IS THIS THE END of HARLEY Performance? - The EPA Freight Train is HERE! - Baxters Garage

Could enforcement of EPA regulations mean the end of Harley-Davidson performance as we know it? Yes it's possible and we have to band together and take action for the future of our industry.

[@michaelcartwright306]

What I find strange about any of this save the planet stuff is the fact that the countries with the highest populations pay absolutely no attention to any of this. Only the western countries play this game.

[@JeepCherokeeful]

Suspicious, isn’t it?

[@yeyis05]

All countries are in on it. It’s a global plan. Mexico in Certain cities they starting doing Mobile smog checks, smog sticker checks and Mass Tow campaigns in the name of A cleaner city. They are also erecting Gov run Smog stations on every corner. It’s insane the amount of locations they are building. It’s coming you like it or not. European countries have major tax and strict new laws in the name of green. Asian countries also, were just the last ones to buckle. After traveling many years and seeing their laws and slowly see it always end up in The USA leads me to believe We’re just the slow boiling frog. They are all in on it.

[@rebel_ltz]

And olny the general public. Check if huge boats, ships, trucks have these standards.

[@JustJ-gs3rx]

China and India are labeled developing Nations and exempt from the EPA regulations that are being pushed by the United Nations and European Nations accord. Both those countries produce more greenhouse emissions than the rest of the world combined. Really isn’t about saving the planet it’s about taking wealth from the middle classes who are gullible enough to believe that the EPA wants to save the planet. No one ever mentioned chemical trails left behind in the skies that cause rain the very next day after the tanker planes have left line all over the skies!

[@SOONERS918]

That sucks but all I can say is I’m glad I live in a state that doesn’t give a shit about the epa. We have full blown drag cars that is street legal here. Good luck

[@oneslave3318]

Home sweet home. We will fight to keep it free, it's one of few States worth saving.

[@CreepinDeath359]

Yay Uh !!!!!

[@tomupchurch4911]

Cop: " Your eyes look glassy. Have you been doing drugs? " Biker: " Your eyes look glazed. Have you been doing donuts? "

[@Hellomynameisjimmypop]

Lmao 😂

[@whip-its_dad4239]

Mr.Baxter I'll bet you can make a great living just making Harley's more reliable . I don't need a 300 hp Twin Cam all I want is to just ride my Harley a lot and have it last . Thank you for your channel .

[@amberbali8881]

Well, good for you. Then again, many of us like our high performance bikes that are totally reliable now! You just stick with your little 88 CI twinky and stay is the right hand lane.

[@MontanaDirtRoads]

The 3 letter groups need to be cleaned out, alot of these emissions devices are causeing premature failures of engines or components not to mention loss of economy(mainly for diesels).

[@kurtengel6029]

I'll be hanging on to my TC and SERT for a long time now for sure

[@kevingillilan4629]

Add this rate all our independent shops will only be oil and tire changers which will not be enough to keep shops open. And also with that being said alot of manufacturing and thousands of jobs will be lost. It's a sad world we live in.

[@brucevernon5827]

I have a m8 107 ultra, I have kept it with factory tuning,pips and cam but changed cam bearings,cam plate, tappets, tappet guides, oil pump to the best quality I could get , going for reliability over power

[@bobgoes4129]

Blueprinting is the key to great performance, expensive but well worth doing. Keep up the good work, stay safe, strong and healthy. All the best, B.

[@thomasborger6548]

That is what happens when your wife doesnt allow you a performance Harley, you go to work for the EPA so no one else can have one either

[@joeharley87]

I keep saying I will ride my Evos till I die. Great video.

[@briangc1972]

The current laws make ANY modification to the engine, ECU, exhaust (even slip-ons) 100% illegal. Look at what has happened to the diesel market. They shut down every mod and tuner one by one with massive fines. The EPA bankrupted the industry one by one. The current law prohibits ANY modification on any vehicle originally titled for street use. That is being debated in the auto racing communities right now. You can not legally buy a Camaro and mod it for the drag strip or road racing even if it never goes back on the street. This is not a conspiracy theory, this is fact. The law has not been enforced to it's strictest form YET. But it will be. Death by a thousand cuts. Same as they are doing to the 2A community

[@rustypotatos]

History is amazing and if we remember what actually happened in the past it helps us see what’s actually happening in the present

[@Clammy69]

EFF the epa.

