New 48
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 860
Likes: 262
From: CA
New 48
I picked up a bone stock 2015 48 sportster (only 1200 mi) about a month ago and have put close to 800 mi on it so far. Having a ball with it and learning a lot.
I am considering future mods... basically a stage 1 (plan on ordering a DK 587 AC ... but not sure about pipes and tuner) ... new seat...
1. I really don't mind the stock mufflers... but maybe a little more rumble at idle and lower rpms... but when cruising I would like them not to be much louder than they are now. Does anyone have slip ons they would suggest that would fulfill this?
2. The bike is quite jerky at lower rpms (particularly 1st)... would a tuner help with this...offer a smoother throttle response? And if so, what tuner would be best?
My goals for this stage 1 would be a little louder rumble at idle and low rpms, smoother throttle response at low rpms (1st gear). The increased horsepower and torque would be nice... but they are secondary. I'm not looking to make it into a drag bike (hp or sound)...
Also, it would be best that any of these mods would be easily reversible if I want to move into another bike. So, if I were to sell, I would like to take the AC, tuner, mufflers off and be able to use on the next bike.
I have done lots of reading and there is so much out there that its hard to draw conclusions what would be best for me. Any help would be appreciated.
I am considering future mods... basically a stage 1 (plan on ordering a DK 587 AC ... but not sure about pipes and tuner) ... new seat...
1. I really don't mind the stock mufflers... but maybe a little more rumble at idle and lower rpms... but when cruising I would like them not to be much louder than they are now. Does anyone have slip ons they would suggest that would fulfill this?
2. The bike is quite jerky at lower rpms (particularly 1st)... would a tuner help with this...offer a smoother throttle response? And if so, what tuner would be best?
My goals for this stage 1 would be a little louder rumble at idle and low rpms, smoother throttle response at low rpms (1st gear). The increased horsepower and torque would be nice... but they are secondary. I'm not looking to make it into a drag bike (hp or sound)...
Also, it would be best that any of these mods would be easily reversible if I want to move into another bike. So, if I were to sell, I would like to take the AC, tuner, mufflers off and be able to use on the next bike.
I have done lots of reading and there is so much out there that its hard to draw conclusions what would be best for me. Any help would be appreciated.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 590
Likes: 201
From: Southern Ontario
Most (if not all) tuners are married to the bike, so you can't just remove it and use it on another one. A tuner / map should smooth it out. V&H Fuel Pack 3s are really popular but they don't have the best reputation on this forum if you do a search. The nice thing about them is you can constantly fine tune the bike using your smart phone and don't need to pay a tech or put it on a dyno.
I have V&H Big Radius. It's really loud (love it) but I don't find it loud at all at higher speeds because of wind noise. With or without loud pipes, I suggest some sort of ear plugs if you ride a lot to save your ears over the long haul. If all you want are slip ons, then I think any aftermarket brand will give you more girth.
A friend of mine has Screaming Eagle slip ones and they sound very similar to stock. At least to me they do, anyways. I personally would not go this route.
I have V&H Big Radius. It's really loud (love it) but I don't find it loud at all at higher speeds because of wind noise. With or without loud pipes, I suggest some sort of ear plugs if you ride a lot to save your ears over the long haul. If all you want are slip ons, then I think any aftermarket brand will give you more girth.
A friend of mine has Screaming Eagle slip ones and they sound very similar to stock. At least to me they do, anyways. I personally would not go this route.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,625
Likes: 349
From: The Biggest Little City, Reno, NV
I think you would be better off with a set of aftermarket slip ons from any of the major makers, just pick what floats your boat.
I really like the V&H FP3. I have always had good luck with them. Also V&H customer service has always been really good when it comes to custom maps.
I really like the V&H FP3. I have always had good luck with them. Also V&H customer service has always been really good when it comes to custom maps.
Last edited by whylee; Dec 27, 2018 at 04:58 PM.
I picked up a bone stock 2015 48 sportster (only 1200 mi) about a month ago and have put close to 800 mi on it so far. Having a ball with it and learning a lot.
I am considering future mods... basically a stage 1 (plan on ordering a DK 587 AC ... but not sure about pipes and tuner) ... new seat...
1. I really don't mind the stock mufflers... but maybe a little more rumble at idle and lower rpms... but when cruising I would like them not to be much louder than they are now. Does anyone have slip ons they would suggest that would fulfill this?
2. The bike is quite jerky at lower rpms (particularly 1st)... would a tuner help with this...offer a smoother throttle response? And if so, what tuner would be best?
