my new 2010 Softail seems sluggish
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 275
Likes: 1
From:
my new 2010 Softail seems sluggish
This isn't a complaint, I love my new '10 Heritage. It's just a seat of the pants observation. My '06 Street Bob seems to have a helluva lot more take-off than my '10 Heritage - better throttle response too. And my buddy's '03 Springer w/'95ci will easily outrun them both (only mentioned since it's also a Softail "B" engine). So I'm wondering if there's something about the '10 Softail engines that is holding them back a bit.
For lack of a better description, my 2010 96ci Softail seems to suffer from something like "turbo lag." Even if you flick the throttle in nuetral, it tends to ramp up/down more slowly than the '88ci Dyna. And you notice the difference when you're out on the road. Yet both bikes have a SERT, hi-flo intake, and slipons. The weight difference isn't as much as you'd think since my 'Bob has been upgraded over the years w/locking hard bags, Tour Pack, Windshield, etc. So how the heck does a Tour 'Bob end up with quicker performance, obscenely better mpg (esp in town), and better throttle response?
FWIW, I'm not into drag racing or faster than about 80mph speeds. I'd just like a little more get up and go with my '10 Heritage. And the standard SERT, hiflo & pipes didn't seem to accomplish much. Here are side by side Dyno results from the same dealer on the same Dyno. I was expecting the larger displacement Softail engine to have more power, not less:
'06 FXDB 88ci SERT, Hi-Five intake, Rush slip-ons 2" baffles
80.53HP
84.88ft-lb
'10 FLSTC 96ci SERT, HD hi flo, V&H HS slip-ons w/standard baffles
72.78HP
87.18ft-lb
For lack of a better description, my 2010 96ci Softail seems to suffer from something like "turbo lag." Even if you flick the throttle in nuetral, it tends to ramp up/down more slowly than the '88ci Dyna. And you notice the difference when you're out on the road. Yet both bikes have a SERT, hi-flo intake, and slipons. The weight difference isn't as much as you'd think since my 'Bob has been upgraded over the years w/locking hard bags, Tour Pack, Windshield, etc. So how the heck does a Tour 'Bob end up with quicker performance, obscenely better mpg (esp in town), and better throttle response?
FWIW, I'm not into drag racing or faster than about 80mph speeds. I'd just like a little more get up and go with my '10 Heritage. And the standard SERT, hiflo & pipes didn't seem to accomplish much. Here are side by side Dyno results from the same dealer on the same Dyno. I was expecting the larger displacement Softail engine to have more power, not less:
'06 FXDB 88ci SERT, Hi-Five intake, Rush slip-ons 2" baffles
80.53HP
84.88ft-lb
'10 FLSTC 96ci SERT, HD hi flo, V&H HS slip-ons w/standard baffles
72.78HP
87.18ft-lb
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Andrews makes a 30T front drive pulley that will change the gearing to close to a 2.97 overall and help with the acceleration. Then there is the SE or aftermarket cam route to boost torque to get you going, and you could go with a 2 into 1 exhaust set up to also help torque.
If your still needing more, the SE 103 kit could be a cost effective route.
If your still needing more, the SE 103 kit could be a cost effective route.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,505
Likes: 56
From: Vancouver Island, British Columbia
I'll second what GS357 said, a 30T pulley is a cheap investment. I do not have one however, but to me, it seems like a good $134 upgrade to bikes that were produced with high(er) ratios that most would like, that is "most" not all. I'd like to know what the labor would be to install the pulley, any idea from those out there?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,396
Likes: 266
From: Southern California
I have a 2010 Heritage Softail and even when it was stock I did not experience any "Turbo Lag" such as you describe. My throttle response is and has always been immediate. But that being said, Replacing the A/C, Exhaust, and using a TTS Master Tune definitely let a few more Pony's out of the barn.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 275
Likes: 1
From:
GS357: Thanks for the drive pulley idea. Lower gears = more get up and go.
cryan9: You're right, my Dyna has a shake to it at idle but my Softail is smooth. Even so, my buddy's '03 Springer has some serious take off. Blows by my Dyna without much effort. I'm not looking for that much for my Heritage. But I was expecting a little more than I got with the SERT, hi-flo, & pipes.
Bluehighways: Well it's not really as bad as turbo-lag of old (pre-Dodge VNT). But that was the closest comparison I could think of. It definitely winds up slower than my Dyna. I'm not the type to ham it up, smoke the tires, pull wheelies, etc. Even so, I can feel the difference in casual riding.
Dr. V-Twin: I didn't realize the HD hi-flow wasn't K&N. I'm not happy about that - it will be replaced with a true hi-flow K&N like my Dyna as soon as I get a chance. I like some 2n1 pipes, but I'm more of a dual fan. If you had to go dual, which do you think would perform best? What about True Duals (V&H, Samson)? And if you don't mind one last question - what's your take on the dyno results above (88ci Dyna vs 96ci Softail)? Would you expect the 88ci to pull ahead like that with the same mods (pipe & SERT)?
cryan9: You're right, my Dyna has a shake to it at idle but my Softail is smooth. Even so, my buddy's '03 Springer has some serious take off. Blows by my Dyna without much effort. I'm not looking for that much for my Heritage. But I was expecting a little more than I got with the SERT, hi-flo, & pipes.
Bluehighways: Well it's not really as bad as turbo-lag of old (pre-Dodge VNT). But that was the closest comparison I could think of. It definitely winds up slower than my Dyna. I'm not the type to ham it up, smoke the tires, pull wheelies, etc. Even so, I can feel the difference in casual riding.
Dr. V-Twin: I didn't realize the HD hi-flow wasn't K&N. I'm not happy about that - it will be replaced with a true hi-flow K&N like my Dyna as soon as I get a chance. I like some 2n1 pipes, but I'm more of a dual fan. If you had to go dual, which do you think would perform best? What about True Duals (V&H, Samson)? And if you don't mind one last question - what's your take on the dyno results above (88ci Dyna vs 96ci Softail)? Would you expect the 88ci to pull ahead like that with the same mods (pipe & SERT)?
Trending Topics
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 2
Checking with the HD techs in town, throttle response can also be effected by your throttle adjustment. Meaning, the throttle may be adjusted fairly loose on your Heritage. Maybe see about getting it readjusted (the dealership should do that free of charge) and the sensitivity should get back up to par.
However, you should be aware that a Dyna should smoke any Softail from stock. The B engine is much more sluggish than the traditional rubber mount. As others have said, going at least the stage 1 will help to accomplish a lot.
However, you should be aware that a Dyna should smoke any Softail from stock. The B engine is much more sluggish than the traditional rubber mount. As others have said, going at least the stage 1 will help to accomplish a lot.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 153
From: Utah
Ummm... I think that the throttle is fly by wire... electronic iow.
Did you compare the top end, too? Many of the year to year variations in HD bikes has been due to stroke length and gearing in addition to ci's. When I have demo ridden the 2010 CVO's I didn't think that they pulled as well as my '06 with a PCIII, exhaust, and AC. That may be due to the EPA... or, it may be that the top end is where the difference shows up. You don't really get to mash on one during a demo ride <grin>
C#
Did you compare the top end, too? Many of the year to year variations in HD bikes has been due to stroke length and gearing in addition to ci's. When I have demo ridden the 2010 CVO's I didn't think that they pulled as well as my '06 with a PCIII, exhaust, and AC. That may be due to the EPA... or, it may be that the top end is where the difference shows up. You don't really get to mash on one during a demo ride <grin>
C#
