Stage 2 Reliability?
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 309
Likes: 172
From: Western New York
Stage 2 Reliability?
Will a properly installed stage 2 and tune affect reliability in the long run on a M8? Im guessing no due to the fact so many people are having them done on M8s in general. Im always hearing that once you open one up and start changing things, youre prone to having problems down the road. Thanks for the replies in advance!
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 953
From: Sarasota Florida
Well, with the cam you will get a much better cam bearing. If you also replace the oil pump, cam plate, lifters, and cam chain tensioner, all those parts will be upgrades from stock. You will need a tuner with a good map. If a competent shop does the work it should be bulletproof.
I just did a stage 2 on my 22 street bob and the bike is totally better. I should have done it sooner.
I just did a stage 2 on my 22 street bob and the bike is totally better. I should have done it sooner.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,674
Likes: 11,462
From: State of Confusion
introducing change introduces risk..to varying degrees of course..this is the first Harley I have left the entire powertrain 100% stock and have almost 67,000 miles of zero problems of any kind, even non powertrain..but I wouldn't hesitate one second on having our HD service tech team install any kind of performance builds to my bikes (as I have on several past bikes with zero issues) as they have a long successful winning race team history and this stuff is child's play to them .... bottom line for me it all comes down to trust and confidence in who is doing the work
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
From: Illinois
I had a Stage 2 done on mine (2017 Triglide) 2 years ago, torque cam, cam plate, lifters, oil pump, and adj push rods. Almost 30,000 miles and no issues, the cam really woke the bike up. Original cam and lifters had some strange wear on them, I suspect the oil pump was going bad, and I may have dodged a bullet as well. Already had FP3 tuner, so just downloaded a new MAP. Trip to Deadwood SD last week, got little over 40 MPG, which shocked me.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 309
Likes: 172
From: Western New York
I should of added that I currently have a stage 1 done to included SE ventilator AC, powervision tuner, cobra 909 slip ons and a catless fuel Moto SS header. Just thinking of taking the next step up to having the stage 2 done on my 21 SG. Thanks again!
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 655
Likes: 370
From: Gilbert, AZ
I, myself, have a 22 RGS and have Arlen Ness AC, PV4, Rinehart 2-1, S&S cam plate/oil pump, cam kit with the Wood 22xe cam. I don't know that I would add the cam if I were to start over. I am really on the fence with it actually. I wanted to change the oil pump so I figured why not change the cam plate and cam while it's open. Anyhow, I went into it with unrealistic expectations I think. I was expecting a night/day difference like the one I experienced on my low rider s when I changed the cam. It went from mild to very wild on that bike. I thought that it would be the same on my RGS. Well, I did not take into consideration the weight of the bike is much more so the 10% or whatever bump in numbers did not translate to the "pull your arms off" I was expecting. It absolutely woke the bike up in terms of sound and made a difference in performance as well, but it's not night/day. It's just more subtle. I think for the touring bikes, bigger bore is when you really feel that punch. Don't get me wrong, every time I twist that throttle my grin is childish, but I had the same grin pre cam as well. Here is what I learned... a good stage 1 on a 114 is plenty for the senses and I truly did not need to go any further. Stage 2 costs a lot if you don't do it yourself and fiddle farting around with all the cams out there is just not possible so it's a crap shoot on if you pick the absolute best one for YOU. I went with the Wood 22xe and I almost feel like there is a better choice I should have went with.
So I guess my recommendation is to go stage 2 but maybe leave it at stage 1.
Last edited by JamesGilbertAZ; Jul 22, 2023 at 01:14 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,678
Likes: 2,082
From: Massachusetts
Will a properly installed stage 2 and tune affect reliability in the long run on a M8? Im guessing no due to the fact so many people are having them done on M8s in general. Im always hearing that once you open one up and start changing things, youre prone to having problems down the road. Thanks for the replies in advance!
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
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Depends on where parts come from, who does the work. And if the words what is the cheapest I can were ever used.
Stage 2 done well will not effect the life span or reliability.
That is unless after it is done you feel the urge to do burn outs and drag race anyone one you can off the stop lights.
Stage 2 done well will not effect the life span or reliability.
That is unless after it is done you feel the urge to do burn outs and drag race anyone one you can off the stop lights.
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