcrackcycles]

The Evo big twins are really good too. I would agree with your son, the older stuff just has that classic sound

[@matthewsaia409]

I own a big twin evo and a 1200 evo sportster. I can tell you without a doubt the sportster is faster. Both carb bikes, both stock motors, and the sportster is all around faster.

[@buttcrackcycles]

I've never had any trouble keeping up with my buddies on their big twins with any of my Sportsters!

[@mcscotty325]

Everyone pumpin up the Evo sportsters now just like Wall Street bankers pumpkin up stock. Where were you guys 3 years ago when they were still in production? Oh yeah, "They're girls bikes."

[@reiolite2354]

Im not a mechanic, changed cosmetic stuff on my m8 Bs prices here in nz, are expensive ma stupid govts play lap dog to ur govt My m8 is dwn ,1st hd owner. Or any bike 😅 love the ol fords more. But my 2020 107m8 is fkn awesome.

[@happymark1805]

I always hated the evo sportster, a friend of mine had one, while my shovelhead always run perfect, when it is cold it was a nightmare to start his evo sportster, so bad that we had to put a heater in his shed to get that nightmare evo started

[@mrpap7613]

Bullshit

[@happymark1805]

@@mrpap7613 its the truth numbnut

[@fasteddie774]

Harley’s only claim to fame is making the most noise with the least amount of horsepower!

[@buttcrackcycles]

Okie doke

[@oldbuzzard76]

I suspect you're still fighting acne .

[@jered2177]

Yes it is.