Thoughts on the Evo Sportster - The Sportster and Buell Motorcycle Forum

shupe · #1 28th July 2010

I'm really a big twin guy, but had an Ironhead for many years and currently have a tuber Buell.
So I'm just wondering..................
When the Twin cam BT motor came out all I read was that one of the main design objectives was to reduce mechanical noise so the exhaust would not have to be so restrictive. Thus, chain driven cams were quieter than a single gear driven cam.
I figured that some sort of redesign on the Sportster would be coming soon.
I mean, FOUR gear driven cams has to be noisier than one, right?
But now the TC has been out for over ten years, and the Evo Sportster soldiers on basically unchanged. I expected the rubber mounted Sportster of 2004 to have been the time to introduce engine changes (along with a 6-speed trans), but it didn't happen. There have been substantial changes to the XL motor, but it has retained its 4 gear driven cams.

While I don't really feel either the Sporty or BT need 6 gears, if the BT gets a 6 speed, it only makes sense to eventually give the Sporty 6 gears at some point. Of course, the BT 5-speed came out in 1980, the Sporty didn't get its 5th until 1990.

Anyone else find these things curious?

flathead45 · #2 28th July 2010

thank god they don't go chain...

chains wear out and need to be replaced. gears rarely wear out.

why do you think that they make gear drive systems for chevy V8's

chain drives are cheaper to mass produce

Tin Man 2 · #3 28th July 2010

shupe,Nope. Like it or not the Sporty is HDs price leader, Good value for the cost and a competitive performer in its class. IMHO the 6 Spd is a marketing tool, not an engineering improvement. With the Torque of a V-Twin, 5 Spds are more than enough, I would like to see a Hotter 1st gear in the 1200s 5 Spd box instead of a 6. The 4 cam design is an Iconic part of a Sporty, plenty of other choices on the market, all trying to be a Sporty!!

Horse · #4 28th July 2010

One of the first mods I made on my dyna was gear drive on the cams. Changing to chain on a sporty would be a mistake I doubt they'll make.

milmat1 · #5 28th July 2010

Same reason they left the Nosecone that does nothing I think, Because the 4 gear driven cams and the noise that goes with them have always been "Sportster"...
The 04 Design changes were inline with the market and keeping the sporty A Sporty....

Tzarofsmurfs · #6 28th July 2010

I have a '04 1200C and find I rarely use the 5th gear. Great torque and minimal shifting now. I don't use 5th till 72+mph and it purrs along at 85mph.

How would a 6th gear improve the bike?

khaskins · #7 28th July 2010

I think that HD is planning to make changes to the Sportster engine and the others when they need to comply with EPA regs that require motorcycles to be watercooled. It's going to happen. The question is when. It's a money issue for HD at this time. That kind of R&D is not cheap.

worn · #8 29th July 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tzarofsmurfs

I have a '04 1200C and find I rarely use the 5th gear. Great torque and minimal shifting now. I don't use 5th till 72+mph and it purrs along at 85mph.

How would a 6th gear improve the bike?

6th would be the same as 5th is now with a closer ratio gearset

chardhin · #9 29th July 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by khaskins

I think that HD is planning to make changes to the Sportster engine and the others when they need to comply with EPA regs that require motorcycles to be watercooled. It's going to happen. The question is when. It's a money issue for HD at this time. That kind of R&D is not cheap.

that will be a sad day. I am glad I got one of the last carbed models. gonna keep this one for a while.

KevinJ · #10 29th July 2010

If they have to make a sportster quieter they have other things to worry about than the gear driven cams.