New FLHX mod considerations
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,310
Likes: 2,446
From: Eastern NE
Congrats on the sweet scoot & glad you're enjoying the bike. Back when I had my '09, here's the related upgrades that worked well:
- Phone mount = can't help there as my phone goes in bag (ignored) while riding. =8^)
- Rear saddlebag guards = ended up w/ Hill Country Custom as they were more solid that HD's bars ( https://hillcountrycustomcycles.com/ ), but don't know if they still offer.
- LED Headlight = Custom Dynamics all the way + anything else electrical you want to swap (great stuff).
- Windshield = Long Ride Shields (LRS) worked best f/ me (tried & replaced Klock Werks).
Slip-on = Don't bother...go "full" exhaust to shed those CATs & bigger diameter is better for deep tone.
- Intake/Tune = DK Customs & Power Vision...don't wait as you can get better ESP through Motorcycle Agent (www.motorcycleagent.com) @JimPalmer who's a member on this site. Contact him for insurance & ESP as they beat HD in all categories & allow immediate mods.
Enjoy & ride-on!
- Phone mount = can't help there as my phone goes in bag (ignored) while riding. =8^)
- Rear saddlebag guards = ended up w/ Hill Country Custom as they were more solid that HD's bars ( https://hillcountrycustomcycles.com/ ), but don't know if they still offer.
- LED Headlight = Custom Dynamics all the way + anything else electrical you want to swap (great stuff).
- Windshield = Long Ride Shields (LRS) worked best f/ me (tried & replaced Klock Werks).
Slip-on = Don't bother...go "full" exhaust to shed those CATs & bigger diameter is better for deep tone.
- Intake/Tune = DK Customs & Power Vision...don't wait as you can get better ESP through Motorcycle Agent (www.motorcycleagent.com) @JimPalmer who's a member on this site. Contact him for insurance & ESP as they beat HD in all categories & allow immediate mods.
Enjoy & ride-on!
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 408
Likes: 367
From: CT
Since the phone doesn't fit in the cubby even with the foam removed, I got a Tackform phone mount installed, had to put it on the left handlebar due to clearance issues with the brake line banjo fitting. I routed the cable behind the lower plastic trim piece. I only use the USB for charging right now until I get a WHIM and HD-branded headset (might be a while, maybe never).
Picked up a Custom Dynamics headlight and LED halo turn signals & taillights. I consider these critical safety upgrades, especially since the stock taillights are near invisible next to the Redline red paint in daylight.
Picked up a Custom Dynamics headlight and LED halo turn signals & taillights. I consider these critical safety upgrades, especially since the stock taillights are near invisible next to the Redline red paint in daylight.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 309
Likes: 172
From: Western New York
Congrats on the new ride! I have a 2021 in River Rock Gray and absolutely love it. I have done the following:
- replaced all stock lighting with custom dynamics lights in the front and rear.
- stage 1 with screamin eagle breather, cobra 909 exhaust, power vision tuner and had it dynoed.
- 7 freedom shield
- detachable back rest
- curved chrome HD license plate
Good luck, Im sure youll love it!
- replaced all stock lighting with custom dynamics lights in the front and rear.
- stage 1 with screamin eagle breather, cobra 909 exhaust, power vision tuner and had it dynoed.
- 7 freedom shield
- detachable back rest
- curved chrome HD license plate
Good luck, Im sure youll love it!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,328
Likes: 2,205
I have the expensive HD Daymaker on one bike and a $46 Amazon special on the other and they both do the job just fine. I couldn't be happier with the $46 Amazon special and I'm happy that someone on here told me to get it. It is brighter than OEM and I can't think of a single negative thing to say about it.
I also have a Memphis Shades windshield on one and a $25 Amazon special on the other one and I'm just as happy with my $25 windshield as my $130 one. I would suggest you wait and try the OEM one so you can be very careful about the height, mine came with a 6.5" Memphis Shades windshield and it was about an inch too tall for me, which was a real pain in the *** when I was going uphill especially.
Exhaust is a different story, one bike has Vance and Hines and the other one has Thunderheader Thunder Cones and while I've always had a good experience with V&H, the Thundercones sound like trash and will be replaced ASAP for a pair of 4" CVO mufflers soon. Someone paid real $$$ for these Thundercones, they're over $800 new, and they sound absolutely terrible, both too loud and not deep enough. Even $200 Amazon specials would have probably been better than them.