[@davidknows3320]

Wow, as usual, so well delivered. I know of two local shops that have sold dynos ahead of the coming train and only sell canned maps now. Sad? Yes, survival tactics, yes. I completely understand. Bur then again, I'm the guy asking for a 103 twin cam with 100 horse and 100+ torque and a quiet muffler. LOL

[@thedogsbutler7046]

Motorcycle emissions requirements date back to 1978. The EPA required limiter caps on the idle mixture screws could not be adjusted more than 1/2 turn either way started in the 1978 model year. Then in 1983 the EPA required sealed mixture screws. Those two requirements were based off of findings by a study conducted by the University of Colorado Boulder using and Oldsmobile with a 350. Fun fact, it's one of the reasons why Triumph had to stop exporting motorcycles to the USA in 1983 and a major reason for the Evo engine and industry wide switch from iron to steel sleeved aluminum cylinders.

[@bradboustead1682]

A motorcycle purchased in Kalifornia (CARB compliant) knows if you are messing with it even if you live in another state.

[@professor_crumbly5618]

Yea I’m not changing a damn thing about performance expectations. Companies will always make exhausts, tuners, and components to make real performance. EPA can say and do whatever they want. If there’s money to be made hot rodding bikes People will find a way to make it….but don’t act surprised that the epa is cracking down because it’s been a long time coming.

[@timothyberlinski2299]

What's BS is they are going after motorcycles now but do t care about massive cruise ships, military vehicles are all emissions exempt too

[@steventwiddy3402]

Hey Kevin I have a question for you….if it’s ok of course……..I have a stock 2010 street glide, what benefits and changes can I expect if I go into the head pipe and cut that section open and remove all of the honeycomb and weld that piece of sheet metal back into place ?

[@dhc8guru]

Even selling parts that replace emissions components will become illegal for motorcycles. Right now they get away with selling the parts by a disclaimer stating “track use”. I wonder how long Harley will get away with air cooled engines? Granted they had to go to partial water cooled but, props to them for being able to get there engines to pass emissions for as long as they have. So the real threat only pertains to the air cooled engines. The air cooled engines have been neutered for so many years that you had to have a performance aftermarket. Once all HD goes full water cooled, the performance tuning will not really matter. For comparison the Revmax puts out 150hp stock vs. a 135 stage 4 tuned putting out 130hp. So HD could just throw in a Rev max into every bike and blow away HP on even there most powerful air cooled engine. Now, the RevMax hardly has the charisma of a Milwaukee 8 but that may be something we have to let go of if the EPA banishes performance tuning. Or we are just going to have to live with the lower stock HP air cooled engines.

[@normanspivey6800]

Ridiculous that the EPA would attack the motorcycle industry like this. This country does the lions share of protecting the environment. A motorcycle has at best, a negligible carbon footprint. Cars, much more in abundance of course, would be a heavy hitter in this game. But what gets me more than anything are all these third world countries dumping all kinds of waste into the oceans. So let’s go after the motorcycle industry. Makes about as much sense as our current state of affairs coming out of Washington.

[@JohnCunningham-sy5ug]

OK fast And Harley don't belong in the same sentence. Ok just be happy yours makes nice sounds and doesn't leave ya on side of road. 😅

[@ChipsPlace1952]

Hold on...hold on..... I need a glass of bourbon to sip on before I hear all the EPA bad news...

What if manufacturers ignored the IIRS and stopped removing fed extortion, and ignored the EPA? Most already ignore the golden rule and OSHA.

[@xc8487]

If the government improved public transportation with trains, buses, and bicycle infrastructure and services, then the drop in emissions from the general population would dramatically outweigh any increase in emissions from non-daily driven vehicles.

[@leonardstanford1877]

For all of us that want fast motorcycles we are going to have to buy water cooled the bike on my list is the new Buell super cruiser 180 HP hell yes !

[@smokintalon]

All I heard is someone who bows to the government. Put your foot down and tell them no. You have an outreach that an individual does not. Get people on board with no more regulation. Exempt motorcycles from EPA compliance. Instead of telling people to play dead, get them together to push back.

