16 Road King
Thread Starter
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Stage I
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Rotterdam, NY
16 Road King
Hi all,
Relatively new to the forum and new to the Road King. Only been riding about 7 years. I just upgraded from an 09 Fatboy to a very gently used 16 Road King. It's pretty much stock, except for the new seat and highway pegs I added. I love the bike, but it sounds like a lawnmower and seems to lack some of that "oompf".
Talking to some friends, they've suggested a "stage 1 upgrade", but I'm not 100% clear on what all that entails.
SO, here's my question. I've saved up about $2,500 specifically for the bike. What upgrades do you all think I should do (keep in mind that I'm a rookie wrench turner and will probably need to pay for installation unless it's super easy)?
Here were my thoughts:
V&H Fuelpak F3 - $399.99
V&H Power Duals (head pipe, i think) - $599.99
V&H Eliminator 400 slip ons - $499.99
Arlen Ness Inverted Deep Cut Air Cleaner - $377.96
Am I on the right track? Should I (do I need to) do all 4? Is there something else I should be looking at?
Any advice would be appreciated!
Relatively new to the forum and new to the Road King. Only been riding about 7 years. I just upgraded from an 09 Fatboy to a very gently used 16 Road King. It's pretty much stock, except for the new seat and highway pegs I added. I love the bike, but it sounds like a lawnmower and seems to lack some of that "oompf".
Talking to some friends, they've suggested a "stage 1 upgrade", but I'm not 100% clear on what all that entails.
SO, here's my question. I've saved up about $2,500 specifically for the bike. What upgrades do you all think I should do (keep in mind that I'm a rookie wrench turner and will probably need to pay for installation unless it's super easy)?
Here were my thoughts:
V&H Fuelpak F3 - $399.99
V&H Power Duals (head pipe, i think) - $599.99
V&H Eliminator 400 slip ons - $499.99
Arlen Ness Inverted Deep Cut Air Cleaner - $377.96
Am I on the right track? Should I (do I need to) do all 4? Is there something else I should be looking at?
Any advice would be appreciated!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 4,452
Likes: 798
From: Bear Flag, lower end
Call Fuel Moto, you can get a package deal from them, with a Power Vision tuner. Or, they also have the best price on a FP3 $339.
https://www.fuelmotousa.com/contact....IMITED%20FLHTK
https://www.fuelmotousa.com/contact....IMITED%20FLHTK
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,686
Likes: 242
From: Glen Mills, PA
Or for a lot less, decat and debaffle, high flow AC and Fl vieds. Less than $500 and she will run cool and sound good. I finally got an FP3 but it was not leaps and bounds better. Unless the $2500 is burning a hole or want the visual upgrade, go for it.
Banned
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 607
Likes: 107
From: Dark Side of the Moon
A change in slip-ons will make your ride sound more like a Harley while keeping everything else stock. The stage I upgrade might net you about 10% more "oomph".
I'm sure others will chime in to suggest better Stage I components. As mentioned, Fuelmoto is a good source to call and their site has some dyno charts of different configs to compare.
I'm sure others will chime in to suggest better Stage I components. As mentioned, Fuelmoto is a good source to call and their site has some dyno charts of different configs to compare.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,449
Likes: 495
From: Port Arthur, Texas
Hi all,
Relatively new to the forum and new to the Road King. Only been riding about 7 years. I just upgraded from an 09 Fatboy to a very gently used 16 Road King. It's pretty much stock, except for the new seat and highway pegs I added. I love the bike, but it sounds like a lawnmower and seems to lack some of that "oompf".
Talking to some friends, they've suggested a "stage 1 upgrade", but I'm not 100% clear on what all that entails.
SO, here's my question. I've saved up about $2,500 specifically for the bike. What upgrades do you all think I should do (keep in mind that I'm a rookie wrench turner and will probably need to pay for installation unless it's super easy)?
Here were my thoughts:
V&H Fuelpak F3 - $399.99
V&H Power Duals (head pipe, i think) - $599.99
V&H Eliminator 400 slip ons - $499.99
Arlen Ness Inverted Deep Cut Air Cleaner - $377.96
Am I on the right track? Should I (do I need to) do all 4? Is there something else I should be looking at?
Any advice would be appreciated!
Relatively new to the forum and new to the Road King. Only been riding about 7 years. I just upgraded from an 09 Fatboy to a very gently used 16 Road King. It's pretty much stock, except for the new seat and highway pegs I added. I love the bike, but it sounds like a lawnmower and seems to lack some of that "oompf".
Talking to some friends, they've suggested a "stage 1 upgrade", but I'm not 100% clear on what all that entails.
