HO 103's were built for a modified exhaust?
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 153
From: Utah
HO 103's were built for a modified exhaust?
According to the latest AIM review of a new HD, the HO 103 doesn't "wake up" until an aftermarket exhaust is added and (paraphrasing here) ~Harley knows we are going to change our exhaust that's what they designed this engine for~.
Now, this doesn't make sense to me. If the buyers are wanting more performance on Tourers and, according to Harley literature, "that's why we added the HO engine in the Rushmore editions" what does this mean? Again, according to AIM, you can barely notice the difference but an exhaust system upgrade will make it more apparent thanks to the already included highpo air cleaner. 20 h.p. minimum is a "wake up" to me, also.
5 more h.p.? 7? What? I have read numerous discussions about exhaust including a complete replacement, removing the cat, or just doing the slip ons... and in my view most people change the exhaust for a. Looks and b. Noise. I'm not against that but when you get into removing the cat then you are messing with the legality of the bike and it seems odd that HD would give this a "wink wink".
So what is the real deal? According to my local dealer the ECM on Rushmores will handle up to a 30% change in the system (whatever that means). Is the factory warranty valid until you have a real problem? How much does a dealer "wink" at? What is the best bang for the buck when it comes to the choice of exhaust system mods?
Why am I asking this question? I did a lot to my last bike (a 2006)... and I enjoyed doing it (the main reason). This bike is twice as complicated in my view and so I bought the EWP (Extended Warranty (NOT Service) Policy) and for what it costs I intend to have no issues due to mods. Plus I'm not ready to take on another seat of the pants learning experience like I did with ThunderMax, cams, lifters, etc.
Opinions? Guidance? Real experiences?
Now, this doesn't make sense to me. If the buyers are wanting more performance on Tourers and, according to Harley literature, "that's why we added the HO engine in the Rushmore editions" what does this mean? Again, according to AIM, you can barely notice the difference but an exhaust system upgrade will make it more apparent thanks to the already included highpo air cleaner. 20 h.p. minimum is a "wake up" to me, also.
5 more h.p.? 7? What? I have read numerous discussions about exhaust including a complete replacement, removing the cat, or just doing the slip ons... and in my view most people change the exhaust for a. Looks and b. Noise. I'm not against that but when you get into removing the cat then you are messing with the legality of the bike and it seems odd that HD would give this a "wink wink".
So what is the real deal? According to my local dealer the ECM on Rushmores will handle up to a 30% change in the system (whatever that means). Is the factory warranty valid until you have a real problem? How much does a dealer "wink" at? What is the best bang for the buck when it comes to the choice of exhaust system mods?
Why am I asking this question? I did a lot to my last bike (a 2006)... and I enjoyed doing it (the main reason). This bike is twice as complicated in my view and so I bought the EWP (Extended Warranty (NOT Service) Policy) and for what it costs I intend to have no issues due to mods. Plus I'm not ready to take on another seat of the pants learning experience like I did with ThunderMax, cams, lifters, etc.
Opinions? Guidance? Real experiences?
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,505
Likes: 56
From: Vancouver Island, British Columbia
My thoughts exactly, I'm not taking on another seat of the pants experience with my new '15 SGS. My old 2011 RK was a learning experience, never again. This one I got the extended warranty and when I did my dealer said that if it comes back with anything wrong and a dealer, any dealer can pin it on parts that have been changed they will, but treat every warranty job on a case by case basis. They did put on some Fatshotz and said that would be alright. Now I changed the useless windshield to a LRS and no matter where you torque the three screws there are 2 large bulging gaps in the batwing, water can just pour down the shield into the gaps. So now I have to re-install the original and see if the gaps are gone. I've been losing sleep because if the stereo fraps out I can see them saying it got wet. I did take LRS advice and install a genuine HD windshield trim to round out the curvature of the batwing but that did dick.
