Harley Motorcycle Accessories for Speed/Performance — Quick Tips

Getting more speed out of your Harley-Davidson motorcycle is really a
matter of better performance. This means getting more energy out of
every drop of fuel, making every part perform the best that it can, and
making sure your Harley-Davidson is operating at peak efficiency. Some
improvements you can do yourself; others are better left to a
Harley-Davidson professional.

Peak efficiency includes making sure your Harley is tuned up at the
required intervals. At tune-up time, make sure your Harley motorcycle
gets news spark plugs, an oil change, and a new air filter. Another
simple yet important way to increase speed is to make sure your tires
are inflated properly. If there is not enough air in your tires, more
rubber meets the road, which reduces speed.

Increasing speed may mean less muffler on your vehicle. Why? Let’s
briefly look at how a muffler works. One function of a muffler is to
reduce the sound of the V-twin as it operates so you have a more
pleasant riding experience and so you do not offend your neighbors. (If
you have ever heard a gas engine operate without a muffler, you know the
sound emitted is very loud.) The other function of a muffler is to
route exhaust gases away from the operator properly and safely. A
muffler is really just a chamber of baffles through which exhaust gases
pass. The more baffles, the harder it is for the exhaust gases to exit
the muffler. This encumbers the engine and makes it operate less
efficiently. On the other hand, the fewer the number of baffles, the
more freely exhaust gases pass through the muffler and the more power
you get from your engine. So in order to increase performance, and
therefore speed, modify your exhaust system. Caution: Before you
change or dismantle your Harley-Davidson exhaust system, be sure to
check local laws; all states have noise limits for gas-powered vehicles.

Other modifications include upgrading your carburetor, which gives
you better fuel delivery, and/or installing a better air cleaner, which
allows your engine to “breathe” easier. Both of these improvements will
give you more power and more speed.

If you would like to make a deep plunge into serious speed increases,
you can have the cylinders bored out on your V-twin motor, and replace
the pistons and piston rings with larger ones. Doing so makes your
engine more powerful and therefore faster. You can also change the gear
ratios in your transmission so that, essentially, you make your wheels
spin faster. These modifications, however, are often performed on racing
machines by experienced mechanics and are not for the weekend
motorcycle rider.

In addition to engine modifications, to improve speed you can do a
number of things to reduce drag and wind resistance while you ride. Wear
tight-fitting clothing. Ride without a windshield. Take off your
luggage rack or saddlebags. You can also reduce the weight of your
Harley-Davidson by replacing heavy chrome parts on your engine and frame
with lighter ones so you are riding as lightly as possible.