Pipes make your bike sound differently butI am not sure that they add to the perfomance. As unlikley as it sounds it is the aircleaner and the download that make the difference. I put a K & N Air filter on a '95 Z28 that I had for about eight years until I gave it to a family member for his seventeenth birthday. It was unbelievable how much of a diffence that it made.

I have an '05 Dyna injected that I put an S & S airfilter on and some Custom Chrome Slip ons and the dealer told me it would run better with a Stage II Download so I went with it. That is a very noticable and inexpensive power increase. But an '05 runs on an open loop system and with the O2 sensor the'06 and later runs a closed loop system, so you may be better off with some kind of power commander.

But upgrade your aircleaner on everything that you drive and your wifes car also. There is no better bang for your buck.

 

Heck yes. I did mine myself after 6500miles. Thundermax, FatCat with quiet baffle, and Big Sucker aircleaner. Parts cost me$1500. bucks.
Bike runs so much smoother, better throttle responce. Only regret is I wish I'd done it sooner. Lot more fun to ride vs stock. a little common sence, some help from members here, some help from Zippers. Everything went pretty smooth. Sure was fun and worth it.

 

I agree with PB except about air cleaner. My 04 Ultra has all stage1 and it was a noticeable difference.Bike also has DFO.
But I have also changed A/C back to stock and couldn't tell any diff.

 

Here is some info on it http://www.american-v.co.uk/technica...ing/index.html

On my '06 I did it from the start. I've waited until my 1K service this time...for now doing air cleaner, download and stock pipes....

I didn't do it in the parking lot but will be riding with the A/C kit about 10 miles to have the download done.

 

PCIII w pre loaded map and Big Sucker A/C from Fuel moto=$390
Used V & H Straighshots slip-ons=$130
Fabricated bracket for used pipes=$45
Changed fluids to Shock proof-Royal Purple-Red line primary=about $60 including filter.
Runs like a stipped *** ape, very happy with self installed updates VERY noticable performance gain=Total=$625 give or take a buck or two, what can I say, Im a tight ***.
I think any of the proven fuel manager/exhaust/AC upgrades can work well done right, some cost more, some are hard to find good tuners, I feel no need for a dyno w my setup so thats another 2 or 3 bills I can use for other goodies.
Yes, well worth it in my opine, bike also now runs much cooler.
Take your time and investigate all you can, you can find most info you need to make a sound choice on thiis forum.
Good luck, enjoy your new bike.

 

Great posts,bros.I just learned a lot. Thanks! Am consideringordering a new Fat Boy with the Stage 1 package.Would like to see Harley offer an evenbetter Stage 1 packagein the near future - more cubes, 4 valves/cylinder, moreHP, torque, etc. The big block competition is heating up. We'll see what happens.

 

Great post with lots of good information. Thanks Poorboy for some solid wisdom...

 

Thanks again to everyone, for your help in my decision making on the matter and the encouraging words.

Roger

 

It was only a small improvement, on an '01 Ultra, which has the dreaded Magneti Marelli EFI, and no dealer around here can keep it tuned.

So, I bit the bullet and went with the 95" big bore kit, including heads, and it screams...............