Best Harley Davidson Compensator Sprockets and What's the Difference? Baker Comp or Man O War

[@jamessouthworth1699]

It's frustrating how many parts on a "premium" motorcycle have to be upgraded just to be reliable. Once you get one sorted out you may never want to buy another or you'll have to start over. These issues should have been worked out before the bikes even hit the showroom floor.

[@billdaggett7911]

People with modded motors (like me) are wearing out or breaking the stock compensator. Mine survived 34k miles on a Stage 4/Wood 408 build making 130hp/135tq. It's not really fair for me to blame Harley for what happens after power adders. Pay to play.

[@jamessouthworth1699]

@@billdaggett7911 My issue is when the stock parts aren't even strong enough to hold up on a stock motor. If the price to play wasn't included in the price of the bike then Harley is bold face lying when they call their bike a "premuim" motorcycle.

[@patrickhollis5332]

Yea I don’t think it’s that it’s always when something is made people will always figure ways to try to seem like it’s better I will the HD cranks are junk though

[@soupydog1]

@@jamessouthworth1699 TRUE STORY

[@JohnB-kg1je]

I have a baker 30 tooth sprocket. I live in the west speed limits are 80 to 85 posted. At those speeds you’re running in the 4 grand range. It like not having sixth gear. But around town it’s great

[@jamesdumas6602]

On my 2010 103 Electra Glide I'm still running my OEM with compensator with 40,000 miles on the bike. I changed my primary oil every 3000 miles.

[@InfamousCreep]

It’s the M8 comps with the faulty ramps.

[@SWATT101]

I went with the SE comp on my 10 RK police...I found the stock comp would clunk on and off the throttle pretty bad ...the SE is better that way.

[@0toeknee0]

I had noise in my comp with the man o war and evolution clutch basket with the billet inner. I broke it down to check for clearances again and re-installed the steel inner clutch basket. no noise. runs and pulls awesome. If you don't pay attention to the how to torque down the comp bolt and use a NEW COMP bolt, you're asking for trouble. the ONLY negative is that my bike has increased vibes on steady throttle at 26-2800 rpm....that's an easy fix-ride it like you stole it!

[@InfamousCreep]

I’ve seen a lot of complaints about noise, but mine seems fine too. I like the extra responsiveness from stops, I also don’t have to worry about my comp ramp exploding with my ManOWar Comp.

[@AFRock22]

Great break down . I have the 30t baker on my bike . I can definitely tell the difference . Personally I am going back to the 34t because I’ve been taking longer rides. It doesn’t hurt the bike but you can see hear it screaming when you’re running at higher speeds. Not saying I didn’t love the 30t because I did. But it’s a personal Preference .

[@Dylan_in_AZ]

Thanks for leaving this review my man. I have been going back and forth between the Man-O-War and the Baker. But until you reviewed this, I didn't know that Baker made the 30 tooth version. I figure with my build (128 Zippers Muscle Bore) that $200 is probably worth the squeeze at this point to add the Baker, unless it's just not needed. Thanks for the review bro, much appreciated!

[@InfamousCreep]

Any time! I believe the 32 tooth manowar had issues before of the chain, it just didn’t work with the stock primary chain. That’s why Baker has a chain with their kit, smaller comp needs a shorter chain. Also after publishing this video, Moonshine Harley recommends the baker comp or ramp upgrade due to wear and tear on other components. They didn’t go into the details 👍

[@HowardHunt-s7z]

Good rundown.

[@landiscarrier6054]

With the Baker 30-tooth will it throw off the speedometer? Will the cruise control still work?

[@SilverIndian]

At your link...Baker compesator it writes for models 2017-2020... What about the later year models ?

[@jstockwell73]

I’m not sure I would by the manowar as it seems to be more of a compensator eliminator. I will probably buy the baker or the star racing ramp.

[@InfamousCreep]

Both great options 👍

[@BikesBeardsAndBrews]

nice breakdown and deep dive man! I honestly have no idea what i have installed lol

[@InfamousCreep]

Appreciate it! Thanks 🙏

[@johnnyRackss]

Any words on Evolution compensator eliminator sprocket. ?

[@NorCal-refrigeration]

It is a wear part and there was a bad batch. I can’t find the recommended miles to replace it.

[@InfamousCreep]

Same here, I tried searching the maintenance for the OEM comp and I couldn’t find anything. Maybe it’s just about feel and sound 🤷

[@NorCal-refrigeration]

@@InfamousCreep possibly. I’m keeping an eye 👁️ on fork seals not sure if there starting to leak or not. I’ll keep you posted.

