Whats the best way to get a little more hp out of my bike without switching my straight pipes? I got a 2008 Nightster 1200 with v&h straight pipes, stage 2 air, and download. Any ideas would be great.

 

Well, you're shooting yourself in the foot with straight (drag) pipes. Ya might try installing some torque cones in the pipes.

BTW, what are you referring to as Stage 2 air? All Stage 2 work I'm aware of occurs inside the motor.

 

Get some performance cams! Talk to the dealer, see about better performance spark plug wires and spark plugs. I am not sure how well this works with efi bikes (that's why I say talk to your dealer) but on earlier bikes without efi you could usually see about 2 HP per cylinder with this mod; just by switching out the plug wires.

 

Do you only have the download or a fuel management system with a map. If it's only a download, get a power commander, SERT, etc. Then have a dyno tune done. You'll be amazed at the improvement over a stock stage 1 dealer download. You'll need the PC or SERT if you get into cam changes, etc anyways so see if that alone give you what you're looking for as far as performance boost

 

Even with any type of baffle in those drag pipes you'll only get a 2000 - 2500 RPM window for a perfect tune. Down low, in the middle or WOT. My bike runs like a bat out of hell as long as I only roll the throttle at certain RPM's, My bike is tuned for WOT. Now when I hammer it at 4000 RPM's or above, yuh better hang on and lean forward to help keep the front wheel down. I'm living with my pipes for now till I get the 2-1's I'm eying and then I'll have it dyno'd to get me to the century mark on HP and upper 90's for torque.

Don't waste your money on cams without head work the gains are marginal.

 

Lose weight, every ten pounds lost equates to 1 hp. Duane5157