Stock more reliable?
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 523
Likes: 4
From: New York
Gotta agree here. At 60 years old my two wheeled hotrod days are over. I'm all stock but ride with a buddy that's 56. He's got a 103 in his Streetglide and is constantly pulling away from me and then taunting me to swap bikes so I can see what I'm missing. I keep telling him I have no interest but he persists. When I want to go fast I do it in one of my classic Corvettes or my streetrod ... I just feel safer.... but that's the old man in me now....that and the blood thinners
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 809
Likes: 45
From: WA
Bone stock. Seems like most of the problems listed on the forums are from people who have upgraded their bikes somehow, but I would imagine that there are many, many upgrades that have taken place that didn't cause any problems ....
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 7
From: Connecticut :(
How many have kept their motors stock since it seems like everyone with that tuner, or that tuner, etc., are always posting about problems they're having setting them up. I know that it's probably a very small minority.
But, how many have kept their motors stock, and are happy with the way it runs and it's dependability??
But, how many have kept their motors stock, and are happy with the way it runs and it's dependability??
lol!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 226
All good with a new 100% stock drivetrain.
'11 SG with powerpak and cruise. It does everything I want it to. I can cruise down the highway with a fullface helmet, half helmet or no helmet on and hear the tunes just fine. It accelerates, handles, brakes and runs great for me. It has the extended warranty and the dealer does all the work on it per the scheduled maintenance intervals.
Sure, I've put on a taller windshield, highway pegs and some other minor bullshit, but it really is all stock and it's staying that way.
I've paid my dues over the past 25 years buying old bikes and building engines, chopping them, modifying this, fabricating that, running straight pipes, all that crap... I'm done with living that life ( ride / wrench / ride wrench ) for my "main" ride. I just want to get on the damn thing and go, if something goes wrong with it - screw it - off to the dealer and they can deal with the damn thing.
I'll pick up an old evo or shovel and build an around town bike chopper and enjoy building and wrenching on it. But I'm way done with my main highway bike being anything that will be a PIA to get service on when out on a long trip.
My last Glide was 22 years old and there was zero support for it out on the road, it was just me and the tools and while I was never stranded once with the old girl, it sure feels good being on a new glide that is 100% stock and if something goes wrong , I just call and get it picked up, fixed and I'm on my way again.
'11 SG with powerpak and cruise. It does everything I want it to. I can cruise down the highway with a fullface helmet, half helmet or no helmet on and hear the tunes just fine. It accelerates, handles, brakes and runs great for me. It has the extended warranty and the dealer does all the work on it per the scheduled maintenance intervals.
Sure, I've put on a taller windshield, highway pegs and some other minor bullshit, but it really is all stock and it's staying that way.
I've paid my dues over the past 25 years buying old bikes and building engines, chopping them, modifying this, fabricating that, running straight pipes, all that crap... I'm done with living that life ( ride / wrench / ride wrench ) for my "main" ride. I just want to get on the damn thing and go, if something goes wrong with it - screw it - off to the dealer and they can deal with the damn thing.
I'll pick up an old evo or shovel and build an around town bike chopper and enjoy building and wrenching on it. But I'm way done with my main highway bike being anything that will be a PIA to get service on when out on a long trip.
My last Glide was 22 years old and there was zero support for it out on the road, it was just me and the tools and while I was never stranded once with the old girl, it sure feels good being on a new glide that is 100% stock and if something goes wrong , I just call and get it picked up, fixed and I'm on my way again.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 669
From: The Rust Belt!
I always left my engines stock! Owned 4 Harleys and never had a problem with one of them. Most i ever do is change the exhaust. And now even with that im just going with slip ons this time around with my 2012. 103 inches is plenty for cruising maybe even over kill.. Plenty happy with the stock performance!
Supporter
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,419
Likes: 90
From: Vermont
I only make mods that I think will help reliability and drivability. No cams or internals on any of my bikes in the last 20 years. The last bike I modded internally was my 1972 74inch Shovel, and that was just putting in unleaded valve guides and some seals and a mild cam for easier 2 up riding. On my latest bike the 10 Street Glide, I changed the pipe to a catless, the air breather so she breathes easier, and I put in a pre progranmmed PCV tuner. I think that richening it up and letting her breathe will add some life to her. Nothing else.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,932
Likes: 4
From: 46th State, USA
Other than the dealer installed Stag 1 my UC engine is stock. Most of the 8 or 9 issues I've had were all factory intalled electrical or electronic.
Is stock more reliable? I would say no.
Is stock more reliable? I would say no.
Last edited by shortride; Aug 24, 2011 at 03:03 PM.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
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
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 868
Likes: 1
From: Trenton,N.J.
How many have kept their motors stock since it seems like everyone with that tuner, or that tuner, etc., are always posting about problems they're having setting them up. I know that it's probably a very small minority.
But, how many have kept their motors stock, and are happy with the way it runs and it's dependability??
But, how many have kept their motors stock, and are happy with the way it runs and it's dependability??