EPA Mandates Making Your Harley Run Lean?

By Dennis Santopietro

Question for Fix My Hog Someone recently posted the question on a Harley forum “does a stock engine last longer than one with modifications?” Probably 95% of the respondents stated stock engines from the factory come with a very lean set up as the result of EPA mandates and will have overheating problems and thus will wear out sooner than those with mods. Is this so? I have a 2013 bone stock UC. Should I look into any mods? Thanks Doug

Via Email

Fix My Hog Answers Hi Doug, As Bob states in our Bolt-On videos; “We will buy a new HD and take everything off it and put on new stuff. You would never buy a new Winnebago, bring it home and kick out all the windows.”
Fact is today’s HDs are built to last and when we change the original engineering and specs it changes things – maybe someday a comparison will be done with a stock HD and a modified one to see which one has the least amount of problems over the same amount of time, mileage and riding conditions.

Note from the guys:
A: Reading forums can sometimes be confusing to people. There are a lot of guys who have nothing better to do than comment on various HD topics; repeating things that they overheard from some know it all at the bar. Don’t put too much faith into what you read in a forum. If you find the same info repeated over and over again, however, it may have to truth to it. Your best source of info is always your service manual. Your manual, obviously would not cover the question you sent us, but the answer is mostly common sense. How far a m/c will take you depends on the way it is ridden, how it is maintained, and the climate it is ridden in (temp/altitude/terrain). If your engine is running lean think about remapping it, if it is running hot think about an oil cooler or cylinder fan.

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4 Responses to “EPA Mandates Making Your Harley Run Lean?”

  1. Ron B

    Couldn't agree more. I have a 1997 XLC1200 Sportster that I purchased new 21 years ago. I have only made changes that were needed to keep it updated. It still runs great with lots of power and never has had a breakdown. I just moved up to a 2017 Road King and plan on the same philosophy, keep the engine and drive train as stock as I can, but make it physically and visually mine.

  2. Andre Terranova

    <strong> Ticket 18134 I own a 2011 HD Cross Bones and when I looked st my fuel tables and measured my A/F ratios I found my HD was running RICH all through the fuel table. Retuned it and fuel economy went up from 45 mph to 49 mph

  3. Dan Hankwitz

    I own a 2014 ultra clasic. I bought it brand new. I have the oils changed at required intervals, and keep my bike clean. I just turned 48,000 miles on the bike. I do not have any engine modifications. I did put on screaming eagle pipes, but did not require the air/ fuel to be re mapped..I have had no issues with my motor, or bike, other than tires and a new battery.....

  4. robert.longrie2

    I am a little disappointed in the help I'm not getting with my purchase. There is very little info on the Trike models, and that is what I have. I was hoping that this program would have helped me out but to no avail. Kinda disappointing .