Let's talk about factory warrantees...
 

So... just bought a "new" to me 2019 Low Rider from an out of state dealer who took it on trade in. I think the bike was bought in September 2018 (still waiting on final paperwork), so that would leave me about 18 months of Harley factory warranty on the bike (which hasn't hit the 1000 mile mark for its first service, although the dealer changed the fluids).

I assume the warranty only holds if the service can be proven - and the easiest way for me to do that is to take it to my local dealer when she hits 1000 miles. As I understand it, you can do the service yourself, but you need to be scrupulous about documenting it. Since I want to establish a relationship with my local dealer anyway, I'll just spring for the service.

So what modifications can I make on this bike without voiding the factory warranty?

I'd like to do pipes, air cleaner, cam, and tune, but am thinking that would work only if I use Harley Screaming Eagle parts (not bad, but not my first choice) and have the local dealer do the installation.

What can I do without invalidating the warranty? What are you guys doing?

Thanks!

I think that is a question you should ask your local dealer, since one dealer may say its ok you can do this and we wont tell ,while another one may say , sorry you cant do that
opinions may vary about what you can do and what you cant but the bottom line its the dealers who have the last say .unless you hit them over the head with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the agency confirmed that “The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act makes it illegal for companies to void your warranty or deny coverage under the warranty simply because you used an aftermarket part.

Read your owners manual warranty section.
Factory warranty cannot be void or cancelled, however the manufacture can decide not to participate in repair cost where the failure was caused by modifications not authorized.

Basically, anything that makes the bike non-EPA compliant will void your powertrain warranty. Some dealers may look past this, but is it really worth the risk?

An aftermarket tuner will absolutely void your powertrain warranty.

​​​​​The Magnuson Moss act doesn't apply to hop-up parts, it applies to replacement parts.

Theoretically Harley cannot legally void your warranty for using EPA-certified manufacturer--declared replacement parts, such as the S&S Grand National mufflers on the Fat Bob. They carry a CARB certificate and are exactly the kind of thing Magnuson Moss is designed to protect. Even so, I had a road trip where a dealer service tech insisted that Harley would demand to see a picture of the bike's exhaust and because mine was "aftermarket", they would refuse warranty work. I pointed out how the exhaust was absolutely legal and his response was "that won't matter."

So - aftermarket parts may be legal under the letter of the law, but you may have to retain a lawyer and fight them in court to get them to reinstate your voided warranty.

If you want performance upgrades that will not void your warranty, get the Screaming Eagle Stage II. It's a good solid power boost, a reasonable price (mine was $1500 installed), it's EPA-compliant, and warranty friendly. Once your warranty expires you can get an aftermarket tuner and unlock some more power. You'll probably have about 90% or more of what an all-aftermarket setup would give you, but no warranty hassles or concerns.

This is all great information to preserve your factory warranty and have a wonderful spending experience at your local Harley dealership.
I like the aftermarket performance stuff available. I ride a new bike in stock form for 1,000 miles, take it to the dealer for one service and if the bike seems like it's a "keeper" go at whatever I want to put on it.
I've been at it a long time and have never had a defective bike. I use break in procedures and oil level practices that seem to keep me out of trouble with common oil usage and filter oiling problems.
I don't let the warranty worry keep me up at night.

I don't know for sure but the way I read it, which may be wrong, doesn't this part of the act covers "hop-up parts" such as a tuner or any other performance parts as long as it can be shown that the part had nothing to do with any failure that may occur after installing such parts.

“Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, the warranty cannot be conditioned to a specific brand of parts, services or vehicle modifications unless those parts or services are provided free of charge.”

Harley make it very clear that any part that takes your bike out of EPA compliant spec will void the warranty. Just read the owners handbook, it's all in there.

Understood and read. Doesn't that violate the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act though if they void your warranty or make you stick to a specific brand of parts in order to keep your warranty as it also very clearly states in the Act?

Probably not. The Harley warranty is more to keep your bike within EPA spec. You could just go for it and hope the court would settle in your favour if you have a problem, but i doubt it. But it doesn't force you to stick to one brand (kinda does for the tuner, i guess). There are other companies making EPA compliant parts.