where to start?
where to start?
just got a 2010 fxd. wanting to start upgrading but not sure where to start. new shocks, new exhaust, new intake, fuel management system? so many options...looking for getting the best bang for the buck starting out. thoughts?
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 709
Likes: 0
Where to start??
You must start at the beginning 
All kidding aside...usually Stage 1.
After that comes the "HD Black Hole". It's a big hole in the ground you can walk up to and throw money in with the hopes that your bike will look cooler or go faster. If the Black Hole God is pleased you'll get 10 cents worth of improvement for every dollar you spend.
Stage 1 might get you 25 cents worth back for every dollar spent...but its worth it. IMHO Stage 1 is as good as it gets moneywise...
Enjoy the bike...they're really pretty damn good right from the factory.
All kidding aside...usually Stage 1.
After that comes the "HD Black Hole". It's a big hole in the ground you can walk up to and throw money in with the hopes that your bike will look cooler or go faster. If the Black Hole God is pleased you'll get 10 cents worth of improvement for every dollar you spend.
Stage 1 might get you 25 cents worth back for every dollar spent...but its worth it. IMHO Stage 1 is as good as it gets moneywise...
Enjoy the bike...they're really pretty damn good right from the factory.
Banned
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 7
From: Southwest Florida
Ride it for a while until you get some miles on it. If there's a factory defect, it should show up in the first 1,000 miles or so. Probably.
Once you're comfortable with how the bike feels, that it's strong and you don't have to take it back to the dealer for warranty work, then maybe consider some performance enhancements. Maybe.
That should give you some time to decide what you want to do. Make a plan, stick to the plan. Don't start out half-azzed and have $2,000 worth of stuff laying around that you put on and decided to take off.
I'd even go a few hundred miles before I put slip-ons on it. If you even do that. But you'll probabaly get tired of the 'swimming pool' sound after a little while. Live with it for a little bit though.
Best thing you can do is hang out here. Watch, listen, learn. There are guys and gals on this forum that have wickedly sharp bikes. And they've been through it. Learn from them and make your plan.
I'm trying to do that. I still don't have a total 'plan' yet. Working on one though.
i was planning on putting at least 1000 miles on it before changing anything. seems to be a consensus around here. just trying to decide which way to go when i get there...i am a planner. its driving my wife crazy. i have watched probably 50 videos listening to different exhaust and a/c set ups.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: NJ
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 442
Likes: 0
From: Chesapeake, VA
where to start?
Just start with decorative stuff -- Laydown license plate bracket, pegs, grips.
Ride it for a while until you get some miles on it. If there's a factory defect, it should show up in the first 1,000 miles or so. Probably.
Once you're comfortable with how the bike feels, that it's strong and you don't have to take it back to the dealer for warranty work, then maybe consider some performance enhancements. Maybe.
That should give you some time to decide what you want to do. Make a plan, stick to the plan. Don't start out half-azzed and have $2,000 worth of stuff laying around that you put on and decided to take off.
I'd even go a few hundred miles before I put slip-ons on it. If you even do that. But you'll probabaly get tired of the 'swimming pool' sound after a little while. Live with it for a little bit though.
Best thing you can do is hang out here. Watch, listen, learn. There are guys and gals on this forum that have wickedly sharp bikes. And they've been through it. Learn from them and make your plan.
I'm trying to do that. I still don't have a total 'plan' yet. Working on one though.
Ride it for a while until you get some miles on it. If there's a factory defect, it should show up in the first 1,000 miles or so. Probably.
Once you're comfortable with how the bike feels, that it's strong and you don't have to take it back to the dealer for warranty work, then maybe consider some performance enhancements. Maybe.
That should give you some time to decide what you want to do. Make a plan, stick to the plan. Don't start out half-azzed and have $2,000 worth of stuff laying around that you put on and decided to take off.
I'd even go a few hundred miles before I put slip-ons on it. If you even do that. But you'll probabaly get tired of the 'swimming pool' sound after a little while. Live with it for a little bit though.
Best thing you can do is hang out here. Watch, listen, learn. There are guys and gals on this forum that have wickedly sharp bikes. And they've been through it. Learn from them and make your plan.
I'm trying to do that. I still don't have a total 'plan' yet. Working on one though.
I agree. Also, check out how it fits you. You might want a different seat or bars or pegs. You might also want some luggage for overnight trips. First priority: Ride it and enjoy it!
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: W.V.
bang for buck
You can always start out with a set of slip ons and open up your stock air box a liittle. With that you will not need a tune or fuel controler. Your bike will sound better and run a little better for about $150.I think after you ride a while you might want shocks.Set the preload as soft as you can without bottoming out and see how it fells to you.Jut take your time.A lot of people on this forum think you must spend a couple thousand dollars on a new bike before you can ride it. A stock bike is not all that bad,except for the sorry Honda sounding exhaust of coarse.Enjoy your new toy.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 1
From: England via the US
If I had to do it over again with mine, I would have done comfort first. Seat, bars if needed, grips, and forwards if needed for fit. Then from there I would have done all of my motor and suspension work. Don't get me wrong, I love how my bike looks but for the amount of money I've spent on "looks" I could have a decently built motor and some performance suspension. Now I'm trying to play catch up in that dept. My biggest mistake was buying bolt-on accessories to fast and not having a real direction. I've replaced a lot of parts that I bought in the beginning.