HD Road Map
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas
HD Road Map
Hello Ladies and Gents!
Just recently purchased a 2012 Fat Boy Lo. First motorcycle/hd ever!
I've probably scoured these forums high and low just trying to consume as much information and knowledge as possible in anticipation of purchasing my bike. I've got a few questions that maybe some of you might be able to answer? Still a newbie, I'm sure whatever I've learned thus far, or whatever I think I've learned is just the tip of the iceberg. Please do correct/inform me otherwise.
1. First question I suppose is the easiest. What's the typical route that the majority of you go when buying upgrades for your bike? Exhaust, then Air Cleaner, then whatever comes after that? Once I have the order, do I dyno it after each purchase??? So confused.
2. When it comes to exhausts, what is the difference from 2-2 and 2-1?
(From what I've picked up, 2-2 has better sounds while 2-1 is more performance gain???) I ultimately want something to sound like a harley while giving me performance gains as well.
3. As for Aircleaners, I can't find anything with raw numbers to tell me which has more gains. Do you all just choose one that looks good? If not, can you point me in the direction of quality?
4. Each topic I've come across in here, "stage 1 kit that, blah blah blah, stage 2 kit this, blah blah blah" What exactly is a stage kit? I've been trying to pin point it, but it seems everyone's stage kits are different???
5. My last question. Can someone explain - Dyno. Power Commander? Are they the same thing? If they are different, what do they essentially do and are both needed?
Thank you for clearing any confusion I may have
Just recently purchased a 2012 Fat Boy Lo. First motorcycle/hd ever!
I've probably scoured these forums high and low just trying to consume as much information and knowledge as possible in anticipation of purchasing my bike. I've got a few questions that maybe some of you might be able to answer? Still a newbie, I'm sure whatever I've learned thus far, or whatever I think I've learned is just the tip of the iceberg. Please do correct/inform me otherwise.1. First question I suppose is the easiest. What's the typical route that the majority of you go when buying upgrades for your bike? Exhaust, then Air Cleaner, then whatever comes after that? Once I have the order, do I dyno it after each purchase??? So confused.
2. When it comes to exhausts, what is the difference from 2-2 and 2-1?
(From what I've picked up, 2-2 has better sounds while 2-1 is more performance gain???) I ultimately want something to sound like a harley while giving me performance gains as well.
3. As for Aircleaners, I can't find anything with raw numbers to tell me which has more gains. Do you all just choose one that looks good? If not, can you point me in the direction of quality?
4. Each topic I've come across in here, "stage 1 kit that, blah blah blah, stage 2 kit this, blah blah blah" What exactly is a stage kit? I've been trying to pin point it, but it seems everyone's stage kits are different???
5. My last question. Can someone explain - Dyno. Power Commander? Are they the same thing? If they are different, what do they essentially do and are both needed?
Thank you for clearing any confusion I may have
Last edited by RisenRoNiN; Aug 11, 2012 at 06:04 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 2
From: New Hampshire
Hello Ladies and Gents!
Just recently purchased a 2012 Fat Boy Lo. First motorcycle/hd ever! I've probably scoured these forums high and low just trying to consume as much information and knowledge as possible in anticipation of purchasing my bike. I've got a few questions that maybe some of you might be able to answer? Still a newbie, I'm sure whatever I've learned thus far, or whatever I think I've learned is just the tip of the iceberg. Please do correct/inform me otherwise.
1. First question I suppose is the easiest. What's the typical route that the majority of you go when buying upgrades for your bike? Exhaust, then Air Cleaner, then whatever comes after that? Once I have the order, do I dyno it after each purchase??? So confused.
2. When it comes to exhausts, what is the difference from 2-2 and 2-1?
(From what I've picked up, 2-2 has better sounds while 2-1 is more performance gain???) I ultimately want something to sound like a harley while giving me performance gains as well.
3. As for Aircleaners, I can't find anything with raw numbers to tell me which has more gains. Do you all just choose one that looks good? If not, can you point me in the direction of quality?
4. Each topic I've come across in here, "stage 1 kit that, blah blah blah, stage 2 kit this, blah blah blah" What exactly is a stage kit? I've been trying to pin point it, but it seems everyone's stage kits are different???
5. My last question. Can someone explain - Dyno. Power Commander? Are they the same thing? If they are different, what do they essentially do and are both needed?
Thank you for clearing any confusion I may have
Just recently purchased a 2012 Fat Boy Lo. First motorcycle/hd ever!
I've probably scoured these forums high and low just trying to consume as much information and knowledge as possible in anticipation of purchasing my bike. I've got a few questions that maybe some of you might be able to answer? Still a newbie, I'm sure whatever I've learned thus far, or whatever I think I've learned is just the tip of the iceberg. Please do correct/inform me otherwise.1. First question I suppose is the easiest. What's the typical route that the majority of you go when buying upgrades for your bike? Exhaust, then Air Cleaner, then whatever comes after that? Once I have the order, do I dyno it after each purchase??? So confused.
2. When it comes to exhausts, what is the difference from 2-2 and 2-1?
(From what I've picked up, 2-2 has better sounds while 2-1 is more performance gain???) I ultimately want something to sound like a harley while giving me performance gains as well.
3. As for Aircleaners, I can't find anything with raw numbers to tell me which has more gains. Do you all just choose one that looks good? If not, can you point me in the direction of quality?
