30 tooth sprocket vs cam upgrade for '09-'10 103 trike

[retiredff]

Hello,

I have read alot on this site for a trike I will buy. I read the thread on the 30 vs 32 tooth sprocket upgrade and the 'cam' thread. My question is;

if I did a cam upgrade would the 30 tooth sprocket be needed or would the sprocket upgrade be a better choice along with the usual de-cat, slip-ons and AC? I'm not interested in blazing speed, just enough to stop the downshifting in hilly areas when 2 up and merging in traffic for the rare times I get on the interstates. I test rode a 2017, too bad I can't afford one that new!

THX

 

[BillR]

Hello,

I have read alot on this site for a trike I will buy. I read the thread on the 30 vs 32 tooth sprocket upgrade and the 'cam' thread. My question is;

if I did a cam upgrade would the 30 tooth sprocket be needed or would the sprocket upgrade be a better choice along with the usual de-cat, slip-ons and AC? I'm not interested in blazing speed, just enough to stop the downshifting in hilly areas when 2 up and merging in traffic for the rare times I get on the interstates. I test rode a 2017, too bad I can't afford one that new!

THX

Hi Tony.

I bought a 2010 and was not satisfied with the performance. I added everything you mentioned along with a PowerVision tuner. I decided to go with a 30 tooth sprocket (pulley). It made a noticeable change in performance. Before, I almost had to slip the clutch taking off with two up. Now, the power band seems to fit better.

I really wanted the TTS100 cam, but now that I changed the gearing, it is not as high on my list as it was before.

If you haven't bought a trike yet, you might want to think about a 2011 or newer. They already have the 30 tooth.

 

[retiredff]

Thanks for the reply Bill.

yep I know the 2011-2013 have the 30 tooth sprockets and I have narrowed down my choices to a used trike to the '11-'13's. I just don't like the negatives on the '14's and newer with water in them, that just doesn't seem right to me. I know the MoCo had no choice bc of the EPA, but....

And the water boxers the lower faring can't be removed, I don't like the looks of them plus it restricts the air flow.

I thought if I had good reports with a cam upgrade (S&S gears) I could kill 2 birds with one cash investment and include the '09-'10's but it appears I can't.

I just sold a RK this spring and threw way too much $$$$ at it trying to get decent power with 2up + gear, so I'm trying to find out as much as possible about the 103 trikes vs my RK 88. The trikes seem to be about 400#+ heaver than my RK and I can carry more 'stuff'.

THX

 

[Fearless]

Tony I our trike is a 09' and the OEM 32 tooth 6th gear was useless. Swapped out to a 30 tooth Our trike is like a completely different machine, all round better. You should consider cost of change and overall effect you are looking for I have no knowledge of what it will cost for cams and or Pulley change, my change was done when my Stator and regulator went south leaking oil from old age. If you do the TTS 100 cams I don't believe you would need to mess with the gearing I believe Gorrilla a moderator here went back to a 32 tooth pulley after cam change. Depending on how long and how steep the terrain you may look at a 31 tooth pulley and go from there. You should shop around and get what you want don't settle you will not be happy in the long haul please don't become a settler. These thing are a very large investment so do it right the first time. We ride two up all the time and I believe we do well here in Pennsylvania with the mountains we have. You can see my signature line and see what I have done to get where we are at.​

 

[retiredff]

View attachment 59902View attachment 59903View attachment 59904View attachment 59905Tony I our trike is a 09' and the OEM 32 tooth 6th gear was useless. Swapped out to a 30 tooth Our trike is like a completely different machine, all round better. You should consider cost of change and overall effect you are looking for I have no knowledge of what it will cost for cams and or Pulley change, my change was done when my Stator and regulator went south leaking oil from old age. If you do the TTS 100 cams I don't believe you would need to mess with the gearing I believe Gorrilla a moderator here went back to a 32 tooth pulley after cam change. Depending on how long and how steep the terrain you may look at a 31 tooth pulley and go from there. You should shop around and get what you want don't settle you will not be happy in the long haul please don't become a settler. These thing are a very large investment so do it right the first time. We ride two up all the time and I believe we do well here in Pennsylvania with the mountains we have. You can see my signature line and see what I have done to get where we are at.​

Very good advise Fearless! That is exactly what my plans are and is the reason I read, read and ask questions.

THX!

 

[Mykneesbehurtin]

My buddy has an 09 and he complained that it just didnt have enough grunt taking off and said he too felt as though he needed to slip the clutch.We talked about a cam change verses a gearing change.Now this is just my two cents,changing the cam will give you what you want once you get rolling.By changing gearing you will get it right away and compared to a cam you will have the added expense of a tune.He is more than happy with his gear change and says that even towing his cyclemate trailer it has more power.The trade off of changing the front pulley,your speedo may be off about 5 mph.Good luck with your decision.

 

[Gorilla]

Hi Tony as Fred said I have a 2013 that I put TTS100 cams and a TTS tuner in and changed the front sprocket to 32 tooth. The only thing he missed is that I have a 110 motor in my ride. Had it installed before I took delivery. My previous trike was a 2007 Police Road King 103 motor with a Champion conversion. It had a 30/68 gear set and S & S 310G cams with a Power Commander V tuner. Both bikes were dyno tuned.

Both would pull most any grade in sixth gear 65 MPH on cruise control. I feel that the torque cam with a good tuner and dynoed should be a first consideration before the gear change. My experience only. By the way both dynoed at close to the same return. The 110 with the TTS100 cams the torque came on strong sooner around 2100 rpms, the 103 with the 310g came on closer to 2400 rpms.

 

[retiredff]

Thanks for the reply, just the info I was looking for.

 

[BillR]

The trade off of changing the front pulley,your speedo may be off about 5 mph.Good luck with your decision.

With the PowerVision tuner, I was able to recalibrate the speedometer.

 

[Gorilla]

TTS tuner allows you to do that also

 

[427dave]

Hello,

I have read alot on this site for a trike I will buy. I read the thread on the 30 vs 32 tooth sprocket upgrade and the 'cam' thread. My question is;

if I did a cam upgrade would the 30 tooth sprocket be needed or would the sprocket upgrade be a better choice along with the usual de-cat, slip-ons and AC? I'm not interested in blazing speed, just enough to stop the downshifting in hilly areas when 2 up and merging in traffic for the rare times I get on the interstates. I test rode a 2017, too bad I can't afford one that new!

THX

I don't have to downshift running in 6th gear anymore, 2011 with the 30 tooth gear I would still have to downshift with luggage and 2 up. Solution was a SE 120 ST engine

 

[retiredff]

I don't have to downshift running in 6th gear anymore, 2011 with the 30 tooth gear I would still have to downshift with luggage and 2 up. Solution was a SE 120 ST engine

And the price tag for that upgrade is... ?