Upgrade or not
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Stage III
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: North Carloina
Upgrade or not
Little help with your knowledge.
I just bought a new 09 Ultra Classic what do I gain in performance, ect by adding a stage one kit, slip-on and tuneable inigition. Also best slip-on.
My 01 softtail I went all out big bore kit, Vance & Hinds pipes, the works I love the way it ride, runs and sounds. Just trying to figure what if anything I want to do to this one.
All thought and advise are appricated.
I just bought a new 09 Ultra Classic what do I gain in performance, ect by adding a stage one kit, slip-on and tuneable inigition. Also best slip-on.
My 01 softtail I went all out big bore kit, Vance & Hinds pipes, the works I love the way it ride, runs and sounds. Just trying to figure what if anything I want to do to this one.
All thought and advise are appricated.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
Uh???????
You got to figure that out for yourself. Why did you do what you did to the previous bike? Well after you ride this one a little while - You will know If you need to make any performance modifications so you can enjoy the bike - Who knows you might just like it just the way it is
Find out what you feel is "wrong" with it before you start trying to "Fix" it the way you want it - It may already be everything you want.
UD
You got to figure that out for yourself. Why did you do what you did to the previous bike? Well after you ride this one a little while - You will know If you need to make any performance modifications so you can enjoy the bike - Who knows you might just like it just the way it is
Find out what you feel is "wrong" with it before you start trying to "Fix" it the way you want it - It may already be everything you want.
UD
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Little help with your knowledge.
I just bought a new 09 Ultra Classic what do I gain in performance, ect by adding a stage one kit, slip-on and tuneable inigition. Also best slip-on.
My 01 softtail I went all out big bore kit, Vance & Hinds pipes, the works I love the way it ride, runs and sounds. Just trying to figure what if anything I want to do to this one.
All thought and advise are appricated.
I just bought a new 09 Ultra Classic what do I gain in performance, ect by adding a stage one kit, slip-on and tuneable inigition. Also best slip-on.
My 01 softtail I went all out big bore kit, Vance & Hinds pipes, the works I love the way it ride, runs and sounds. Just trying to figure what if anything I want to do to this one.
All thought and advise are appricated.
BB kit: Overpriced for the gains you get, IMO. Invasive. Must replace pistons and cylinders.
Cam upgrade: Good for moderate gains, but finding the cams that provide the right performance profile is daunting.
Stage 1: Much to choose from here, among them some great bang-for-the-buck options. IMO the best of the lot and probably the best performance gain for the money may be Fuel Moto's Power Package (PCV, AC, and Jackpot mufflers) for about $670, and doesn't require a dyno tune. Excellent performance, sound, and price with this package.
Among the worst is HD's $150 Stage 1 "download," which provides no tunability for the owner, relatively small performance gains, and only upgrades to EPA specs when a free-flowing AC and mufflers are added. Also dubious are IEDs (or XIED) at ~$125, which by itself will add only some extra cooling in the cruise range and is only appropriate for stock bikes (i.e. no AC upgrade), but will provide no ability to tune.
SEST and TTS are other EFI controllers that provide great tunability in the right hands, but usually require a dyno-tune. Cost for the software and a tune is about the same as the Fuel Moto Power Package, and with SEST and TTS you don't get mufflers and AC. There are several other EFI controllers out there, too.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,925
Likes: 5
From:
Cams are tough, you may find ones that give you great low rpm range, but not so great mid or upper, or vice versa. Try it like it is, then stage 1 if you want a little more power, than go from there.
Good luck with your decision.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,328
Likes: 15
From: Pacific Northwest
You're getting answers to a lot of questions you didn't ask. I don't have any answers either but you should recognize that the '09's haven't been out too long and there aren't many options yet. You may want to wait a little bit before you start spending - wish I had on my '06 Streeter 'cause I ended up doubling up on parts (tuners,etc.) before I was happy. Good luck with your new bike.
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
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Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
Being retired MONEY ain't like it used to be, I want to try to do anything right the FIRST time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Club Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,481
Likes: 4
From: Georgia
I put 1000 + miles on my Road King Classic and I really like the sound of the stock mufflers since they broke in. I know a lot of guys put on slip ons before delivery but this set sounds pretty good to me. YMMV
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Uniondog is right that you should ride the bike a while before deciding, as you may like the performance well enough to do only minimal changes. The TC96 is a reasonable performer in stock form, and most just do "Stage 1"-type changes like slip-ons, AC, and and EFI controller. Here are some ideas, FWIW:
BB kit: Overpriced for the gains you get, IMO. Invasive. Must replace pistons and cylinders.
Cam upgrade: Good for moderate gains, but finding the cams that provide the right performance profile is daunting.
Stage 1: Much to choose from here, among them some great bang-for-the-buck options. IMO the best of the lot and probably the best performance gain for the money may be Fuel Moto's Power Package (PCV, AC, and Jackpot mufflers) for about $670, and doesn't require a dyno tune. Excellent performance, sound, and price with this package.
Among the worst is HD's $150 Stage 1 "download," which provides no tunability for the owner, relatively small performance gains, and only upgrades to EPA specs when a free-flowing AC and mufflers are added. Also dubious are IEDs (or XIED) at ~$125, which by itself will add only some extra cooling in the cruise range and is only appropriate for stock bikes (i.e. no AC upgrade), but will provide no ability to tune.
SEST and TTS are other EFI controllers that provide great tunability in the right hands, but usually require a dyno-tune. Cost for the software and a tune is about the same as the Fuel Moto Power Package, and with SEST and TTS you don't get mufflers and AC. There are several other EFI controllers out there, too.
BB kit: Overpriced for the gains you get, IMO. Invasive. Must replace pistons and cylinders.
Cam upgrade: Good for moderate gains, but finding the cams that provide the right performance profile is daunting.
Stage 1: Much to choose from here, among them some great bang-for-the-buck options. IMO the best of the lot and probably the best performance gain for the money may be Fuel Moto's Power Package (PCV, AC, and Jackpot mufflers) for about $670, and doesn't require a dyno tune. Excellent performance, sound, and price with this package.
Among the worst is HD's $150 Stage 1 "download," which provides no tunability for the owner, relatively small performance gains, and only upgrades to EPA specs when a free-flowing AC and mufflers are added. Also dubious are IEDs (or XIED) at ~$125, which by itself will add only some extra cooling in the cruise range and is only appropriate for stock bikes (i.e. no AC upgrade), but will provide no ability to tune.
SEST and TTS are other EFI controllers that provide great tunability in the right hands, but usually require a dyno-tune. Cost for the software and a tune is about the same as the Fuel Moto Power Package, and with SEST and TTS you don't get mufflers and AC. There are several other EFI controllers out there, too.