I will start off my saying that I recently got my first Harley; a 2003 Electra Glide Standard. I've owned probably 6 different bikes over the years but all were different makes. My past 2 bikes, a Victory and a BMW, had way more low end torque than my Harley as I knew would be the case because I had ridden a couple other Harleys before buying mine. I still have to say that I already love the ride of the Harley way more than those other bikes, but I wish it had a little more power.

I've never tuned up a motorcycle before so I guess I'm looking for some beginner's tips to get a little bit more horse power out of my engine. Right now my bike is stock other than some Screamin' Eagle "performance" slip-ons. I'd like to squeeze as much performance out of it as I can.

 

A good breathing Air Cleaner and aftermarket Cams such as Andrews 26 or 21s will really wake the bike up!

 

I added a Vance & Hines Pro Pipe, a K&N air filter, and did some carb modification (Yost power tube, drilled out transfer port) and it woke the bike up pretty well. I imagine the addition of some mild cams would really help as well, but avoid going to radical or you will loose more of the low end power. Mine was a '02 Standard.

 

You're going to need one of these.

 

All you need to do is open your wallet.......

Joking aside, you have asked much too open a question. You can supercharge it, chuck the stock engine away and install a custom-built whopper (155" enough?!), or do a countless number of other variations. In between 'a little more power' and 'as much performance as I can' is a gulf as big as the Grand Canyon.

You can add cams and a tuner, to give you a little extra performance, open it up to 95" for a little more, go even bigger in a number of ever more expensive increases, have your heads ported, longer stroke crankshaft, etc.

What style of riding are you going to be doing? Crossing Continents, or cruisin' cafes?! Give us some help, there's a good chap. And welcome to the wonderful World of Harleys.

 

First step in my opinion for a little more power, least expensive and better gas mileage would be a Stage 1.

 

I guess to narrow down the topic a bit, I'm not looking to swap my engine. Taking it to 95ci isn't out the question, but for now I'll probably keep it at 88ci and try some of the other the other suggestions.

As far as riding style goes, it'll be pretty mixed. Sometimes I use it to commute to work (30 miles one way), sometimes just to cruise around with some friends, and in 2 weeks I'll be taking a 1500 mile trip around the east coast with my brother.

 

Best power to dollar modifications is Stage 2, A/C Tuner, exhaust and cams after that its more $ per hp.

If all you have is slip ons now , first step is to complete the Stage 1 add a high flow A/C and a tuner or if you are carbed rejet. If that isnt enough then do cams (stage 2), if that isnt enough add a 95 bb kit, if that isnt enough do the heads (stage3)

A Stage 2, 95ci has usable power for a touring bike a and will make 100/100 and run as long as a stock engine.

 

Just do a stage 1, you'll be happy with the increase of performance..

 

I also have an 03, the classic model. I did the stage one, cams and tuner thing, and in my honest opinion there is not enough power advantage for the money I spent. if I had it all to do over again I would ride it and enjoy the ride and use the money for some nice trips.