I'm kind of torn between doing a couple things to my bike, so I would like some opinions.

Bike: 2011 Road King Classic

Current Mods:
Fuel Moto 2 - 1 - 2 headers, Jackpot mufflers, Power Vision, SE Air Cleaner

I have been dying to put hard bags on my bike, but now that I have finally saved up for them, I'm torn between Hard Bags and upgrading to the SE255 cams. (I already looked at the 555, but I don't ride a lot in that rev range and want more torque for 2up riding)

Cost would be close to the same (going with take off bags). I did upgrade to the Sundowner seat, so if I went with the hard bags first, how much could I expect to get out of a stock seat and RKC bags? Would I recoup enough to do the cams?

I know the cams aren't terribly expensive, so how difficult is the job? Labor is around $450 here. I've swapped cams on dirt bikes, but for some reason, messing with my baby intimidates the hell out of me.

So - if you only had enough money to do one, would it be cams or hard bags?

 

Choices choices. : ) Isn't modding fun? How often do you use the bags? I'd probably go with the bags if it were me , but then it's your bike and only you know how much you'd enjoy either one. Either way, good luck!

 

If I already had bags I would do the cams then bags later. I am going to do the screaming eagle upgrade kit on my tensioners and while they are in there put new cams.

 

I know the easy fix would be to win the lottery I use the bags constantly. It's pretty much my daily driver unless it's raining or snowing.

I would love to do both, and ultimately one day I would like to also do the hard style touring pack and the wrap around back pad for the wife, and put some lower fairings on for me during the really long (1000+ mile trips), but unfortunately money is tight, so I have to save and do one at a time.

But you know what, I'm glad that my problem is which mod I want to save for and not a choice between making a bike or house payment. I know a lot of unfortunate people that are in that predicament and I count my blessings.

What about pros and cons? Is a cam that much more power? I've never ridden a [road] bike with a cam job. My bike feels pretty good now, but there is no such thing as enough power. Will it kill fuel mileage? I'm actually averaging 48 mpg so I'm pretty happy with that.

The reason for the hard bags is looks, ease of access over the leather bags, lock-ability, and the ability to add more storage with the lid style bags that are available for the hard bags.

 

What would you do then if you already had cams?
His bike already has the new cam chain tensioners.
I'd do the hard bags personally. Stretched from Top Shop.

 

What color is this bike?

 

As much fun as you'll get out the cams, and it will be a nice upgrade, I would still probably go for the bags first. I am not a fan of the leather bags on the RK and hard bags would be a nice aesthetic improvement.

Shakey

 

Agreed. And the cams won't make much of a difference anyway.

 

"vivid black"

 

Thanks for the input - I think you guys just reaffirmed what I was already thinking, but I just needed to hear it from someone else.