Bike seems slow.....I think ??? (long)
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 40
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From: Indy
Bike seems slow.....I think ??? (long)
I took delivery of this bike (2010 fatboy lo) on Sept. 1st of this year. This is my first street bike of any kind, and when I first started riding it did seem plenty fast enough. Left it stock for the first thousand miles or so, and then decided a stage one would be a good idea. I added Rush slip ons with the 2 1/4 baffle, K&N air cleaner assy., and a Fuelpak. I was happy with that, the bike now sounded like a Harley and ran good. I didn't really notice any increase in performance, but it did run better at low throttle settings (no more lean surge). I've now put about 4,600 miles on it and lately it just doesn't seem to have a lot of @ss to it. It does accelerate from a stop ok, but it just doesn't seem to have a lot of passing power. i took it for a ride after work yesterday and did a 4th gear roll from 40 and it didn't accelerate very hard at all. Trying to pass someone in 5th gear at 60 is not very strong either. I'm just wondering if I'm just getting use to it, or something is wrong with the bike ? the plugs look ok (very light tan color) and I checked it for any codes, but nothing came up. Since this is my first bike I have nothing to compare it to. I don't know if something is wrong, or it just doesn't have much power. Are the big baffles in the slip ons hurting ? Maybe something is wrong with the Fuelpak. Should I try disconecting that and going for a quick ride around the block ? Not sure where to go with this.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 1
From: Nude Hampster....
I took delivery of this bike (2010 fatboy lo) on Sept. 1st of this year. This is my first street bike of any kind, and when I first started riding it did seem plenty fast enough. Left it stock for the first thousand miles or so, and then decided a stage one would be a good idea. I added Rush slip ons with the 2 1/4 baffle, K&N air cleaner assy., and a Fuelpak. I was happy with that, the bike now sounded like a Harley and ran good. I didn't really notice any increase in performance, but it did run better at low throttle settings (no more lean surge). I've now put about 4,600 miles on it and lately it just doesn't seem to have a lot of @ss to it. It does accelerate from a stop ok, but it just doesn't seem to have a lot of passing power. i took it for a ride after work yesterday and did a 4th gear roll from 40 and it didn't accelerate very hard at all. Trying to pass someone in 5th gear at 60 is not very strong either. I'm just wondering if I'm just getting use to it, or something is wrong with the bike ? the plugs look ok (very light tan color) and I checked it for any codes, but nothing came up. Since this is my first bike I have nothing to compare it to. I don't know if something is wrong, or it just doesn't have much power. Are the big baffles in the slip ons hurting ? Maybe something is wrong with the Fuelpak. Should I try disconecting that and going for a quick ride around the block ? Not sure where to go with this.
you have a six speed tranny, which doesn't even need sixth until almost 80 (or so..) !!!
Just try riding it a little higher in the RPM range ...
If that doesn't work , buy a rubber mount ...
either way, let us know how it works out for you..
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 9,281
Likes: 1,139
From: southeast PA
I agree that you might be lugging it too much. Use a lower gear, don't be afraid to use higher revs. It was a good idea to check your plugs and you should also check your air filter. It's probably fine, but look at it anyway. A real good mod for you would be to change your trans sprocket to a 30 tooth.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 1
From: Nude Hampster....
I agree that you might be lugging it too much. Use a lower gear, don't be afraid to use higher revs. It was a good idea to check your plugs and you should also check your air filter. It's probably fine, but look at it anyway. A real good mod for you would be to change your trans sprocket to a 30 tooth.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 40
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From: Indy
Ok.....so I should drop it down a gear, maybe two before getting on the throttle. At what RPM does this motor make peak torque ? What about RPM at peak HP ? Since I don't have a tach any one know what the RPM's are at 40 mph in 4th gear ? I understand what you guys are saying, it just seems kind of "soft" to me in the midrange. I'll take it for a ride when I get home from work today and try using a lower gear than I normally would and see how it acts.
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 5
From: In the north
You will know when you have reved it too high. It will quit pulling hard then it will hit the rev limiter and possibly pop. Mine revs higher then stock due to the SE pro downloader. It will pull upto 6000 rpm or a little higher possibly.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Mesa Az
Ok.....so I should drop it down a gear, maybe two before getting on the throttle. At what RPM does this motor make peak torque ? What about RPM at peak HP ? Since I don't have a tach any one know what the RPM's are at 40 mph in 4th gear ? I understand what you guys are saying, it just seems kind of "soft" to me in the midrange. I'll take it for a ride when I get home from work today and try using a lower gear than I normally would and see how it acts.
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 457
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A tach is a very good learning tool on a new bike....especially with you being a new to street bikes.
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: central ma
You might wanna check your belt deflection and tire pressure too if you haven't done that in a while. My bike was draggin azz not too long ago .. checked my belt and it was super loose. Felt like I was riding a brand new bike after I got it tightened up to spec.