Harley Davidson - Ride a Living Myth

[LoVel]

I was reading some stuff on a Harley web site and it is amazing the HP gains these people get with pipes.  The bike comes with Between 50 and 70HP and they put a set of pipes on it and dyno tune it(whatever that means) and all the sudden they are running 100 plus hp.  

So this gets me interested in what is the HP on the new Harleys.  On the Harley press release it is posted as N/A.  I assume this means not applicable as in doesn't have any, but let me tell you about my torque.    

I know, I know, Harley bashing but I can't help it.  You don't get a 50 to 100% horsepower increase by adding pipes and tunning the bike.  Maybe the new pipes came on a jap bike.

[motoguy128]

I thought I read the newer HD's are making around 90HP or so.  So not so bad.  Although the gearing is still pretty tall and the bikes are pretty heavy, so its' somewhat relative.  But they do make more than enough power now to get out of their own way.

As for aftermarket pipes.  I think you could see some significant gains.  I think HD is forced to detune the motors somewhat to meet emmissions and noise limits.  Ditching the cat, and noise reducing components, can increase flow.  Add in a super rich fule map and you could have another 10HP or more.


Even with 100HP, a 700+lb HD is still more bark than bite... because it likely has a heck of a lot of bark.  Plus most ridrs don't like to rev the bike out and the gearing is pretty widely spaced, so it seems like there's a lot of noise, but they aren't really going anywhere too fast.

[LoVel]

The bike I was reading about with the 25hp increase was a 2003.  I knew it had about 68hp to start.  I thought the new ones had more.  Kinda why I went to the source to see what they said.  

[chornbe]

I was reading some stuff on a Harley web site and it is amazing the HP gains these people get with pipes.  The bike comes with Between 50 and 70HP and they put a set of pipes on it and dyno tune it(whatever that means) and all the sudden they are running 100 plus hp.  

So this gets me interested in what is the HP on the new Harleys.  On the Harley press release it is posted as N/A.  I assume this means not applicable as in doesn't have any, but let me tell you about my torque.    

I know, I know, Harley bashing but I can't help it.  You don't get a 50 to 100% horsepower increase by adding pipes and tunning the bike.  Maybe the new pipes came on a jap bike.

The 96ci engine is rated at ~92 lbs of torque last I saw. It red lines at about 5800 RPM, I think. Let's call it 5500. I'll have to look. I bounce-rev mine often enough in the first three gears.

Doing the math, assuming the torque curve is consistent...

92 * 5500 / 5252 = 96hp

I don't know that I'd agree with bullshit 25% numbers, but the stock air cleaner is considered pretty restrictive. I put a Screaming Eagle air cleaner, Vance & Hines true duals and a FuelPak on mine trying to get it to run cooler. I lost some feel in the bottom end, but it sure does seem to rev far, far peppier and stronger in the top end. And that's without any "tuning" other than punching in the maps suggested by V&H.

[MK96xj]

Pipes alone will not get you there.

My 94 80ci lowrider was just shy of 100HP after I installed an Andrews cam, installed a 2-1 pipe, did some carb work and lost the restrictive airbox. It would however try to rip you from the saddle right up to the redline every time

[Z50a]

I was reading some stuff on a Harley web site and it is amazing the HP gains these people get with pipes.  The bike comes with Between 50 and 70HP and they put a set of pipes on it and dyno tune it(whatever that means) and all the sudden they are running 100 plus hp.  

So this gets me interested in what is the HP on the new Harleys.  On the Harley press release it is posted as N/A.  I assume this means not applicable as in doesn't have any, but let me tell you about my torque.    

I know, I know, Harley bashing but I can't help it.  You don't get a 50 to 100% horsepower increase by adding pipes and tunning the bike.  Maybe the new pipes came on a jap bike.