[@fernandocamilli4232]

Harleys of today make a lot more power than the ones of yesterday times they are a changing, I hear you brother. ❤

[@joecummings1260]

Dude, they are after F ing lawn mowers and weed whackers. Good luck getting them to back down on motorcycles. Personally I ride an 80 ci Shovel and it's got an antique tag on it. As far as performance goes, you are going to have to find a way to work within what is mandated. Maybe find a way to fit a motor/generator in the primary to charge a small battery pack, while you are riding normal, and use that stored energy for when you want a burst of power. Motors can function as generators, and vice versa. Look to electric forklifts for components. I know the ones manufactured by Raymond used a shunt wound dc motor that would probably fit the bill to be used as both a motor and a generator

[@petevicente9236]

So Kevin how does this affect how you build? Catalytic converters, tuners or more? Curious Pete

[@gerpeter4489]

Big freedom fan here. Please Harley guys let up on the noise. This is what pisses people off the most. Let's try to make people like bikes, not hate them.

[@billh4301]

I realize your headline says Harley, but you also keep mentioning motorcycles in general. Most Harleys are air cooled which limits power increases. You said motorcycles are behind auto performance increases, my stock Kawasaki H2Sx super charged Mc puts out about 200 horsepower, and many sport bikes are in that range. I have stage 2 on my 2022 Fat Bob and I am satisfied with the low rpm torque it gives me. 30 years ago I owned a motorcycle dealer and I remember getting a leter from the manufacturer stating modifying a motorcycle could result in a 10k fine. In California I appreciate clean air mandates.

[@tadgodsey]

Wait...when did harley ever have performance?

[@kpnomad7]

Banks tuning figured it out to stay in business! We all hate government overregulation, but we each have to survive and alone we fall and go broke!

[@markscheidlmeier6523]

Unfortunately, have too much dead wood laying around in those air conditioned offices. Not one of them in the EPA, CARB or CAA have ever once worked. Not a day inteir worthless lives.

[@Starship007]

Euro 6 emissions around the corner. Cars already experiencing Europe 6. Air cooled motors will be Challenged to pass these new emissions requirements

[@michaelpearl-r8w]

Fight for what you want , here in the UK motorcycles as we know them are being legislated out of existance.Each year It will become harder to purchase a new internal combustion engine bike until 2035 when they will be banned outright.

[@timmcpeck7527]

Man, such sad times we live in today. This is such a Democrat move.

[@josephcardelle5844]

It’s such bullshit. The small footprint motorcycles have in the admissions community especially here in the north east where we only really ride three or four months a year it’s so ridiculous government bullshit.

[@CornholeKing-v5w]

I had a 455 CI engine in an Oldsmobile. It took the automotive world 50 yrs to get to the Dodge Demon after the EPA started screwing autos in the early 70's

[@ProbablyTooLoud]

There’s no “happy medium” with government. It’s all about control, not the environment.

[@duder280z]

The EPA regulating motorcycles at all is just ludicrous. Bikes make up such a small percentage of all vehicles and are inherently smaller to begin with. It just doesn't make any sense. Eff the bureaucracy.

[@yonniestone]

Wise words Kevin, this is what happens when unelected bureaucrats are unchecked and end up controlling our lives, Kevin's right power in numbers people!

[@fredflint1797]

Manufacturers don't want aftermarket products or independent shops. And they have lobbyists.

[@2trdmustanggtfordf1hdsgsfa80]

Our three letter agencies need to be put in check. Laws can be challenged, regulations cannot. We can only hope that the courts will one day neuter these agencies.

[@vinniebagodonuts9391]

Unbelievable! This country has both feet in the freedom is dead grave and quickly sinking up its neck. If this wasn't public I would say what we all need to do to change it!

[@tupapa9298]

Don't be a chicken chit, say it. Coward

[@Hellomynameisjimmypop]

Our founding fathers were felons and now they got the Don, who do you think is next? We’ve definitely got the numbers, jussaayin 🤷‍♂️

[@vwandtiny3769]

i live in the philippines there are no diesel particulate filters, also the government exempts harleys from all muffler requirements...

[@krogersucks45]

Part of the problem is when EPA fines somebody they get the money. Sounds like a conflict of interest. Everybody talks about the EPA , but you never here the names of the ppl at the EPA who makes these rules.

[@josephcivita1450]

The fact of the matter is the EPA makes and enforces laws without going through Congress which in fact violates the Constitution of the United States. Therefore I don't have to follow their laws being a citizen of the United states.

