Harleys are slow
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 852
Likes: 54
From: Dallas tx
I'll speak for myself here. mine is a slug. probably could lose to a camry. unfortunately i'm still living by the mantra "never tear down a running bike". intake, exhaust, and fuelpak just didn't do squat for me. maybe a professional tune will wake the bike up with what i have, or maybe i should just pick up a different fuel/air tuner like the commander or vision. maybe once i get deep in the mileage i'll open up the chest and start the surgery. maybe i'll sell it and just keep driving the mustang around town. 6mpg at a time...
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 93
Likes: 1
From: Fort Worth
It's something to know before getting into a motorcycle. Slow or slug is relative to the person. If you are doing 75 in the left lane, you are driving slow (my opinion) others may think different.
Making a bike/vehicle go "faster" (top speed or acceleration) is always going to cost money, especially when a vehicle wasn't designed to go "faster"
Making a bike/vehicle go "faster" (top speed or acceleration) is always going to cost money, especially when a vehicle wasn't designed to go "faster"
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 93
Likes: 1
From: Fort Worth
It's something to know before getting into a motorcycle. Slow or slug is relative to the person. If you are doing 75 in the left lane, you are driving slow (my opinion) others may think different.
Making a bike/vehicle go "faster" (top speed or acceleration) is always going to cost money, especially when a vehicle wasn't designed to go "faster"
Making a bike/vehicle go "faster" (top speed or acceleration) is always going to cost money, especially when a vehicle wasn't designed to go "faster"
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,492
Likes: 19
From: Illinois
It's always been about performance to me, even over cosmetics. Not so much for speed but for precision, making sure I do mods and use parts that compliment 1 another, getting the most of what I have and have it running at it's peak.
Now I may catch poop for this but again, it's not all about speed. I honestly don't know how fast my bike will go now. I don't race it, in fact, I just cruise on it. I always see show bikes who have no, zero performance upgrades. It's all about looks and cosmetics. A GREAT show bike, to me, always starts with the power train.
There may be those who don't care for the looks of my bike but I can assure you that if you rode it you would love it! It's just my guess but if your bike is running that sluggish, something is wrong. I would start out by talking to a mechanic and a GOOD tuner. Good luck.
Now I may catch poop for this but again, it's not all about speed. I honestly don't know how fast my bike will go now. I don't race it, in fact, I just cruise on it. I always see show bikes who have no, zero performance upgrades. It's all about looks and cosmetics. A GREAT show bike, to me, always starts with the power train.
There may be those who don't care for the looks of my bike but I can assure you that if you rode it you would love it! It's just my guess but if your bike is running that sluggish, something is wrong. I would start out by talking to a mechanic and a GOOD tuner. Good luck.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 784
Likes: 10
From: SE Pennsylvania
Also, we lose sight of the fact that our current production Harleys are bigger, faster, and have more power than the older 88TCs, even after significant $$ went into modifying them. Personally, I find that mine has plenty of power for what I need it for, and for what the bike is designed to be. There are plenty of other cool bikes out there that can pick up the power range beyond the Harley Davidson.
Tourer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 373
Likes: 1
From: WI
Agreed on 88TCs. Fast is fine, but really most of the bikes today have evolved way beyond the abilities of nearly all riders. Sportsbike dealers tend to laugh at the chicken strips they see--peeps buy them and then never use them in the twisties. Just run around town in straight line doing wheelies. To each their own, but pretty much a waste of the bike.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 27,229
Likes: 31,590
From: Florida
Also, we lose sight of the fact that our current production Harleys are bigger, faster, and have more power than the older 88TCs, even after significant $$ went into modifying them. Personally, I find that mine has plenty of power for what I need it for, and for what the bike is designed to be. There are plenty of other cool bikes out there that can pick up the power range beyond the Harley Davidson.
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Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
no matter how much you spend they'll always be something to beat ya..
If you want more you just have to pay the Harley TAX like the rest of us did for a better running engine..
An simple bolt in cam, a good F/M system and a good tune will wake her up enough that most people are happy with just those mods...
I did my engine mods to make her last longer by running cooler, running better, increase TQ by 15-20% and get better fuel mileage..
And the Pipes, SE A/C, Sert tuner, Cams and a good Dyno along with Syn oils did just that...
..
If you want more you just have to pay the Harley TAX like the rest of us did for a better running engine..
An simple bolt in cam, a good F/M system and a good tune will wake her up enough that most people are happy with just those mods...
I did my engine mods to make her last longer by running cooler, running better, increase TQ by 15-20% and get better fuel mileage..
And the Pipes, SE A/C, Sert tuner, Cams and a good Dyno along with Syn oils did just that...
..
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
no matter how much you spend they'll always be something to beat ya..
If you want more you just have to pay the Harley TAX like the rest of us did for a better running engine..
An simple bolt in cam, a good F/M system and a good tune will wake her up enough that most people are happy with just those mods...
I did my engine mods to make her last longer by running cooler, running better, increase TQ by 15-20% and get better fuel mileage..
And the Pipes, SE A/C, Sert tuner, Cams and a good Dyno along with Syn oils did just that...
..
If you want more you just have to pay the Harley TAX like the rest of us did for a better running engine..
An simple bolt in cam, a good F/M system and a good tune will wake her up enough that most people are happy with just those mods...
I did my engine mods to make her last longer by running cooler, running better, increase TQ by 15-20% and get better fuel mileage..
And the Pipes, SE A/C, Sert tuner, Cams and a good Dyno along with Syn oils did just that...
..
