103 SE Stage 4 Kit for touring
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Stage II
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Dayton, NV
103 SE Stage 4 Kit for touring
I've purchased a 103 SE Stage 4 "Race" kit for my 2010 RG currently with only Air Cleaner & Muffler upgrade. I do mostly 150-600 miles a day. I the mountains I sometimes have to drop 1-2 gears just to keep up with the speed limit. I got a really good deal on the kit which is why I bought it. I am concerned that it may be "too much" for touring. If you are running this kit, I would love to hear from you. Thanks in Advance
Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 432
Likes: 2
From: SW of Fort Worth
I've been running the 103 Stage IV in my 2009 SG since I got it. I understand they have changed the cams included in the Stage IV kit. I believe I heard the cams were a 259E. My Stage IV came with the SE 260 cam. It didn't help low end at all, but ran like a banshee from 3200 - 6000 rpm. So, I changed it out for a TR-625 by TR Performance. I love this configuration. You won't regret upgrading to the Stage IV.
You didn't say which exhaust you were planning on. I went with a D&D Fat Cat 2 into 1. That was the best decision I made overall.
So no regrets here. I say, do it.
Jim
You didn't say which exhaust you were planning on. I went with a D&D Fat Cat 2 into 1. That was the best decision I made overall.
So no regrets here. I say, do it.
Jim
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,774
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From: san antonio
I've purchased a 103 SE Stage 4 "Race" kit for my 2010 RG currently with only Air Cleaner & Muffler upgrade. I do mostly 150-600 miles a day. I the mountains I sometimes have to drop 1-2 gears just to keep up with the speed limit. I got a really good deal on the kit which is why I bought it. I am concerned that it may be "too much" for touring. If you are running this kit, I would love to hear from you. Thanks in Advance
Personally, I would avoid the kit and talk to one of our forum builders like Hillside or VTwin Performance to put together a touring package with mild headwork, more compression and a good cam set. Should save some $$ and peformance will be much better. JNHO.
Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 432
Likes: 2
From: SW of Fort Worth
I would just like to say, in response to djl's post, that I just can't agree enough that another cam other than what they offer in that kit is necessary for touring. I can't stress that enough. A great cam for that engine at a CR of 10.5 is the TR-590. What I cannot agree with is the thought that this can not be a great touring configuration. My bike with its current configuration is living proof. A lot has to do with the exhaust you choose.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,774
Likes: 2,606
From: san antonio
Completely agree on the importance of the exhaust. A local and well known tuner has been seeing good results with the D&D Fatcat (not the Boarzilla) and the Bassani Road Rage II. This tuner does a "dyno day" monthly every second Saturday and sees about every exhaust system on the planet and sees consistently good performance from those two systems in built and Stage I motors.
Last edited by djl; Jun 18, 2014 at 11:01 AM.
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From: redbank new Jersey
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A 107" combo geared towards touring, with pupose-oriented cams and even mild heads as djl has mentioned, will eat the Stage IV thingy for lunch, for less.
Scott
Scott
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 252
Likes: 1
From: Kentucky
So an HD set-up like the Stage IV may be yielding less performance, but at least I know if something happens when I'm out touring that I have a decent chance for a fix because you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a harley dealer it seems.
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Stage II
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2
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From: Dayton, NV
103 Stage 4
I really appreciate all of the replies. I already have the kit, so... My biggest concern was drivability issues the aggressiveness of the 259E Cam for touring. I realize that the 259E cam was not designed with touring in mind, I believe it was to address "issues" of the 260 used on the street.
I also scored a complete SE 2-1-2 exhaust. I am contemplating removing the cat just to cut down on the heat. I am also replacing the cam plate, bearings, oil pump, lifters and rockers (with rollers), and air cleaner.
I also scored a complete SE 2-1-2 exhaust. I am contemplating removing the cat just to cut down on the heat. I am also replacing the cam plate, bearings, oil pump, lifters and rockers (with rollers), and air cleaner.