[@Garyoutdoors-n2t]

Hi Kevin I work at Cummins, in research and development. We work with EPA / CARB all the time. I been doing this for over 45 years. Kevin it’s all about the money and politics. We just received a 2 billion dollar fine! WoW… Let’s step back and look at a bigger picture.. Take a Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel. Average 13 to14 MPG stock. This truck can average 20 to 21 MPG. How many gallons of fuel will be saved in just one year. Multiply savings by every diesel truck in the United States. Wow that’s a lot of fuel. Now that we’re saving millions of gallons of fuel a year the refinery will reduce EPA emissions. Now think of the after treatment with all the precious materials needed to reduce emissions on the trucks. think about heavy duty equipment, used in mining to get the precious metals. I think about all the computer chips needed to run the extra software . Think about the factories, that build, EGR valves, EGR, coolers, etc! More emissions are admitted by trying to reduce emissions out the tailpipe.

[@RobAKemp]

Here in the UK we are in a very similar situation. Within the Greater London area we now have a “Ultra Low Emissions Zone”. I have an 06 Softail which now cannot enter this ULEZ area. Unless I wish to pay the $15 DAILY charge! If it was an 07 and up, not a problem, as these are allowed? An exception to the rule is, if your motorcycle is more than 40yrs old, then it is also exempt. How the hell does that work?

[@elvismotorsports]

Don't waste your time talking to politicians.... give them a huge amount of cash. That's the only thing that they listen to.

[@benrossbach6501]

And yet they haven't stop airplanes from using leaded fuel.

[@glennjaffas6242]

In the same way that motorcycles are miniscule polluters compared to automotive, piston powered airplanes are miniscule polluters compared to motorcycling.

[@hampdentime]

I believe your comments are very true. These actions go beyond motorcycle performance. The few in charge love the power they have and do not do the will of the people today. Your vote in November has more impact than you may realize. Have you had enough?

[@r10vw]

How can the EPA impose their rules on us? The EPA and the way they “right” law is no different than the ATF. The ATF just got neutered for trying the same things. We didn’t vote them in; they don’t represent the citizens and therefore they can’t impose their rules on us.

[@GoGoggansGo]

I could write a paper about the differences in engineering tech between motorcycle and auto engines/ tuning. It’s about 10 years currently, the big issue going to forward is air cooled engines are basically dead from an emissions standpoint. You can’t regulate combustion temperatures anymore by just throwing fuel at it or leaning it out to bring it up the temp NOX in particular is why they killed the Evo engine over in Europe for euro 5 regulations Basically be prepared for water cooled engines “not a bad thing” but you won’t get the same soul if that’s your thing. Plus direct injection is on its way because both KTM and Kawasaki are going full bore on it There is nothing wrong with more auto tech in motorcycles engine but you can only get so much out of so much air and fuel. We are basically at the limit now in the automotive world HP numbers are seriously starting to slow and even go back

[@thomaskirkpatrick4031]

This is the reason I drive an older car and an older bike.

[@paulhare662]

64 C10, 65 Nova, 75 DT250.

[@Charger1908]

Well I guess Vance & Hines saw the writing on the wall because all of there exhaust systems have cats in them now. That’s why I won’t buy their systems anymore. Eventually we will all be riding electric motorcycles with sound generators on them. We have to get the democrats out of the white house.

[@rocrater100]

Before you get mad at political party that you're already biased towards, the clean air was passed by both parties. As a whole, it's a good piece of legislation that needs some updates that allows an individual the right to repair. I've spent some time in the diesel world and you don't want that legislation pulled. Imagine Walmart running all of their 10,000 tractors down the freeways with straight pipes.

[@feliperamos8399]

Thanks for the heads up sir. I'm in the great Republic of Texas and here they're doing away with vehicle inspections as of 2025. I don't know yet if that includes motorcycles but I'm definitely against my freedoms being stripped away little by little. Voting is going to have a big part in this, stay positive! 17:20

[@brucebakken7430]

Agree 100 percent. Dems policies are an economy killer!!

[@Hellomynameisjimmypop]

@@rocrater100 lmao ever heard of the saying rules for thee and not for me? While they strip your rights my rights and our children’s rights they are flying jets dumping way more carbon than we ever will into the atmosphere. Sheep on though clown sheep tf on, baahhhhh baahhhhh

[@shaunallen8902]

@@feliperamos8399SC hasn’t had inspections for 25 years.

[@Timeline916]

Take a breath, President Trump is coming.

[@mikeaustin1788]

They're going to fraud every election we see for the rest of our days. I believe if we ever see another conservative candidate win it'll be because that person is a rino

[@amberbali8881]

Lets hope so

[@Mike-y6o]

Sure hope so

[@markmcintosh7095]

I live in California, and CARB is out of control.

