Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Does anyone use the Arlen Ness big sucker II

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 2, 2009 | 05:53 PM
  #1  
Micheletti's Avatar
Micheletti
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 84
Likes: 1
From: Pearland, Texas
Default Does anyone use the Arlen Ness big sucker II

I have an 08 Nightster with the stage I S/E. I want to know if anyone uses the Arlen Ness stage II big sucker? I bought an 8" round air filter cover (plate really), that I had to have so, I now need a 8" air filter to use it and that is what the big sucker II is. I wonder if it is to much for my bike? The way I was thinking was that the bike can only allow so much air in no matter what kind of filter I am using.

What I am asking is can I run the Big Sucker stage II on my bike?
 
Reply
Old Jun 2, 2009 | 06:13 PM
  #2  
racinorange's Avatar
racinorange
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 180
Likes: 2
From:
Default

I just ordered mine. when I asked weather or not I should use the stage one or two, they told me that the stage two was for bikes with heavy engine mods...(head work, carb, cam, etc.).
 
Reply
Old Jun 2, 2009 | 06:57 PM
  #3  
Micheletti's Avatar
Micheletti
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 84
Likes: 1
From: Pearland, Texas
Default

Well, I talked to them too. He told me the same thing, that it is made for bikes that have engine work. When I told the guy at Arlen Ness that I wanted it so I can use the
8" air cleaner cover I bought, he acted like it wouldn't hurt to use the stage II because the motor would only use the air it could accept anyways. I realize that my bike won't utilize all the air the stage II can give. I just want a 8'' filter to use my 8" cover. So the question isn't do I need it. It is will my bike run O.K. with it.
 
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2009 | 06:02 AM
  #4  
xFreebirdx's Avatar
xFreebirdx
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 38
From: Landrum, SC , elevation 986'
Default

You can use the BS II.
I used it on my stock 883 and I still use it with my built motor/
 
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2009 | 06:51 AM
  #5  
crazytrain69's Avatar
crazytrain69
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 681
Likes: 1
From: Washington
Default

I don't think it will hurt anything. like you said the bike is only going to use the air it needs. so grab it and put it on.
 
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2009 | 06:55 AM
  #6  
WVHogRider's Avatar
WVHogRider
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,525
Likes: 8
From: Wheeling, WV
Default

Yes, you can use the BS II, but you might need to do a new download/remap.
 
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2009 | 08:58 AM
  #7  
Micheletti's Avatar
Micheletti
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 84
Likes: 1
From: Pearland, Texas
Default

Thanks, for the replies!!!!!!!! Does anyone know if you can get to forward controls with the big sucker II on.
 
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2009 | 09:06 AM
  #8  
xFreebirdx's Avatar
xFreebirdx
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 38
From: Landrum, SC , elevation 986'
Default

I say it'll be a bitch. Maybe these pics will help.



 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 3, 2009 | 09:18 AM
  #9  
Micheletti's Avatar
Micheletti
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 84
Likes: 1
From: Pearland, Texas
Default

Freebird,

Thanks for the pics. I think you maybe right.
 
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2009 | 09:29 AM
  #10  
xFreebirdx's Avatar
xFreebirdx
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 38
From: Landrum, SC , elevation 986'
Default

I should add that I'm 5' 9" and don't have a problem putting myfoot on the front peg. But my foot does have to hug the outside of the peg to stay off the cleaner.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:31 PM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE