What is the difference between rigid mount vs rubber mount harley?

Question

Newbie here looking to buy his first bike which will be a Harley. I'm looking at the Soft tail Night train and saw on the specs that it has a rigid mount motor. What's it mean? How will it ride? Is it good, bad or indifferent? I searched the Harley site for info but there's really nothing for someone such as myself who knows nothing about em other than the fact that I want one. Thanks for your help:)

Answer 1

The TC88 motor that is used in the Dyna and touring models is rubber mounted, which means that there is no metal-to-metal contact where the engine mounts to the frame.  The TC88B engine used in the Softails (since '99, I think) is a balanced engine, which has two chain-driven counterbalancers located inside the cases that greatly reduce the vibration from the engine.

The rubber mounted TC88 engines will vibrate much more than the solid mounted TC88B balanced engine.  I know that sounds hard to believe, but it's true.  HD engineers had to change the transmission back in '99 because the vibration from the old motor would aid in shifting gears, and the reduced vibration of the TC88B made the shifter feel stiff and awkward.

Answer 2

cycleso's answer is correct... the TC/B will sit on it's kickstand at idle with out any movement in the rear view mirrors (take that Harley basher)... the rubber mount will look like it wants to walk out of the room... HOWEVER at speed the rubber mount is very smooth also. The first time I saw a B motor idle I thought the rubber mounts would be obsolete... they are not, but I think it's more of a problem with HD changing all the frames over on the rubber mount bikes. The B motor is very very smooth even though it's on solid mounts. Just as an aside... you also don't have to deal with exhausts that need to be able to vibrate with the motor when you ride a solid mount B (counter balanced) motor.

Answer 3

VIBRATION

Why are you wasting your money on a HD for?

there are better and less expensive bikes out there!

Take a look at the Yamaha Star Raider, the reviews are in and this bike is the top

or maybe the Honda VTX 1300 or 1800, excellent bikes

Answer 4

What cyclesho... said. The Twincam balanced engine barely shakes at all.

Don't listen to Joe B. Ever.