How do i get more top end cruising speed?

[hdruss]

my M8 freewheeler let me down and almost got me killed! I was cruising the Interstate at 80 and got boxed in by 2 semi's in my lane and 1 in the passing lane. Naively I thought that I could roll on some throttle and get safely out of the situation. But when i did it was like the trike hit a wall and I had no more power to pass or change lanes. By this time I was doing 90 and the semi's were gaining on me fast. I really appreciate how much that HD has improved their brakes and how stable the trike is as I got away unscathed.But ever since I have been searching for answers on how to go faster with more rollon power at expressway/Interstate speeds. The dealer is trying to sell me a stage 3 kit to increase displacement to 114" but in my mind I don't understand how this will get me what I want.I'm thinking I need a cam with longer duration and replace the screaming Eagle Street tuner with a different one more suited to my riding style.

I'm a rider not a mechanic so I need people who are technically savy to give me their advice and recommendations!!

Russ

 

[1dn5up]

80 ya say, I’d gradually slow down and let them all go on there way. Then again I wasn’t in your situation to begin with. If the 18 wheelers were boxing ya in , then that’s another issue. :fighting0036:

 

[peteg59]

My $0.02:

"Theres no replacement for displacement" but the increased HP can stress out other components in your drivetrain.

If you have a need for speed, research your choice(s) for added mods before spending $$ only to find you need an additional this or that to keep it going, while also remaining reliable for everyday road use...

 

[PosseRider]

80 ya say, I’d gradually slow down and let them all go on there way. Then again I wasn’t in your situation to begin with. If the 18 wheelers were boxing ya in , then that’s another issue. :fighting0036:

I agree, Why try to outrun them ??? Slow down a bit & they will go on.

 

[Ronbo]

my M8 freewheeler let me down and almost got me killed! I was cruising the Interstate at 80 and got boxed in by 2 semi's in my lane and 1 in the passing lane. Naively I thought that I could roll on some throttle and get safely out of the situation. But when i did it was like the trike hit a wall and I had no more power to pass or change lanes. By this time I was doing 90 and the semi's were gaining on me fast. I really appreciate how much that HD has improved their brakes and how stable the trike is as I got away unscathed.But ever since I have been searching for answers on how to go faster with more rollon power at expressway/Interstate speeds. The dealer is trying to sell me a stage 3 kit to increase displacement to 114" but in my mind I don't understand how this will get me what I want.I'm thinking I need a cam with longer duration and replace the screaming Eagle Street tuner with a different one more suited to my riding style.

I'm a rider not a mechanic so I need people who are technically savy to give me their advice and recommendations!!

Russ

Hey Russ, I feel your pain. My 107 freewheeler takes 5 seconds to get from 80 to 90 and even longer to get from 90 to 100, which can feel like a life time. Doing 90 puts you right at 4,400 RPMs in 5th so your torque is dropping fast and the HP is climbing slow on a stock engine. You didn't mention what you've done to your engine other than the HD tuner, but it sounds like you probably have done the SE air cleaner and SE slip-ons which is where I'm at other than I went all aftermarket.

My next step will a torque cam (woods 22x) which holds pretty flat until around 5,000 RPM, but you've still got an 1,100 lbs bike. I would think a 114 would make much more of an improvement over just a cam (assuming you've already done the pipes and A/C) but I've got to stop $$$ somewhere. The new 19 freewheelers have the 114 so I don't think you have any worries about putting extra stress on bike etc if you do go that way. Ron

 

[RatRodMan]

Add one of these.......and hold on tight!!!

https://www.fuelmotousa.com/i-23897230-fuel-moto-124-street-outlaw-engine.html#!year%3D2014%7C%7Cmake%3DHARLEY-DAVIDSON%7C%7Cmodel%3DTOURING%20ELECTRA%20GLIDE%20ULTRA%20LIMITED%20FLHTK

RRM

 

[hdruss]

The only mods I had done before the incident was Cobra Triglide slipons and a SE air cleaner. Top speed I discovered was 96 MPH in both 5th and 6th gear.

