View Poll Results: Compensator Upgrade?
I own a 2011
4
5.06%
I have upgraded to the SE Compensator under warranty
6
7.59%
I have upgraded to the SE Compensator at my own expense
24
30.38%
I plan to upgrade to the SE Compensator
28
35.44%
I have no plan to upgrade to the SE Compensator
11
13.92%
What's an SE Compensator?
6
7.59%
Voters: 79. You may not vote on this poll
Compensator Upgrade Poll
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 9
From: Woodinville, WA
Compensator Upgrade Poll
Having read the compensator posts here I'm wondering how many have either upgraded or are thinking of upgrading to the SE compensator (and now original equipment on 2011 bikes). In the attached poll select "under warranty" if you got the dealer to do the labor and you received partial credit toward the cost "under warranty".
Last edited by davessworks; Sep 18, 2010 at 01:49 AM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,932
Likes: 4
From: 46th State, USA
This is one of those situations that if you don't completely understand what a compensator does or does not do.....as I do not, it make it a bit difficult to decide if replacing the compensator will correct some or all of the problems some riders have complainted about.
If a compensator does what it's designed to do, why are some have problems that other bikes of the same year and models are not having? What are other contributing factors if any?
If a compensator does what it's designed to do, why are some have problems that other bikes of the same year and models are not having? What are other contributing factors if any?
Last edited by shortride; Sep 18, 2010 at 05:55 AM.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 38,428
Likes: 896
This is one of those situations that if you don't completely understand what a compensator does or does not do.....as I do not, it make it a bit difficult to decide if replacing the compensator will correct some or all of the problems some riders have complainted about.
If a compensator does what it's designed to do, why are some have problems that other bikes of the same year and models are not having? What are other contributing factors if any?
If a compensator does what it's designed to do, why are some have problems that other bikes of the same year and models are not having? What are other contributing factors if any?
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...mpensator.html
I changed mine out 35,000 miles ago and it remains the best inprovement I ever made.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
happy to hear i have it on my street glide 2011.The big difference i see is
that my street glide starts harder than my fatbob 2008.may be it is because
it is new..my fatbob was smooth when i would start the bike...if the upgrade
was done , well, i guess it is normal...
that my street glide starts harder than my fatbob 2008.may be it is because
it is new..my fatbob was smooth when i would start the bike...if the upgrade
was done , well, i guess it is normal...
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,602
Likes: 3
From: Southeastern Michigan
I just replaced mine and think it's a great upgrade. It smooths out all driveline pulses, helps soften throttle input after shifts, and if you have an early 6 speed, it helps smooth out the first gear starts (high first gear ratio).
Having said that, I also notice that I've lost some of the snap during initial throttle roll on, which kinda deadens the feel a little. Not bad, but noticeable. I still think it's a worthwhile tradeoff on my 07 though.
As far as why it effects some bikes and not others, besides manufacturing tolerance's and stack up, some people just don't worry about that stuff. Kinda wish I could be more like that sometimes......
Having said that, I also notice that I've lost some of the snap during initial throttle roll on, which kinda deadens the feel a little. Not bad, but noticeable. I still think it's a worthwhile tradeoff on my 07 though.
As far as why it effects some bikes and not others, besides manufacturing tolerance's and stack up, some people just don't worry about that stuff. Kinda wish I could be more like that sometimes......
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,266
Likes: 7
From: Indianapolis
I think it's worth noting that very few of the stock compensators actually fail. A few have had the retaining bolt come loose, etc. In my case, the stock compensator was in perfect condition, was tight and in every respect it was perfect, within it's own limitations. Unfortunately, it's limitations are massive. It is an inadequate component for the job it is supposed to do. Many people will not care about this and will even consider it's uselessness to be 'normal'. As I have stated in a previous post, it is difficult to imagine that the 'stock' compensator and the 'SE' compensator were designed to do the same thing. That's how big the differences in design are!
To each their own, but to this day, installing the SE compensator remains the single most beneficial upgrade I have done to my '09 Ultra.
To each their own, but to this day, installing the SE compensator remains the single most beneficial upgrade I have done to my '09 Ultra.
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 361
Likes: 3
From: Nashville, TN
Need to start another poll: How many have filed a safety complaint with the NHTSA? Last time I checked, there were only two, mine and one other. If enough complaints are made, the Feds will really lean on Harley Davidson to fix the problem. Ask Totota.