my 103 pulls like a freight train until 4,000 rpm, then drops dramatically. The bike is totally stock with 1900 miles.
Is this due to the restriction of the stock air cleaner and exhaust?
It certainly doesnt help to have the stock AC and pipes. If you think of your motor as an air pump, you can imagine that it moves more air at higher rpm. If it cant get air in and out, it effects the performance.
My 2010 felt that way until I swapped out the pipes including the cat, went to the screamin eagle AC and for a PCV with a custom tune to match. Now she'll run like hell to 5K. I'm able to hang with a couple SE Ultra's with the 110.
I also have a 2010 FLHTK and have noticed the same lagginess after about 4K on the tach.
As the engine isn't completely broken in until about 5K miles or so (from what I've learned here on this forum), I wouldn't take your current engine performance as a true indicator until after a few more miles.
I'm only 3K miles into this theory myself, however....
Replace the air cleaner, it will be a noticeable seat of the pants improvement, and it won't nose over quite as bad at 4k. Slipon exhaust won't feel any better, but your ears will like it.
Mine would keep going after 4000 rpm.Reved it up to 4500 a few times but did not try WFO.
Now if you look at the stock air cleaner and consider the exhaust has a cat and EPA mufflers,it surprising the damn things can run at all.
Mine runs a heck of lot better with the FM kit on it.
As the engine isn't completely broken in until about 5K miles or so (from what I've learned here on this forum), I wouldn't take your current engine performance as a true indicator until after a few more miles.
I don't think it's that high. by 1k everything is pretty much settled in. Get rid of the cat and make it breathe a little easier and you will no longer feel what you are describing. Mine pulls hard all the way to 5k.
Normally from 3000 to 4000 RPM's and up to 5000, I am changing gears, but I do like to stay around 3000 RPM's in normal riding conditions and have all the power I need.