SG Power Concerns........
SG Power Concerns........
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?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,741
Likes: 45
From: Indian Land, SC
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?
I got a V-Rod for sale......These are touring bikes, not street racers....Enjoy the ride.....
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,639
Likes: 2
From: Australia
Your 96 is making about 70hp. She should do 105, maybe 110 stock. My king would do about 110 stock. From memory it would do that in 5th and then slow down to about 100-105 in 6th.
Grab an S&S catologue. If you are used to having a 120+ top end "stage one" aint gonna cut it....
They can be a rocket if you want, trust me, it just takes a bit of $$$$.
Grab an S&S catologue. If you are used to having a 120+ top end "stage one" aint gonna cut it....
They can be a rocket if you want, trust me, it just takes a bit of $$$$.
Last edited by kingkingking; May 28, 2009 at 03:22 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Overland Park, KS
Stage 1 is a wast of time and money. I put a PCIII and a SE 204 cam with V & H tru duals and picked up 14 HP and 18 Tq. Didn't have to remove the heads because we cut the stock push rods and replaced with adjustable ones. Cam replacement was done for under $500.00
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
I too am struggling a bit from the lack of power with my SG. I have 1300 miles on it now and No, it didn't change from 500 miles. I agree that take off requires to much RPMs for what it should do. I was just to just letting the clutch out on my 02 RKC and going without any complaints from the engine. I get a loud knocking if I do that on the 09.
My 02 RKC with a Stage 1 seem to have more power in all the ranges, so I'm thinking Stage 1 for the SG as well now that I am past 1000 miles.
Beary
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,639
Likes: 2
From: Australia
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.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,881
Likes: 7
From: North Georgia
No concerns for me. My new SG is plenty fast, and often I catch myself enjoying the "tunes" and finding myself 5 mph under the limit. It's all about comfort and style.
The new frames (and tires too) transfer the torque real smooth. There are interstate ramp entries where I am already doing 70 mph, thinking I am going much slower.
If ya want those speeds, maybe a GW is in your future. LOL
The new frames (and tires too) transfer the torque real smooth. There are interstate ramp entries where I am already doing 70 mph, thinking I am going much slower.
If ya want those speeds, maybe a GW is in your future. LOL
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: NH
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 Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 829
Likes: 12
From: Central Texas
