Anyone leaving their bike stock?
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 572
Likes: 110
From: under the bridge on the sunrise side
I learned a long time ago the quickest way to lose money is on bike mods. The next guy never seems to want exactly what you have done and beats you up on the price of your bike because of it. My 88' is stock right down to the carb. My 18' is going to stay stock, it does everything I ask it to do, so I don't lose quite so much money when its time for a new one.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 809
From: Ormond Beach, Florida
There is stock and then there is stock. One hundered percent stock out of the box as delivered...probably not ever, but maybe almost.
Can't speak for touring bikes but for my '18 Heritage here are some mods that were a necessity for me:
1. Wind Buffeting required adding Fangs and a recurve Winshield.
2. Lack of throttle response (slight hesitation when roling on from a stop) required a better air breather (did use H-D SE) and a tune (again H-D Street Tuner). Big improvement.
3. Wanted (should be included stock) a heel shifter so added the available H-D part.
4. And, because I'm short, I had to lower the bike. Used H-D lower profile front and rear suspension. Might now want to call my Cherry a 'DELUXE HERITAGE'.
5. Maybe not a true necessity, but for me it was. Replaced the stock slip-ons with Rineharts. Slight help with performance, but mostly sound. Not H-D but the stock ones are still in my storage shed if needed for Warenty reasons
.
All of the other mods I have made were either cosmetic or necessary because I'm short and needed them to be able to ride it comfortably. Things like seat, grips, risers, backrest, saddlebags, pin striping, led lighting, mirrors, etc. in my opinion, do not change the definition of stock. I guess I would just call my "very close to stock" Harley "all dressed up" and readdy to party...errr, RIDE!
Can't speak for touring bikes but for my '18 Heritage here are some mods that were a necessity for me:
1. Wind Buffeting required adding Fangs and a recurve Winshield.
2. Lack of throttle response (slight hesitation when roling on from a stop) required a better air breather (did use H-D SE) and a tune (again H-D Street Tuner). Big improvement.
3. Wanted (should be included stock) a heel shifter so added the available H-D part.
4. And, because I'm short, I had to lower the bike. Used H-D lower profile front and rear suspension. Might now want to call my Cherry a 'DELUXE HERITAGE'.
5. Maybe not a true necessity, but for me it was. Replaced the stock slip-ons with Rineharts. Slight help with performance, but mostly sound. Not H-D but the stock ones are still in my storage shed if needed for Warenty reasons
.All of the other mods I have made were either cosmetic or necessary because I'm short and needed them to be able to ride it comfortably. Things like seat, grips, risers, backrest, saddlebags, pin striping, led lighting, mirrors, etc. in my opinion, do not change the definition of stock. I guess I would just call my "very close to stock" Harley "all dressed up" and readdy to party...errr, RIDE!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,791
Likes: 690
From: Smalltown,USA
Suspension,seat and windshield. Street tuner to clear up a dead spot when rolling off the throttle and back on making turns to the right with throttle loss was a pain. Tried street cannons and they just aren't for me. Shocks,seat and windshield I can take off and sell or move to the next bike.At 6000 miles the stock cvo mufflers are getting a nice rumble to them.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,914
Likes: 4,660
From: West Texas Sandhills
I’m going to leave my 18 RGU mostly stock right now, I have installed slip ons and a few cosmetic items like footboard inserts and shifter and brake pedal pad. I do plan on installing some highway pegs and possibly some more rear lighting. I spent a small fortune customizing my 06 Heritage and have no desire to spend that kind of money on the Road Glide.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 667
Likes: 189
From: U.K.
I had my '18 Breakout blacked out before i collected it, but the M8 114 has so much grunt already i can just concentrate on cosmetic mods.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,594
Likes: 178
From: east texas
I have five bikes, only two that are stock to the bone.
the one with screaming eagle heads/cam/thunderheader/tuner has broken two starters, two compensators and gets 35 mpg.
It does have a lot of hp,and torque. =fun costs money.
the stockers still have original starters and do a "hot start very well" don't have to worry about "heat soak".
also gets around 50 mpg
best of both worlds, do what you want its your bike
the one with screaming eagle heads/cam/thunderheader/tuner has broken two starters, two compensators and gets 35 mpg.
It does have a lot of hp,and torque. =fun costs money.
the stockers still have original starters and do a "hot start very well" don't have to worry about "heat soak".
also gets around 50 mpg
best of both worlds, do what you want its your bike
