HD 103, first impressions
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 685
Likes: 3
From: South central, Pa.
Tuesday night, a dealer told me their 103 upgrade would add $1195 + 8 hours labor (roughly $600) to the cost of a new Ultra. Everything would be covered in the two year warranty. I thought I knew what I was getting until another dealer said today that their upgrade would be around $5000. Since he was so much higher, I didn't want to ask why until I did more research. Harley's website shows three 103 kits available and I'm assuming the first dealer is using the new Stage II kit that includes SE 255 cams (no heads). The second dealer must be using the Stage I kit that include SE 253 cams, heads and stroker flywheel but their cost difference seems a lot higher than it should be.
Can someone tell me whether the heads and flywheel justify that much difference in price ?
Can someone tell me whether the heads and flywheel justify that much difference in price ?
Novice
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Bigbender, the kit with the stroker is probably one of the kits for an 88 cu in. The $5000 build sounds pretty high but it is probably the SE 110 kit that includes heads and other work.
I just bought an 09 Roadking. I went to the local dealer and told them I wanted to spend my money locally but another shop (that I bought the bike at) is giving me a great deal. I did not offer any prices for them to work with. The local shop called me later with a great deal and is installing the 103, stage II for $1567.30. I ordered the parts today.
I just bought an 09 Roadking. I went to the local dealer and told them I wanted to spend my money locally but another shop (that I bought the bike at) is giving me a great deal. I did not offer any prices for them to work with. The local shop called me later with a great deal and is installing the 103, stage II for $1567.30. I ordered the parts today.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 987
Likes: 2
From: Sierra Nevada Mountains of N. Calif
Hoffy...considering 103 upgrade myself to an 07 FLHX SG...hoping for a little help. First let me say that I'm pretty new to this and not a mechanic, so I don't yet know all the terms.
When I asked the dealer about doing this, he asked in return..."how far to you want to go". Then he started rambling about stuff i didn't understand.
My objective is to get more low-end torque/power, as I ride almost all the time 2-up. I'm not concerned with top-end speed, as generally, I ride prett conservatively. Any guidance you can give would be greatly appreciated. Thx in advance.
When I asked the dealer about doing this, he asked in return..."how far to you want to go". Then he started rambling about stuff i didn't understand.
My objective is to get more low-end torque/power, as I ride almost all the time 2-up. I'm not concerned with top-end speed, as generally, I ride prett conservatively. Any guidance you can give would be greatly appreciated. Thx in advance.
You are like me, I wanted low end torque for mostly 2-up riding. After researching it I found that first, I wanted to stay with HD stuff for my warranty. And second, I couldnt afford a lot and when my local dealer had a sale I was all over it. I found that mostly the behavior of the bike or where the engine torque and horse power comes on is mostly dictated by the cams in a simple build. The 255 cams are for low end torque, the 211's are for more top end but have less low end torque, even though they will still have more bottom end than a stock 96. And to take full advantage of a top end cam you should also either do some head work like porting or buy new heads. For the low end torque endeavor, head work is not nessarry, but a good 2-1 exhaust helps.
I wanted more grunt on the bottom end for riding 2-up on winding uphill roads around the California coast so I did the 103 with 255 cams and a 2-1 exhaust. I just got the bike back and even though its not broken in yet they turned my bike into a fast tractor, perfect for what I wanted.
I am no expert, not even close, I just understand the basic concepts since over 20 years ago my career was a G.M. delaership driveability and smog tech. There are many other guys here that not only know their ****e, they build their own motors, and know more technical stuff than I will ever understand.
Tuesday night, a dealer told me their 103 upgrade would add $1195 + 8 hours labor (roughly $600) to the cost of a new Ultra. Everything would be covered in the two year warranty. I thought I knew what I was getting until another dealer said today that their upgrade would be around $5000. Since he was so much higher, I didn't want to ask why until I did more research. Harley's website shows three 103 kits available and I'm assuming the first dealer is using the new Stage II kit that includes SE 255 cams (no heads). The second dealer must be using the Stage I kit that include SE 253 cams, heads and stroker flywheel but their cost difference seems a lot higher than it should be.
Can someone tell me whether the heads and flywheel justify that much difference in price ?
Can someone tell me whether the heads and flywheel justify that much difference in price ?
$5000 should buy you one hell of a kit.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 685
Likes: 3
From: South central, Pa.
Bigbender, the kit with the stroker is probably one of the kits for an 88 cu in. The $5000 build sounds pretty high but it is probably the SE 110 kit that includes heads and other work.
I just bought an 09 Roadking. I went to the local dealer and told them I wanted to spend my money locally but another shop (that I bought the bike at) is giving me a great deal. I did not offer any prices for them to work with. The local shop called me later with a great deal and is installing the 103, stage II for $1567.30. I ordered the parts today.
I just bought an 09 Roadking. I went to the local dealer and told them I wanted to spend my money locally but another shop (that I bought the bike at) is giving me a great deal. I did not offer any prices for them to work with. The local shop called me later with a great deal and is installing the 103, stage II for $1567.30. I ordered the parts today.
You're right, the kit that includes heads and stroker flywheel isfor the 88. The job quoted for $5000 was for a 103 kit because he thought that was the best way to go. He must be including SE heads with that price. Since I have all winter to wait, can dealers order a new bike with the engine upgrade done at the factory ?
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 394
Likes: 1
From: Kamloops, British Columbia
Rode mine as a 96" for two weeks before the dealer could get the bike in for the 103 upgrade. Big difference -- much more power, and it even runs cooler. Mine was the HD 103 Big Bore kit with the cams, AC and SE slipons. Some think its too quiet, but I like it that way.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 352
Likes: 0
From: Newport News, VA
Hoffy...considering 103 upgrade myself to an 07 FLHX SG...hoping for a little help. First let me say that I'm pretty new to this and not a mechanic, so I don't yet know all the terms.
When I asked the dealer about doing this, he asked in return..."how far to you want to go". Then he started rambling about stuff i didn't understand.
My objective is to get more low-end torque/power, as I ride almost all the time 2-up. I'm not concerned with top-end speed, as generally, I ride prett conservatively. Any guidance you can give would be greatly appreciated. Thx in advance.
When I asked the dealer about doing this, he asked in return..."how far to you want to go". Then he started rambling about stuff i didn't understand.
My objective is to get more low-end torque/power, as I ride almost all the time 2-up. I'm not concerned with top-end speed, as generally, I ride prett conservatively. Any guidance you can give would be greatly appreciated. Thx in advance.
I had the 103 Stage II (with SE-255 cams) installed on my 07 FLHR. It definitely wakes up the motor. It is not a high speed/high horsepower combination. It does give a moderate amount of extra power and a whole lot more bottom-end torque. I think it is the perfect combination for a bagger when you are trying to maintain the factory warranty. It's not an over-the-top modification...............no overheating, hard starting or pinging issues. I was able to use the V&H Fuelpak. Just punched in the codes and it runs perfectly. No dyno time! Also running a SE air cleaner and V&H Ovals. Minimal impact on gas milage too!
Andy