How much heat?
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 476
Likes: 90
From: Westchester, NY
with the V&H headers (no cat) I did notice a difference riding in 85 degrees yesterday. Up until now I wasn't really able to verify anything that I installed to keep things cooler. I believe the catless headers do make a huge difference. I did, feel a little bit of heat from the front cylinder area when i'm on the highway pegs. Not uncomfortable at all but noticeable enough to know if you lean against it you will be burned. The rest of the bike along the exhaust pipes does not emit as much heat. I'm sure it's because of this missing cat. Jury is still out on the fan assist oil cooler kit.. I know it's on, and it doesn't make much noise, which is nice, but I can't really tell if it is cooling the engine. The angle of the fan blows towards the bottom section of the engine. Not sure if the design is really effective. I know hot air starts low and rises so maybe that's why? Would be nice if the bike had an actual engine temp gauge.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,707
Likes: 13,989
From: Northern New Jersey
The best thing to do is ask your dealer. I did before I went with the Fuel Moto cat-less head-pipe (which they installed for me). They said they would still honor the warranty, but technically the drivetrain warranty is voided. So just depends on where I break down, and if another dealer will overlook the new head-pipe and PV tuner.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 354
Likes: 315
From: Alexandria, VA
This Cat or No Cat debate rages on every forum, on every motorcycle brand. As we all know, myths can develop pretty easily and the only way to tell for sure is through science. Case in point....my experience:
I bought a brand new BMW K1600GTL (inline 6 cylinder touring bike) when they came out in 2012. The left footpeg area was hot as hell, it would actually melt boots, and the complaints were widespread. The Cat was blamed for the heat, and I was once of the very first to buy a header for the bike when they came out from an aftermarket supplier (Remus) - I got in on the initial batch. Changed the whole exhaust out, added in a fuel mapping device and was all set. It sure seemed a little cooler, but not a whole lot. Going to a 2" lower footpeg made more of a difference.
So the debate raged on the K1600 forum, and those of us who did the swap said "You gotta do it" and others were skeptical. Being BMW owners, it wasn't long before the pyrometers were brought out and temps measured stock w/cat vs with the Remus header. The result was a 2 degree variance. That's right, just two degrees. Certainly not worth the $ 1,000 the six tube header cost.
Turns out that with experimentation, an air deflector was the key to keeping the heat off the right foot and soon someone created a simple ABS one that would bolt in the bike. All that heat from the engine has to go somewhere....
So just saying, if you have a pyrometer handy, get a temp reading off your stock pipe and then after you swap out to a catless header - let's see the difference if you can post it here.
I bought a brand new BMW K1600GTL (inline 6 cylinder touring bike) when they came out in 2012. The left footpeg area was hot as hell, it would actually melt boots, and the complaints were widespread. The Cat was blamed for the heat, and I was once of the very first to buy a header for the bike when they came out from an aftermarket supplier (Remus) - I got in on the initial batch. Changed the whole exhaust out, added in a fuel mapping device and was all set. It sure seemed a little cooler, but not a whole lot. Going to a 2" lower footpeg made more of a difference.
So the debate raged on the K1600 forum, and those of us who did the swap said "You gotta do it" and others were skeptical. Being BMW owners, it wasn't long before the pyrometers were brought out and temps measured stock w/cat vs with the Remus header. The result was a 2 degree variance. That's right, just two degrees. Certainly not worth the $ 1,000 the six tube header cost.
Turns out that with experimentation, an air deflector was the key to keeping the heat off the right foot and soon someone created a simple ABS one that would bolt in the bike. All that heat from the engine has to go somewhere....
So just saying, if you have a pyrometer handy, get a temp reading off your stock pipe and then after you swap out to a catless header - let's see the difference if you can post it here.
