SG Power Concerns........
Retired Admin
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 21,865
Likes: 9,046
From: Wisconsin
I have the HD Stage II kit in my SG and I have plenty of power. No, I don't eat crotch rockets for breakfast, but I have lot of low end and midrange torque. I don't care about the top end. I can cruise at 75mph on the superslab and the bike just purrs real purty.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,142
Likes: 7
From: Michigan
The running weight of the Street Glide is actually 2 lbs lighter than the Road King, so not sure i would put much stock in the "weight" issue. As far as aerodynamics goes, i'd think the batwing would be more streamlined than the flattish windshield on the king? My 88" King would touch 100 quite easily stock, and very easily once the cams were done. As has been stated, if you wanna go fast, get a sport bike, or a Vrod, if you want to get there comfortably, ride a bagger.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,622
Likes: 1
From: Topeka, KS
I find that my RKC has plenty of power for me usually but the Ultra is needing more especially when my wife and I are riding 2 up. I'll be doing the Stage one on both of them when I can afford it but I spend most of my time cruising comfortably up to the speed limit and then just staying there.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,447
Likes: 163
From: Northern VA
Now I know that these are not rockets and I've ridden several different bikes over the last year or so. To me it feels like the SG is underpowered on the low and top end. All the bikes I've had, I never had to give it much or any gas as I released the clutch and then my VTX 1300C would run between 115-120 on the top end and the Wing would absolutely scream (always ran out of guts before I ran out of throttle).
I've got to give my SG a pretty good twist to come off a stop and then it bogs down at 100 on the top end. I know the fairing will have something to do with the top end (doesn't seem to hurt the Wing) and I know that it being brand new doesn't help either (just got past the 500 mile mark finally).
Will this improve as it stetches out or am I just going to have to wait on my Stage 1 upgrade?
I've got to give my SG a pretty good twist to come off a stop and then it bogs down at 100 on the top end. I know the fairing will have something to do with the top end (doesn't seem to hurt the Wing) and I know that it being brand new doesn't help either (just got past the 500 mile mark finally).
Will this improve as it stetches out or am I just going to have to wait on my Stage 1 upgrade?
Road Captain
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 642
Likes: 0
From: Haslet, Texas
Wow. I hit 90 on the way to 7-11 to get milk. Different riding styles I geuss..
Seriously tho, lets not turn this thread into a debate about how fast one should be driving his motorcycle. Just answer the mans question.
Yes, your stock tourer is way underpowered, and would probably do a low 14 sec 1/4, maybe high 13.. Which in the motorcycling world is about the same pace as a glacier.
Other bikes you have ridden have 4 valves per cylender and a manafacturer who actually tries to get some power out of the engine. HD deliberately restrict the 96 in a bunch of ways to get you to buy stealing eagle gear. Its part of their buisness plan and it works very well.
Most motorcycle manafacturers use power to sell their bikes, a more powerful bike is more desirable. HD have managed to turn that on its head, making the bike desirable for a bunch of different reasons and getting the customer to pay way more after sale for the power that should come standard. Its brilliant.
The only thing you can do personally about this is not swallow the stealin eagle thing hook line and sinker. dont buy stealing eagle stuff and the moco wont make money off the crappy stock performance of your SG. If everyone did this then maybe, just maybe, they will give the bikes more go from the factory one day.
Seriously tho, lets not turn this thread into a debate about how fast one should be driving his motorcycle. Just answer the mans question.
Yes, your stock tourer is way underpowered, and would probably do a low 14 sec 1/4, maybe high 13.. Which in the motorcycling world is about the same pace as a glacier.
Other bikes you have ridden have 4 valves per cylender and a manafacturer who actually tries to get some power out of the engine. HD deliberately restrict the 96 in a bunch of ways to get you to buy stealing eagle gear. Its part of their buisness plan and it works very well.
Most motorcycle manafacturers use power to sell their bikes, a more powerful bike is more desirable. HD have managed to turn that on its head, making the bike desirable for a bunch of different reasons and getting the customer to pay way more after sale for the power that should come standard. Its brilliant.
The only thing you can do personally about this is not swallow the stealin eagle thing hook line and sinker. dont buy stealing eagle stuff and the moco wont make money off the crappy stock performance of your SG. If everyone did this then maybe, just maybe, they will give the bikes more go from the factory one day.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,661
Likes: 2
From: Monroe, Louisiana
Now I know that these are not rockets and I've ridden several different bikes over the last year or so. To me it feels like the SG is underpowered on the low and top end. All the bikes I've had, I never had to give it much or any gas as I released the clutch and then my VTX 1300C would run between 115-120 on the top end and the Wing would absolutely scream (always ran out of guts before I ran out of throttle).
I've got to give my SG a pretty good twist to come off a stop and then it bogs down at 100 on the top end. I know the fairing will have something to do with the top end (doesn't seem to hurt the Wing) and I know that it being brand new doesn't help either (just got past the 500 mile mark finally).
Will this improve as it stetches out or am I just going to have to wait on my Stage 1 upgrade?
I've got to give my SG a pretty good twist to come off a stop and then it bogs down at 100 on the top end. I know the fairing will have something to do with the top end (doesn't seem to hurt the Wing) and I know that it being brand new doesn't help either (just got past the 500 mile mark finally).
Will this improve as it stetches out or am I just going to have to wait on my Stage 1 upgrade?
Mine takes a little more than I would like to get off the blocks too, especially when it gets hot. It cruises just fine and I don't have a need for speed anymore.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,847
Likes: 6
From: FT Bragg NC
Two weeks ago I had a Ness Big Sucker, Bassani Megaphone Slip-ons, and PC-V installed on my 09 SG. Rode down to Myrtle Beach this weekend. As I was coming back I decided to open it up on a clean stretch of road just to see what she would do. She ran clean up to 115 before I backed off. Seemed like she had more in her. I'll probably never go back up to those numbers
, but "WOW" what a ride.
As far as get up and go from a stop, there's a big difference there also.
, but "WOW" what a ride. As far as get up and go from a stop, there's a big difference there also.
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: NC
09' Stock SG here. Rush slipons, and the other day on the highway, had to get around some cars to make an exit, and crossed 100mph, and still hadn't quit pulling. Plenty fast enough for me, but agree a little more low end and mid torque would be welcome addition. Going to do the PC-V and A/C to along with the slipons and hopefully wake it up a little down low.... We'll see....
"Seeker of Freedom"
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,093
Likes: 2
From: Kansas City Area
I think you didn't do your research before purchasing a bike. Harley doesn't claim to have a fast "sport touring" bike. Harley is marketing "long-haul luxury" touring bike. These are two totally different bikes.