Here's an idea that I'm surprised Harley hasn't figured out. Make the filters with a recessed area to put your socket extension into (rather than the hex end the K&N filters have). That will make them alot easier to remove. Then they can make some doodads with the Harley logo on them to insert in the space to cover it up between until the next oil change. Just think how many little logos, skulls and designs they could make for the filter end. Wow, I just made HD a million bucks......

 

Finished the job. Strap wrench did nothing. Penetrated the filter with a big screwdriver and it came loose.
As to the sensor. It a non issue. It is sooooo not an issue, that i was confused about all the warnings. No cutout is needed on my 2011 Softail.
You would have to be a clumsy blind gorilla to damage the sensor with the removal tool.

 

I have the oil filter tool without the cutout, and it won't go on mine (04) unless I remove the connector to the sensor. Once I remove the connector (1 allen bolt), it's not an issue.

 

I changed oil and filter last year myself and know better than to use a wrench to tighten but this season I couldn't get it off for nothing. The solution that worked for me was about a 3 inch piece of double sided tape and a oil filter wrench. This took up the extra space and gave the wrench something to hold on to. Last resort was to pound a screw driver through and I really didn't want to do that.

 

I had the same problem. Got a strap wrench and used a breaker bar. It crushed the oil filter, but eventually came off. Lesson learned was to service my bike and not let the HD mechanics touch the bike. Oil filter does not need to be put on super tight to keep it from leaking. FYI the filter was a K & N with the nut at the bottom which was of no use what so ever.

 

If you have one of these just wrap some med - fine sandpaper for additional grip. Or a piece of rubber from an innertube.

 

This is the tool I use.