[@InfamousCreep]

👍👍👍

[@davedave1019]

Not sure while we have to upgrade this component it should be sorted at the factory and a call back to fix the issue no wonder Harley is on the nose 🤬

[@InfamousCreep]

It’s Harley cutting back on costs, every manufacturer does it. If you can save 5 cents on a component, you can save hundreds of thousands across all the models being produced. Sometimes it pays off and sometimes it doesn’t. Warranty repair orders will alter the components the following year, like the 2017 M8 pump.

[@billdaggett7911]

My comp ran 34k miles behind a Stage 4/Wood 408 build. 130hp/135tq. I beat on it some. 34k miles on a stock comp on a stout bike...not bad. I'm going with the Baker. It should outlast the motor.

[@timschouten4671]

Hi And what about S&S compensator for M8 and for the Twin cam? Any experience?

[@InfamousCreep]

S&S has a compensator, I wasn’t aware of that.

[@paulsmale5436]

I like the man o war it's an intelligent alternative a true cush drive. Did you find there was less of a clunk shifting gears or the same as OE?. Also imagine the take up is faster?

[@InfamousCreep]

It’s more responsive and the clunking sounds about the same. Sometimes it’s less noisy, and sometimes it’s about the same. Idle noise is something else folks have complained about, but I really don’t hear it on my bike.

[@paparenegade7322]

I just put on the MOW, love it, big difference

[@d.sandell2555]

Dark Horse Man O War Comp is to stiff.. Mine is damaging my new Evolution Industries clutch basket.. It's a great product in theory but transfers way to much damaging engine pulse to clutch basket that bangs against clutch plate fingers then to transmission gear teeth.. At this point I am extremely hesitant with any up grades besides a billet ramp in the stock configuration.. Upgraded Stiffness is not the answer... The Baker comp has increased the angle of their ramp making a shorter compensation distance, so tighter... I can't see how that is better especially if your running big bore displacement...I would much rather service a diaphragm spring pack than throw more money around.

[@Comm0ut]

Ever wonder why HD is the only company still clinging to such a maintenance-hostile design no one else uses? Replacing a compensator with a sprocket (AKA "compensator eliminator" because fancy words impress simple people) works fine and the rear drive belt dampens vibes quite nicely. HD failed to run cush drive hubs until recently despite rest of world proving them in FAR more powerful motorcycles.

[@InfamousCreep]

Cost of R&D would be my guess, Harley is also cutting costs with using inferior materials. Switching from a billet piece probably saved them a few cents, and since it’s in all their air cooled models, they probably saved millions

[@nathanlong1209]

The baker unit is junk. I've been through 3 of them poor quality, very noisy. The dark horse is #1 it very quiet I have 15,000 on it with no issues.

[@InfamousCreep]

Damn that sucks, I thought their products were bullet proof. Maybe it's just their transmissions????

[@patrickhollis5332]

I think they’re all junk pretty much but I can tell anyone one thing for sure you had better check your crank run out and if it’s out more than 2 to 3 on primary side you’d better stick with the screaming eagle because the Man O war is great but with any run out MOW is and will make the crank worse especially if u ride a lot they don’t lie about the instructions so you’d better check it before hand

[@frankieprado3211]

I've had it for a while and the MOW is junk. Noisy af! And I have a s&s crank with almost no runout at all. Going to try the screamin eagle until next

[@CactusJack252]

If I bought a M8 I would probably just delete the compensator before it breaks

[@InfamousCreep]

100 percent!! It would cost you more if it were to break while riding, better off replacing it 👍

[@patrickhollis5332]

I think they’re all junk pretty much but I can tell anyone one thing for sure you had better check your crank run out and if it’s out more than 2 to 3 on primary side you’d better stick with the screaming eagle because the Man O war is great but with any run out MOW is and will make the crank worse especially if u ride a lot they don’t lie about the instructions so you’d better check it before hand

[@InfamousCreep]

I never read anything about the crank run out on their instructions, but my run out in the cam chest is .004. I can see it being a problem, considering some of these new bikes can have over .008 run out. Thanks for the info, I'll be sure to share it in my follow up review.

[@Ridehighfxdb]

Changing gear ratios doesn’t even come close to doing an actual stage 2

[@InfamousCreep]

Maybe a OEM stage 2 with a aEPA tune? 🤷

[@palmettolowlife1996]

Evolution industries black ops

[@InfamousCreep]

💯💯💯