Question from a HD newbie
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 734
Likes: 29
From: Arkansas Ozarks
Question from a HD newbie
I've been riding metric cruisers for a while and now own a '03 Suzuki Volisia 805 and a '04 Yamaha V-Star 1100. I've decided to go with a touring bike and I recently ordered a '07 Ultra that scheduled to be in around mid-January.
The question I have is, all the '07 transmission issues aside, what's up with all the "necessary" engine upgrades and modifications that seems to take place on the big HD's? I bolted on some extra chrome and accesories to the metric bikes, but they ran super right off the showroom floor. Is it a cultural or individual thing or are the modifications actually necessary to get them to perform satisfactorily?
The question I have is, all the '07 transmission issues aside, what's up with all the "necessary" engine upgrades and modifications that seems to take place on the big HD's? I bolted on some extra chrome and accesories to the metric bikes, but they ran super right off the showroom floor. Is it a cultural or individual thing or are the modifications actually necessary to get them to perform satisfactorily?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,306
Likes: 9,426
From: Twin Cities Minnesota
RE: Question from a HD newbie
It's a Harley disease. You will end up needing to join a 12 step program.[8D]
Most people want to improve the performance over stock, some don't. The EPA makes the bikes lean and you may not be happy with the bikes performance. So once you start you keep going and going and going........
Most people want to improve the performance over stock, some don't. The EPA makes the bikes lean and you may not be happy with the bikes performance. So once you start you keep going and going and going........
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Question from a HD newbie
Ride it stock first. I've had the experience of making mods (Vance & Hines, racing chip, low-restrict air cleaner, etc.) and then having a bike with an exhaust note that hurt my eardrums on long trips. Now I'm taking it slow with my FLHPI. If it's fast enough for the cops, it's fast enough for me, out of the gate anyway. You can always throw money at it later.
FLHPI Short
FLHPI Short
Banned
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,499
Likes: 2
From: CANADA
RE: Question from a HD newbie
HD EFI/ECM is set lean at the factory to suit EPA emissions standards. Air, exhaust & tuning mods are needed to get a solid, cooler running bike, with a good performance increase!
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,482
Likes: 0
From: BOSTON originally / APPLETON WI now
RE: Question from a HD newbie
I was ready to sell my scoot just a few days after I bought it - LITERALLY HATED IT [:'(][:'(][:'(] - ran like dogsh$t compared to my Suzuki LC1500 metric.
Then I decided to upgrade a few things after Googling my problem a few times (stealer said everthing was "finel"), finding this forum and taking the real "experts" advice.
It is absolutely AMAZING what a PCIII, Stage 1 and the right slip-ons will do - spring some life into a limp POS in my opinion.
Basically the HD OEM legal setups are robbing you of real power and enjoyment.
Wouldn't have it any other way now!!! LUV it.
THE ONLY THING I cannot get a straight answer on, is if these SIMPLE mods VOID my warantee - very HAZY area with the stealerships!!!
AMEN.
Then I decided to upgrade a few things after Googling my problem a few times (stealer said everthing was "finel"), finding this forum and taking the real "experts" advice.
It is absolutely AMAZING what a PCIII, Stage 1 and the right slip-ons will do - spring some life into a limp POS in my opinion.
Basically the HD OEM legal setups are robbing you of real power and enjoyment.
Wouldn't have it any other way now!!! LUV it.
THE ONLY THING I cannot get a straight answer on, is if these SIMPLE mods VOID my warantee - very HAZY area with the stealerships!!!
AMEN.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 528
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Question from a HD newbie
The simple answer is that metric bikes are liquid cooled and the HD big twin's are air-cooled. The EPA thinks that air-cooled engines excessively pollute the air (watch out, lawn mowers are next on their list) so they insist that HD set up the bikes extremely lean at the factory. In effect, they are trying to strongarm HD into conforming to their wishes by requiring that the bikes run like crap, hoping it will hurt sales and HD will finally give in. Therefore, to return the bike to its originally envisioned state, you have pay good hard-earned money to reverse the EPA-required BS that they make HD put on it, which is known as "paying the Harley tax." All in order to keep the frikin dumba$$, goody-two-shoes, know-it-all government bureaucrats happy.[:@]
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 3
From: Central Illinois
RE: Question from a HD newbie
Faulkner, Here's my advice if it mean's anything. Ride the bike stock. See how good the bike is in it's purest form compared to what you used to. Where you are coming from, this forum would not be the perfect spot to ask that because most of us have been riding Harley's for some time and know what we expect,or can get out of our rides. Alot of us have taken for granted how good Harley's are. In my job I rdie alot of different bikes and brands of bikes and I will tell you, even though I am a little biased, some of these metric cruisers "suck!" You will ride your bike for awhile then realize maybe I want a little more power or chrome. I can guarantee up until that time you will meet some cool people and pipes, chrome and accessories, you haven't seen before. Take your time and enjoy the ride.
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 734
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From: Arkansas Ozarks
RE: Question from a HD newbie
So, it's not that the HD's are not functional in stock configuration, it's just that they have a lot more potential after you spend the Harley Tax.
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 132
Likes: 6
From:
RE: Question from a HD newbie
if you want to keep it stock---never ever go back to the dealer---you will see (and hear) scooters pull in the dealership with custom this and that, pipes, cool air cleaners, wheels, seats, stereos, etc. You will soon be ordering all types of stuff.
one of the guys that I trust at the dealership said the I made my first mistake buying the bike---customizing is part of the process---I am trying not to go overboard.
I rode my 07SG stock for one month---told myself it's good enough stock (which it truly is) then I bought slip ons---then ordered PCIII, next was the screaming eagle air---saw a bike with a custom seat---had to have one---ordered and put on the bike.
I did not like the stock wheels----somehow 18 inch spokes magically appeared at my door, I went out the house today and a 21inch front rim was at the door.
I could continue---you have been warned.
one of the guys that I trust at the dealership said the I made my first mistake buying the bike---customizing is part of the process---I am trying not to go overboard.
I rode my 07SG stock for one month---told myself it's good enough stock (which it truly is) then I bought slip ons---then ordered PCIII, next was the screaming eagle air---saw a bike with a custom seat---had to have one---ordered and put on the bike.
I did not like the stock wheels----somehow 18 inch spokes magically appeared at my door, I went out the house today and a 21inch front rim was at the door.
I could continue---you have been warned.