The way I see it, the Motor Company sells mufflers for all it's Bikes, so it must be OK to
change them. I am not so sure the MoCo wants the Catalytic Converter removed from
the Bikes, which a lot of us have done. As to the HO 103 air cleaner, Harley made it flow
more air for a reason, to accommodate less restrictive mufflers. That is the way they can
sell the Harley sound. Not to make a Bike that is Stage-I ready, it's not, and most of us do
a Stage-I, because we fell it's necessary. We all want our Bikes to run cooler, run smoother,
and sound like a Harley Davidson should. That is something that the EPA has taken away
from us years ago.
change them. I am not so sure the MoCo wants the Catalytic Converter removed from
the Bikes, which a lot of us have done. As to the HO 103 air cleaner, Harley made it flow
more air for a reason, to accommodate less restrictive mufflers. That is the way they can
sell the Harley sound. Not to make a Bike that is Stage-I ready, it's not, and most of us do
a Stage-I, because we fell it's necessary. We all want our Bikes to run cooler, run smoother,
and sound like a Harley Davidson should. That is something that the EPA has taken away
from us years ago.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 10,032
Likes: 5,305
I have had no first hand experience dealing with a warranty issue other than the recalls. From what I've gathered here in this forum is it's a crapshoot. If the dealer feels, and they don't necessarily have to prove it from what I've read, something you did to the bike caused an issue, they can refuse to warranty whatever it is that got f'ed up. Then again, some dealers look the other way. And, again, from what I've gathered, dealer installed exhausts, Harley or not, will not void the warranty. Now, for extended warranties, which I believe are 3rd party warranties, things get a little trickier. I do believe the warranty company is pretty picky about what they will and won't cover. Like I said, I have no experience one way or the other. These are my recollections of things I've read on this forum.
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 296
From: TEXAS
Could you please give a little more info on "EWP" I've never heard of it but I would definitely be interested. Thanks!
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 191
Likes: 14
From: Naples Fl.
The following is a quote from an email I got from Jim at Boadtracker about their ESP. Its better and way cheaper than Harley's and has no $50 deductible.
It gives some room to disagree but from what I have heard they are pretty easy to deal with when it comes to Harleys with a combination of aftermarket parts and failure of Harley parts.
The contract wont cover any non-HD part which was installed, either by you or the dealership. This is the same with all service contracts. The coverage wont be void and as long as the covered component didnt breakdown due to this aftermarket part, that part is still covered.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 22,999
Likes: 11,439
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 5,072
Likes: 104
From: Prescott, AZ
[QUOTE=cwsharp;?
I bought the EWP (Extended Warranty (NOT Service) Policy) [/QUOTE]
What is the difference between a EWP and a ESP??
I bought the EWP (Extended Warranty (NOT Service) Policy) [/QUOTE]
What is the difference between a EWP and a ESP??
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 5,072
Likes: 104
From: Prescott, AZ
The following is a quote from an email I got from Jim at Boadtracker about their ESP. Its better and way cheaper than Harley's and has no $50 deductible. It gives some room to disagree but from what I have heard they are pretty easy to deal with when it comes to Harleys with a combination of aftermarket parts and failure of Harley parts.
Jim at Boardtracker HD sells the
CornerStone United administered plan
Most all Harley Dealers sell the
CNA administered plan
Similar but still different???
Boardtracker can NOT sell their plan to Florida, Calif or OR. Why????
Where YOUR local HD may cover your *** - the real problem just may raise its ugly head at another dealer when you are out on the road and have an issue..
I have reached the age where I am just leaving it alone / except slip-ons (as far as engine goes) just me...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 5,072
Likes: 104
From: Prescott, AZ
[QUOTE=DeneFXDWG;14872619. Now I changed the useless windshield to a LRS and no matter where you torque the three screws there are 2 large bulging gaps in the batwing, water can just pour down the shield into the gaps. So now I have to re-install the original and see if the gaps are gone. I've been losing sleep because if the stereo fraps out I can see them saying it got wet. I did take LRS advice and install a genuine HD windshield trim to round out the curvature of the batwing but that did dick.[/QUOTE]
Off topic but ???????????????? on LGS
I have used Freedom shields last two bikes... Looks Great - works Great - Fantastic Customer service.
http://freedomshields.net/
Off topic but ???????????????? on LGS
I have used Freedom shields last two bikes... Looks Great - works Great - Fantastic Customer service.
http://freedomshields.net/