Stage 2 or Stage 3?
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5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
From: Alberta
Stage 2 or Stage 3?
I'm debating doing stage 2 or stage 3 on a '23 Road Glide ST, but is it worth it? More power & torque sound great but does reliability suffer? I'd love to hear everyone's opinion and any of your specific experiences with these upgrades. Thanks!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,575
Likes: 3,171
From: Lake Geneva WI
its your money but id do a stage 2 and call it a day. you gave up some things spent all that extra coin to get the 3 extra cubes over a special. to me, it doesnt make sense to throw those 3 cubes out the window.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 655
Likes: 370
From: Gilbert, AZ
You might feel differently than I did about stage 2. For me and my 2022 114 RGS, I spent about 3k all in installed and look back and think I might have been able to better spend that money. The stock 114 is plenty, but I had that "want" and did not "need." I saved for it so it is what it is. As for the 117 ST, ride it and love it and spend the money elsewhere.
Last edited by JamesGilbertAZ; Jul 14, 2023 at 12:37 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 592
Likes: 481
From: SE PA
A cammed 117 with proper peripherals and tuning is nothing to shake a stick at. I feel the overwhelming vast majority of HD riders would be completely content there. If you are in the never content category like myself and have the money to spend, go all the way.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 592
Likes: 481
From: SE PA
Reliability wise....a big bore is no less reliable then a stock cube motor...I have more confidence in a big bore that I measured clearances for and gapped the rings for over OEM any day. Just be aware of the additional supporting modifications/items that will become more necessary the deeper you go. More stress on the rest of the drivetrain, the flywheel assembly, begin to really see how the brakes are inadequate, etc.
Last edited by MattLS6; Jul 14, 2023 at 12:49 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 7,997
Likes: 6,896
From: NC
When I started riding 40 years ago, I observed who was riding 20k, 30k and 40k a year and their bikes. Those traveler all maintained their bikes, fixed what broke, but basically rode stock bikes. They added comfort features.
Many buy Harley's and succumb to the mantra "stock sucks",and spend $10k on a bike they sell a few months after all those mods.
Look at those who's bikes always seem to be on the run trailer. Betting they are not stock bikes, or their owner doesn't do the regularly scheduled maintenance.
The question for you is, do you desire to spend money for braggin rights at the watering hole or to travel worry free on long weekends and vacations?
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 3,174
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From: College Station, TX
Yeah, I felt like my M8 107 was just fine. It is the best out of the box performing HD I've had. But still had to do a cam etc.
Paul
Paul
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 7,997
Likes: 6,896
From: NC
Meaning...your OCD made you! I understand.
My friend with a 107, pipes, air cleaner and tune left my 114 on a straight flat road one afternoon. I debated and priced a cam, pipes, air cleaner and tuner for about $3500 for a local shop to do it. That's 7+ really nice long weekend trips for me. And this 114 is a great motor.
The next thing for me to do is to rebuild forks for my weight. Then just ride my 2019 FLHTP!
Last edited by Goose_NC; Jul 14, 2023 at 02:23 PM.
Thread Starter
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5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
From: Alberta
This is my 3rd bike and probably not my last so I'm inclined to give stage 2 a try, and from what I gather here there's no big downside. I know it's not 'needed' but it's a toy and I'm doing this for kicks as much as anything else.
Please, keep the feedback coming, I love hearing others' experiences.