[@ricklong3218]

So just like cars, here in Ohio, cars older than 25 years are exempt from emissions testing. Guess I'll have to buy and older bike and upgrade the parts to newer tech 😝

[@stevewehner9540]

Kevin i know it sounds hokey but i knew something was up when HD started droping their warranty exclusions. Now I'm not in compliance for having a stage 1 107, something that Harley sells and installs.

[@arleyrisner204]

So what your telling me is I will need to go to a different shop if I want performance work done on my bike. That's not a good choice for me because I consider you to be the best. Sorry to see you give in to comifornia rulers.

[@justanotherguy6359]

I'd hope shop owners would be pressuring their government representatives to shut these laws down since they're so impactful to their business.

[@amberbali8881]

That's part of the problem, they won't or can't afford to do that.

[@gvs1173]

If you're in the Harley world please remember the age old adage of there's no replacement for displacement. I put a 131" crate motor in my bike, which from Harley required a special downpipe, (or header for lack of better terminology), and a new Screaming Eagle tuner. The wohoo factor is out of this world and that freight train, (which is how my RG pulls now), can just keep on rolling past me into EPA compliance heaven because as per Harley, this set up is 100% compliant.

[@brianhusk4593]

The amount of pollutants coming from my motorcycle are miniscule relative to cars and I shouldn't be punished with a cooked leg from the cat in my exhaust. EPA needs to get a grip.

[@charlesharper7292]

I have a couple months of warranty left. When it's out, I'm getting a Thunder Max tuner while I can.

[@andrewlufi7659]

What will you do if a customer brings you a bike that does not have cats in the head pipe? Will you work on it? Tell them they have to change the head pipe so you can work on it? Or turn them away?

[@fugemlpriks1876]

I feel your concern Kev being in the situation dealing with EPA laws covering your backside is upmost importance to you. Love your videos and quality information you post to keep us nutters aware. Thank you. 👍👌🇦🇺

[@user-ym4qh2qw6z]

I guess S&S and Vance&hines will be knitting sweaters and selling bonbons for a living.

[@MickeyLocklear]

Harley Davidson is shutting their entire plant down for 2 weeks supposedly because they are having issues with their parts supplier. It was rumored Harley lost 50 billion in repossessions last year

[@aaronhughey2134]

Hey 2 strokes are back!

[@jlcripe]

Just say it, if you vote Democrat you're responsible.

[@geraldscott4302]

I'm a hot rodder and drag racer (vintage cars only, no computers, no emissions) I'm also a Harley rider. And while I despise the EPA to no end, I don't understand the Harley performance thing. I have 2 Harleys, a 1989 FXRS Low Rider I bought in 2003, and a 2001 Sportster 1200C I bought just a couple years ago, when they discontinued the Sportster. Both have aftermarket exhausts, that is just to make them sound like Harleys. Power wise they are 100% stock. I don't race these bikes, they are cruisers. I use the FXR as a solo touring bike. It cruises just fine on the highway. Obviously both are carbureted. I have owned a lot of bikes from a lot of different brands over the past several decades, one thing they all had in common is they were all carbureted. I would not even consider riding a computer bike. It's just not going to happen. If you want to go fast (and remember there is such a thing as speed limits on public roads, and I do support those 100%) then get a crotch rocket, and go as fast as you want, until you lose your license. Harleys are not about going fast.

[@bmclemore8203]

Harley's aren't about going fast to you. That's OK. There are a lot of people into classic cars with 100% period correct parts and tuning, but some guys back halve them and proceed to make them as fast as humanly possible(usually with fuel injection). My point is that some people like fast Harleys, and that should be OK as well.

[@deandee8082]

when you say motorcycle world you man Harley, sportbikes are far ahead of cars today, pneumatic valves, dual butterfly, dual injector, SHOWER injector throttle body intakes, 225 whp from nat asp I4 . . significantly ahead of cars, you can take a 1300 CC turbocharge it and end up with 900 hp from a stage 3 setup, hit 250mph and ride it on sunday all day long, that's more HP that V8's are getting supercharged 3 times the CC's, lets see inertia sensors, 365 degree angle sensors, launch control all divvied up into to advanced traction control modules and ABS.. sportbikes are miles ahead of automobiles mass manufacturing wise .. maybe harley of course they have always been 50 60 years behind, they finally got FI, which came out on sportbikes in the mid 90's

[@thompsonjerry3412]

Cat, has not built a diesel engine since 2017 because of emissions, to give some perspective. The only reason mods have gone so far is that they were off the radar, it is over. Vote trump, it may help!

