Stage 1 for 2017 Freewheeler . . . Worth the cash???

[ZooMan55]

I’d be interested in thoughts on the topic. I picked up my first Harley and it is a Freewheeler 2017. I’ve heard a lot of talk about the stages and just learning about them. I did exhaust, air cleaner and jetting in my last ride which was a 1999 Kawasaki Vulcan Classic. It did run a lot better and stronger, but the 107 on thisbtrike seems like a pretty good puller as is.

Looking for advice please.

[52edub]

The M8 motor reacts very well to HD's stage upgrades and its not that expensive to wake up the motor like it was on the twin cam

[MDO]

I’d be interested in thoughts on the topic. I picked up my first Harley and it is a Freewheeler 2017. I’ve heard a lot of talk about the stages and just learning about them. I did exhaust, air cleaner and jetting in my last ride which was a 1999 Kawasaki Vulcan Classic. It did run a lot better and stronger, but the 107 on thisbtrike seems like a pretty good puller as is.

Looking for advice please.

I have a 2017 FW also & I can tell you what I did in regards to the motor & performance.

The 1st. thing I did was install an external breather system & installed a K&N air filter element in the stock box. The performance boost was noticable. If I had it to do over, I would have gotten an air cleaner from DK Custom Products. I like the stock exhaust, so I left it alone. The other performance upgrade I did was replacing the stock plug wires with Thundervolt 50 wires from DK Customs. They are amazing & really wake up the M8. For heat management, I installed a 1.5" deluxe tank lift & air wing deflectors, both from DK Customs. They together helped cool the M8 & helped with wind buffeting on my FW with a 20" HD windshield. While my tank was off for the plug wire install, I replaced the OEM plugs, but they looked good (2 years use).

The beauty of these upgrades is that they can all be had for well under $500.

Good luck with your ride. I love mine & it's fun to make it your own

[Jack Klarich]

Michael already stated, Get a breather set up to keep the oily oxygen depleted air out of your throttle

See this thread and links from D K Customs

https://www.triketalk.com/forum/threads/47844-***DK-Custom-DIY-Head-Breather-System-Touring-Softail-Dyna-Sportster***

Not to worry as your M8 engine does NOT run lean from the factory

You can easily get away with a complete air cleaner with EBS system with out risk of damage to your engine

I would suggest giving D K a call and discuss the options with them

They are GREAT folks to deal with (662) 252-8828

[Old Road Dog]

Stage 1 ( which I did) will get you maybe 5hp more. Better sound with street canons and more intake air flow( I guess) nothing dramatic. Added the retarded Screaming chicken street tuner for warranty

purposes. Like has been said the best thing for the money is a breather modification. To really see a performance difference you'll need a cam - Stage 2. But to what end? What's the posted speed limit out there, not fast enough to die?

[ZooMan55]

I guess that’s why I am hesitating. I don’t need the speed, as I just putt around anyway. I do like the exhaust note of the V&H Straightshots I put on my Vulcan and the Kuryakyn ram air helped throttle response. But on that carbureted beast I just changed some jets and was all set. With this new one and all the computer stuff, kind of hesitant to do anything to mess up a smooth ride.

Thanks

Stage 1 ( which I did) will get you maybe 5hp more. Better sound with street canons and more intake air flow( I guess) nothing dramatic. Added the retarded Screaming chicken street tuner for warranty

purposes. Like has been said the best thing for the money is a breather modification. To really see a performance difference you'll need a cam - Stage 2. But to what end? What's the posted speed limit out there, not fast enough to die?

[Mcmister]

I did stage 1 to my 2016 FW

Runs cooler, smoother and more power

I’d do it again over and over

[ZooMan55]

Did you have to have it returned after these mods?

I have a 2017 FW also & I can tell you what I did in regards to the motor & performance.

The 1st. thing I did was install an external breather system & installed a K&N air filter element in the stock box. The performance boost was noticable. If I had it to do over, I would have gotten an air cleaner from DK Custom Products. I like the stock exhaust, so I left it alone. The other performance upgrade I did was replacing the stock plug wires with Thundervolt 50 wires from DK Customs. They are amazing & really wake up the M8. For heat management, I installed a 1.5" deluxe tank lift & air wing deflectors, both from DK Customs. They together helped cool the M8 & helped with wind buffeting on my FW with a 20" HD windshield. While my tank was off for the plug wire install, I replaced the OEM plugs, but they looked good (2 years use).

The beauty of these upgrades is that they can all be had for well under $500.

Good luck with your ride. I love mine & it's fun to make it your own

[MDO]

Did you have to have it returned after these mods?

No re-tuning in my case.. The new M8 motor does not run lean from the factory & all the mods I listed gave the motor an immediate and noticeable performance boost with improved cooling.