SO, here's my question. I've saved up about $2,500 specifically for the bike. What upgrades do you all think I should do (keep in mind that I'm a rookie wrench turner and will probably need to pay for installation unless it's super easy)?
Here were my thoughts:
V&H Fuelpak F3 - $399.99
V&H Power Duals (head pipe, i think) - $599.99
V&H Eliminator 400 slip ons - $499.99
Arlen Ness Inverted Deep Cut Air Cleaner - $377.96
Am I on the right track? Should I (do I need to) do all 4? Is there something else I should be looking at?
Any advice would be appreciated!
Install for a stage 1 is pretty straight forward and can be done in your garage without a lift, a good socket set is all you really need. The hardest part will be getting the old exhaust off and that shouldn't be that bad. Make sure you get some new exhaust gaskets.
Your parts listed are great if that's what looks good to you and will perform well together.
V&H Fuelpak F3 - $399.99 :: This is the tuner portion, remaps the engine for the additional parts
V&H Power Duals (head pipe, i think) - $599.99 :: your stock head pipe has a catalytic converter in it, lots of options and this choice works fine.
V&H Eliminator 400 slip ons - $499.99 :: the slipon mufflers. again, tons of choices with differing sounds.
Arlen Ness Inverted Deep Cut Air Cleaner - $377.96 :: you guessed it, more choices so go for what you like to look at.
If you can, try and get out to a bike night and listen to some exhausts and go from there.
Remember, it's your money so buy what you like
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,899
Likes: 3,412
From: OH
I agree with the fuel moto route. I had power duals on my 09. I was not impressed with them at all. You loose cornering clearance. I smashed in 2 sets of them when they touched down too early. I had one set crack at the x pipe. The both the side transmission bracket and the rear mounting bracket broke and had to be welded. Their mufflers are ok. For headers i would run fuel motos head pipe.
As open as the stock air cleaner is and with stock heads and cams you could get away with just replacing the stock element with a K&N.
As open as the stock air cleaner is and with stock heads and cams you could get away with just replacing the stock element with a K&N.
Last edited by todd-67; Apr 12, 2018 at 05:04 PM.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,994
Likes: 653
From: bklyn,ny
Nothing is better with new pipes and air cleaner than a real tuner(TTS or powervision) and a real dynotune. Give Hillside a call,they’re near Utica.
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 197
Likes: 46
From: Rubidoux ca
I would put a screamin Eagle air cleaner with a thunderheader to in 21 and FP3 fuel tuner you can re map and auto tune the bike and do everything from your phone check trouble codes monitor remapped auto tune re map as many times as you like It's made by Vance & Hines so they are definitely a reputable company that's been around for a long time and on the front line of racing industry You will not notice your bike substantially faster but it will definitely run better by putting more fuel into the system air cooled engines are cooled by FUEL and air .Stage one download from any Harley Davidson dealership must comply with EPA standards you will never get a bike to run As good as it can with an EPA compliant download (Emissions)
Novice
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 24
Likes: 5
From: Ohio
I have a 16 RK, bought it new after having a wide glide. The stock system sounds terrible. I got the V&H Eliminators and I thought (as did everyone I ride with) they sounded great. They sounded "faster", but really probably didn't make that big of a difference.
After a year, I wanted to do a stage 1 and was looking at the VH head pipes and FP3. After months of debate, I went with a stage 1 set up from Fuel Moto. I got their intake, 2-1 road and track jackpot pipes, and a Power Vision tuner. Installed it in my garage in a few hours (multi tasking). I dont remember the exact cost, they were having a deal, but I'd say in the $12-1400 range. You could use the change to do bars or LEDs.
I could not be happier with current set up I have now. The performance is a very noticeable upgrade, they sound and looks are great (imo) and the customer service from Fuel Moto is 2nd to none. I've talked 2 of my buddies into going thru them and they share the same feeling I do.
Just my thoughts....
After a year, I wanted to do a stage 1 and was looking at the VH head pipes and FP3. After months of debate, I went with a stage 1 set up from Fuel Moto. I got their intake, 2-1 road and track jackpot pipes, and a Power Vision tuner. Installed it in my garage in a few hours (multi tasking). I dont remember the exact cost, they were having a deal, but I'd say in the $12-1400 range. You could use the change to do bars or LEDs.
I could not be happier with current set up I have now. The performance is a very noticeable upgrade, they sound and looks are great (imo) and the customer service from Fuel Moto is 2nd to none. I've talked 2 of my buddies into going thru them and they share the same feeling I do.
Just my thoughts....