After the incident ( and yes I was boxed in in the right lane with a semi coming up fast on my rear and a semi haulin ass in the left lane) the dealer convinced me to put in a Torque cam and it now beaks the ton but just barely.

With Interstate speeds regularly posted in the 70 -75 MPH range, traffic runs +5 to +10 MPH faster and I find myself running 80 to blend in. I just want more top end passing power and everyone I talk to has a different opinion and I'm confused.

That's why I came to the forum to find out if anyone else has found a solution. - Russ

 

[Trampas]

I would just slow down, no use trying to outrun them which don't make sense to me, drive the speed limit, nobody says you have to go over the speed limit, stay in right lane and let all those semi's pass you, there will be times that you can go 80 if you wish, just don't play with the semi's, the outcome won't be good if you know what I mean. You can do whatever to your trike, sounds like you already have, but it still only going to go so fast at top end, if you want top end speed, then you have to change the gearing on it and then basically you lose low end grunt, I think, I'm not a mechanic but this sound logical to me, I might be wrong, just remember DON'T play with semi's.

All for now Trampas

 

[Papa Zook]

Russ, I have to agree with the others here. Nothing short of doing a motor swap to a 124 would have helped you in the dangerous situation you described above. Are there mods that will give you a slight improvement in acceleration...Yep there are several, but non that would have made enough difference to matter in that situation, so just know that even if your spend a couple of grand on gaining a few HP and some torque, it will not keep you safe in a similar situation.

 

[Ronbo]

Add one of these.......and hold on tight!!!

https://www.fuelmotousa.com/i-23897230-fuel-moto-124-street-outlaw-engine.html#!year%3D2014%7C%7Cmake%3DHARLEY-DAVIDSON%7C%7Cmodel%3DTOURING%20ELECTRA%20GLIDE%20ULTRA%20LIMITED%20FLHTK

RRM

That would be awesome... you got an extra $6k you can send me? :Santa:

 

[Ronbo]

The only mods I had done before the incident was Cobra Triglide slipons and a SE air cleaner. Top speed I discovered was 96 MPH in both 5th and 6th gear.

After the incident ( and yes I was boxed in in the right lane with a semi coming up fast on my rear and a semi haulin ass in the left lane) the dealer convinced me to put in a Torque cam and it now beaks the ton but just barely.

With Interstate speeds regularly posted in the 70 -75 MPH range, traffic runs +5 to +10 MPH faster and I find myself running 80 to blend in. I just want more top end passing power and everyone I talk to has a different opinion and I'm confused.

That's why I came to the forum to find out if anyone else has found a solution. - Russ

Russ, the top speed of my 107 FW is certainly over 110 mph so if you can't get over 96 something doesn't seem right (95 in 6th is only 4.8k rpm). My current rev limit is set to 6.2k. Do you have batwings or a super tall windshield? Are you using 93 oct gas? (just making sure we're talking apples to apples). I think everyone is pretty much right about the real solution being a bigger engine, but I think you could find a less expensive solution that would remove a lot of your frustration (top speed of 95 would bother the heck out of me too).

If you're not going to go with the 114 upgrade, I would start with a power vision tuner (fuelmoto has some of the best deals). You can easily install it yourself and the free mounting kit works perfect on my FW. They will send with a tune for your specific bike. Ride it and see how you like it. It may remove some restrictions Harley has in their tuner). Then do an aftermarket cam that focuses more on the high end of the rpm range (check out https://university.fuelmotousa.com/article/h-d-milwaukee-eight-107-camshaft-shootout/ to start with). FuelMoto will send you a new tune for cam at no charge. I would go to a dealer that can dyno a trike to have it installed. Since you're looking at the higher rpm range you may want to read up more on the air flow of your SE A/C you have, not sure how it compares to ness big sucker or heavy breather but SE is always going to be on the low end of performance.