Most of the people "claiming" 100 plus hp, did  NOT just do pipes / air cleaner / re-jet or re-map........
On a "Big Twin" that might get you to something close to 80 hp. (if the person knows what the $%#^ they are doing)
A Stock Sportster (883) is 45 - 50 hp (I used to own one..... and did some mods to it)
 
They did probably did something more like:

http://www.zippersperformance.com/catalogue/showproduct.asp?cat=865&prod=1572
http://www.zippersperformance.com/catalogue/showproduct.asp?cat=865&prod=2063
http://www.zippersperformance.com/catalogue/showproduct.asp?cat=862&prod=2201
or
http://www.nrhsperformance.com/ekit8831200.shtml
http://www.nrhsperformance.com/ekitevbt.shtml

[Justin]

That's a lot of work when you could just install one of these and gain 30 HP and 40 Lbs of torque instantly..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PB-PERFORMANCE-CHIP-HONDA-CBR1100XX-EFI-MOTORCYCLE-30_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem53dcf3b63eQQitemZ360189244990QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

[Z50a]

That's a lot of work when you could just install one of these and gain 30 HP and 40 Lbs of torque instantly..
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That's why I sold the bike....., cause adding up the cost of upgrading: Engine, Suspension, Brakes, Tires, Seat .......
I thought; I should just buy a different bike !

[atadaskew]

I dunno, from the subject heading I thought you were going to tell us about a test ride or sumfink...

 

[Kramer]

Hm...I had a 2K Sportster.
Got new high-flow heads, ported, polished, squished (greater compression).  Added high compression pistons, more aggressive cams.   Nice hooker pipe (not open, btw), carb properly tuned, tunable ignition...and STILL didn't break 100hp.  Granted it was a 1200cc motor.
But I'll tell ya what... between the quicker reving.. (for an H-D) and the serious torque, that was one fun bike.  Of course I improved the suspension as well.  As for the brakes and heavy flywheel...well, she didn't stop very well.
Point is, it cost me a lot of $$ to go from 65hp to low 90's hp.

[1KPerDay]

This thread rules. Please continue, by all means.  

[Tombstone]

This thread rules. Please continue, by all means.  

You just don't understand.......Bro.  

 

[1KPerDay]

You just don't understand.......Bro.  

 

I didn't ask.  

[Wilbur]

The 96ci engine is rated at ~92 lbs of torque last I saw. It red lines at about 5800 RPM, I think. Let's call it 5500. I'll have to look. I bounce-rev mine often enough in the first three gears.

Doing the math, assuming the torque curve is consistent...

92 * 5500 / 5252 = 96hp

I don't know that I'd agree with bullshit 25% numbers, but the stock air cleaner is considered pretty restrictive. I put a Screaming Eagle air cleaner, Vance & Hines true duals and a FuelPak on mine trying to get it to run cooler. I lost some feel in the bottom end, but it sure does seem to rev far, far peppier and stronger in the top end. And that's without any "tuning" other than punching in the maps suggested by V&H.

I doubt you'll get peak torque at redline. Check this thread in the HD forums where they are showing peak HP in the mid 60's (at the wheel):

http://hdforums.com/forum/general-harley-davidson-chat/194880-stock-96-twin-cam-hp-and-torque.html

That would probably mean low to mid 80's at the crank.

[county]

.......Bro.  

 

 

[county]

I dunno, from the subject heading I thought you were going to tell us about a test ride or sumfink...

 

Well, I came to bash Harleys and that's not happening either.

[Quickv4]

If you want to get 100HP and 110 Ftlbs stock in a cruiser, get a Victory!

[Rude_Rydah]

Well, I came to bash Harleys and that's not happening either.

Damn this thread.  Isn't Harley bashing to mention that Harley's do not make 100HP.

If the rider wears a 1% patch, you can be sure his steed makes plenty o' horses!

[FBRR]

My last Harley had around 120 at the crank. And 106 at the rear wheel.
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.Of course it was a V-Rod!!

My 88 was properly tuned for power with a pipe and air cleaner only. ( I did the tune using the Harlet race tuner and dyno)
It made 81 HP at the rear wheel. Most stock 96 are not much better as their torque curve ( as someone pointed out peaks higher than an 88 but well below 5252 RPM) A good stock 96 with pipe and aircleaner might make close to 85 but not much more without further engine work.. As a reference my 88 made 74HP Stock before pipe and aircleaner.
One other thing to consider is the 96cu.in. Harleys have a smaller valves than my older 88. ( due to emissions. So they choked off as RPM increases!!)

[mist]

I rode a 2007 Dyna(96ci) and it was shockingly quick out of the hole ...past that no comment.