In this modern age where bigger is better, upsized fires, big screen TV's, and triple sized burgers it stands to reason bigger can be better. I have 2 Road Stars as those bikes were very affordable due to depreciation. one is a 102ci, the other a Patrick Racing 108ci.

To be honest, I enjoy the 108ci bike more, but not so much that I am going to sell the 102ci RS. I enjoy torque, having the chutzpah to pass a slower vehicle.

Torque costs money so my mini-rant question tonight is, is it worth it?

For me it is only if it does not require a large bank loan. I did not borrow money for the 108ci. RS and do not regret buying it.

Being the adventurous type, the plan for the following years is attaining a cruiser with more torque. That being said, was spending money for more torque worth it? Yes and no. Yes because it was affordable, but no in the sense of the "torque gain" did not satisfy my torque goal.

For example when I got a drum monitor one of them was a 12" powered speaker. A bit loud but did not have the guts for the bass drum to be heard acceptability. So I got a 15" powered JBL and that is borderline acceptable. Got a 2nd 15" JBL and need nothing more.

So.. torque wise I am not where I would like to be BUT.. really enjoy the bike so unless I get a great deal on something better "I ain't going no where's."

Anyone here rocking a 113ci or bigger and feeling that was a worthy route?

On a final note, when I took my trusty 102ci RS for a rip and passed a few cars, I really enjoyed the bike. Just having a good working bike put a smile in my heart, so wanting more is ok, but appreciating the moment regardless of what the bike is what I have to remind myself.

I will still chase after torque, but family and taxes first.

I didn't have one regret for putting my one 110 CI together and yes it's not cheap but if you can afford it and that's what you want go for it
Just my .02

I use to get a great thrill playing drums. As the years unfolded my musician friends and myself are aging. Energy, health and band drama are taking its toll and the fun factor of playing in bands is at an all-time low. The whining and complaining with a bunch of old guys nitpicking like a bunch of schoolgirls has soured me as per playing in bands. I swear some of them are growing boobs.

The motorcycle is therapy, torque is therapy, ranting is therapy. The bummer is torque is expensive, but the fun is figuring a way to get it.

When the PO of my 108ci got the work done, I wish he went 110ci.... oh well, more adventures to be had!

Does your 108 bike also have aftermarket cams? That’s where the real impressive gains happen usually.

Just strip it down and drop some serious weight. Cheaper and easier if performance is all you are concerned with aside from budget. Higher compression produces more torque too.

The PO spared no expense on the 108. Polished ported heads, 2mm oversized valves w/ heavy duty valve springs, 10.25 compression, gapless rings. It has the aftermarket cams. The idle of the bike is music to my ears. My HD pals drool over the sound of the idle. From here on in, any v twin I get will get the cam treatment.

I find at 3600 rpm the engine starts to come to life. I rarely push it past 4200 rpm, no need to. I spent an afternoon ripping up the highway pushing it past 5500 rpm (bike has a tach). Rev limiter set at 5700. I was passing everything on the road but hate pushing the engine past 5000 rpm. It seems abusive to run the bike like that.

The bike is twitchy in the parking lot. Have to have my game face on for the slow turn boogie in parking lots. The clutch grabs like a gorilla and the friction zone is almost like an on and off switch, not very forgiving. I love the clutch.

If I screw up doing a slow turn in the parking lot the rear tire will spin and break loose. Once in the friction zone my hand must be like a vise and keep in position as the bike likes to lurch away. My 102ci seems like a scooter and less drama doing the slow turn stuff compared to the unforgiving 108.

The bike is making me a better rider and I enjoy its drama. I think I would really enjoy a sports bike but the seating position is not my cup of tea, and my wrists are shot. So sitting up on a heavy cruiser is great. I think I would enjoy a Valkyrie but eyeballing the classic Indian, none of which I can afford.

Despite my motorcycle A.D.D. have a great fondness towards the Road Star.

Was checking out a couple of Stratoliners last knight but too attached with the Road Star styling. The bike gets me out of the house after work and something to look forward to at the end of a sunny day. i am a sucker for motorcycles.

drumsonly2002 wrote:
The PO spared no expense on the 108. Polished ported heads, 2mm oversized valves w/ heavy duty valve springs, 10.25 compression, gapless rings. It has the aftermarket cams. The idle of the bike is music to my ears. My HD pals drool over the sound of the idle. From here on in, any v twin I get will get the cam treatment. .

Can you post a sound clip of the idle and other RPMs?