Just turned 600 miles on my 08 Nightster. Been loving every mile. Except when other Harleys rolled by. Then my little vivid black demon bike with stock exhaust got drowned out like a moped. [:@]

So, today I had a Power Commander III installed along with a SE A/C Stage 1 kit and Drag Specialties 3" Slip On Mufflers (1801-0121 Baloney Cut) http://dragspecialties.com/fatbook/9/181/5906390

Also had the bike Dyno Tuned.

Oh man....WHAT A DIFFERENCE!

Dealer recommended the Drag Specialties Slip On Mufflers because I didn't want to be as loud as the V&H Slip Ons that were on a Nightster in the lot.
Originally thought I'd go with the SE Slip On's but the dealer said they would disappoint in both volume and tone.
They recommended Drag Specialities.

The DS Slip Ons strike a NICE balance. A loud, low H-D rumble without being completely over the top. That said, my friend who was riding behind on his Kawasaki Vulcan 750 said he couldn't even hear his bike. He could feel it, but could only hear me in front of him - haha
NOW THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKIN' BOUT!!

Bigger surprise was how much better the bike ran overall. Gone were those shuddering spots, especially noticible between 2nd and 3rd. They explained that that behavior was a result of the factory tuning to meet emissions (which I hear on the forum all the time). I just had no idea what a dramatic difference proper tuning would make. The Nightster runs 100% better. Fully, louder and with a much better powerband.

Dyno Results;
Before Tune Max Power =69.73
After Tune Max Power = 76.16

Before Tune Max Torque = 69.05
After Tune Max Torque = 74.54


FINALLY, the Nightster's got some ATTITUDE to match it's hot rod looks!

 

I only put on Rush slipons and didn't do anything else - but man, with new louder pipes, my bike sure FEELS bigger and badder !! I didn't think I cared but I guess I did. All I can do now is ride around with a big grin and say "I'm a BIG girl now". Or at least I sound like one!!

 

Let em try and bully this one.

[IMG]local://upfiles/61645/261B4863652E439585964953B2451AFC.jpg[/IMG]

 

I hear ya, Perch! I didn't think I cared either but after loggin' in some miles I really started to noticed how wimpy the stock setup was. I know that "I'm a BIG Boy now" feeling!
Think I need to go for a quick night ride so I can hear them again before I go to sleep!

 

Ha Ha - lookin' great BLLYGOAT! I like the subtle touches - drag bars, smoked tail lamps, foot pegs... NIIIIIICE!

 

Yep with open pipes and higher in airflow it makes a difference, now you can smoke a Stock BT from stop light to stoplight. Just dont bet your pinkslip on anything over a 1/8 mile

 

We don't even have my Nightster home yet (tomorrow) but my hubby is already surfing the web for new pipes for it!

 

Finally got around to scanning the dyno results. Thought I'd post them as a reference for Sportster folks doing similar mods.

 

Oh, it can be done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHLzBLUqOAk

 

i have a question about tuning...

can you run low-octane fuel without pinging? my stock nightster runs great on premium but sounds like its going to come apart on the low-grade fuel. rolling hard on the throttle at 80+mph makes a terrible ruckus.

oddly, i'm still able to abuse a lot of sportbikes.... as long as im running good fuel.