Or you could always trade yours in on a new 19 with the 114 and get the performance upgrade added right on the showroom floor. Supposedly has even has better brakes than the 17s! ... just in case you run into a couple of really fast 18 wheelers.

Ron

 

[DK Custom Products]

my M8 freewheeler let me down and almost got me killed! I was cruising the Interstate at 80 and got boxed in by 2 semi's in my lane and 1 in the passing lane. Naively I thought that I could roll on some throttle and get safely out of the situation. But when i did it was like the trike hit a wall and I had no more power to pass or change lanes. By this time I was doing 90 and the semi's were gaining on me fast. I really appreciate how much that HD has improved their brakes and how stable the trike is as I got away unscathed.But ever since I have been searching for answers on how to go faster with more rollon power at expressway/Interstate speeds. The dealer is trying to sell me a stage 3 kit to increase displacement to 114" but in my mind I don't understand how this will get me what I want.I'm thinking I need a cam with longer duration and replace the screaming Eagle Street tuner with a different one more suited to my riding style.

I'm a rider not a mechanic so I need people who are technically savy to give me their advice and recommendations!!

Russ

Hi Russ,

Glad you got out alive. Hate it when semi drivers do that...since they know how brakes work (and don't work), they know better than the typical driver how dangerous it is.

I try and avoid situations like that, even if it means slowing down, but sometimes one finds themselves needing to accelerate from 80.

Unfortunately the trikes really start suffering from the wind resistance in the 80-90 mph area. It takes a tremendous amount of power to overcome it.

That said, they can definitely be made zippier with some proper work.

It sounds like you got the cam installed and gained a bit, but you can gain even more by having that cam upgrade built on a better foundation.

We see it all the time...mediocre performance made better by expensive upgrades (cams, 114) but still no where near the performance one could have or expect.

Why do I say this? We have seen it hundreds of times. Folks upgrade their cams (which is a SECOND TIER upgrade) Before having a strong foundation to build on.

Almost always a Trike (or bike) with a strong foundation will outperform a trike with a cam upgrade built on a mediocre foundation.

Below are two links that outline what it takes to have a strong foundation in place before doing any other performance mods.

LINK 1

LINK 2

To be very clear- With the mediocre SE air cleaner, the engine is not breathing anywhere near optimally. (inexpensive fix for this)

With the Cobra slip-ons, power is being robbed by reversion...not as much as some other exhausts, but still not ideal. (inexpensive fix for this)

Most importantly, without cooling intervention, the engine is losing an amazing amount of power due to running hotter than optimal for power generation. (This can be a bit more expensive, but less than doing a 114 build)

As with anything else, having a strong foundation is important to have in place before building anything else on top of it.

Feel free to write or call with any questions.

Kevin

 

[Ed H]

I put in Andrews 57H in my Ultra, stump pulling Tq. Stretch the forks in 6th. I intend to put them in my Trike when it is out of warranty. Come on strong early and stay with you all through out the power band.

 

[Wmitz]

my M8 freewheeler let me down and almost got me killed! I was cruising the Interstate at 80 and got boxed in by 2 semi's in my lane and 1 in the passing lane. Naively I thought that I could roll on some throttle and get safely out of the situation. But when i did it was like the trike hit a wall and I had no more power to pass or change lanes. By this time I was doing 90 and the semi's were gaining on me fast. I really appreciate how much that HD has improved their brakes and how stable the trike is as I got away unscathed.But ever since I have been searching for answers on how to go faster with more rollon power at expressway/Interstate speeds. The dealer is trying to sell me a stage 3 kit to increase displacement to 114" but in my mind I don't understand how this will get me what I want.I'm thinking I need a cam with longer duration and replace the screaming Eagle Street tuner with a different one more suited to my riding style.

I'm a rider not a mechanic so I need people who are technically savy to give me their advice and recommendations!!

Russ

You may want to talk to Fuel Moto, they have 120 kits for the 107, they have pricing for turn key operation. Of course with that you’ll need A better exhaust, tuner, and a clutch upgrade, or additional springs. Pretty sure they have a lower compression version than the 11:1. Talk to Jamie. I don’t know how much power a trike drivetrain will take over time, just food for thought.

