Ok guys, time to chime in and I know you will.........

After buying my bike a few months ago, I 've spent a few dollars on her getting her to look and sound the way I want her to. With insurance, bling for the bike, forwards and other misc. items I am quite aware it's time to slow down on the spending and just enjoy the ride. So far I have done all mods myself which has been fun and frustrating. It's one of the better aspects of owning a Harley I enjoy.

Here is my problem. I want to make one more big money upgrade to her before the season is in full swing and save the other for next winter. One is, I am considering 16" Apes and am to nervous and impatient to do it myself when the season is looming. The other is going with a full-on set of V&H pipes for her to improve the performance and sound quality.

The cost factor is roughly going to be about the same, so the desicion is going to be tough. Do I go for the bars now and wait on the pipes or do I do the pipes and make it through the summer with the stock bars? What would you guys do?

 

I'd say pipes if you can afford to get it tuned right, taller apes aren't going to do anything but slow you down.But if you don't have a decent tuner pipes are just going to frustrate you.

 

I would go for the Vance and Hines............not even a choice.........

 

I guess I would say if you don't have a free breathing A/C and a PC or SERT that is what I would do first.
If you feel like you would be more comfortable with higher bars then that's what I would do since you already have the slipons to add to the sound and performance. Of course I would rather have more comfort first, then shoot for 100/100 but I may be in the minority.

 

Ok, I wanted to toss something else in . I would be getting the vh fuelpak with the pipes which will add to the cost factor. The dude I am thinking of dealing with does his own wire extensions, so my cost on the bars is split pretty evenly between cables, bars and labor.

Main difference would be, I can handle the exhaust on my own so, money saved on the labor, but don't want to get into the hassle of the cables and wiring for the bars, so add in the labor.

 

Pipes..get the mods done professionally by a reputable mechanic or a dealer you can trust..........apes may look good but...

Apes don't sound like anything.....they just sit there all quiet.
Apes don't grab you by the a$$....you just grab them
Apes don't scream when you get a hand full of throttle....your hand may scream after 200 miles of riding with apes
Apes don't put that rumble in your gut and power to the road...they'll put a rumble in your arms though.

Seriously though.....get the pipes dude and open that sucker up man!

 

Pipes! No contest.

 

My vote is for the pipe too. Pythons, S&S super E and ignition module for my 05 FXD were some of the first things I did. Did all the labor meself and had a local shop tune it for me. Made a ton of difference! Waited a year + and then installed the 16" bars/cables two weeks ago. Again, myself. I wasn't worried about the riding season looming, so I took my time with the bar instal. If you can handle pipes and stuff, you can probably handle installing your own bars too.

Go with the perf parts first, pick up a service manual, and save to do the bars next.

MV

P.S.
Put 375 miles on last Sat with some buddies. Everything with the bars/controls worked great! Note: had to tighten up the dapening bolts (Riser bolts under the upper tripple tree) after the ride.The increased leverage from the 16" bars workedin a little play.

 

Pipes for sure.

 

Ok, I think I'm going to lean towards pipes. So far I am digging either the V&H BSS or the Short Shots. I know you are supposed to get more horsies from the BSS but I do like the different from stock look of the shorties. Plus, I have been told the shorties are louder and cheaper. Hmmmmmmm..............which way to go?