Designed and thoroughly tested on Harley-Davidson® motorcycles, this High Output Charging System is engineered to provide the generous battery charging performance required by a motorcycle loaded with powered accessories like heated seats and grips, decorative lighting and high-output audio systems.
Harley-Davidson claims a 30% power increase (6 additional amps) than the stock charging system at 1000 RPM. Peak output is 54 amps at 4000 RPM, compared to 49 amps for the stock charging system.
The high output system (P/N 29900028, $489.95) will operate at peak performance even at idle speeds, and long-term battery life is improved because the battery is protected from deep discharge and partial charging. This complete kit includes a high-performance rotor, stator, voltage regulator and all gaskets and hardware required for installation. It fits 2011-later Touring, 2010-later CVO™ Touring and 2009-later Trike models. Prevent a motorcycle power outage with the new High Output Charging System from Harley-Davidson® Genuine Motor Parts and Accessories. More info at Harley-Davidson’s website
Again I ask the question
(& Yes, I already know the answer also, To sell more chit & make more $$$)
Why in the world would you create a bike that DID NOT have this equipment STANDARD ???
If it’s so much better than the stock system you put on the bike normally ????
Like so many others on this blog,
Why am I spending premium $$$ for a top of the line cycle from the #1 manufactuer of
heavy motorcycles, in the world, just to spend MORE $$$ to get it to run right ????
Tradition ??? No Thanks, you can keep it & the bike
I can onky hope “the Street”models are made better
My question is: Why not just put on the “better” charging system in the bikes to begin with? Please don’t tell me that $20-25K for a new bike does not give Harley enough of a profit margin!
I agree with M&M
I always have heated grips…I’m near the South Pole…..and I’m a woose
Never had a problem with the standard charging system though went through several sets of heated grips as the exported all the dodgy ones to Aus which supplies NZ…long story
My HD Dealer looked after me very well…thankfully
The Factory was not very interested.
Quite your bitching. We all know on the 8th day God created Harley Davidson. But, Some of us don’t believe in God.
An M/C electrical pro that I’ve known personally for over thirty years said the modern H-D charging system pumps out enough amps to start a V-8 car and will keep the battery at optimum volts idling all day long.I think the Harley “upgrade circus” has gone on for about long enough.It seems to me that you buy the bike and then spend about another 1/2 on it to make it how it should have been the day it left the factory.I doubt when you buy a new Indian or a GoldWing you need to buy it “twice”.
The H-D charging system will pump out sufficient amps for a stock bike. But many bikes have loads of extra lighting, hugely upgraded sound systems and, along with heated seats and grips, do require a higher output system. The Motor Company does not produce electrical and mechanical products that are not needed, at least in some circumstances. Witness the recently released SE Manual Primary Chain Tension Adjuster, not needed on stock bikes, but required on high horsepower motors, and where Baker Drivetrain led the way.
Doc, WOW! Your statement reflects rational thinking, logic, and a unbiased perspective. Refreshing approach!
richard,Doc Robinson “unbiased”? He writes for a Harley mag that pushes and paid advertises virtually every imaginable product made for them.It is his income and his stock in trade.His pay check is a big lever in his pocket when it relates to bias.
This is rubbish….
If your drawing 40+ amps when your on the run then you have serious problems to begin with. Adding another 6 amps is not going to make any difference at.
The biggest problem is ‘customers’ who do not think about what they are buying nor know chit abut charging systems. In that case they deserve to be ripped off for $500.
Thanks Doc for the rational response & Graeme for the insight
But H-D DOES sell additonal equipment that will draw power
just like every other manufactuer does.
(i.e. passing/fog lamps [old style not LED] upgraded stereo equipment, etc, etc
not to mention if you buy a fairing equiped with such things)
Like converting a Fat Boy into a Bagger (I know, but people do it all the time)
These are things that most will buy to upgrade so again why do I have to spend $$
for an upgrade to a charging systm that should already come stock
that would provide all the power I would need.
