Thoughts on 120R Daily Driver and not Romping it

[TriggerPullerUSMC]

Hi, does anyone have thoughts on the 120R as a daily driver, longevity, etc? A bike I am looking at that is almost perfect for me as it gives me a good foundation to make changes has a new 120R in it will less than 1K miles. The guy who owns it now is rich and has a ton of exotic cars so he just rides it on occasion to keep it 'fresh'.

I don't plan on rompin on it- I will typically cruise on my FL at around 80/90 mph here in SF bay area and don't do anything crazy too many people depending on me for their employment and work is risky enough so I tend to chill- being responsible sucks Anyhow, from what I have read a lot of owners like them and seem to get good life out of them.

Just curious to hear this community's opinion. Thanks in advance...

 

[TriggerPullerUSMC]

I went ahead and bought it- compression tests were good- though with less than 1K miles that is expected. Runs like a raped ape the test drive had me hooked by 3rd gear. First step is reducing the stereo way too much weight and stuff crammed in to the bags- I have had my Electra glide for 5 years and only time radio is on is when I hit the power on button by accident.

 

[HighLiner]

Throw up a pic

 

[jty]

I have had one in my Road King for 40k miles. I have changed better touring cam (Tman 660-sm) and the valve seals changed to viton and valve geometry corrected. Compression has been set to 10.8:1 by shaving the head slightly. I have bandit sportsman clutch but the SE clutch basket eventually gave up and has been replaced by barnett billet basket.
And obviously tuned and retuned with se pro super tuner.
I’d advise to:
- track compression annually, the oem valve seals are subpar.
- get a touring cam. Much nicer to ride when you get torque down low and do not have to rev above 3000.
- use 20w-60 semisynthetic racing oil, The engine gets hot
- make sure you have a good clutch
- have it tuned by a professional

And you will never give it away

 

[Torch]

Sounds like a great deal having the 120R already in it and with only 1,000 miles!

 

[Danny Register]

I’ve had one in my Roadglide since 2011, 25000 miles and running strong.
I run vr1 racing oil in mine

 

[sh8kme]

I've had one in my 2015 Road glide since it was new--running a 30 inch front wheel---Mine has just over 8000 miles on it--and it runs perfect! Just got back from a 5 day 1500 mile trip in Arizona ---would never settle for less of an engine again I use Red Line synthetic oil in it.

 

[TriggerPullerUSMC]

Throw up a pic

Sorry still over in London for work and distracted - definitely want to get it painted and want to get it dyno'd to make sure it is operating optimally- not yet looking to get max HP/TQ. It feels weird to just buy in to this but didn't have much choice. So far this forum has given me some great insight.

I am a bit disappointed in that I was supposed to get a build sheet but now it is supposedly missing- I pick the bike up when I get back. Anyhow, I'll comb through and see what is what and made by who.

 

[TriggerPullerUSMC]

I have had one in my Road King for 40k miles. I have changed better touring cam (Tman 660-sm) and the valve seals changed to viton and valve geometry corrected. Compression has been set to 10.8:1 by shaving the head slightly. I have bandit sportsman clutch but the SE clutch basket eventually gave up and has been replaced by barnett billet basket.
And obviously tuned and retuned with se pro super tuner.
I’d advise to:
- track compression annually, the oem valve seals are subpar.
- get a touring cam. Much nicer to ride when you get torque down low and do not have to rev above 3000.
- use 20w-60 semisynthetic racing oil, The engine gets hot
- make sure you have a good clutch
- have it tuned by a professional

And you will never give it away

Thanks for the scoop I really appreciate it.

 

[TriggerPullerUSMC]

I've had one in my 2015 Road glide since it was new--running a 30 inch front wheel---Mine has just over 8000 miles on it--and it runs perfect! Just got back from a 5 day 1500 mile trip in Arizona ---would never settle for less of an engine again I use Red Line synthetic oil in it.

Did you get a chance to roll through any of the mountain areas like Ajo, Navajo, Artillery?

 

[TriggerPullerUSMC]

I’ve had one in my Roadglide since 2011, 25000 miles and running strong.
I run vr1 racing oil in mine

Great RG what exhaust? I am looking for recommendations- I have no idea what is on the bike now the PO is kind of pissin in my corn flakes without the build sheet. They sound great seem to have good affect throughout the range but probably better top end. I live up in Santa Cruz mountains and probably want some lower end torque with my fat arse on it.

 

[HarleyCruiser]

The thing that kills a motor is heat, the main variable to how much heat a motor produces it compression, compression makes heat. You get a different set of conditions if you live in Fl vs main. What I would be concerned is the compression ratio, since you do not have a build sheet I would run a compression test to see where you are at. Also a temperature gauge if you do not already have one. The 124 are bored out to the max so the walls are thinner than stock, thin walls distort when hot and you start having problems. A good tuner is also a must, fuel ratio can make or help control heat. And he can give you an idea of what is in the motor while tuning it. If you are running one hp per inch then you know your compression is up there. Plus like I said a compression test, and he will check the ignition to see where it is at.
If you keep the compression at a decent rate with a good low rpm torque cam that would be a fun bike and lots of guys run them for everyday.
Enjoy it, That would be too much fun for me, I would get in way to much trouble, LOL

 

[TriggerPullerUSMC]

I did a bit of an audit this weekend to try to develop a parts list. Nothing terribly fancy just good parts such as the BDL open primary. I will do the compression resting this weekend and will also seek out a dyno tuner in SF Bay Area to get it dialed in.

As far as first impressions go- holy smoke this is beyond a doubt the most comfortable and capable Harley I have ever ridden. The motor makes it effortless to keep up with the traffic on 280 between SF and SJ. The torque made the drive up Kings Mtn road up to the house also effortless. It rode really well and I am really happy with it. Thanks to everyone for the info I have taken it all on board and appreciate it.