How to Get More Power From Your Harley Davidson Motorcycle
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How to Get More Power From Your Harley Davidson Motorcycle
How to Get More Power From Your Harley Davidson Motorcycle
How to get More Power?
Visions of Tim the Toolman Taylor come to mind any time I hear the phrase "More Power" and I am sure he would approve of adding power to your Harley Davidson. Harley Davidsons are not one of the most powerful motorcycles on the planet but they do respond pretty well to a few minor modifications.
The most commonly accepted method to gain more power is to perform a Stage 1 upgrade to your Harley Davidson motorcycle. A Stage 1 upgrade consists of some bolt on parts that will improve the breathing of your engine and flow more air through the engine. More air translates to more power so anything you can do to get your engine to flow more air, should translate into more horsepower and more torque.
A Stage 1 upgrade consists of the following bolt on performance upgrades:
Free flowing exhaust pipes. (Full set or Slip On mufflers)
Air Cleaner Upgrade
Carb Rejet or ECM Remap depending on whether it is Fuel Injected or not.
Ignition upgrade if applicable.
Stock Harley Davidson exhaust pipes do not flow that well compared to the performance pipes that are available from companies like Vance and Hines, D&D, Santee and many more. Pipes offer a few other advantages as well. Aftermarket pipes typically "look" better than stock pipes and they sure do SOUND a lot better than factory pipes. So really you get more flow, more sound and better looks out of a set of pipes.
The most piece that is the most restrictive to air flow is the stock Harley Davidson Air Cleaner. It's simply terrible and this is where you will see the biggest gain. Don't agonize over which one is better or which one has more power because on most stock or nearly stock bikes they will all perform just about the same.  I would strongly suggest that you get one that has a K&N Air filter element in it because they flow the best and last the longest from my experience. I would recommend the Arlen Ness Big Sucker or something similar.
The Rejet or remap depends on whether the bike is carb'd or fuel injected. Older bikes will require a simple rejet and newer bikes will have to have a new fuel map flashed into the PCM. The jet kit will come with simply instructions and is very easy to perform. The reflash can be done by the dealer easily enough or you can add a fuel control unit from Vance and Hines or something like the Power Commander unit that will take care of your fuel curve for you.
This might sound like a difficult upgrade but in reality it could be accomplished by an average mechanic in an afternoon with nothing more than basic handtools in most cases. Your bike will look better, sound better and perform better and that is money well spent if you ask me.
If a Stage 1 upgrade is in your future we can help you save money on your Harley Exhaust and if you want to read up on Power Commander Review then check us out. Your Harley Davidson will thank you for it.