My goals for this stage 1 would be a little louder rumble at idle and low rpms, smoother throttle response at low rpms (1st gear). The increased horsepower and torque would be nice... but they are secondary. I'm not looking to make it into a drag bike (hp or sound)...
Also, it would be best that any of these mods would be easily reversible if I want to move into another bike. So, if I were to sell, I would like to take the AC, tuner, mufflers off and be able to use on the next bike.
I have done lots of reading and there is so much out there that its hard to draw conclusions what would be best for me. Any help would be appreciated.
I am considering future mods... basically a stage 1 (plan on ordering a DK 587 AC ... but not sure about pipes and tuner) ... new seat...
1. I really don't mind the stock mufflers... but maybe a little more rumble at idle and lower rpms... but when cruising I would like them not to be much louder than they are now. Does anyone have slip ons they would suggest that would fulfill this?
2. The bike is quite jerky at lower rpms (particularly 1st)... would a tuner help with this...offer a smoother throttle response? And if so, what tuner would be best?
My goals for this stage 1 would be a little louder rumble at idle and low rpms, smoother throttle response at low rpms (1st gear). The increased horsepower and torque would be nice... but they are secondary. I'm not looking to make it into a drag bike (hp or sound)...
Also, it would be best that any of these mods would be easily reversible if I want to move into another bike. So, if I were to sell, I would like to take the AC, tuner, mufflers off and be able to use on the next bike.
I have done lots of reading and there is so much out there that its hard to draw conclusions what would be best for me. Any help would be appreciated.
The lack of smooth running at lower throttle/lower RPM in the Sporty is typical of a too lean tune from the factory. The least expensive way to smooth that out for your '15 Sportster is to use the XL-ViED-14 that you can see at this LINK.
There are other options for tuners that are more expensive, and they will work also. You can see a Report at this LINK on all the popular tuners, with all the pros & cons. But if you are happy with the performance and just want to get rid of the low load low rpm jerkiness, the XL-ViED-14 is the least expensive solution.
If you don't want the exhaust note to be louder when cruising, it is going to be difficult, if not impossible to find a way to make it louder at an idle. Possibly the Screamin' Eagle Slip-on's would do the trick, but they will be louder at cruising too. Everyone's ear is different, so it is really difficult to know without riding a bike with the different exhaust to see what you like. Might try some different test rides of used bikes with different slip-on's at the dealership to see what pleases your ears.
Regarding Stage I upgrades, most all are easily reversible, BUT THEY ARE NOT ALL the same. You read of a lot of guys who say their Stage I produced very little difference/improvement. That is because most Stage I's are not really that great, and they Don't provide much improvement. Take a look at this Report LINK to see the differences in a Stage I, so when you go to spend your hard earned green you do it with components that work well together and actually improve the bike in a perceptible manner.
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 860
Likes: 262
From: CA
But yes its the lugging in first gear thats mainly the issue. In my neighborhood usually have to ride pretty slow and have to feather the cluth in/out and apply throttle when needed to keep from lugging...
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 860
Likes: 262
From: CA
Most (if not all) tuners are married to the bike, so you can't just remove it and use it on another one. A tuner / map should smooth it out. V&H Fuel Pack 3s are really popular but they don't have the best reputation on this forum if you do a search. The nice thing about them is you can constantly fine tune the bike using your smart phone and don't need to pay a tech or put it on a dyno.
I have V&H Big Radius. It's really loud (love it) but I don't find it loud at all at higher speeds because of wind noise. With or without loud pipes, I suggest some sort of ear plugs if you ride a lot to save your ears over the long haul. If all you want are slip ons, then I think any aftermarket brand will give you more girth.
A friend of mine has Screaming Eagle slip ones and they sound very similar to stock. At least to me they do, anyways. I personally would not go this route.
I have V&H Big Radius. It's really loud (love it) but I don't find it loud at all at higher speeds because of wind noise. With or without loud pipes, I suggest some sort of ear plugs if you ride a lot to save your ears over the long haul. If all you want are slip ons, then I think any aftermarket brand will give you more girth.
A friend of mine has Screaming Eagle slip ones and they sound very similar to stock. At least to me they do, anyways. I personally would not go this route.
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 860
Likes: 262
From: CA
Congrats on your "new to you" Sportster!
The lack of smooth running at lower throttle/lower RPM in the Sporty is typical of a too lean tune from the factory. The least expensive way to smooth that out for your '15 Sportster is to use the XL-ViED-14 that you can see at this LINK.
There are other options for tuners that are more expensive, and they will work also. You can see a Report at this LINK on all the popular tuners, with all the pros & cons. But if you are happy with the performance and just want to get rid of the low load low rpm jerkiness, the XL-ViED-14 is the least expensive solution.
