Stage 1 on 08 softail models
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Stage 1 on 08 softail models
Hello, I have a quick question for you seasoned riders. I have read all about the heat issues, clunky tranny, 5th gear noise, etc. Well, initially these issues drew me back from 07/08 models but upon reading some more and talking to 07 owners, I decided to jump in and get one soon. At the dealer I asked about the stage 1 on the 08 fatty I am interested in and the salesperson told me stage 1 cannot be done on 08 models but instead they now do dyno (sp?) and Big Bore Kits. Is that true?
As you all can probably tell, I am inexperienced and don't know a whole lot about bikes, but this forum provides such a wealth of information, I feel pretty lucky I found it. Thanks in advance for your input.
As you all can probably tell, I am inexperienced and don't know a whole lot about bikes, but this forum provides such a wealth of information, I feel pretty lucky I found it. Thanks in advance for your input.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 1
From: Pittsburgh, PA
RE: Stage 1 on 08 softail models
Welcome to the forum!
First of all I'm not sure if I'd deal with a dealer service dept. giving you such bad info. Stage one upgrade for your '08 is just pipes a better flowing air cleaner and a tune. You don't have to have your bike dynoed as there are plenty of good "canned" tunes that come with a fuel management system i.e. power commander, screaming eagle race tuner, etc. So basically whoever you talked to at that dealership was talking out their ***.
The internet is one of our greatest assests when it comes to learning about these bikes but it also has a tendency to make things worse than they seem. Don't let any of the little things you hear some people complaining about sway you too much.
So yes the simple stage one upgrades are readily available for any '08 HD.
Good luck you'll love your new ride. What are you thinking about buying?
First of all I'm not sure if I'd deal with a dealer service dept. giving you such bad info. Stage one upgrade for your '08 is just pipes a better flowing air cleaner and a tune. You don't have to have your bike dynoed as there are plenty of good "canned" tunes that come with a fuel management system i.e. power commander, screaming eagle race tuner, etc. So basically whoever you talked to at that dealership was talking out their ***.
The internet is one of our greatest assests when it comes to learning about these bikes but it also has a tendency to make things worse than they seem. Don't let any of the little things you hear some people complaining about sway you too much.
So yes the simple stage one upgrades are readily available for any '08 HD.
Good luck you'll love your new ride. What are you thinking about buying?
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
RE: Stage 1 on 08 softail models
Thanks for the reply. I was talking with the salesman, not a service department. Wanted to find out how pricey Stage 1 is at this place and that's when I got "the news". I will be getting 08 Fat Boy.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,257
Likes: 6
From: Leander Texas
RE: Stage 1 on 08 softail models
Do it yourself.
Check the forums and find what you want and get the parts elsewhere and do it your self.
My breather was $115. The mufflers were $240 delivered. The fuel management was 99 cents. Radio Shack.
Check the forums and find what you want and get the parts elsewhere and do it your self.
My breather was $115. The mufflers were $240 delivered. The fuel management was 99 cents. Radio Shack.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Texas
RE: Stage 1 on 08 softail models
I ran into a similar problem. When I bought my '08 train they wanted to charge me 1700.00 for a set of V&H pipes, air filter, HD version of a power commander, labor, and 300 bucks for the dyno. I ended up going to a custom bike fabricator and am spending a lot less and getting half the BS.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Stage 1 on 08 softail models
I got my fatboy deluxe last month , asked dealer the same thing, He told me it would cost anyware from 600 to 1000 to get it done. i still wasnt sure so i talked to a guy that has worked on harleys for 40 years he told me it wasnt worth it that most the time they end up burning more gas and not running right, im sharing this with you so you dont jump into it without more input . ill be reading your post to see if anyone has the answer because im still not sure eather.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 236
Likes: 6
From: San Jose, CA
RE: Stage 1 on 08 softail models
Total BS. But you're not alone. A couple weeks ago I actually overheard a salesman telling a couple that a new 08 Softail (CA) would "literally not start" with aftermarket pipes on it. He was trying to push out leftover 2007 inventory.
Trending Topics
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 236
Likes: 6
From: San Jose, CA
RE: Stage 1 on 08 softail models
So you don't say what state you're from. Might it be california? If so, the 2008s have catalytic converters and the stage 1 cat pipes aren't available yet. That might be the grain of truth in what you were told. Anything that fit on a 2007 will fit on your 2008, though. It just won't be street legal, and your dealer can't put it on. So he wants to sell you a big bore kit instead.
There's a lot of info on upgrades here: http://www.nightrider.com/biketech/h...e_upgrades.htm
As the bold print at the top of the page statesRecommended Upgrades for 2007/2008 HD Twin Cam engineit's for 2007's and 2008's.
There's a lot of info on upgrades here: http://www.nightrider.com/biketech/h...e_upgrades.htm
As the bold print at the top of the page statesRecommended Upgrades for 2007/2008 HD Twin Cam engineit's for 2007's and 2008's.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 734
Likes: 1
From: Nova Scotia
RE: Stage 1 on 08 softail models
As Mike said, it might be a California thing. But, I picked up my '08 FB late August and I never had any problems getting the stage 1 done. Because I was only going with the remap, the salesman said it won't be available until Oct, but on the day I picked up the fatty, it was ready to roll. The bike runs great with no problems. I did have the SE AC fail after only 600 miles, but the dealer switched it out for a K&N. Other than that, I'm very happy with it.
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
RE: Stage 1 on 08 softail models
The dealer was in Wisconsin. Still don't know what to think... My main objective is to lower how lean the bike runs. Sound is at this point a second but still important issue.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
