Harley emissions defeat devices

"just-a-scratch" (just-a-scratch)
08/18/2016 at 11:39 • Filed to: None

I didn’t realize Harley Davidson had been caught in any sort of vehicle emissions trouble. The link below is the first I’ve heard of it.

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DISCUSSION (33)

E90M3 > just-a-scratch
08/18/2016 at 11:42

Kinja'd!!!

I thought it would be for excess noise pollution.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > E90M3
08/18/2016 at 11:44

Or the horrific engine balance... Sheesh, even the 955cc triple on my Triumph sounds better.

Eberle-Hills-Cop > just-a-scratch
08/18/2016 at 11:44

Harley’s HAVE emissions equipment? The paintings falling off my walls at home have always made me think otherwise.

Tripper > E90M3
08/18/2016 at 11:48

Came here to say this

jimz > Eberle-Hills-Cop
08/18/2016 at 11:50

yes, my Dyna has the full gamut; EFI, PCM, O2 sensors and catalytic converter.

ChooChooMotherFudger > just-a-scratch
08/18/2016 at 11:51

I don’t know about you guys, but that seems kinda like bullshit

jimz > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
08/18/2016 at 11:52

I disagree, but then again comparing a sport bike to a cruiser is silly in the first place.

jimz > ChooChooMotherFudger
08/18/2016 at 11:59

they have a case, though. it’s no secret there are tons of vehicles (cars, trucks, and bikes) out on the road with “off-road-use-only” mods on them. I think Harley is getting slapped for offering them and having a high percentage of buyers actually use them. At least when you look at tuners and mods from e.g. Ford Racing Parts, most are 50-state certified.

McMike > just-a-scratch
08/18/2016 at 12:00

Harley-Davidson Inc. has reached a settlement with the U.S. after being accused of violating air-pollution laws by selling aftermarket engine tuners as emissions-control defeat devices.

I’m curious what these “devices” are. Are these the Dynojet Power Commanders? I have one on my bike (as well as many, many other makes/types) and it allows the factory ECU to run a little richer and gives you the ability to change timing, fuel maps, etc... They bypass the 02 sensors in order to make it possible.

Some dealerships sell and install them, but those aren’t Harley parts

Wonder what they’re talking about.

450X_FTW > just-a-scratch
08/18/2016 at 12:06

Meanwhile, aftermarket is free to do what you please. My 2012 Honda dirt bike came with an EGR on it (known as a smog pump). There’s kits that for $20 you can remove it and put in block off plates. Sheds about 2 pounds and eliminates low end bogging. Not like EPA is ever going to check that kind of thing

450X_FTW > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
08/18/2016 at 12:07

Whenever I see them at a stop light vibrating 3 inches in every direction, all I can think is “doesn’t that hurt the balls?”

McMike > jimz
08/18/2016 at 12:08

I’m looking for more clarification. Some articles say “super tuner” devices, some say “aftermarket engine tuners.”

Harley will reflash your ECU for you, but most to go with an adjustable aftermarket fuel computer to do it because it’s a LOT cheaper.

These aren’t just on Harleys, these aftermarket units are made for anything with FI.

This sounds like war has just been declared on aftermarket parts. SEMA better watch their back.

ChooChooMotherFudger > McMike
08/18/2016 at 12:21

That is the part that worries me.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > McMike
08/18/2016 at 12:23

Because by Harley selling and installing them they become complaicent in it its (mis)use.

ChooChooMotherFudger > jimz
08/18/2016 at 12:23

I guess I just think that to blame Harley for this is wrong, because its the customers that made that choice.

Pickup_man > McMike
08/18/2016 at 12:28

Sounds like it’s the Screamin Eagle branded tuners, which are Harley parts, yet are no different than the Dynojet, or other brands of tuners. I’m worried what kind of precedent this will set because if they can get Harley for this, they could start going after any company that makes tuners.