4. Each topic I've come across in here, "stage 1 kit that, blah blah blah, stage 2 kit this, blah blah blah" What exactly is a stage kit? I've been trying to pin point it, but it seems everyone's stage kits are different???
5. My last question. Can someone explain - Dyno. Power Commander? Are they the same thing? If they are different, what do they essentially do and are both needed?
Thank you for clearing any confusion I may have
1 - Opinions vary, but I take a form follows function approach. Performance begins with upgrading the very restricted air intake, which should include a standard Stage-1 EFI software update installed by the dealer (get this done soon). The new intake is mush less restrictive than the stock intake. The air filter and air filter cover you choose has a much smaller impact than the intake backing plate change.
2 - 2 into 2 is two header pipes each flowing to two tail pipes, usually with a crossover pipe between them somewhere to balance the exhaust flow.
True Duals are two header pipes each flowing their own tail pipe.
2 into 1 is two header pipes merged together some way then flowing to a singe tail pipe. Sound & Looks are all very personal choices, However it is a simple fact that 2 into 1 has the potential to produce better low rpm power than the others. The amount of power may not out weight the looks and sound differences.
3 - HD use to claim 10 more pound feet of torque and 10 more horse power, but it really was about 5 with a Stage-1 A/C and EFI software flash.
4 - Stage 1 is standard the others are as well if you purchase the entire kit from HD. Or you can approximate your own combination of part and you can then say I have a Stage XX installed.
5 - PowerCommander, is an add on box that plugs into your bike to you ir a technician to modify the air/fuel ratio. There are many brands with different features (your will want one). Dyno is short for dynomometer. To truly tune the air/fuel ratio you must subject your bike to the dreaded DYNO. The bike is strapped down to the machine and running with lots a wires connected to computer displays. The rear wheel spins and set of big rollers and from that they can test and map the horsepower and torque.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,250
Likes: 2,344
From: Florida
Hello Ladies and Gents!
Just recently purchased a 2012 Fat Boy Lo. First motorcycle/hd ever! I've probably scoured these forums high and low just trying to consume as much information and knowledge as possible in anticipation of purchasing my bike. I've got a few questions that maybe some of you might be able to answer? Still a newbie, I'm sure whatever I've learned thus far, or whatever I think I've learned is just the tip of the iceberg. Please do correct/inform me otherwise.
1. First question I suppose is the easiest. What's the typical route that the majority of you go when buying upgrades for your bike? Exhaust, then Air Cleaner, then whatever comes after that? Once I have the order, do I dyno it after each purchase??? So confused.
2. When it comes to exhausts, what is the difference from 2-2 and 2-1?
(From what I've picked up, 2-2 has better sounds while 2-1 is more performance gain???) I ultimately want something to sound like a harley while giving me performance gains as well.
3. As for Aircleaners, I can't find anything with raw numbers to tell me which has more gains. Do you all just choose one that looks good? If not, can you point me in the direction of quality?
4. Each topic I've come across in here, "stage 1 kit that, blah blah blah, stage 2 kit this, blah blah blah" What exactly is a stage kit? I've been trying to pin point it, but it seems everyone's stage kits are different???
5. My last question. Can someone explain - Dyno. Power Commander? Are they the same thing? If they are different, what do they essentially do and are both needed?
Thank you for clearing any confusion I may have
Just recently purchased a 2012 Fat Boy Lo. First motorcycle/hd ever!
I've probably scoured these forums high and low just trying to consume as much information and knowledge as possible in anticipation of purchasing my bike. I've got a few questions that maybe some of you might be able to answer? Still a newbie, I'm sure whatever I've learned thus far, or whatever I think I've learned is just the tip of the iceberg. Please do correct/inform me otherwise.1. First question I suppose is the easiest. What's the typical route that the majority of you go when buying upgrades for your bike? Exhaust, then Air Cleaner, then whatever comes after that? Once I have the order, do I dyno it after each purchase??? So confused.
2. When it comes to exhausts, what is the difference from 2-2 and 2-1?
(From what I've picked up, 2-2 has better sounds while 2-1 is more performance gain???) I ultimately want something to sound like a harley while giving me performance gains as well.
3. As for Aircleaners, I can't find anything with raw numbers to tell me which has more gains. Do you all just choose one that looks good? If not, can you point me in the direction of quality?
4. Each topic I've come across in here, "stage 1 kit that, blah blah blah, stage 2 kit this, blah blah blah" What exactly is a stage kit? I've been trying to pin point it, but it seems everyone's stage kits are different???
5. My last question. Can someone explain - Dyno. Power Commander? Are they the same thing? If they are different, what do they essentially do and are both needed?
Thank you for clearing any confusion I may have
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,093
Likes: 52
From: Pt. Jeff Sta. L.I., N.Y.
Get the pipes you like. In reality I don't think you'll tell the difference between the 2 into 1 or 2 into 2 provided you get a good tune. My Lo has Rush slip ons that I bought new on E-Bay for $50. I never planned to keep them but they sound awesome and I felt an immediate difference in power. You can go crazy with all the information here. Just remember to look for facts and not just opinions.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 12
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From: Las Vegas
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,501
Likes: 26
From: Sheboygan,Wi
Welcome to the forum and congrats on your new Lo. Most of your questions have already been answered so I won't add much. Most folk here start with the full stage 1 which is as you already know A/C, Pipes and a Tuner. From this point the sky is the limit. Handlebar and seat changes are common first mods followed by suspension work and painting parts. All up to you in how you want to the bike to look as you create your own look for it. Have fun and ride safe.
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