Perfomance Upgrades ... why?
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 48
From: WI
Performance, Performance, Performance. Really never have had any complaints with my stock 88. Can keep up with everyone, can get from 0-60 pretty quick and can get up to like 95 MPH pretty quick too.
Everybody always wants better performance. Why?
I can pass vehicles safely. Engine sounds pretty good, SE pipes.
Never have messed with the engine. Over 55K, still runs great.
Seems like all my friends who have done performance mods, have had serious breakdowns of all sorts. The stock guys just keep humming along. It's like if you put bigger cams in you put more stress on other components like rocker arms, springs, tensioners and such.
Is it really worth the trouble in the long run?
The only drawback that I can see with stock is, I can't make it bark.
Everybody always wants better performance. Why?
I can pass vehicles safely. Engine sounds pretty good, SE pipes.
Never have messed with the engine. Over 55K, still runs great.
Seems like all my friends who have done performance mods, have had serious breakdowns of all sorts. The stock guys just keep humming along. It's like if you put bigger cams in you put more stress on other components like rocker arms, springs, tensioners and such.
Is it really worth the trouble in the long run?
The only drawback that I can see with stock is, I can't make it bark.
Reason # 2 After you ride one that has had some modifications and experience the smile it puts on your face, you never ride a stock one again.
Is it worth it in the long run? Every penny!!
Just Sayin!!!
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 239
Likes: 4
From: Province of Ontario
I did it because it makes the bike more interesting and because I could do it. Each bike is an expression of one's sense of what he/she wants the bike to be. Each bike can be unique no matter how alike it is to another.
Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,067
Likes: 60
From: Chesterfield, VA
Good answers from everyone .... perhaps if I had some extra cash (unlikely) I would do something when it breaks. I'm fairly happy with what I got. Got a lot of "if you haven't done it, you would not understand" answers. Hey, people who have never owned an HD would not understand. So to each his own. Still feel that you lower the reliability factor when you start tearing down a perfectly good engine. Performance enhancers are OK with me though ... it helps the economy.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 559
Likes: 51
From: maine
I have a good riding bud that beat the "I love my stock bike" drum pretty loudly, like you,...... until he twisted the wick on my King that makes 120# TQ 
..... he dumped $7K into his motor this Winter......
Oh.. and as far as reliability goes??? I have had hot rodded Harleys for 25+ years and never had a "reliability" problem..... in fact, the way the stock motors are coming out of the factory now, THEY ARE the realiability problem, (replaced your comp sprocket yet??..LOL) The big motors are so much fun to ride, I would do it even if I had to rebuild them every Winter............
..... he dumped $7K into his motor this Winter...... Oh.. and as far as reliability goes??? I have had hot rodded Harleys for 25+ years and never had a "reliability" problem..... in fact, the way the stock motors are coming out of the factory now, THEY ARE the realiability problem, (replaced your comp sprocket yet??..LOL) The big motors are so much fun to ride, I would do it even if I had to rebuild them every Winter............
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,413
Likes: 17
From: eastern oklahoma
the reason i got my motor built to a stage 3, 103 incher, is because i wanted my streetglide to haul ***, which it certainly does, for a dresser. a few weeks ago i got a Rocket III triumph, and after getting off the rocket and riding my streetglide, my harley feels almost like an underpowered 250 built 20 years ago. that's fine though, i ride my streetglide plenty, and i've had it since new in 08 and plan on keeping it. it's got that comfort, style, and class that nothing but a harley can match. sorta like it's an old friend of mine. set that cruise at 75+, crank up the rock & roll, and find another state line to cross. if i want to scare the hell out of myself, the rocket does that just fine.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 10
From: Oh
Most of the Harleys I have owned have had built motors. The ones I left stock (3, I think) I never had any major problems. The ones I built the motors on I would always be tinkering on something. Now on this one, I decided to just keep the motor stock and just do the stg1 and changed out to the SE comp. I do not plan on changing anything else, no cams, bore jobs, nothing. The bike is so smooth I don't want to mess with it and it has all the power I need. To each his own but, for me I think a stock motor has less problems.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 760
Likes: 6
From: Central Wisconsin
There is no such thing as too much power!!!
As for reliability...my Old Springer is 23 yrs old and most of it's life has been with a 'built' motor. Somewhere around 85,000 miles now.
Haven't owned a 'stock' scooter in 40+ years.
As for reliability...my Old Springer is 23 yrs old and most of it's life has been with a 'built' motor. Somewhere around 85,000 miles now.
Haven't owned a 'stock' scooter in 40+ years.