Heavy Breather
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Central Illinois
What I've heard is that the Heavy Breathers don't really provide any real performance gain over a regular Stage I kit unless you do some serious engine work, at which time the Heavy Breather kit takes the lead.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 349
Likes: 1
From: Milford, Kansas
Can someone please explain how a Heavy Breather takes over after serious engine work is done?
I would agree with above quote, numbers or first hand recommendations would be useful.
I would agree with above quote, numbers or first hand recommendations would be useful.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
I'm doing some serious engine work on my new Fat Bob and asked the guys at the shop about this Heavy Breather. The consensus was that it's all for Show, not Go.
That doesn't mean it won't function better than the standard air cleaner; just that it doesn't provide performance better than a high flow air cleaner that fits inside the cover.
Given those statements, I decided not to get it. Yes, I actually do like the look, but we get a lot of rain in Florida and I know I'm going to get caught in a few downpours. I don't want to have to deal with some sock over the cone, so I elected to get a regular high flow air cleaner that comes with my Stage IV kit. I don't think you lose anything by getting this one. It's just more a matter of taste and preference than performance (or so I was told).
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 11
From: Palm Harbor fl.
Not giving you a hard to but were they write ups in magazines where the product is also advertised? I've seen hundreds of positive dyno results on products that are pure junk. I would put more faith in an independent forum member that did a write up and dynoed the product before and after the install on the same day. That is about the only thing that would keep me from believing this is just another snake oil product. Seat of the pants results are often more the result of the reduced weight in the wallet than the product itself 
Last edited by rounder; Jan 27, 2009 at 02:16 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 11
From: Palm Harbor fl.
I'm doing some serious engine work on my new Fat Bob and asked the guys at the shop about this Heavy Breather. The consensus was that it's all for Show, not Go.
That doesn't mean it won't function better than the standard air cleaner; just that it doesn't provide performance better than a high flow air cleaner that fits inside the cover.
Given those statements, I decided not to get it. Yes, I actually do like the look, but we get a lot of rain in Florida and I know I'm going to get caught in a few downpours. I don't want to have to deal with some sock over the cone, so I elected to get a regular high flow air cleaner that comes with my Stage IV kit. I don't think you lose anything by getting this one. It's just more a matter of taste and preference than performance (or so I was told).
That doesn't mean it won't function better than the standard air cleaner; just that it doesn't provide performance better than a high flow air cleaner that fits inside the cover.
Given those statements, I decided not to get it. Yes, I actually do like the look, but we get a lot of rain in Florida and I know I'm going to get caught in a few downpours. I don't want to have to deal with some sock over the cone, so I elected to get a regular high flow air cleaner that comes with my Stage IV kit. I don't think you lose anything by getting this one. It's just more a matter of taste and preference than performance (or so I was told).
Last edited by rounder; Jan 27, 2009 at 02:41 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 890
Likes: 0
From:
One thing's for sure...with a Heavy Breather you won't have to worry about NOT getting enough Air!!!
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Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: El Paso, TX
Personally, I could not stand the look of he football cover on my 09 street bob. So the high flow filter was never an option for me. I went with the heavy breather for the cool factor after I saw it on a bike at the he dealership. Especially because it comes in black, which is the new chrome. I now have forward controls with no clearnce problems with my right knee. I put the pipes, fuel management, and intake right away after I almost got ran over twice in the same day. So I can't really say if there was a huge difference in power based on feel alone. IMO it was worth the investment
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
OK, I'd like to chime in. The turbonator's creator designed the device not to increase air flow but to create turbulance into the manifold. It does not work and in my opinion is a POS product designed for one thing; generate money. The problem with the heavy breather is although it is in direct contact with air flow it does nothing to increase that air flow and is in reality more inefficient then having an air cover which purpose is to collect and channel air into the filter at a higher velocity.
The Boyssen X-wing purpose is to increase the velocity of air at the throat and manifold where it will maintain it's pressure, in effect acting as an extended venturi. The X-Wing accomplishes the purpose for which it was designed and is an excellent stand alone product which in fact works as advertised.
Before some Adam Henry accuses me of being an agent for Boyssen, I am not and no way affiliated with the after market industry. KEVIN.
The Boyssen X-wing purpose is to increase the velocity of air at the throat and manifold where it will maintain it's pressure, in effect acting as an extended venturi. The X-Wing accomplishes the purpose for which it was designed and is an excellent stand alone product which in fact works as advertised.
Before some Adam Henry accuses me of being an agent for Boyssen, I am not and no way affiliated with the after market industry. KEVIN.