Just got my 2011 Fatboy Lo, brand new, putting a few miles on her, will most likely break the 500 this weekend or next.

I have 450 dollars in dealer cash to use on parts/accessories.

I have a good all-season jacket, pants, helmet, gloves, etc.

Mods I am considering range from function, security, and performance.

What would you say is the first mod I should get?

Would you wait a certain number of miles (after break-in?) to do performance mods?

Considering the following...

- Analog tach/digital speedo... 299+labor. (I just don't like the factory digital tach. used to digital speedo in my towncar).

- Alarm... I live in a semi-rough part of town. I can keep her in a garage during the winter, but for summer months... alarm would be nice since she'll be outside under a cover for a lot of the year.

- A cover... see above. not necessary now though, garaged for winter.

- Slip on exhaust... Rush slipons come out to about 400 installed. No tuning needed.

- Air cleaner w/SERT or Air intake kit with simple computer download... not sure which one I could do. I'd be willing to pay the couple hundred extra out of pocket for the SERT, since I'll likely need it later. Is it ok to get intake/tune with a factory exhaust?

- Digital oil temp dipstick... why not? (aside from some reported reliability issues on forums?)

- extra helmet... for the ladies.

- a Harley-logo leather jacket... just because they look cool! BUT, they were nearly all made in China at dealer, wtf?!


My plans for the bike are weekend riding year-round, occasional commute during the warmer months. Mostly local riding, some occasional day-trips to the ocean.

I am not WILD about really loud pipes, I actually seem to be in the minority who dig the factory setup... though they are kinda quiet at highway speed.

The craziest I would ever get is maybe in a year or two to do the bigger-bore kits, 103 or 110 from Screamin Eagle.

I'll likely have the dealer do all my work while it's under factory warranty. I'm mechanically inclined, do nearly all the work on my car myself, but it's a new bike, might as well have Harley do everything so I have someone to blame while she's under warranty.

Thanks, any advice/input/opinions would be cool.

This is just for the first mod, with the "free" 450 bucks I have. I will eventually get everything listed above...

 

Get the slip ons

Skip the security, if someone is going to steal your then the security won't stop them

Get a cover at Walmart for $30

Dot helmet from leather up.com $30

Dip stick just get the analog one

 

Double post

 

Rush slip-ons first. Black, of course.

 

Install whatever you get yourself and then you can get more stuff. Pipes are simple, the speedo is super simple. I would do pipes first to get the right sound.

Drew

 

Regarding the slip ons from my own experience and seeing what others have done if you decide to do more performance mods you will end up trashing the slip ons and putting a complete exhaust system on. I would add a few bucks and do a complete exhaust system the factory pipes are way to quiet

 

"Donate the money to spongetail" wasn't a choice, so other than that I would go outside the box and get 13" to 16" handlebars with new cables. I've found it to be more comfy to get my hands at shoulder height. Especially on a Fatboy with that rear tire, it will help with the handling too.

 

I started my mods long before the first 1000 mile service (which I did myself).. I've also done all my mods myself which has saved a ton of money... I agree with the poster above about you may eventually ditch the slip-ons and get a full system anyway.. but if you're not really concerned about the sound, maybe slip-ons will do it for you....

I would say the best money I've spent on my bike is probably the PowerVision... I love my apes and grips, but they were kinda expensive even with me doing all the work... I like my V&H pipes.. everyone that sees my bike loves them.. my wife thinks they are sexy.. but if I had to do it all over again I'd get the D&D FatCat instead..

also, I did the intake which made a big difference and I'm happy with it for the most part, but I eventually want the SE Heavy Breather so I wish I had saved the money for that instead.

 

+1000 Apes are SO much more comfortable on my Lo.. I can't even describe the difference it made in comfort and handling.

 

Forget the exhaust for now. Get the breakin done. Then remove the Cats from the stock mufflers and notice the difference, then drill a 1/4 hole in the center of both baffle plugs, notice the difference, then drill a few more evenly spaced till you get the sound where you want it. Then call Fuel Moto and get a S/E Intake and POWER VISION ($550)and mount it to your handlebars and you'll have your RPM, MPH, ENG TEMP, EXHAUST TEMP at eye level and you'll never look at your stock speedo again. After several months of playing with different tunes and noticing how much difference each mod makes you can be researching different exhaust systems and make a choice then. Then the thought of Cams will come into play, then maybe some head work, then maybe a big bore kit?????? IT NEVER ENDS!!!!!!!