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I've done basically the same thing to every bike I've had. Cam, exhaust, and intake. I don't go crazy on the cam. If it requires head work, it's probably a hotter cam than I need. I've never had any real breakdown problems due to the mods. Those simple mods give me a bike that breathes better, runs better, and does not sacrafice reliability. Every bike I've had suffered from some degree of throttle lag when it was bone stock, and the mods I have eliminate that and make the bike more enjoyable to ride. I don't hot rod my bikes, but I like the improved performance when in passing situations, when merging into traffic, and times like that when I want more instant power and response than a stocker gives me. If you are satisfied with the performance your bike gives you, then why change? I always wanted just a bit more than the stock configuration gave me, so I made modifications to get what I was after.
I am happy with the stage 1 performance and won't add anything else. The only other "performance" mod I may do is the SE comp, but the bike is fine as it is now for me. I am a mellow rider and don't have the $ to spend on performance mods, plus I prefer reliability over performance. Not saying modded bikes are unreliable, I just don't wannt to push it because I would be hard pressed to come up with the $ if I lunched a motor.
Ahhhh.... because........ Hell why not, I would be tinkering on whatever I rode. If stock works for you, thats great....Its alot cheaper route than the one I take. I ride with people who won't even change their own oil and people who build motors. It's whatever you enjoy.
I wanted the reserve power. Got tired of having to go wide-open every time I heard my friends' throttle plates crack open just to keep up with the group.
One of the great things about having a Harley, is you can do with it what you want. For me, my stock 96" is fast, and loud enough. I plan on keeping it for as long as I can so dependability and comfort is is the most important. I might do a stage 1 after the 5yr warranty runs out. Bottom line, to each his own.
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Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
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Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
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Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.