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I have $4,000 to invest in my bike. Would most of you spend it on Engine work (FM 107) for performance along with head pipe and pipes? Or go for looks and put new wheels and tires on, along with apes? I don't wanna loose my reliability as far as the stock 96" on my 2011 FLTRX but i'd love more power. I've done the Arlen Ness big sucker, PC-V, and SE slip ons, but still have the cat. and didn't gain much! I'm up in the air really on which i'd enjoy more. Thanks for the feedback!
Your going to get a lot of opinions so here's mine: If you've got that much cash burning a hole in your pocket spend it on bling (you know what I mean). If your not satisfied with the power after what you've done thus far, a VTwin is not the performance machine you should have bought to begin with. Maybe buying a powerhouse machine (many out there to chose from) for when you have 'the need for speed' is where you should be looking. You have two cylinders and it's only going to perform so much. I had an DWG in my youth that I got so ridiculous trying to speed it up that when it came time to have it emissioned I had to take a day off prepping the bike just to pass. How ridiculous is that? It's your choice and the opinions will vary.
I have $4,000 to invest in my bike. Would most of you spend it on Engine work (FM 107) for performance along with head pipe and pipes? Or go for looks and put new wheels and tires on, along with apes? I don't wanna loose my reliability as far as the stock 96" on my 2011 FLTRX but i'd love more power. I've done the Arlen Ness big sucker, PC-V, and SE slip ons, but still have the cat. and didn't gain much! I'm up in the air really on which i'd enjoy more. Thanks for the feedback!
Engine work for sure,but I don't think i'd do a 107.Maybe a 103, or save a little more, & drop the 120R in!!!
If I had it to do over again I would have started with suspension / controls and moved towards performance. If I were doing the engine now I'd buy the 120R...
Do you ride or pose more, if you are serious about riding, do the engine, if you are more worried about the looks, do the wheels etc, for a few more $$ you can do it all, but only you can decide which is more important to you now.
Your money, your choice. I am doing mine in stages. Last year was stage one. This winter is stretched bags/custom fender, black front end, apes, upgraded audio. Tax returns will turn into new wheels and cam. So by next riding season I'll have a little of both. Most likely next summer will complete my journey with a trip to Fuel Moto for a 107 and then it'll be done.
do the apes and wheels. I have the 103 stage 4 kit with big breather kit and vance and hines HI PO Pro pipe. Its nice but i dint really need it for where i live constantly looking for other routes if i hit traffic. my right leg feels like its on fire if i get caught in traffic. i should have did a set of wheels instead of motor. already have the apes yaffee 12 black monkey's they are great but should have went with 14's but its all up to u and what look your looking for. good luck and safe riding.
I have to say the suspension, apes and highway pegs made the biggest change in my bike...
I have a 107" and my scoot is the quickest of my the crew I ride with.. But speed is not what a touring bike is about. I have a ZX10 if I wanna go fast... I can tell you right now that if you do the motor and then do the shocks / forks you will agree with me.
I did my wheels early on 'cause I got a deal on 'em..
Add some good cams to your current engine set up. Get rid of the cat by cutting it out or buying some good headers. For cams I would recommend S&S 510's or Wood TW-555's, or similar.
Find yourself a good Indy and get a good tune done on your bike. These three things will give your engine all the power that the rest of the drive components will be able to handle without snapping something. And all the power you will probably need/want. It will also make it run cooler.
Next, detachable tour pack, comfortable seat that fits you, and highway pegs. Now you can "go long".
Next, replace all your lights (turn signals too) with some good LED's. Look at Custom Dynamics' website. Now the moron cagers and deer can see you much better and you can see them better.
At this point you are out of cash but your bike is much more powerful, useful, safer, comfortable, more visible and still looks classy and cool. I have never wanted to bling out a bike with chrome and skulls and junk. Just looks tacky to me and does nothing for performance or usefulness. It's all Chinese junk anyway.
To each his/her own.
Last edited by Woollymonster; Sep 24, 2011 at 05:05 PM.
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