Is stage 1 required on a 2008 Harley Davidson when using after market pipes?

9 Comments

1. Me says:

   July 18, 2009 at 10:49 pm

   no, it is not required…. but it is necessary to realize any benefits from the swap…. you otherwise get nothing more than more noise. you won’t get any bit of extra oomph from just pipes

   and for those who rant about having to remap for pipes, they are dead wrong…. a remap tells your injectors to give more fuel to compensate for more air…. and you cannot get more air into an engine with just pipes, it takes a high flow breather as well!
2. chainbart says:

   July 18, 2009 at 10:49 pm

   drain the motor oil and use Amsoil Synthetic Motorcycle Oil and you will see a 15 to 20 mph HIGHER top speed and a 10 to 15% increase in gas mileage
3. robin b says:

   July 18, 2009 at 10:49 pm

   If you have fitted an aftermarket pipes, you will need to rejet the carburettor for best running as the aftermarket pipes will most likely be less restrictive than the originals ( i assume they are loud pipes)

   Stage 1 doesnt really mean anything. Depends on who is making the jet kit for the bike. Screaming eagle is a harley specific make, dynojet another.

   Id recommend taking it to a Dyno centre or a specialist engine tuners and getting it professionally set up if you dont know how to adjust a carburettor. One example is Tim Blakemore Racing here in Bristol.

   If you have a newer fuel injected harley, the FI will probably sort itself out.
4. ACE says:

   July 18, 2009 at 10:49 pm

   What Robin does not know is that all ‘08 HD are injected. And no. Just change the pipes. I have an ‘08 FXSTC, I gutted the stock mufflers with a 1 1/16" hole saw. They sound great.
5. J1NLif says:

   July 18, 2009 at 10:49 pm

   If you are a putting a set of slip in mufflers on, you don’t need anything. If you are going with a complete exhaust, I would also suggest going with a Hi-flo air cleaner and at least a download. If you are going with a complete exhaust and a hi-flo and have the extra cash, I would get a HD supertuner or Powercommander and have it dyno tuned

   Ace… you are going to screw up your bike. I would recommend getting some aftermarket slip ons at least. Stock pipes are tuned to reduce exhaust gas reversion. By drilling a hole you are letting hot exhaust gases back up the pipe and into the cylinder. This reduces exhaust flow, builds extra heat at the valve, and contaminates your air fuel mixture inside your cylinder. Now your bike won’t fall apart or break down. However, you will see a loss of performance at lower rpms, and over time will cause valve train damage.
6. hopefull1 says:

   July 18, 2009 at 10:49 pm

   Bottom line is if you’re getting more air, larger dia. pipes, then you absolutely need the download and the hi flo air cleaner kit, If you don’t do this, the bike won’t run right, and you will also void your warranty. Loud Pipes Save Lives!
7. americanmotorcycles says:

   July 18, 2009 at 10:49 pm

   Here is my 2 cents… To most people, a stage 1 kit includes pipes, air cleaner and ECM calibration module. If you install the exhaust but do not change the air cleaner and calibration module then your bike will not run right, it will back fire when decelerating and will eventually discolor the exhaust and could potentially damage the bike. My theory is if you are going to do something then do it right. The first time! A good set of slip on exhaust pipes should run between $300 and $500. I like Vance & Hines. The air cleaner will be about $110. Arlen Ness Big Sucker is what we use. Regarding the ECM calibration module, you have several options a Harley Race Tuner or a Power Commander. I recommend the Power Commander because it has been established longer, is easy to install and the support from the manufacturer is excellent. The cost of a Power Commander is about $300. Most people can install the exhaust, air cleaner and power commander components themselves. The power commander installation is easy, the software asks for the year and model of motorcycle, which exhaust system is installed and what type of air cleaner is installed it then calculates a “MAP” for your bike. You then connect the power commander module to your computer via a USB cable and the MAP is downloaded to the power commander. You then connect the power commander to the bike and you are 99% dialed in. For ultimate performance you can take your bike to a reputable local motorcycle shop with a dynamometer and have the bike dyno-tuned. The End!
8. thelovebuzzard says:

   July 18, 2009 at 10:49 pm

   depends on the size of the pipe. my neighbor put a set of rush on his new road king and the dealer said it was ok not to remap. now if a dealer who normally wants to suck every dime out of says it’s ok, i gotta believe him. and the pipes sound great. deep throaty sound but not to loud.
9. Larry G says:

   July 18, 2009 at 10:49 pm

   if it was me i would get a free flowing air cleaner .after mart pipes preferably two into one and then put it on a dyno at a harely shop and have the computer remapped .. that is about the most performance you will get out of the dollar..you can get more but the dollars add up faster for each hp you get