103 Heavy Breather
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 165
Likes: 9
From: New York
103 Heavy Breather
Just decided to trade up to a 2013 Road Glide Custom and was thinking of having the dealer put the Heavy Breather on.
I will add American Custom slip-ons because I have them on my Softail and really liked the sound, quality and price.
After looking around I get the impression that the Heavy Breather will not make all that much of a difference in HP, without a tuner and expensive 2 into 1 exhaust.
I put a pc3, se s1 air, and American custom slip-ons on my 88 twin cam and did see a nice little gain, but I do not want to go with the tuner on the new bike right away.
Anyone have any thoughts on whether it is worth the extra $300 or so for the breather if I do not intend to go with the tuner and high priced exhaust?
txs
I will add American Custom slip-ons because I have them on my Softail and really liked the sound, quality and price.
After looking around I get the impression that the Heavy Breather will not make all that much of a difference in HP, without a tuner and expensive 2 into 1 exhaust.
I put a pc3, se s1 air, and American custom slip-ons on my 88 twin cam and did see a nice little gain, but I do not want to go with the tuner on the new bike right away.
Anyone have any thoughts on whether it is worth the extra $300 or so for the breather if I do not intend to go with the tuner and high priced exhaust?
txs
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 32,562
Likes: 2,577
From: Shit Weather USA
To me the hb is all about looks. If anything they give you less numbers when you dyno. The Ness big sucker is the best bang for your buck. They perform great and are easy on your wallet. If looks are the deciding factor go with the SE heavy breather.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 316
Likes: 3
From: Under a bridge
With a stock motor and fuel control, you'll see the exact same results for any of the high flow air filters (brand/model don't matter so choose the one you like). You will get a little boost from your new filter and slip ons. You'd feel a little more (and less heat) if you de-cat your header. The Heavy Breather will make a slight difference but you'll be paying mostly for looks if you don't plan to retune later.
As I'm sure you know, stock bikes are very lean due to EPA restrictions. Increasing the air into and out of the engine further raises your fuel-to air ratio making it more lean. Eventually you'll want to consider doing something to richen your mixture. That can be anything from a Stage 1 dealer download to a tuner of your choice. Tons of info on this forum about it.
I'm a little partial to the Heavy Breather because I really like the look. I did my breather, pipes, and tuner at the same time. That made a substantial change in performance but I dropped serious coin on a full 2:1 exhaust and a Tmax. Your result will be noticeable but not amazing, IMO.
Summary: Go buy the Heavy Breather because it looks cool and $300 is nothing in the deal on a brand new 2013 RGC!
As I'm sure you know, stock bikes are very lean due to EPA restrictions. Increasing the air into and out of the engine further raises your fuel-to air ratio making it more lean. Eventually you'll want to consider doing something to richen your mixture. That can be anything from a Stage 1 dealer download to a tuner of your choice. Tons of info on this forum about it.
I'm a little partial to the Heavy Breather because I really like the look. I did my breather, pipes, and tuner at the same time. That made a substantial change in performance but I dropped serious coin on a full 2:1 exhaust and a Tmax. Your result will be noticeable but not amazing, IMO.
Summary: Go buy the Heavy Breather because it looks cool and $300 is nothing in the deal on a brand new 2013 RGC!
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 771
Likes: 15
From: Cartersville, Georgia
... most any single mod is about looks whether it be an A/C or slip-ons. So, if you like the looks, go for it! Are you really going to notice an increase or loss of a couple of hp or ft-lbs?
Real hp and torque is the culmination of exhaust, heads, cams, etc. and how they all work together.
Real hp and torque is the culmination of exhaust, heads, cams, etc. and how they all work together.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
you would only have a power gain if the exhaust tract is also free flowing. air cleaner by itself won't do much
MOST aftermarket air cleaners potentially will flow more than the motor will demand- the HB is more about looks...but first look behind the stock air cleaner...see the plug and wiring at 7 o'clock?...all that will now be exposed...unless you buy some kind of cover.
some also have an issue with the HB air cleaner and the foot...like me, also pushed the knee out
I use a ness big sucker, with hi flow pipes and Xieds for tuning compensation
mike
MOST aftermarket air cleaners potentially will flow more than the motor will demand- the HB is more about looks...but first look behind the stock air cleaner...see the plug and wiring at 7 o'clock?...all that will now be exposed...unless you buy some kind of cover.
some also have an issue with the HB air cleaner and the foot...like me, also pushed the knee out
I use a ness big sucker, with hi flow pipes and Xieds for tuning compensation
mike
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 165
Likes: 9
From: New York
you would only have a power gain if the exhaust tract is also free flowing. air cleaner by itself won't do much
MOST aftermarket air cleaners potentially will flow more than the motor will demand- the HB is more about looks...but first look behind the stock air cleaner...see the plug and wiring at 7 o'clock?...all that will now be exposed...unless you buy some kind of cover.
some also have an issue with the HB air cleaner and the foot...like me, also pushed the knee out
I use a ness big sucker, with hi flow pipes and Xieds for tuning compensation
mike
MOST aftermarket air cleaners potentially will flow more than the motor will demand- the HB is more about looks...but first look behind the stock air cleaner...see the plug and wiring at 7 o'clock?...all that will now be exposed...unless you buy some kind of cover.
some also have an issue with the HB air cleaner and the foot...like me, also pushed the knee out
I use a ness big sucker, with hi flow pipes and Xieds for tuning compensation
mike
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 330
Likes: 109
From: Humble, Texas
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 590
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
I have a true dual set up with screamin eagle race tuner. I originally had the stock football air cleaner with the shroud removed and bike was tuned. Few seasons later I added the heavy breather and had it tuned again. I could feel a difference in power. Overall, I'm happy with the bit of added performance and looks.
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 165
Likes: 9
From: New York
Anyone running both the PC5 and the Xieds-10?
...any compatibility problems?