I have a 2011 103 SG with 2009 headpipes and 4" RC Components exhaust. A buddy of mine has a 2009 96 SG with Screamin Eagle exhaust...neither of us have done anything to the air intakes. He steadily pulls away from me leaving a light. Would the exhaust make that much of a difference? Or could it be that I just haven't gotten used to riding a Harley vs my Kawasaki Meanstreak rocket I had prior? I hate to be looking at new exhaust already because I love the look of mine, not to mention the battleaxe will...well, lets just say I can't get anything else for Black Betty until I get back from Korea next September! Any input?

 

Do you know if his bike is tuned? If his it it, he will pull on you. Most dyno charts only show 10-15 hp and 10-12tq difference from 96>103. Either get your beast tuned or release the clutch faster

 

just ride your bike and enjoy it. so what if your buddy has a bike that will leave a stoplight faster. kawasaki meanstreak a rocket? put it up against a well tuned stage 3+ streetglide and it'll embarrass him. as will a real rocket=rocket III. there's always going to be someone faster, but so what? enjoy riding your bike.

 

+1!! Enjoy your ride for what it is...there is always gonna be someone faster, unless you got a BIG, BIG wallet!!

 

Clutch? whats that? lol i dont use the clutch when upshifting!

 

Before changing exhaust I would change your a/c. Exhaust isn't going to make much difference if you don't get more air in. That alone may give you the edge over your buddy.

That said, I am now a firm believer in the 2-1 camp. When you change, this is what you want....

Shakey

 

NO, do what you want with it, it's your bike/ your life... that being said I agree with the other guy on look in to having yours tuned, and add an air cleaner (the K&N 90 degree filter claims 10-12 horse over stock). All Harley's come extremely lean from the factory to pass emissions bs. So get a good tuner lined up, and ya 2-1 exhaust will always put up the best numbers. Kinda like a hot rodded v-8 headers are 4 tubes going into one collector....

 

An awful lot of things could be different,the very thing that makes people want or need to spend money for more power.Gearing is a big one without getting into the air pump.

 

I had a sock 07 ultra, and was thinking of a 103 upgrade. Compared to other bikes I had and have (1100's), I felt I was riding a scooter when ever I rode the ultra. I went to 4" SE slip on's and a stage 1 kit, and it totally changed the character of my ultra. I'm convinced the stock pipes and stock air cleaner is very restrictive.

 

Weight difference between the riders makes a difference as well.