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Nov 5, 2017 | 11:35 AM

#111

Thingfish

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2010

Posts: 4,584

Likes: 918

From: coast to coast

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanBO18

While I enjoy the extra kick my Breakout 114 got from Stage II, if I were to get a second M8 ride, I might stop at Stage I. I like my “Drag Bike” to have the extra kick, and it definitely does now, but it also gets about 5mpg worse mileage when riding it aggressively. (Though it gets great 47mpg with non-aggressive cruising, just as advertised.)

For this bike I accept that trade-off, and I’m hopeful that there is no reliability penalty. I don’t normally ride aggressively, so that should help it last. And the SE cam is, I understand, a relatively mild upgrade compared to some. But you’re right that the 114 is a powerful, “torquey” (ha!) motor in stock form. And with the stock cam, it’s a good balance between performance and mileage, IMO. HD engineers got the stock balance just right for most. I wasn’t really yearning for more power. Just having a bit of fun.

Still glad I did it, but no desire to go to 117. That’s for folks with 5 gallon tanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TORQUEY

I'm surprised you say that doing it over again you might stop @ stage 1. I always figured that the stage 2 torque cam is really what HD should have installed stock but is taking extra cash for the procedure. What do you feel are the negatives of stage 2?? Stage 3 will lose the very low end, but I assumed stage 2 would have gains from 2 to 3500 rpm or so.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanBO18

I’m still revising my opinion as I get more experience. Tonight I went for a ride and though in general it was not an aggressive run, there were a number of times that I hammered it on empty straight stretches. It does not disappoint. It is faster than it used to be. And back at the gas pump I was expecting to see mpg closer to 35 because of it. But to my surprise I got 41, which makes me think my judgement that mpg is negatively affected when pushing it was premature. This is what I got before, riding about the same. (I can get 47 when not riding aggressively at all.)

I mean, it makes sense that going faster requires more gas. But thinking back, on those aggressive runs where I saw 35 mpg, I did get into 3 digits on the speedo. I don’t normally do that but found myself getting there accidentally when first experimenting. That might be the reason for the poor mpg during those early runs.

So maybe no real mpg penalty due to the cam. And I’m hopeful no reliability issues. All indications are that this is a fairly safe upgrade. But indications are early, and experiences like Jessica’s are a reminder that all performance upgrades introduce risk.

My real point for this post was to agree that the 114 is a strong motor stock. I wasn’t jonesing for more power. But with the 60-day window, I had to make a call, and yeah, let’s do the cam too. And I have no regrets. It has more power and a cool lope at idle. But I can see the logic of folks that feel it’s enough, and just want better sound and maybe a little boost, and prefer not to introduce any risk involved with Stages beyond 1.

If I were to get a second bike, it would be touring, not a hot rod like this one. And given the issues that seem to still be getting worked out, I don’t think I’d mess with it. And if I get a Softail for my wife, it isn’t getting a cam. She doesn’t need (nor want) to be getting into triple digits.

As I gain perspective I gain respect for the engineering decisions that HD made. I guess it would be surprising if they created a stock bike with an idle lope like this. But I’m glad they made it an upgrade option for my hot rod Breakout.

Please take my comments as sharing and not teaching. I’m in no position to teach anyone about motorcycles. I just got back into riding and this is one helluva bike to get back into riding with. Thank you Harley-Davidson!

DanB018 is like my brother from another mother where our 114s are concerned. I feel the exact same way. I'm really enjoying my stage 2, but it has really showed and impressed me how balanced the stock config was overall to begin with. I too am still developing my longer term impressions, but if something happened to my Heritage, I'd likely leave the replacement alone and happily ride it for 100,000 miles of smiles...maybe I'd toss on a slip on...but give me a break, I can only learn ONE lesson at a time. Sheesh. Maybe #3 would stay 100% as is.

The stage 2 gives a nice boost in sound and power, but also makes the character of the bike a tad harsher. It's not quite the same velvet hammer it was originally. Many might welcome this shift and I'm not complaining personally, but to those who already feel their M8 Softail vibrates as much (or more in some cases) than they'd like, this upgrade might make it worse for them. Without the 60 day window, I'd have likely started with stage 1 and decided on stage 2 later. I do not regret the stage 2, it's just like raising my kids though...they don't go backward and once an age or phase is past...usually it's gone. I know I can reset my bike, but I like the stage 2 so I'm not going to do that...it's just I got there quick and I'll never know what the small steps felt like really.

I've definately noticed a small drop in mpg....but I'm still having trouble staying off the throttle. Too much fun, and it seems to be getting sweeter as I ride it more. Last night I was cruising at 75 and the motor was just purring away....I literally though "I could do this till the sun comes up".

Nov 5, 2017 | 04:37 PM

#112

DanBO18

Tourer

Joined: Aug 2017

Posts: 314

Likes: 130

From: US

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thingfish

The stage 2 gives a nice boost in sound and power, but also makes the character of the bike a tad harsher. It's not quite the same velvet hammer it was originally.

That's a good way to put it. Just a tad harsher, and I like it. I enjoy riding it more, and actually find myself pushing it less often and just enjoying the cruise. (though I still find occasion to open it up, or course) Both the feel and sound upgrades helped with improved customer (me) satisfaction.

The SE Street Cannons seem tuned to allow the lowest of low frequencies through. Doesn't even get picked up on a smartphone mic. Even an engine pop is like a cannon shot. It's not going to be enough for most, but I like it. Combined with the "enhanced" feel from the cam, This Stage I+II is more of what I expect from a Harley riding experience. And the power exceeds my expectations. Looking forward to seeing (and sharing) dyno numbers at some point.

Thanks Brother!

Nov 5, 2017 | 04:46 PM

#113

Thingfish

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2010

Posts: 4,584

Likes: 918

From: coast to coast

Dan, let me know if you find a dyno guy you like. It'd be worth the day trip for me. SoCal is sparse for good tuners these days. Most have left the area from all the restrictions and fines.

Nov 5, 2017 | 05:38 PM

#114

cdonis

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2013

Posts: 3,245

Likes: 297

From: Escalon ca

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thingfish

Dan, let me know if you find a dyno guy you like. It'd be worth the day trip for me. SoCal is sparse for good tuners these days. Most have left the area from all the restrictions and fines.

May not be a day trip, but there are tuners worth a trip in Hayward, modesto, or Stockton.