| Blogs > beyondfantasy3 > Many Perspectives of Attitude |
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Products I've been noticing lately that my bike does not have the power it should (could) have. The more I read, the more I find out, there is methods in the madness of "down tuning these units for extended commercial reasons", some items state they are 'down tuned" for regulatory reasons. But I do wonder if the lobbyist for these industries have not paid to have the standard new sale item regulations lowered, when the allowable regulations seem to support " after market upgrades" which do fit within regulatory guidelines. Seems more like marketing strategy sanctioned by lobbyist based and initiated 'new sale" regulations.. which seem to differ from what is actually allowable in the full scope of regulations. Anyway, what I find is for close to $5K, the bike can be upgraded to have the performance it is capable of producing to demonstrate and be capable of the power performance that matches with the rider expectations based on how the model is marketed. Don't get me wrong, it is actually fast enough for the general roadway conditions, and it is quite fast to be traveling on 2 wheels. I do think for the sake of 'fuel conservation and EPA Mileage ratings, the DE-tuning is probably part of the strategy. I do notice, the bike feels weak after an hour or so of riding over an open roadway. I've read that for "passing other vehicles" plan for a longer time to do so, because of the limited torque produced at various speeds. I do understand the gear ratio, where the lower gears make the feel of power seem more aggressive, but the lower gears tops out very quickly without any additional aggressive pull. One rider told me that when he is riding in Arkansas and pulling the various hills, it would be nice to have the additional (Hp) torque. What I've found is the air flow with the standard set up, restricts the volume of air through to intake and the fuel system is set up to restrict the fuel flow, unless you buy the upgrade kit, and the exhaust system has constricted flow, unless the open flow mufflers are installed to replace the factory type. Even the radio, has to have a $300 upgrade to accept - Ipod, Mp3 players... the upgrade will also allow the phone usage, ( but I don't see a need to talk on the phone or answer it while riding a motorcycle) Even with the Full Dress Fairings, articles seem to indicate if better airflow is desired to the engine to allow it to run cooler, that some parts of the fairing can be removed, or a modified version can be bought. Even the seat cushions will require an upgrade to get the very comfortable types. Harley does have a division where they sell the bikes with (most) upgrades included, but it generally cost $10 thousand upwards, above the cost of the Floor Model of the Standard Touring Bike, The old saying ' You Get What You Pay For", may well be partially true, because often times we get far less than what is advertised, when we considered the performance that is expected but not included. I guess its like buying a car which is advertised to come with 4 tires and wheels, and then you find out, that it's standard rims with hub caps with low quality tires, and not die cast alloy wheels with good high quality rated tires. Equally so: I read an article that the New Porsche, has a list price but Porsche has made so many things as 'Add On", until it will be costly to get a car that has the things desired without buying a long list of upgrades. |
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I drilled some holes in the Muffler, it sounds much "deeper", also drilled some more inlet air holes in the air filer housing cover. I hope I like the extra noise when going down the highway... I can diminish it a bit at cruising speeds by using higher gear once I'm in cruise mode. Although it is not excessive, and only a little above what was standard exhaust sound. The bike normally idles between 900-1000RPM, I don't think it is recommended to be any lower, to insure good oil pressure and good charging to the battery. It certainly feel much more alive.. I think it is breathing better. The Vance and Hines Exhaust Slip On's cost $700-800 upwards, that's a lot of money for Mufflers !!!!! Not much can be done to the bike without doing it right by installing the high expense upgrades. Or Trade it in on a 2014.... But I don't ride it enough to see the benefit in taking on the long term expense.
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Thank you, I will get it done the right way.. 
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Yes, they have the slip on's.... I've looked at a few on the Internet...
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Yes, they have the slip on's.... I've looked at a few on the Internet... I checked the Harley Forum, some have drilled their, and other took the entire baffle out... but a large number of commentators said the end result is; they "change out the muffler" and then they become satisfied with the sound as well as the performance. . I do like the idea you said about the Oil getting to hot and thinning. It uses 20-50 grade... I will have to research brand quality. What do you think about a "racing oil" ??
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I probably won't (personally) tinker with that, but I will have someone to optimize the tuning. I personally don't like a lot of noise, because I like playing my music when I ride.... but I do like enough growl, so I don't hear the sound of the engine mechanical parts.... it is important to have enough sound, to let people know you are there, it become a safety benefit. because with people and the gadgetry in cars, they will cut you off, pull out in front of you and many other things.. I've had someone to pull out in front of me on the other bike... It cost me cracked ribs, scrapes on my arm a broken windshield and a few scratches on the bike. it is not a pleasant feeling, the emergency room bill, was insanely high, along with the ambulance ride, ( I did not have to call them until a couple hours later, I fell asleep at home and woke up, with terrible pains).. I can put up with some noise, if it helps people recognize that I'm present in the roadway. One thing, in the Southern States, they have a lot of "trucks', big ones and small ones, and they throw up rocks and make dips and grooves in the roadway surface in some ares along with other hazards they can pose. I did drill out the other bike, it sounded great, just enough to overcome the sewing machine sound of the engine mechanical parts. I don't do a lot of riding, and here the weather is not the best for it, except about this time of season, through the early and mid fall, some early winter is OK, until it gets cold (nope) and certainly not (no-no) when it is rainy. Then, the other best time is early spring, some pre-spring days are good, but mid summer is definitely not good... it averages 100 degree during the summer for the past three years. I think its a good thing to have for random recreation, but I'm not an everyday rider. I'm just about at 4000 miles on the bike, and I've had it since 2006, its a 2007 model. 
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By the way, we are coming upon "bug season"... when the evening air is filled with "bugs".... I see guys riding bikes without windshields and some ride without a face shield on their helmet... Geez !!!! I'm not into getting slammed and finding bug spatter all over my face   Bugs also cause the need for a lot of "cleaning" to the bike
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Still remember hearing the helmet hit the ground I think people who ride without a helmet simply have no idea of how loud the scraping sound of a helmet against the pavement is. If I'd not had on my helmet half my face if not all of it would be missing, and probably brain damage as well. The pavement is really 'hard'... I fell 'chest first", as if I was slammed into the pavement. It is very painful and very sudden. I have had to slide other bikes into a stop for people pulling out, and once walked off a bike entering the freeway years ago, it was a miracle, because the bike kept going and finally tumbled over. I repaired it, but never rode that particular bike again. I'm very very very very cautious, and very much concerned not to crash, I make the best effort to not take any of those daredevil chances, and certainly I am always concerned about car drivers. I generally like to ride early in the morning, out in the country.. It is very few people on the roadway and the country side is simply beautiful... I get to see cows, horses, and people with vast amounts of land, some well taken care of and some just sitting there unmaintained. I'm amazed at the places they have built roads, as well as the high volume of undeveloped lands there is about the area. The biggest drawback is not having a woman riding with me to share the scenic experiences. I had bought two bikes back in 2006 with a though that I might meet a woman who enjoyed riding, and she could ride one and I ride the other, or she can ride with me. Unfortunately, I did not find a woman that appealed to my desires for a woman.... I gave the other bike to my son this summer. When I moved here I had a beautiful classic 1984 Porsche Carrera, I had envisioned driving it down some of the nice country roads, I did do it a few times, but in 2010 I sold it, ( probably should have kept it)... but some where in time I will get another, it is an amazingly crafted vehicle. I simply don't understand people who talk on the phone excessively and text while driving. I rarely will answer my phone when I'm driving, If I do it is very brief, or I will pull over if the conversation extends. I teach 'Defensive Driving Classes each month, to the employee groups, so it is not like I don't know the true dangers of cell phones and driving.
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