It was bound to happen - I just cannot leave this bike alone. I got the DXI back in Sept, one of the last ones in the UK and in the right colour: Black. First, it was all too quiet but courtesy of Mr Vance & Mr Hines and their associates in the opened air filter department, the bike was given its full voice at the first service. Awesome!! thinks I - and everyone's happy. Thing is...nothing stays still for long. I wanted MORE!

So...

My local dealer (Thames Valley HD, just 25 miles west of London) were offering 20% off all parts & labour as a winter promotion so it seemed churlish not to get the 95cu in and cams done. Of course, this meant having to break the bores in again, and on taking the advice of the good people of this forum, and that of my engine builder (who built and runs the fastest V-Rod in the UK) to just take it really easy for the first 50 miles (to make sure everything's settled ok) then let the motor spin freely on light throttle load thereafter. We're now at 300 miles since the upgrade and using full throttle in the lower gears, up to approx 4500rpm.

The stage 1 (pipe & filter) made a very noticable difference to the motor's urgency but having the big bore plus the 203's makes this pale into significance. If you're thinking of getting your own Dyna upgraded WAIT NO MORE. Get it done - the difference is like someone's let the brakes off. The motor's a tiny bit lumpier below approx 2200rpm but by this point it becomes smoother and by 3000rpm it's really hauling. Since the upgrade, the engine's smoother overall, it revs much more freely and there is no banging or popping on the overrun; in fact it fuels beautifully. Best thing though is that whereas before there was a steady push of acceleration, the bike now kicks hard. Opening the taps from 70mph in top gear it reaches 100mph very quickly and just begs for more - overtakes are despatched in no time at all which also brings with it an added safety margin. It's almost as though the 88 was created to feel like this - the improvement in torque and usability, plus the increase in smoothness (and it was hardly rough beforehand) just feels like the engine's now running as God intended. Another benefit is how much sweeter the motor sounds - a deeper, more mellow rumble but with an angrier 'bite' when given some stick.

To say I'm one deleriously happy bunny would be an understatement.

Oh...did I forget to say I love this bike??

 

Good for you, Gromit. I'm glad to hear you are happy with the upgrade. It's great whenever we get our money's worth, right?
If I could install a twin cam in my '94 FXR, I would go with either a 95" or the 103". But alas, as far as I know it won't fit.
But my next choice may be the S&S 96". Gotta have more power.
Did you do any upgrade to the clutch?
Enjoy the ride.

 

Totally agree re getting our money's worth - I figured that for what this cost, it would have been the same or thereabouts as someone would pay for a full Akrapovic (or suchlike) exhaust system on a sportsbike. Thing is, I've now got another 10+bhp and lord knows how much more torque. And it's just increased my bike's resale.

The 95kit (certainly in the UK anyway - no doubt it'd be the same for you guys) comes with a heavy-duty clutch spring. Doesn't feel much, if at all heavier at the lever.

I think though that this is as far as I'll be going now - any further mods (stroker/heads etc) and we're talking serious cost.

 

I don't know squat about the twin cam, but based on what I've read, the power with a 95" engine is seriously limited with the standard heads.

 

I think I will have to get my Fatboy done after reading your positive post Gromit.

Do you mind me asking how much it cost in total? Has it increased your insurance premium significantly?

Have you upgraded the brakes too? I have just fitted a Harrison Billet 6 pot and it transforms the braking!

Regards

Guy

 

Zoomie - you're absolutely correct, and according to my engine guy the standard heads are now the restricting items in the quest for more power. It's why there's not much point in fitting cams which are more radical than the 203's, simply because these heads don't flow enough gas to make them work at their best. It'd mean spending well over £800 for SE heads (approx $1400) - money I just don't have....more's the pity

Guzzi - Total cost was itro £1000 or about $1600. That was for all parts - big bore/cams/clutch spring/gaskets/download for the EFi etc etc. Sounded a lot when I got the bill, but I'd say the difference was well worth every penny and it will increase the bike's resale by at least 50% of the upgrade's cost, if I ever sell. Braking-wise I find the Dyna Sport's twin disc set-up is good enough - I've got steel braided lines to go on which will firm things up, but I've not really found the braking wanting in any way.

 

Where the hell are the pics gromit? I cant find any damn pics gromit!!!!LOL

steve

 

Gromit!! Great to hear the positive review! Glad you're loving the bike...but I'm looking for the pics... How do your coppers feel about that quick climb to 100mph??

Enjoy the ride.

 

Gromit's going to start making his own "ghost rider" videos. His buddies are going to film him doing wheelies over bridges, outrunning cops, doing burnouts infront of nursing homes, etc.

 

Gromit!, The 95 inch upgrade is awesome I agree. That low RPM grunt from the cams is truly quite a feeling. I married mine up with a SE 6 speed gear set so when I'm loafing along at highway speeds (140 kms) the roll-on throttle response is beautifull.