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It's all about post sales dealer installed mods profit + profit for the parts.
I made the same comments in another thread and you're right it has nothing to do with the EPA since Screaming Eagle upgrades are 50 state legal and EPA compliant. Harley could easily use a better cam, air cleaner, exhaust and tune right from the factory but doing so will eat into the post sale earning potential for the dealers and the MoCo.
I don't agree that some people don't want more power. The correct statement is that some people don't want to pay extra for more power after the sale... If our bikes came stock with equal the power of a stage 2 no one would complain about them having too much power and not buy one.
Exactly what I'm thinking. It's got to be a calculated move to detune/restrict their engines to sell additional HD parts through their dealer.
There would be little to no cost increase to manufacture the bikes out of the factory with Screaming Eagle spec exhaust, air filter, cams and tune.
Mustangs are just as big a money pit as harleys. Possibly more so
True, but they really sound like crap...5.0 Mustang more annoying sound I have never heard.
to each their own. I've currently got corsa axle backs and like the sound. I prefer my borlas from last stang I had better if I'm being honest. Even stock I got quite a number of compliments from coworkers and friends on the exhaust note.
From an engineering point of view the MOCO has to design the motors with the performance parts in mind, because the stage parts release along with the new motors. Could HD simply make all new bikes Stage 2 from the factory by default? Certainly they could if they wanted to, they've done the design work. It would actually make their job easier by reducing SKU's and selling bikes which are more competitive with the competition's specs on the showroom floors.
So yes, I'd say they have chosen to sell new bikes tuned down but designed with the stage upgrades in mind.
The real question is: WHY?
It's probably simply to sell performance parts at high price markups. Many HD customers don't mind the stock "detuned" motors but some will gladly spend even more money to increase performance, just like people with sports cars like to do. Harley is creating a performance parts market intentionally as a revenue stream.
Now, is that a good strategy? Or is it hurting their overall sales and driving customers away?
From an engineering point of view the MOCO has to design the motors with the performance parts in mind, because the stage parts release along with the new motors. Could HD simply make all new bikes Stage 2 from the factory by default? Certainly they could if they wanted to, they've done the design work. It would actually make their job easier by reducing SKU's and selling bikes which are more competitive with the competition's specs on the showroom floors.
So yes, I'd say they have chosen to sell new bikes tuned down but designed with the stage upgrades in mind.
The real question is: WHY?
It's probably simply to sell performance parts at high price markups. Many HD customers don't mind the stock "detuned" motors but some will gladly spend even more money to increase performance, just like people with sports cars like to do. Harley is creating a performance parts market intentionally as a revenue stream.
Now, is that a good strategy? Or is it hurting their overall sales and driving customers away?
If I was buying a showroom Harley today, it would be a Road Glide Special 114ci @$27k (76hp/108ft.lb stock at the rear wheel by Cycle World ). Or if we go by HD numbers...
If I settled for the stock motor, I would be irked that I'm getting a detuned motor that's capable of "14%" more torque while still meeting emission standards. I would also be irked if I had to spend an additional $2k+ for Screaming Eagle Stage 2 Kit to get that 14%. That would bring the total cost to ~$30k!!!
Maybe I'll buy a Honda Goldwing F6B 112ci at $24k (claimed 125hp/125ft.lb or 104/110 @rw per CW) and or an Indian Challenger 108ci @$22k (claimed 122hp/128ft.lb, 103/113 @rw CW) and spend the money I save for a trip to Tahiti with the wife or girlfriend.
The Goldwing bagger and Indian Challenger seem like absolute bargains with more performance and technology.
If I was buying a showroom Harley today, it would be a Road Glide Special 114ci @$27k (76hp/108ft.lb stock at the rear wheel by Cycle World ). Or if we go by HD numbers...
If I settled for the stock motor, I would be irked that I'm getting a detuned motor that's capable of "14%" more torque while still meeting emission standards. I would also be irked if I had to spend an additional $2k+ for Screaming Eagle Stage 2 Kit to get that 14%. That would bring the total cost to ~$30k!!!
Maybe I'll buy a Honda Goldwing F6B 112ci at $24k (claimed 125hp/125ft.lb or 104/110 @rw per CW) and or an Indian Challenger 108ci @$22k (claimed 122hp/128ft.lb, 103/113 @rw CW) and spend the money I save for a trip to Tahiti with the wife or girlfriend.
The Goldwing bagger and Indian Challenger seem like absolute bargains with more performance and technology.
We hope you buy one of the competitors bikes too. Make sure you have your chaps on while you're adjusting your windshield.
If I was buying a showroom Harley today, it would be a Road Glide Special 114ci @$27k (76hp/108ft.lb stock at the rear wheel by Cycle World ). Or if we go by HD numbers...
If I settled for the stock motor, I would be irked that I'm getting a detuned motor that's capable of "14%" more torque while still meeting emission standards. I would also be irked if I had to spend an additional $2k+ for Screaming Eagle Stage 2 Kit to get that 14%. That would bring the total cost to ~$30k!!!
Maybe I'll buy a Honda Goldwing F6B 112ci at $24k (claimed 125hp/125ft.lb or 104/110 @rw per CW) and or an Indian Challenger 108ci @$22k (claimed 122hp/128ft.lb, 103/113 @rw CW) and spend the money I save for a trip to Tahiti with the wife or girlfriend.
The Goldwing bagger and Indian Challenger seem like absolute bargains with more performance and technology.
Sure, because the only reason to buy a motorcycle is how much horsepower it makes and how fast it accelerates per dollar spent.
I live in the real world and I dont ride specification sheets or dyno charts. I ride a motorcycle, and my only complaint about it is that it isnt my Evo anymore.
Enjoy your Gold Wing or Indian.
Last edited by Uncle G.; May 26, 2020 at 06:26 AM.
Its not just Harleys. GM uses the same 350 in a lot of vehicles, but they make lots of different power levels based on tune and accessories. The EPA has standards a manufacturer has to meet for its entire line up, once they sell it to you, you can mod it for more power/ less MPG and stay legal
If I was buying a showroom Harley today, it would be a Road Glide Special 114ci @$27k (76hp/108ft.lb stock at the rear wheel by Cycle World ). Or if we go by HD numbers...
If I settled for the stock motor, I would be irked that I'm getting a detuned motor that's capable of "14%" more torque while still meeting emission standards. I would also be irked if I had to spend an additional $2k+ for Screaming Eagle Stage 2 Kit to get that 14%. That would bring the total cost to ~$30k!!!
Maybe I'll buy a Honda Goldwing F6B 112ci at $24k (claimed 125hp/125ft.lb or 104/110 @rw per CW) and or an Indian Challenger 108ci @$22k (claimed 122hp/128ft.lb, 103/113 @rw CW) and spend the money I save for a trip to Tahiti with the wife or girlfriend.
The Goldwing bagger and Indian Challenger seem like absolute bargains with more performance and technology.
Nobody is putting a gun to your head forcing you to buy a Harley. You either like it enough to buy it or dont.
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