I have recently heard some rediculous rumors concerning '08 Harleys. Specifically, the rumors are that the new HDs will have exhaust components that make it impossible to modify the pipes (such as emissions, etc.) thus rendering the installation of aftermaarket exhaust systems impossible. This would seem to go against some of the fundamentals of motorcycle ownership. If true, I would choose not to buy an '08 and would need to find a lftover '07 in a hurry!

Another reson I find such a rumor hardto believe is because it would seem to cut into a very large aftermarket and we all know that laws and regulations are ultimately determine by money.

Can anyone dispell such a rumor (or definitively prove it's truth) so that I can sleep at night?

Thanks.

 

I have an '08 Softail Custom. The dealer where I bought it said at this time, I could not modify the exhaust, even with just a slip on. After reading several posts on here about the '07 being pretty much the same engine, I took posters' advice and called some other dealers. Two other dealers said it should not be a problem if I just put slip-ons on but that they don't have the new mufflers to be able to install them. I called Rush and spoke with a technician. He said they tried their slip-ons for the '07's on the '08 Customs and they fit perfectly. So I went to the dealer and got the Rush boloney cuts with 1.75" baffles and installed them in about half an hour. I was going to switch them back out if I was getting less then desireable results. They worked great! No loss of power and no backfires. I am still going to get the fuel management system and air cleaner in September, but until then, I am very happy. Oh, and I did contact my original dealer who advised not to do this, about my warrenty, they said it would absolutely not void it. They are a great bunch of guys, but I think err on the cautious side.

 

I believe you're dealing with mostly rumor.

As I understand it, some 2007s and most (if not all) 2008s have oxygen sensors now that feed-back to the bike's ECM to playtheir part in fuel delivery decisions.

Reading up on PCIII, SERT, and others, the newer product line of these "fuel-controllers" account for the presense (or absense) of the O2 sensors. I am starting to see exhaust systems being sold that designate whether or not built-in mounting ports are available for O2 sensors.

What was described to me as an "Open" or "Closed" feedback loops: Closed loops include O2 feedback by either using existing O2 sensors or replacing them with special data-sending ones that communicate back to the "commanders" (lumping the whole product line together). Open loop systems ignor O2 sensor feedback, so those commander kits for the late model bikes come with smart end-caps that plug into the cable harness terminations in place of re-connecting the O2 sensors back up.

In other words; Many existing exhaust systems will work on late model bikes if you properly account for an Open Loop installation by making the O2 sensor termination happy. There are merits and goodness to having a true Closed-Loop system so now there are the beginnings of exhaust companies showing those O2 ports in their newest product line (mainly mentioning 2007 bikes, not seeing 2008 yet).

So it is NOT that you can't change exhaust systems on 2008 models, but rather you MUST think about what is being done a little harder.

-paul

P.S. If there happens to be a certified Harley mech on here that sees problems with anything I've said, please speak up. I am NOT a "wrench" but instead an avid researcher that is trying to plan an exhaust change for his 08 Fatboy.

Cheers!

 

hmm.