When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
The biggest difference is the tune. You're not going to make much, if any more power from an air cleaner, a catless pipe, or mufflers. It's all in the tune. The difference from stock is massive, and those that don't feel that don't have a good tune.
+1...... In fact, you would even notice a difference just leaving all the stock hardware in place and getting a good tune....
PS- The Harley download the dealer will try to sell you is just a tad better than useless, it is NOT a good tune. Most who don't feel a difference are probably running the HD download for their tune...
Last edited by hattitude; May 7, 2016 at 09:25 AM.
After doing 3 stage ones, I personally don't see a big increase in performance. I know a lot of people say they do, but I've concluded that's just a way to justify all of that cash they just spent for a little bit of nothing. That's just me. I just did on my 2015 back in November. Spent a lot less this time cause I researched the hell out of it. Most noticeable thing is the sound and the bike runs a little cooler, but it's all relative. It's not a HUGE difference.
The biggest difference is the tune. You're not going to make much, if any more power from an air cleaner, a catless pipe, or mufflers. It's all in the tune. The difference from stock is massive, and those that don't feel that don't have a good tune.
+1 Air cleaner is a waste on '14up stage 1. Very little performance gain removing cat on stage 1. Biggest gain would be a proper X header, especially if ya plan cams. All ya get changing slip-ons is sound/noise with late model stage 1. Again ya will feel a proper tune.
It's just my opinion. You're all entitled to yours. I'm good with the tuner at this point. It's just not enough difference in my opinion to justify the cost. Now, as someone said here, a good tune on a stock bike makes a difference. Assuming that's the case, then yeah for the price of an Auto Tuner, I would say okay. But after the cost of the pipes, stage 1 breather if you do that (I just did a K&N filter), I just don't feel like its worth the bucks. I have a good solid tune running right now.
To answer your question about the RPM, yeah I've been up around 4,000 to 4,500 at times. If you look at the FuelPak3, you see the various cells and throttle position mappings on the chart. The tuner learns how how the bike is running in those cells and the object is to turn those cells from orange/yellow to green as the tune is optimized in those ranges. So, you really have to get on the bike to optimize the tune at those higher RPMs. Going above 3,000 is unavoidable if you want to optimize the tune. In my normal riding, I go above 3,000 often when I'm playing around and getting on it, but I try to maximize my fuel economy so I don't do it a ton. My bikes running very well right now. This is all just my opinion. Not say'in it's the gospel
Last edited by slowrollin; May 7, 2016 at 08:16 AM.
Living proof there are as many opinions as A*******. You want to de-cat? Bike will run cooler.... and louder. You want to change the OEM muffler? Chances are your bike will be louder. As for your A/C? Your intake will only take in so much air. I agree with the others that recommend a good tune and fuel management system.... with or without the new A/C and tubes.
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.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
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.
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.
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.