McMike > just-a-scratch
08/18/2016 at 12:30

It’s probably this, which (combined with air filters and “not for street use” aftermarket exhausts that are a pretty popular post-purchase, pre-delivery install) would create more emissions.

http://www.harley-davidson.com/store/se-stree…

Are there any states that even check Motorcycle emissions yet?

Pickup_man > 450X_FTW
08/18/2016 at 12:31

Thing is these tuners are aftermarket, they’re just branded with Harley’s aftermarket division Screamin Eagle. This is no different than Edge, or Bullydog etc, except that they are sold by a major motorcycle manufacturer.

McMike > Pickup_man
08/18/2016 at 12:36

I replied to this thread with that just a few minutes ago. :) I had forgotten about that device. I have a Dynojet on mine, and had forgotten that Harley made their own.

Aftermarket needs to start sleeping with one eye open, now.

Pickup_man > just-a-scratch
08/18/2016 at 12:37

I’m curious as to what kind of precedent this will set. These tuners are no different than Edge, or Bullydog, or Superchips etc. The only difference is that they are sold by a major manufacturer. They are still aftermarket tuners, they are “off road only” parts, same as pretty much every other tuner out there, and they are installed by independent dealers, not Harley themselves. So if they can go directly after HD for these tuners, they can now go after anyone who makes tuners which bypass emissions.

BobintheMtns > McMike
08/18/2016 at 12:39

Yeah— the whole “post-purchase, pre-delivery” *NOT FOR STREET USE* bullshit harley’s been selling for years is finally catching up to them. Good!

Now I hope they go after the stupid-ass “pavement shaker” pipes....

Tekamul > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
08/18/2016 at 12:50

But that sound is what they’re actually going for, because it’s distinctive. They even tried to patent it.

just-a-scratch > BobintheMtns
08/18/2016 at 13:02

Here comes the loud pipes save live debate again. For what it's worth, I'm not convinced they make a real difference.

DipodomysDeserti > McMike
08/18/2016 at 13:12

Arizona used to, but they stopped.

Pickup_man > BobintheMtns
08/18/2016 at 13:13

You realize this “bullshit” is the same as every single other “off road” tuner, exhaust, air filter, etc. company out there right? The only difference is that you get it installed at the same place you buy the bike, instead of the guy right down the street. This is no different than the guy with the Yoshimura pipes on their R1, or the Superchip on their Civic, or the Bullydog on their Ram.

BobintheMtns > Pickup_man
08/18/2016 at 13:15

Yes, I understand that.. but most “off road use only” stuff isn’t built and sold and installed by the manufacturer/dealer network....

Pickup_man > BobintheMtns
08/18/2016 at 13:55

You’re right, it isn’t, but that doesn’t make it any better or worse, it just happens to be made by the same people who make the bike.

just-a-scratch > just-a-scratch
08/18/2016 at 14:15

I think this is the unit in question, but I'm not totally confident.

http://www.harley-davidson.com/store/se-stree…

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > jimz
08/18/2016 at 15:03

Sport Tourer, since it’s a Sprint ST 955.

However, I do not harbor delusions that an inline 3 sounds *good*. It’s just less objectionable to my ears than the v-twin on the H-D.

The Compromiser > just-a-scratch
08/18/2016 at 20:03

You would think they offset their emissions with all the cows that die to make the black leather. Massive emission reduction just in cow farts. ...

just-a-scratch > The Compromiser
08/19/2016 at 12:02

So you're saying I'm helping the environment because I have a 1 piece leather suit and a leather jacket. OK.

The Compromiser > just-a-scratch
08/19/2016 at 12:55

EXACTLY! at least a couple of cows would have died for those items. Thats got to cover one Screaming Eagle Kit right there!

Kinja'd!!!

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > just-a-scratch
08/25/2016 at 20:39

The only thing loud pipes do is piss off non-riders. Piss off enough of them and they complain to legislators and new restrictive motorcycle laws result.

If that doesn’t sell you, consider this. Insurance companies live and die by statistics, right? It’s how they set premiums. If loud pipes really did save lives you’d get an insurance discount for having them.