What Is The Compensator On A Harley-Davidson Motorcycle For?

Judging by the name alone, you can assume a Harley-Davidson motorcycle's compensator increases one spec to make up for the reduction of another. It compensates, as its name says. To explain what exactly it's compensating for, we'll have to look to the engine and drivetrain. 

In the most basic of terms, a compensator gives the driveline a way to absorb some of the shock created when the motorcycle accelerates or slows. The alternative is sending every sudden change in rotational force directly through the driveline, which would not make for a comfortable ride.

A compensator helps the motorcycle better respond to changes in load In other words, a shock absorber. It's protecting the mechanical parts of the Harley, for one, but it's also giving you smoother power delivery for smoother acceleration and deceleration. Essentially, the compensator acts like a buffer between the Harley-Davidson's engine output and the rest of the motorcycle's drivetrain.

Most Big Twins, as well as several other Harley-Davidson frame types come with a compensator built into the bike, but some might need more than what comes standard, especially if your Harley is producing more torque than standard. If you have done some type of engine upgrade on your Harley, you might want to upgrade to a more performance-oriented compensator. These versions are designed with heavier springs and greater travel, which helps accommodate things like high-compression racing engines and larger-displacement builds.

Harley makes upgraded compensators of its own, but there are also a number of different aftermarket compensators out there designed to improve performance of even Harley-Davidson's most powerful models. Some are better at shock absorption, others are more ideal for torque gains, and you'll even find a variety that act as permanent solid-sprocket fixes for some of the more common issues with built-in compensators, such as loud, unpleasant noises and drivetrain issues.