If you don't want the exhaust note to be louder when cruising, it is going to be difficult, if not impossible to find a way to make it louder at an idle. Possibly the Screamin' Eagle Slip-on's would do the trick, but they will be louder at cruising too. Everyone's ear is different, so it is really difficult to know without riding a bike with the different exhaust to see what you like. Might try some different test rides of used bikes with different slip-on's at the dealership to see what pleases your ears.
Regarding Stage I upgrades, most all are easily reversible, BUT THEY ARE NOT ALL the same. You read of a lot of guys who say their Stage I produced very little difference/improvement. That is because most Stage I's are not really that great, and they Don't provide much improvement. Take a look at this Report LINK to see the differences in a Stage I, so when you go to spend your hard earned green you do it with components that work well together and actually improve the bike in a perceptible manner.
The lack of smooth running at lower throttle/lower RPM in the Sporty is typical of a too lean tune from the factory. The least expensive way to smooth that out for your '15 Sportster is to use the XL-ViED-14 that you can see at this LINK.
There are other options for tuners that are more expensive, and they will work also. You can see a Report at this LINK on all the popular tuners, with all the pros & cons. But if you are happy with the performance and just want to get rid of the low load low rpm jerkiness, the XL-ViED-14 is the least expensive solution.
If you don't want the exhaust note to be louder when cruising, it is going to be difficult, if not impossible to find a way to make it louder at an idle. Possibly the Screamin' Eagle Slip-on's would do the trick, but they will be louder at cruising too. Everyone's ear is different, so it is really difficult to know without riding a bike with the different exhaust to see what you like. Might try some different test rides of used bikes with different slip-on's at the dealership to see what pleases your ears.
Regarding Stage I upgrades, most all are easily reversible, BUT THEY ARE NOT ALL the same. You read of a lot of guys who say their Stage I produced very little difference/improvement. That is because most Stage I's are not really that great, and they Don't provide much improvement. Take a look at this Report LINK to see the differences in a Stage I, so when you go to spend your hard earned green you do it with components that work well together and actually improve the bike in a perceptible manner.
So far im leaning towards DK 587 bobber AC, FP3 tuner (if i decide to do tuning myself... not sure if auto tune works well... see conflicting reports), and khrome werks 3" hp plus slash tip slip ons (they reportedly provide a deep base tone but not too loud). From my reading it appears that these slip ons provide decent performance gains....
Also, add TTI's
Thoughts?
best
Last edited by cj24; Dec 28, 2018 at 11:38 AM.
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 703
Likes: 19
From:
Might consider rush slip ons I had them of just about every harley I have owned and love them....I use 1.25 baffles in mine....plenty of rumble at idle....and cruise speeds not obmoxious at all....but Im an old man.....I also went the vied-14 route....accomplished what I wanted it to.
I agree on all points. Have concluded that louder pipes is what i want ... just not something too obnoxious.
So far im leaning towards DK 587 bobber AC, FP3 tuner (if i decide to do tuning myself... not sure if auto tune works well... see conflicting reports), and khrome werks 3" hp plus slash tip slip ons (they reportedly provide a deep base tone but not too loud). From my reading it appears that these slip ons provide decent performance gains....
Also, add TTI's
Thoughts?
best
So far im leaning towards DK 587 bobber AC, FP3 tuner (if i decide to do tuning myself... not sure if auto tune works well... see conflicting reports), and khrome werks 3" hp plus slash tip slip ons (they reportedly provide a deep base tone but not too loud). From my reading it appears that these slip ons provide decent performance gains....
Also, add TTI's
Thoughts?
best
With the exception of the disc style slip-on (supertrapp), we have yet to find a slip-on that did not experience a deeper tone and an improvement in low and mid range torque when the TTI's were installed. There are a few slip-ons that will not accept a TTI, but the vast majority will.
Good to read you are planning on a 587. That is a great air cleaner system and I believe you will be well pleased with it.
We see reports, here and there, of folks that are not happy with their FP3. We have had good luck with them and using the auto-tune.
If you are going to do more than a Stage I, I would Not recommend the FP3, in that case you would be much better served using a Power Vision. What a lot of folks do, that makes the most sense, is get a XL-ViED-14 when they do their Stage I, it is not married to the bike and can be resold for 50-70% of the new price. This leaves the door open for them to do more than a Stage I and when they do, they can get a Power Vision.
That said, if you know you will never do more than a Stage I, the FP3 is a step above the XL-ViED-14, and if you like monitoring stuff with your smartphone, it is pretty trick how it does that.