 

[vettriker68]

Top in speed

The only mods I had done before the incident was Cobra Triglide slipons and a SE air cleaner. Top speed I discovered was 96 MPH in both 5th and 6th gear.

After the incident ( and yes I was boxed in in the right lane with a semi coming up fast on my rear and a semi haulin ass in the left lane) the dealer convinced me to put in a Torque cam and it now beaks the ton but just barely.

With Interstate speeds regularly posted in the 70 -75 MPH range, traffic runs +5 to +10 MPH faster and I find myself running 80 to blend in. I just want more top end passing power and everyone I talk to has a different opinion and I'm confused.

That's why I came to the forum to find out if anyone else has found a solution. - Russ

I think they have a rev limiter in 6th gear. I’ve had 2010,2014,2018&2019 triglides, when you get to 4000 rpm in 6 gear the stall out even if you hold it open going down a mountain. On the 10 & 14 I had mufflers breathers Vance and Hines headers and Tuner with the same results. I do know bmw limits their grand American model to 105 mph because of wind turbulence with the tour pack. I’ve asked a lot hd techs at a lot of different Harley dealers and only 1 said they had a rev limiter. It just seems strange to me they just don’t want Togo only a little over 4000 rpm in 6 th gear

 

[rhino 2]

I think they have a rev limiter in 6th gear. I’ve had 2010,2014,2018&2019 triglides, when you get to 4000 rpm in 6 gear the stall out even if you hold it open going down a mountain. On the 10 & 14 I had mufflers breathers Vance and Hines headers and Tuner with the same results. I do know bmw limits their grand American model to 105 mph because of wind turbulence with the tour pack. I’ve asked a lot hd techs at a lot of different Harley dealers and only 1 said they had a rev limiter. It just seems strange to me they just don’t want Togo only a little over 4000 rpm in 6 th gear

The limiter on my 2011 103 Tri-Glide was set from the factory at if i remember 55 hundred RPM's..

But i had the ECM recalibrated to 63 hundred RPM's...And the reason for that was i kept on banging into the limiter at 55 hundred....

 

[FRR]

I sure wouldn't want to be riding with anyone who wants to run 90-100 MPH, especially on any interstate. Way to dangerous for me. I don't care what you are on, the stopping distance alone would scare me to death.

 

[DK Custom Products]

I think they have a rev limiter in 6th gear. I’ve had 2010,2014,2018&2019 triglides, when you get to 4000 rpm in 6 gear the stall out even if you hold it open going down a mountain. On the 10 & 14 I had mufflers breathers Vance and Hines headers and Tuner with the same results. I do know bmw limits their grand American model to 105 mph because of wind turbulence with the tour pack. I’ve asked a lot hd techs at a lot of different Harley dealers and only 1 said they had a rev limiter. It just seems strange to me they just don’t want Togo only a little over 4000 rpm in 6 th gear

From the factory they all have rev limiters, and they are set at 5500 rpm. Some folks up that to 6000 or 6200 with a tuner. I always leave mine at 5500, even with the tuner.

6th gear is just too much leverage on the engine when it gets up to around the 4000 rpm level (which is about 93 mph in 6th). More than the weight, it is the air resistance. Downshifting to 5th reduces the leverage of all that resistance against the engine and will result in better acceleration.

6th is really to be used as an overdrive, or cruising, gear, not a hard acceleration gear.

Kevin

 

[hdruss]

Thank you to everyone that took the time to respond to my thread and I have a lot more research to do before I make any decisions and spend more $$$. - Russ

 

[427dave]

Thank you to everyone that took the time to respond to my thread and I have a lot more research to do before I make any decisions and spend more $$$. - Russ

I swapped engines for the Screaming Eagle 120 ST, dynoed 120 HP Lots of umps. This is a twin cam engine and probably won't work in your newer bake, mine is a 2011 that had a 103 twin cam.