Does anyone run their trike stock?

[pettifogger1]

I'm looking at a 2011 FLHXXX but after reading dozens of posts on several Harley websites I am wondering if I should forget about it. According to all the experts the bike with the stock catalytic converter is running so hot it will cause engine damage or make riding in hot weather a nightmare. I live in Arizona and when its 110+ outside riding gets downright uncomfortable even without a cat. I don't want and can't afford to buy the bike and then drop another thousand or two into new pipes, air cleaners and tuners, etc. So, the question is does anyone, especially in hot areas of the country, run their Tri Glides stock? How well do they work?

 

[jimmy]

i run mine stock. granted i live in maine but got my 2011 last month have put about 600 miles on it and have had no problems other than getting the clutch adjusted. we had a heat wave here got into the low 90's and i had no problem. of course thats unusual for us. i think the 2011's are made with alot of the 2009-2010, problems fixed.

 

[bdn56]

I have only owned 4 Harleys. With each one, I always budget in at least $1000.00 to improve performance and sound. I also enjoy modifying the bike .<br />
I think we need to place a lot more blame on EPA compliance than we do the dealers. They have to build them within EPA guidelines.

 

[iaff84]

I have ran mine stock (2011) and have about 5000 on it. Yes it is warm, so was my 05 Ultra. So I am taking the Frugal way this time. I got a set of header pipes that were cut and CAT removed. I wrapped those with header pipe tape. It cut down pipe heat a lot. <br />
The only way for me to cool it more is with a tuner. I leave this afternoon for a short road trip, about 10 days. Will learn more about the CAT less pipe then and post it. Then see if stock performance is good enough in mountains two up.<br />
When we were looking last year to buy our first trike, I had also read these concerns.

It helped us when we road one to look for different things. All I can say, we love ours, yes I also do some complaining about mine, but I do about the wife also, and we all know how dangerous that is!!!<br />
Dennis

 

[Oldmsocko]

The 2011 has a fix for the poor performance with the pully change to the 30t but the heat issue has not changed. The cats are still in the head pipes and it runs extremely hot.Besides comfort the biggest issue is the heat of the oil will cause pre mature engine damage.Cooling it down will solve both problems.Also synthetic oil is a must. Regular dino oil is not designed for the oil temps those engines put out.

 

[pettifogger1]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Oldmsocko</strong>
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<div class="message">The 2011 has a fix for the poor performance with the pully change to the 30t but the haet issue has not changed. The cats are still in the head pipes and it runs extremely hot.Besides comfort the biggest issue is the heat of the oil will cause pre mature engine damage.Cooling it down will solve both problems.Also synthetic oil is a must. Regular dino oil is not designed for the oil temps those engines put out.</div>

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That's my concern. If I do the deal, I won't have any spare cash for many months or a year. When it's 110 degrees in the shade, the engine temps are going to be very high. I would imagine in cold weather the heat from the cat actually feels good. However, here in the desert it seldom gets much below 70 even in the winter.

 

[TriGlide]

wait for the 2012 model. You can save up some more cash for the mods. Or buy a good used one. I know of a very well taken care of 09 Tri Glide in your state for sale with 12K in mods. Trike has 7k on it. asking is around 28K. PM me if interested.

 

[pettifogger1]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>TriGlide</strong>
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<div class="message">wait for the 2012 model. You can save up some more cash for the mods. Or buy a good used one. I know of a very well taken care of 09 Tri Glide in your state for sale with 12K in mods. Trike has 7k on it. asking is around 28K. PM me if interested.</div>

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Thanks for the heads up. I would need to finance part of the price and its much easier getting financing for a new bike. Also, I am looking for an FLHXXX and I don't think they are going to make them in 2012.

 

[Bikerbozo]

I ride a 2010 with synthetic. At 100'F it is sluggish in 6th. Otherwise I do fine. After just under 1 year, I have 18,000 miles on it and it's doing fine. No engine or tranny concerns (knocking on my head). No burn marks on my leg either. And trust me, At -3'F I was wishing for more heat out of it!

 

[screwball]

We have '09 and '11 Tri-Glides. We have a home in Bullhead City, Az. Wife has ridden the 09 to the Az. house several times in the summer, across the desert. Only problem is idling in traffic. As long as there is 'air' flowing over the barrels, the bike runs fine. If you are stuck in traffic, IT GETS HOT, just like any air cooled motorcycle. With the exception of grips and luggage racks, the bikes are bone stock... oh, slip on mufflers. I'm thinking of adding oil coolers to both scoots, if we spend a lot of time at the Bullhead house.

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Good Luck.

 

[msocko3]

I'm thinking of adding oil coolers to both scoots, if we spend a lot of time at the Bullhead house.

They came from the factory with oil coolers which do a fair job. I pulled my factory cooler and installed a 10 row Jagg, more surface area for better cooling.

 

[grapenuts]

Part of the reason for the heat is the lean mixture these bikes are forced to run. You can trick the EFI into a richer mixture for not a whole lot of money. Ultimately, getting rid of the cat and letting the engine breath will give the best results.