And, No, I know the Indian Chieftan or the Gold Wing [& F6B]
come with more than enough power to run what is already there.
i don;t think you can add anything to either of those models but the Indian Vintage & base Chief might be a diffrent story
Cycle Electric has been making a quality product for years,it’s what i used when my ’01 FXD crapped out. Still going strong 9 years later.
A STOCK bike with no additional accessories should not draw more power at idle than it produces. According to the HD catalog, “at low RPM, the motorcycle’s charging system delivers the least amount of current, and relies on the battery to make up the difference.” In my opinion, this is a clear reason for making the high output rotor, stator & regulator standard.
Here’s an idea: Stop putting a bunch of crap on your bike. Just buy a car!
MC Moose, right on! If one needs all that crap on their bike they should be “riding” a car.
MC Moose and BCinSoCal sound like garage-queen owners. Some of us actually keep riding when the temperature drops below freezing, and heated grips or gear can make the difference between a comfortable ride or frostbite that threatens digits or even life. Quit being such sissy-boys, MC and BC, and you’ll realize there’s ample room for all tastes in motorcycling… and perhaps those with tastes that differ from yours are because we actually do RIDE our bikes.
.357 Magnum.I’ve heard it all now.Bravely riding in sub-artic conditions,battleing frostbite and death like Frosty the snowman.When it’s that cold F-trucks and fat tattoed women come to the fore.
Sheesh, if 5 people argue half-truths do we get 2½ times the truth? Many folks ride when it’s in the 30°s-40°s and do so comfortably with heated gear and grips. Many also have driving lights for safety and a decent stereo because it makes them happy. Who the hell has the right to tell them to stop doing that? Getting back on topic, nothing runs best at redline, so having an oversized charging system isn’t a bad idea at all for longevity reasons, no different than not buying a 200 HP truck if you figure you’ll need 195 to do your normal duties. Bikes don’t charge at idle, so having extra capacity when you aren’t at idle is what keeps your battery topped off instead of losing ground. Beyond that, have things gotten so bad that people have nothing better to do than argue that the product shouldn’t be offered because it’s “wrong”? Not like the President is ordering everyone to buy one or face a fine.
Terence Tory had never heard of people riding in the cold wintertime before I told him?!?
.357 Magnum,only the battling frostbite and dicing with death in the crisper section stuff.
I’m actually not sure which is more pitiful: not having heard of riding in the winter, or not having heard of the natural consequences of prolonged exposure to sub-freezing wind. Were you born yesterday, or something?
DEAR BIKER PALS;
GO OUTSIDE GET ON YOUR BIKE AND RIDE THE FUCKING THING TILL THE WHEELS FALL OFF, AND STOP WORRYING ABOUT HORSEPOWER THAT YOU WILL NEVER USE.
HAPPY MOTORING
BE SAFE
BOB CONLEY—RENO, NEVADA
754-242-4144
See article on “Lighting Strike” on latest entries on this blog
Just another reason why you should have a better charging system, stock,
instead of as an upgrade.
For an add-on that just might save your rear end …..
To MC Moose and BCinSoCal if I wanted a car, I’d buy a car
I bought a bike instead & wanted to add some electric stuff for Fun / Pleasure and /or Safety
that might not have been available on the bike when I bought it
Also agree with Rob that Cycle Electric makes a MUCH better replacement than H-D.
Had a buddy that his stator went bad on his 2007 softail on the way home from Sturgis
Took the better part of a day for H-D dealer to replace it
(No fault to the dealer, he had to search & find the damn part)
When he got home he replaced it with a Cycle Electric product
No more problems at all….
He sold the bike just this year
I love my old 94 bagger, I just want my battery to stop going flat every week! Is it too much to ask for a bike that doesn’t need a trickle charger ?
Bob W,maybe a Yamaha or Victory Gunner cruiser on trickle-easy payments monthly?