Rumor has it the 2010 head pipes are full of catalyst?

[Eddie Haskell]

I'm wondering can someone confirm this rumor? I stopped by a friend of mine and he told me the head pipes are acting as catalytic converters on the 2010 touring bikes for sure, not sure of the other models.
Was also told the 2010 head pipes are running over 100 degrees hotter than the 09's, I had an 07 and this 2010 seems to run MUCH cooler than that one did, I do have the heat sheilds on this one though, I really didn't expect them to do much but something is making it run cooler or at least seem that way.

[WEINERDOGBONE]

I believe it is true. I read almost the exact statement in a magazine. I think it was Rider Magazine.

[TLMitchell]

Originally Posted by Eddie Haskell

I'm wondering can someone confirm this rumor? I stopped by a friend of mine and he told me the head pipes are acting as catalytic converters on the 2010 touring bikes for sure, not sure of the other models.
Was also told the 2010 head pipes are running over 100 degrees hotter than the 09's, I had an 07 and this 2010 seems to run MUCH cooler than that one did, I do have the heat sheilds on this one though, I really didn't expect them to do much but something is making it run cooler or at least seem that way.

The headers aren't "acting" as catalysts, there's actually a catalytic converter installed in the 2-1 collector near the mini O2 sensors. FuelMoto reported the heat shield at the collector to be 100 degress hotter than it's '09 counterpart. The initial dyno baseline resulted in comparable HP & TQ.

TL

[aka_matt]

all '10's have cats now, in the collector on the touring and fatbob/wideglides, and in the mufflers on the others...

[midnight sporty]

i really hope this did not suprise anyone..

[Eddie Haskell]

Not surprised it happened but surprised it was such a well kept secret. Now I have to figure out what to do to get some decent sounding pipes on there, I have some V&H Ovals which I like but until people like Fuel-Moto figure out the tuning I'm stuck with my stockers...radio sounds good when you can hear it

[mungo]

Yep 2010 was the year HD had to meet the more stringent EPA guidelines.

Anybody know if this was the last round on this phase in of the EPA rules? I'm certain more restrictions will be coming down the pike, but was curious if 2010 was the last year in this round of curbing emissions?

[ReynoldsS]

I wonder if you can beat that converter out of there. Probly throw a code or something. I have a 2010 RG and might try it.

[skeefer]

They have actually had Catalytic converters in the head pipes starting with some of the 2007 models. There were some 2008's (a few) with them in the muffler. Living in California creates a challenge if you want to change the complete system but you can still buy slip-ons since they're considered a "replacement" part.

Eddie Haskell, you shouldn't have a problem putting the V&H Ovals on. I have the V&H Monsters on my '08 Ultra. Not really legal but I did change the headers also (went to true dual) but could have stuck with the stock. I also added the V&H fuelpak along with a stage 1 air cleaner.

[sburt23]

Originally Posted by ReynoldsS

I wonder if you can beat that converter out of there. Probly throw a code or something. I have a 2010 RG and might try it.

Check with Fullsac Performance. They can help you with this mod.

[TriLs]

I went in on August 19th to pick up my '09 TriGlide and just browsed around the showroom while they were doing the paperwork. I saw the heavy cast-steel-looking wall of the 2 to 1 fitting on the 2010 Tri and got vewy shushpishus so I cruised the other bikes also. Every one with a 2 to 1 had the same thing. The true duals seemed unchanged, but they might have hidden a cat in there somewhere.

When I went up to sign the papers, I mentioned to the sales manager, "Saw a lotta cats down there..." He gave me a sheepish grin and said, "Yeah..."

I suppose now there will be an active aftermarket in replacement head pipes for 2010 catted bikes with some means of foiling an error code in the ECM, if it is even necessary. There is an active sub-discussion on this subject in the TriGlide Owners thread.

I'm not really blaming HD for doing this if it was necessary to meet EPA emission standards. As I understand it, a richer mix is currently necessary to keep cylinder temps in check and this produces unburned hydrocarbons in the exhaust that must be trapped by the cat.

But I noticed on another bike in the parking lot here that the GoldWing has no problem hiding two longitudinal radiators in the fairing and scooping front-end air across them diagonally on each side. Seems like this would be a possible design improvement on the V-Twins without sacrificing the Harley look and sound and would permit a tuning that would not only comply with EPA but would keep both fuel and heat management efficiencies high.

Wisdom from a j-bike? Hmmmmm

Maybe when I am REALLY old, they will! Or, as an alternative, I'll see if I can marry a watercooled V-Rod engine to a GoldWing fairing on my (by then) ancient TriGlide. I will still not care what people say but, in addition, I'll be too deaf to hear them!

[Bud_Man]

2010 Touring bikes have catalytic converters in the head pipe, the rest of the 2010 models have the catalyst in the mufflers.

[BigMike]

Removing a cat just ups the fine if anyone chooses to enforce the law.