Get it/Ride it/Research and buy/Dont hurry
Newbie - suggested initial upgrades?
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Newbie - suggested initial upgrades?
Hey folks,
I'm looking to get a 2011 Softail Deluxe next year (my first). I have no experience with upgrades/accessories, as my first bike was a '84 Honda VF700C, so I'm looking for suggestions/advice one what to get initially with the bike. I figure I'll start out with a passenger backrest an a basic stage one kit w/ a SE air cleaner, pipes, and EFI remapping. Money may be a bit tight initially, so I was wondering if anyone has recommendations for the best sounding slip ons for around $300 or so.
Thanks for the help,
Dave
I'm looking to get a 2011 Softail Deluxe next year (my first). I have no experience with upgrades/accessories, as my first bike was a '84 Honda VF700C, so I'm looking for suggestions/advice one what to get initially with the bike. I figure I'll start out with a passenger backrest an a basic stage one kit w/ a SE air cleaner, pipes, and EFI remapping. Money may be a bit tight initially, so I was wondering if anyone has recommendations for the best sounding slip ons for around $300 or so.
Thanks for the help,
Dave
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,033
Likes: 7
From: TEXAS
Hey folks,
I'm looking to get a 2011 Softail Deluxe next year (my first). I have no experience with upgrades/accessories, as my first bike was a '84 Honda VF700C, so I'm looking for suggestions/advice one what to get initially with the bike. I figure I'll start out with a passenger backrest an a basic stage one kit w/ a SE air cleaner, pipes, and EFI remapping. Money may be a bit tight initially, so I was wondering if anyone has recommendations for the best sounding slip ons for around $300 or so.
Thanks for the help,
Dave
I'm looking to get a 2011 Softail Deluxe next year (my first). I have no experience with upgrades/accessories, as my first bike was a '84 Honda VF700C, so I'm looking for suggestions/advice one what to get initially with the bike. I figure I'll start out with a passenger backrest an a basic stage one kit w/ a SE air cleaner, pipes, and EFI remapping. Money may be a bit tight initially, so I was wondering if anyone has recommendations for the best sounding slip ons for around $300 or so.
Thanks for the help,
Dave
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,864
Likes: 7
From: kansas city,mo
LoL!!! He said it well above .... RUN FOREST RUN... $$$$....
Instead of buying $300.00 slip-ons save another $300.00 and grab yourself a complete pipe set-up... Save yourself money and do it right the first time around... Good Luck at getting your bike. The Deluxe is a great platform.
Instead of buying $300.00 slip-ons save another $300.00 and grab yourself a complete pipe set-up... Save yourself money and do it right the first time around... Good Luck at getting your bike. The Deluxe is a great platform.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 127
Likes: 2
From: Kennedale TX
Agreed! Save your $$$ and get a complete exhaust system.
Your plan is good...performance pipes, a good breather, and a map will make your ride come to life. I did the same on my 09 FatBoy. If you ask what pipes and breathers are best you'll get 100 differnet responses. As long as you use a good K&N filter type breather you'll be fine. I suggest you listen to other bikes with performace pipes and see how they sound as that will be a personal preference. Do some research and see how they perform. Talk to the guys who do the tuning and who own the bikes.
Me I like the deep throaty sound that Rinehart has. I just installed an RDS breather and a set of Rinehart Crossbacks. Love 'em!
Your plan is good...performance pipes, a good breather, and a map will make your ride come to life. I did the same on my 09 FatBoy. If you ask what pipes and breathers are best you'll get 100 differnet responses. As long as you use a good K&N filter type breather you'll be fine. I suggest you listen to other bikes with performace pipes and see how they sound as that will be a personal preference. Do some research and see how they perform. Talk to the guys who do the tuning and who own the bikes.
Me I like the deep throaty sound that Rinehart has. I just installed an RDS breather and a set of Rinehart Crossbacks. Love 'em!
Trending Topics
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 511
Likes: 0
From: Frisco, Texas
Haha...I have to agree with everyone above. Save the money on the slip ons. Shop ur stuff around and not everything has to be new. There us always someone out there that is wanting to sell what u need. Good luck homie!
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
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,515
Likes: 6
From: Nuevo Mexico USA
+1 on saving your dough for a real exhaust system, dont spend it on slip ons. You can also start by removing the refectors thats a zero cost mod that will make a big impact on your Luxe. When I first got mine I told myself that I was only gonna change out the tank emblems LOL. Good luck and I hope you have a fat wallet.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 401
Likes: 0
From: Hershey, Pennsylvania
Being relativly new myself, I would have to agree with the veteran bikers about the pipes. Do it right and get a full exhaust. I thought about the V&H slip ons, but think about it, if you decide to upgrade to a full system you are out that initial investment and will have to sell them at a serious mark down to get some of that money back.
Take the following with a bit of a grain of salt, as I am not as experienced as these other guys by far:
2 into 1 systems give you the most performance, but many lack the sound you may be looking for. They tend to look like a elongated single exhaust or a "shlong of chrome."
2 into 2 systems, with a cross over or "bridge" are as expensive or more so than 2 into 1, but tend to have a richer tone and nearly as much performance (depending on the choice) as most 2 into 1. The bridge is often hidden and obscured by the heat shields but looks like "H" on it's side.
Duals are expensive, but like the 2 into 2's most good systems also have a crossover and they have the same rich tones and performance, but you get a pipe on each side of the bike.
2 into 2 without the bridge don't have the performance, but have good sound. they tend to offer more than stock pipes but without a bridge the way the exhaust collects and provides "back pressure" is not the same.
Everybody has an opinion on which pipes look the best for the performance they provide. The one piece of advice, other than skip the slip ons, I will provide is that the 2 into 1 systems are a unique look that is more often seen on performance or racing machines. The Softail Deluxe is the sort of bike you may want to look at True Duals . Its all about the look.
Take the following with a bit of a grain of salt, as I am not as experienced as these other guys by far:
2 into 1 systems give you the most performance, but many lack the sound you may be looking for. They tend to look like a elongated single exhaust or a "shlong of chrome."
2 into 2 systems, with a cross over or "bridge" are as expensive or more so than 2 into 1, but tend to have a richer tone and nearly as much performance (depending on the choice) as most 2 into 1. The bridge is often hidden and obscured by the heat shields but looks like "H" on it's side.
Duals are expensive, but like the 2 into 2's most good systems also have a crossover and they have the same rich tones and performance, but you get a pipe on each side of the bike.
2 into 2 without the bridge don't have the performance, but have good sound. they tend to offer more than stock pipes but without a bridge the way the exhaust collects and provides "back pressure" is not the same.
Everybody has an opinion on which pipes look the best for the performance they provide. The one piece of advice, other than skip the slip ons, I will provide is that the 2 into 1 systems are a unique look that is more often seen on performance or racing machines. The Softail Deluxe is the sort of bike you may want to look at True Duals . Its all about the look.