I get it now - it takes $$$$
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: South Fulton
I get it now - it takes $$$$
I'm finding out what most of you already know. Owning a Harley is expensive, especially to get the bike and the rider outfitted. I've had my '06 FXD since April, and I've put nearly 8000 miles on it in 8 months. I'm having more fun on it than I ever thought that I would. I'm also putting more in it and me than I though that I would, although a lot less than some other folks. So far, I'm happy with nearly all of my purchases, mostly gear - Stone Lake leather bibs, UA base layer, heated liner and gloves - and I'm good to go into the 30's.
Concerning bike maintenance, I noticed yesterday that the front heat shield has cracked below the mid-mounted foot peg, so I priced one today at the dealership: $188. Because I would love to put aftermarket exhaust on it, I'm hesitant to pay that for a shield; I'd rather put it on the exhaust. However, the exhaust that I like runs from $350-$650, then I was told that I'd need a tuner ($300) and a custom tune ($300-$450) because it's fuel injected. Makes that shield sound a lot better.
Then, I looked at my rear tire, and after putting 6000 miles on it, it's about to need another - is 6500 miles pretty good for a rear tire (Dunlap)? I'm hoping to put 12,000-15,000 miles a year on it, so two rear tires a year.
I understand we have to pay to play, and I love my simple, basic FXD as is, but I'm starting to think that a carbureted bike is the way to go for mods.
Concerning bike maintenance, I noticed yesterday that the front heat shield has cracked below the mid-mounted foot peg, so I priced one today at the dealership: $188. Because I would love to put aftermarket exhaust on it, I'm hesitant to pay that for a shield; I'd rather put it on the exhaust. However, the exhaust that I like runs from $350-$650, then I was told that I'd need a tuner ($300) and a custom tune ($300-$450) because it's fuel injected. Makes that shield sound a lot better.
Then, I looked at my rear tire, and after putting 6000 miles on it, it's about to need another - is 6500 miles pretty good for a rear tire (Dunlap)? I'm hoping to put 12,000-15,000 miles a year on it, so two rear tires a year.
I understand we have to pay to play, and I love my simple, basic FXD as is, but I'm starting to think that a carbureted bike is the way to go for mods.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,554
Likes: 52
From: Ottawa Canada
i hear your pain, HD+ hundred dollars, i have a carb bike and love it, no expensive tuners for me, a couple bucks of jets and i am ready to go, many folks have converted to carb, and there are the FI die hards, to each there own i guess
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,225
Likes: 9
From: 3rd Stone From The Sun
The more you ride, the more it costs. Regarding rear tires, a lot of folks get anywhere from 10-12K out of one. How you ride and where you ride makes a difference though.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
Likes: 19,811
From: Centennial, CO
Also which brand and compound makes a difference. I had a Dunlop 402 (I believe) on the rear and got close to 8k out of it. A 404 lasted about half that. I have a Michelin Commander II now so we'll see. They are supposed to last a bit longer. Tires are wear items and you need to plan a bit for replacement costs. The other stuff you mention is one time cost for the most part, investment type things that pay off for all time you own your pride and joy. Also, you don't have to do all those all at once. Piece at a time as you can afford it works. Is how I've approached mine.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,229
Likes: 10
From: Oklahoma
I had an '05 Super Glide and the heat shield cracked like yours. I put forward controls on it and picked up a Wide Glide shield without the cut out for mids on ebay for $15. There are a lot of factory take offs available on ebay.
Devil's Advocate
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,070
Likes: 36
From: Alberta, Canada
The $ never ends! You will find: I like this, I like that, I want this, I want that,...
If you are just changing exhaust, no tuner required. If you just change the Air intake, no tuner required. The ECM will compensate enough if you just change one. If you change both, you will need a tuner.
$300 is for a lower end tuner, they will work well, but a high end one can cost you upward to $1000.
If you want to do other motor work in the future, you may want to invest in a good tuner.
If you are just changing exhaust, no tuner required. If you just change the Air intake, no tuner required. The ECM will compensate enough if you just change one. If you change both, you will need a tuner.
$300 is for a lower end tuner, they will work well, but a high end one can cost you upward to $1000.
If you want to do other motor work in the future, you may want to invest in a good tuner.
Last edited by Gommee; Dec 23, 2012 at 12:08 AM. Reason: addition
Trending Topics
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Cottonwood,Ca.
Go to Ebay for the shield and save money. And Vance and Hines Fuel Pak will take care of the tuning for the most part( about 200.00).. If you want to get exotic with the tuning or plan to do cams or internal stuff then go for one of the high dollar tuners.. There's ways to get around the high dollar stuff and buy used or stuff guys are taking off and going for another look to their bike.. Make a list and keep checking the classifieds or put up a wanted list.. An easy way on the exhaust are slip-on mufflers...
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,392
Likes: 184
From: Big ol Titties
Like others have said if you look in the classifieds you will find what you are looking for sooner or later. Exhausts are one of the first things to get swapped out on a lot of bikes so finding some decent heat shields should be easy. For the price you were quoted you could buy the whole exhaust system used. As far as tuners you will get as many opinions as you do responses. I tend to agree with Gommee in that if you are just doing exhaust then a tuner is not really required, if you change the AC as well then there are several options out there and just depends on what you are willing to spend and what results you want. My softail has a stage one and all I am running are the Xied's. I'm happy enough with the way the bike runs and if that was all I had planned I would not bother with anything else. That being said I am getting ready to buy a power vision from fuel moto because I plan on doing some cams next spring/summer. The good thing about a flash tuner is that it will be capable of tuning your bike for any mods you could think of down the road and you can putchase a licence fee if you get anouther bike you want to use it on. Other options for piggy back tuners like power commander or fuel packs could somewhat limit you down the road if you start doing some serious mods but they can be found used if money is a concern. The way I look at it is for a couple hundred bucks more I can buy a more capable product and it is a one time cost to get hit with. This is just my opinion though so YMMV.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 368
Likes: 2
From: Oceanside
Dude used parts are your friend. There usually is nothing wrong with them and people sell them cheap because they dont want them anymore. Search CL or ebay long enough and youll find a deal. My whole build has been done on the cheap using top quality used parts. My thunderheader was 150, stage one filter kit was 35. Got racetech gold valves on clearance for 80 off retail and a mikuni carb for a hundred under retail sealed in the box. Just keep looking.