Moral of the story is 1) don't assume just because something is cheap that it's not good, and 2) exhaust is very subjective and it's easy to spend big $$$ and not be happy with it.
I also have a Memphis Shades windshield on one and a $25 Amazon special on the other one and I'm just as happy with my $25 windshield as my $130 one. I would suggest you wait and try the OEM one so you can be very careful about the height, mine came with a 6.5" Memphis Shades windshield and it was about an inch too tall for me, which was a real pain in the *** when I was going uphill especially.
Exhaust is a different story, one bike has Vance and Hines and the other one has Thunderheader Thunder Cones and while I've always had a good experience with V&H, the Thundercones sound like trash and will be replaced ASAP for a pair of 4" CVO mufflers soon. Someone paid real $$$ for these Thundercones, they're over $800 new, and they sound absolutely terrible, both too loud and not deep enough. Even $200 Amazon specials would have probably been better than them.
Moral of the story is 1) don't assume just because something is cheap that it's not good, and 2) exhaust is very subjective and it's easy to spend big $$$ and not be happy with it.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 408
Likes: 367
From: CT
I have the expensive HD Daymaker on one bike and a $46 Amazon special on the other and they both do the job just fine. I couldn't be happier with the $46 Amazon special and I'm happy that someone on here told me to get it. It is brighter than OEM and I can't think of a single negative thing to say about it.
I also have a Memphis Shades windshield on one and a $25 Amazon special on the other one and I'm just as happy with my $25 windshield as my $130 one. I would suggest you wait and try the OEM one so you can be very careful about the height, mine came with a 6.5" Memphis Shades windshield and it was about an inch too tall for me, which was a real pain in the *** when I was going uphill especially.
Exhaust is a different story, one bike has Vance and Hines and the other one has Thunderheader Thunder Cones and while I've always had a good experience with V&H, the Thundercones sound like trash and will be replaced ASAP for a pair of 4" CVO mufflers soon. Someone paid real $$$ for these Thundercones, they're over $800 new, and they sound absolutely terrible, both too loud and not deep enough. Even $200 Amazon specials would have probably been better than them.
Moral of the story is 1) don't assume just because something is cheap that it's not good, and 2) exhaust is very subjective and it's easy to spend big $$$ and not be happy with it.
I also have a Memphis Shades windshield on one and a $25 Amazon special on the other one and I'm just as happy with my $25 windshield as my $130 one. I would suggest you wait and try the OEM one so you can be very careful about the height, mine came with a 6.5" Memphis Shades windshield and it was about an inch too tall for me, which was a real pain in the *** when I was going uphill especially.
Exhaust is a different story, one bike has Vance and Hines and the other one has Thunderheader Thunder Cones and while I've always had a good experience with V&H, the Thundercones sound like trash and will be replaced ASAP for a pair of 4" CVO mufflers soon. Someone paid real $$$ for these Thundercones, they're over $800 new, and they sound absolutely terrible, both too loud and not deep enough. Even $200 Amazon specials would have probably been better than them.
Moral of the story is 1) don't assume just because something is cheap that it's not good, and 2) exhaust is very subjective and it's easy to spend big $$$ and not be happy with it.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 281
Likes: 218
From: MS
I put the 13" premium touring shocks on mine as the 12's were hitting too hard for my wife's comfort level. Then found that my rear brakes had about 15 miles left of life on them. Heading to Sturgis tomorrow!
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Supporter
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 437
Likes: 481
From: Montana
If it's not too late (already done the deal!) I would suggest you find someone (Service Manager /Service Writer) who can write up an estimate for parts and labor. They have excellent software available at the dealership for that purpose and most dealerships offer a discount on parts and labor at the time of purchase as an incentive for the buyer. Do your research and don't waste their time (you must be a serious buyer at this point) but build out the bike you want to purchase then deal on that for pricing! In many cases the whoever is helping you can steer you away from surprises on things like fitment issues or additional parts required. After you have finished with all of that, you should be referred to a salesman to close the deal. If you don't want all of that additional cost rolled into any kind of financing, then cover it in your down payment.
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eglideic
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Feb 20, 2018 04:32 PM