If you’re like most Harley owners, you enjoy customizing and upgrading your bike. It’s a great way to show your personality and make your bike truly one of a kind – that’s what the brand is all about.
But when it comes time to upgrade your Harley-Davidson, the costs can add up quickly, especially with the crazy inflation right now.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at the Stage 3 upgrade – how much it costs, what goes into it, and how to save money on the process.
How Much Does a Harley Stage 3 Upgrade Cost?
Here’s the short answer: the Harley Stage 3 upgrade can cost anywhere from $1,900 to $2,600, depending on the labor costs, parts needed, and their quality.
Of course, that’s a pretty big range and a rather significant blow to your bank account, so let’s break it down a bit further.

The Harley Stage 3 upgrade includes a big bore kit, and both Stage 2 and Stage 1 performance upgrades. That’s right, you can’t jump straight into Stage 3 without doing the previous upgrades, which include better air cleaner, exhaust, and new cams.
Now, the Stage 3 upgrade is essentially just a big bore kit, but there are a lot of additional parts that are included in it. Obviously, you’ve got the bigger displacement cylinders and pistons, but the kit also includes better valve springs, adjustable pushrods, new lifters, and gaskets. That’s where the majority of the cost comes in – a lot of additional speed parts are needed.
As for labor, the Stage 3 upgrade will take an experienced mechanic around 6 hours to complete. Assuming that on average, independent shops charge $100 for 1 hour of labor, that puts the labor cost at $600.
Of course, Harley-Davidson dealerships will charge a bit more – around $125-$140 per hour of labor.
How to Save Money on a Stage 3 Upgrade
Times are tough and it’s very important to be careful with your money. But that doesn’t mean you can’t upgrade your Harley – you just need to be smart about it.
If you’ve got experience working on engines, the Stage 3 upgrade is something you can likely do yourself. Just make sure you have the right tools and take your time. There are a lot of how-to videos that detail the whole process on YouTube, and some manufacturers, like FuelMoto, will give you a complete installation DVD and give you advice on the phone.
If you need to take it to a shop, there are a few things you can do to save money. First, try to find an independent Harley mechanic rather than going to a Harley-Davidson dealership. An experienced independent mechanic should have no trouble with the upgrade and will most definitely charge you less.
Second, try to buy the parts yourself and just have the mechanic install them. Harley-Davidson dealerships and some independent shops can mark up the prices of parts, so you’ll save a significant amount of money by buying them yourself and bringing them to the mechanic.
Of course, this only works if you’re confident in your ability to buy the right parts. If you’re unsure, it’s best to just let the mechanic handle it.
Stage 3 vs Stage 2 – Which One Should You Choose?
Should you get the Stage 2 or Stage 3 upgrade? That’s a tough question and it really depends on what you’re looking for.
The Harley Stage 2 upgrade (new cams) will give you a significant increase in power – around 20-25%. It’s a noticeable difference and will make your Harley feel like a whole new bike with the extra torque and throttle response. It’s pretty inexpensive too, at least compared to Stage 3, which is a lot more involved.
Now, the Stage 3 upgrade costs almost twice as much as Stage 2 but it should increase horsepower power by around 35%. Not a huge difference, but you will most certainly feel it.
So, which one should you choose? It depends on your budget and what you’re looking for. If you want to really transform your Harley Davidson and don’t mind spending a bit more, go for Stage 3.
If you’re on a budget and if you’re content with 25% extra power, Stage 2 is the way to go. It won’t blow your socks off or anything like that, but it will definitely put a smile on your face.
Conclusion
The Harley Stage 3 upgrade is a great way to get more power out of your bike and it will increase its resale value. It’s not cheap, but it’s definitely worth it if you’ve got the money to spend.
Just be sure to do your research and buy the parts from a reputable source, like FuelMoto or S&S Cycle. And if you’re not confident in your ability to install them, take it to a qualified Harley mechanic.

Nick Kowalski is a diesel mechanic by trade, but his passion lies in motorcycles.
He’s been riding them since he was just a wee lad, and he loves restoring old Japanese street bikes and ATVs in his spare time.
Nick is an adrenaline junkie at heart, and he loves nothing more than hitting the open road on his motorcycle.
Thanks for the information, it makes my decision a little simpler.
Now my journey begins to find the best stage 2 kit for my RD 2022 107.
I have kromeworks exhaust, now I need to source intakes and tuners.
It was a great article.
You broke everything down for the common man. I already have stage 2 on my Harley freewheeler, it’s a trike. But it’s still a Harley Davidson. And don’t you guys forget it. LOL