[@thomaskirkpatrick4031]

It doesn't make sense. The EPA has been destroying the "fun" of driving for 50 plus years. We shouldn't be struggling now paying ridiculous prices for fuel, to clean up the air.

[@rodzimmerman1979]

I had an Auto repair shop for 45 years. I went through all of this in the early 80's. We were very careful to operate in compliance. Hell I would not even touch an exhaust that someone had cut the cat out of and wanted us to weld in a test pipe. Not only could we face fines but could also face an up to ten year prison sentence for alleged tampering. Same with installing a tuner into the Scan test port. OTOH the bikes including HD will become better, faster, and longer lasting because of the engineering required to both satisfy consumers and the EPA. Thanks for the well spoken reality check.

[@23Elit3]

Kawasaki, Yamaha, Honda, BMW, Suzuki have all been proving for years that you can make big HP and meet EPA requirements

[@paulhare662]

My '78 SR500 spanks 1200 HDs for fun.

[@1977jhall]

Good point honestly.

[@davidwatson6404]

Possibly the end of the aftermarket performance as we know it . But... We are in the infancy of the manufacturers world of performance. These big inch Vtwins will hit a plato . So make them more efficient is next. We are already seeing VVT. I am sure direct injection and all the necessary sensors, possibly turbos and superchargers are being looked at as we speak. I think shops like yours will do fine. Blue printing, improving head flow will become invaluable to enhance what is coming. And let's be honest Harley will always need you guys to fix what Harley tried to cheap out on.

[@timolson7005]

i have been running legal since 07.. simply not worth the trouble.. what i want is better reliability.. my experience since the 70's is that hot rod harleys break way more often than stone stock so i do stone stock..

[@Frostytravels]

EPA's initial standards regulating motorcycles were promulgated on December 23, 1976 (42 FR 1122). In that final rule EPA made the finding that highway motorcycles were a contributor to air pollution and that control of their emissions is necessary to meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. In 2023 Harley-Davidson had to pay a $12 million civil penalty due to tuners. Harley-Davidson also manufactured and sold more than 12,000 motorcycles that EPA alleges did not undergo proper EPA certification to ensure they meet federal clean air standards. EPA alleges that Harley-Davidson violated the Clean Air Act by manufacturing and selling about 340,000 devices, known as tuners, that allow users to change how a motorcycle’s engine functions. This is directly from the settlement page of EPA, Thanks for sharing. This will give some idea as to how much it has cost Harley over the years to stay in business, and navigate gov regs.

[@dustin4866]

But don’t worry the EPA won’t stop flying in there private jets and other air crafts they pollute so many more times any vehicle or bikes or anything else on the road.

[@king0dasouf]

I’d rather live on my feet than die on my knees As a 15 year machinist I will continue to do any motor work that comes my way I will continue to make parts that no one has I will not comply with tyrants I will be an American Man till the end

[@fitzstermoto]

ONE THOUSAND PERCENT!!! I completely agree with you - all this is complete bullcrap just to push their agenda and further reduce our freedoms for increased gov't control of the people and limit their freedom of travel! I'm fed up with all the EPA nonsense and I refuse to comply as well! WE THE PEOPLE need to stand up and fight back - when we actually do that successfully, it works because there's many more of us than there are of them and they can't control everyone at once. This country has been consistently attacked and our principles are being attacked because AMERICA is that one shining city on a hill to the rest of the world and these elitist schmucks know that if they can make America fall, then so will any other country and then they control the world with their "one world gov't' agenda! These are sick people who are power hungry and think that they can play God and do whatever they want! This is the reason we NEED TRUMP back in OFFICE - he's one of the few that care more about the people and our once beautiful country than power and money like all these corrupt bureaucrats! #MAGA #TRUMP2024 #AMERICAFIRST #POWEROFTHEPEOPLE

[@23Elit3]

Check out the new Drag Specialties form that they are requiring every reseller to sign.