Last edited by drcollie; May 20, 2017 at 12:56 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 800
Likes: 39
From: Lafayette, La
if main concern is passenger comfort then if it were me, I'd add the HD Coolflow Fan and mid frame deflectors before I spent big bucks on exhaust and throwing my powertrain warranty out the window
https://www.harley-davidson.com/store/coolflow-fan
https://www.harley-davidson.com/stor...200157--1#tabs
https://www.harley-davidson.com/store/coolflow-fan
https://www.harley-davidson.com/stor...200157--1#tabs
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,675
Likes: 11,463
From: State of Confusion
I didn't do one, will see over the Summer if I think it's needed..from what I've read here it's a PITA install for both DIY and dealerships
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 216
From: Davenport, IA
I guess what I'm saying is, I'm not willing, and don't think any of us should have to hope one specific dealer will shell out parts and labor to cover something they cant then get reimbursed from from HD Corporate. Even with your local dealer,service managers and general managers rotate out all the time so what may be good for you today at that dealer may not be good if a new Mgr comes in. Especially with a first year model motor, it seems too risky. But I totally get why some say screw it and go for losing the cat.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 547
Likes: 43
From: Cartersville, GA
This Cat or No Cat debate rages on every forum, on every motorcycle brand. As we all know, myths can develop pretty easily and the only way to tell for sure is through science. Case in point....my experience:
I bought a brand new BMW K1600GTL (inline 6 cylinder touring bike) when they came out in 2012. The left footpeg area was hot as hell, it would actually melt boots, and the complaints were widespread. The Cat was blamed for the heat, and I was once of the very first to buy a header for the bike when they came out from an aftermarket supplier (Remus) - I got in on the initial batch. Changed the whole exhaust out, added in a fuel mapping device and was all set. It sure seemed a little cooler, but not a whole lot. Going to a 2" lower footpeg made more of a difference.
So the debate raged on the K1600 forum, and those of us who did the swap said "You gotta do it" and others were skeptical. Being BMW owners, it wasn't long before the pyrometers were brought out and temps measured stock w/cat vs with the Remus header. The result was a 2 degree variance. That's right, just two degrees. Certainly not worth the $ 1,000 the six tube header cost.
Turns out that with experimentation, an air deflector was the key to keeping the heat off the right foot and soon someone created a simple ABS one that would bolt in the bike. All that heat from the engine has to go somewhere....
So just saying, if you have a pyrometer handy, get a temp reading off your stock pipe and then after you swap out to a catless header - let's see the difference if you can post it here.
I bought a brand new BMW K1600GTL (inline 6 cylinder touring bike) when they came out in 2012. The left footpeg area was hot as hell, it would actually melt boots, and the complaints were widespread. The Cat was blamed for the heat, and I was once of the very first to buy a header for the bike when they came out from an aftermarket supplier (Remus) - I got in on the initial batch. Changed the whole exhaust out, added in a fuel mapping device and was all set. It sure seemed a little cooler, but not a whole lot. Going to a 2" lower footpeg made more of a difference.
So the debate raged on the K1600 forum, and those of us who did the swap said "You gotta do it" and others were skeptical. Being BMW owners, it wasn't long before the pyrometers were brought out and temps measured stock w/cat vs with the Remus header. The result was a 2 degree variance. That's right, just two degrees. Certainly not worth the $ 1,000 the six tube header cost.
Turns out that with experimentation, an air deflector was the key to keeping the heat off the right foot and soon someone created a simple ABS one that would bolt in the bike. All that heat from the engine has to go somewhere....
So just saying, if you have a pyrometer handy, get a temp reading off your stock pipe and then after you swap out to a catless header - let's see the difference if you can post it here.
Exhaust gas temps my not really change much but when the exhaust gases are slowed at the cat they radiate more heat through the pipe walls
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,917
Likes: 184
From:
I would recommend one of our Crotch Coolers . Yes they work very well and are very easy to install. Even with the fans on the new bikes,we get emails Everyday that our Crotch Coolers made all the difference to redirect the heat .. If you have Any questions please email or give us a call Thank you Itch .. Here is a link to our products http://shop.captain-itch.com/Harley-...hields_c58.htm
I rode one 2 days ago at myrtle beach and I was never so proud to get off a bike in my life, my loins were fried. LOL I'm not knocking what you sell at all, actually I'd like to see you get a contract with Indian / Polaris to sell them what you have and if anyone owns an Indian they will definitely need these for sure.
Captain Itch I'm sure these will help for sure but I'd have to say you'd need more than what you have to cool that Indian engine off. I rode one 2 days ago at myrtle beach and I was never so proud to get off a bike in my life, my loins were fried. LOL
I'm not knocking what you sell at all, actually I'd like to see you get a contract with Indian / Polaris to sell them what you have and if anyone owns an Indian they will definitely need these for sure.
I rode one 2 days ago at myrtle beach and I was never so proud to get off a bike in my life, my loins were fried. LOL I'm not knocking what you sell at all, actually I'd like to see you get a contract with Indian / Polaris to sell them what you have and if anyone owns an Indian they will definitely need these for sure.