VS or not to VS....
Thread Starter
|
Stage IV
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Maine
VS or not to VS....
Been working on my first HD... custom build 883. Love the look of a velocity stack but is it worth the spend? I've heard I wont see any performance enhancement on an 883, Is this true?
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 494
Likes: 1
From: Kadena AB Japan
I tried one on, on my 883 kept hitting my knee on it and it was pissing me off. as far as performance, unless you are building a land rocket who really cares (just my personal opinion) If you compare it to stock you may see a slight gain but I dare to say there is no intake out there that you will feel the difference
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
A real (unfiltered) velocity stack is fine if you're only running the bike at a drag strip and plan on frequently rebuilding the motor.
If you're running it on the street and expect the motor to last, you need a filter.
Velocity stacks with a filter typically only have a minimal square surface area of filter media, so the filter is typically either not going to provide good air filtration, or it will provide good filtration while sacrificing performance do to lack of air flow.
There's a reason for size of the ham cam, big sucker, heavy breather, etc. filters, and it relates to the square inches of surface area of the filter media vs air flow.
Your choice
If you're running it on the street and expect the motor to last, you need a filter.
Velocity stacks with a filter typically only have a minimal square surface area of filter media, so the filter is typically either not going to provide good air filtration, or it will provide good filtration while sacrificing performance do to lack of air flow.
There's a reason for size of the ham cam, big sucker, heavy breather, etc. filters, and it relates to the square inches of surface area of the filter media vs air flow.
Your choice
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 168
Likes: 2
From: Bakersfield
had a buddy that had a velocity stack for about a month. It's fine if your just puttin around town. But if you want something you can do some long distance with you need a filter. I got the Arlen Ness Stage II big sucker and love it.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 933
Likes: 7
Depends on your riding environment most, not riding style. In a dry, dusty area, use an air cleaner. In a metro, lake, coastal environment, a VS could be fine for you.
Trending Topics
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
But then when I tore my 93,000 mile motor down for an upgrade last month, the cylinders still looked pristine.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 933
Likes: 7
A lot of people get a little too worked up over running a velocity stack.
Bike motors are pretty durable & generally don't get a ton of miles put on them. Also, we are taking about air cooled, push rod V-twins. These motors are easy to rebuild the top end IF you wear it out from too much debris. A $425 RSD air cleaner + tax cost more than a top end rebuild.
Bike motors are pretty durable & generally don't get a ton of miles put on them. Also, we are taking about air cooled, push rod V-twins. These motors are easy to rebuild the top end IF you wear it out from too much debris. A $425 RSD air cleaner + tax cost more than a top end rebuild.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,070
Likes: 74
From: Los Angeles
It will gunk up the carb. If you're the kind of guy that doesn't mind tinkering around, tearing things apart and cleaning them, okay. But if you're more of a set and forget type of person, uh, uh. I'm running a Hyper-charger on another bike that actually has a K&N inside, the best of both worlds!