[@mickrose6450]

It's all turning to💩🍻🫡🇦🇺

[@jasonrose6562]

Suzuki Hyabusa...whisper quiet, 161 at the rear tire and 100ftlbs 9700 rpms of torque Euro 5 compliant. Kawi Zx-14 even more hp (201 at the crank) and we are talking 1380 and 1440cc's respectively. The Triumph Bonneville line up moved with the times and kept the iconic Bonneville sound, a place where the Rev Max fails. I agree with what's said above, HD is going to have to convert over to the Rev Max in all lineups, unless it is working on a Triumph Bonneville style water cooled (faux air-cooled) set up to keep that legendary sound and feel. Kevin, I get what used to be the bread and butter for HD's ( a lot to be left on the table) bikes, is now being heavily regulated. What will most likely come about is EPA certified cams and intakes. Be the first to patent cams and intakes to meet the regs, otherwise it you'll just be focusing on repairs that owners can't perform themselves.

[@timothystauffer8280]

You got me SNARLIN Kevin. I'm a Yooper that lives in the sticks. EV is not practical on a day to day basis. 10 degrees snowing sideways would kill an EV battery in quick order. Wipers Heater Lights Radio driving thru how many inches of snow and wind 30 miles home from work at 1 AM. I believe this is exactly why Toyota has committed more resources to Hydrogen engine tech and slowed it's Battery development. Check out the Toyota times news letter Oct 23. My point is we aren't going to wag the dog. So where ever the automobile industry goes we are likely to follow. The auto industry is bigger but Bikers have always been more innovative. What would you bet that if Hydrogen internal combustion ends up as the answer some crazy Biker will figure out how to make it run like a scalded Dawg?

[@75swampass]

Once manufactures find a way to make good power that is in compliance- the letter folks choke the regulations down even more. Good tuning will increase hp and fuel mileage but the tail pipe isn’t “clean enough”- but now burning more fuel is ok- the fuel that has to be manufactured and hauled to the fuel station by a large fuel consuming vehicle..

[@markohara6855]

You make some good points Kevin. Let's hope some kind of agreement can be worked out.

[@bothetinman772]

I guess pick your favorite bike, buy a couple more of the same bike for parts, learn an auto tuner. Realistically, I’ve only have to keep my bike alive for about 15 more years (best guess) then it’ll be someone else’s problem.

[@williamkeener682]

All the new bike run hot with the AFR s the Government mandates pinging and just not running well. if you could just take them a few point richer and be compliant that would be great and course timing. I think that’s a lot of the reason Harley is moving to VVT systems to make the bike happier at these leaner conditions

[@MegaCusco]

When the HD vvt bikes came out I suspected is was more of an EPA measure than a performance enhancement. The vvt system was likely developed by HD to lower NOX emissions by lowering the combustion chamber temps. In the early 200's I worked for general motors and took the factory training for the new 4, 5, and 6 cylinder inline engines used in the Chevy Colorado trucks and trailblazer suv. These engines used vvt to induce overlap and lower NOX emissions by lowering the head temp.

[@MegaCusco]

*early 2000's

[@mattmattes3913]

1) The Evo & Shovelhead, heck anything pre-ECU, market just went up. 2) That water cooled Big Twin that has been on H-D's drawing board, if not a running production prototype already, will be in your showroom sooner than you think.

[@marvelharris9540]

End the Paris Accord.. Trump 24

[@Yamahog]

Thanks Kevin, ..... So I think the general Q here is "just what is it that is done" that the EPA throws a hissy-fit about ??? ..... Is it noise from pipes, A/F ratios, or ?? My stock Bolt, (58 cubes), makes 60+ HP and weighs 543 #'s wet. Your 117 makes double that logically, say 123 HP, and weighs say 645 #'s wet. Why should the EPA care if I want to tune my Ride to 70+ HP or You to tune your Ride to 130 HP ?...... Or is this just a money-grab for the woke bozo's in the government.... ???? I digress. Stay Safe

[@michaelphipps2490]

I recall 1981. The MOCO lowered the Shovelhead's static CR. Bikes changed from sounding good to something like well worn Briggs and Strattons.

[@ChipsPlace1952]

Kevinwow.... You have to do what is right for you. Hang on to the shirt tails of the big boys. They have deeper pockets, more lawyers and.......more politicians. Or maybe just keep buying and building the older bikes. The ones that may not fall into todays categories!

[@briansiegel6525]

SEMA hasn't been fruitful. Unfortunately, the EPA only cares about the green new deal...

[@MrCyclingobsession]

As the owner of a "performance " hd, i can say they don't have much. A triumph 660 has more power than my 1700cc Harley. But my Harley is cooler.