Used to be you could count on getting close to 10 hp and 10 lbs with a Stage 1 upgrade for about $500. Mufflers, air cleaner and tuning. As the engines have gotten larger and larger the gains have become less and less. I remember when the 96 first came out. Former magazine writer and guru Joe Minton was surprised at the lack of gains to be had with the Stage 1. His conclusion was that the bikes were better sorted from the factory than they used to be. With the M8, using Harley's own Dyno charts a Stage 1 upgrade with mufflers, air cleaner and tuner is good for 3hp and 5lbs. I am not saying there isn't more to be had with aftermarket stuff. I am sure there is. But using Harley's own info the gains are less than half what they used to be and the price has just about tripled. Guess the cheap and easy power gains are a thing of the past.

 

couldn't agree more..good news is my stock M8 would leave my 2013 103 SE Stage II behind all the while running cleaner and smoother! The M8 SE S1 offerings are mainly for looks and sound, not much in the way of performance gains...aftermarket likely a different story like you said

 

Question. Since a stage 1 only consists of a tuner, breather and slip-on's, which 3rd party component would make the most difference, the tuner?

 

I would say yes. Slip ons and ACs are going to yield very similar gains. Probably within 1-2 HP/TQ for any of them. I think the headpipe, tuner, and cam is where the real gains are unlocked.

 

There's more to be had with Stage 1 with a Dyno tune (screaming eagle tuner). 15 Hp and 16 lbs

 

That looks like a Stage II dyno chart.

 

The cost of a stage 1 makes it not something you do for power, but because you can and you want to. Excuse to make it sound different , to look a little different.
I never did a stage one for power reasons.
Not doing anything to the M8. First time in my life.

 

Is there a chance some of these Dyno sheets could be scuwed a bit. Not calling anybody a liar but I had a dealer show me a dyno run on a bone stock m8 and it showed 129 torque.
Just something to think about. The chart above makes no sense for a stage I.

 

I feel the same way. I used to immediately change to slip ons, tuner, air cleaner...the usual routine, as soon as I got the bike. This is the first time I haven't had a desire to do so. The OEM pipes sound pretty good, and my bike runs great as is! If I ever decide to change to slip ons, it will be just for looks. Don't think I would even do an air cleaner change or tuner even if I did put on Street Cannons.
Heck, I have two sets of Street Cannons in my garage now (one black, one chrome) from my last Ultra Limited that I can't use on the 17.

 

Well. If Steve Cole at TTS and Jamie Long at Fuel Moto cannot get anywhere near the results in that Stage 1 chart, you gotta be skeptical. It looks like what you are seeing from a well tuned Stage II.