Big Shot q's

[Johnny5]

Great forum here. Just picked up my 05 Fatboy last month and have some exhaust questions. Have been reading good things about these Vance & Hines Big Shots and it sounds like these are what I want. Can I just put the pipes on to get some good sound out of it and take care of the programming and air filter later without hurting anything? I know I won't get the performance gain by not letting any more air in, but I just need some noise!!
As far as the programming goes, it sounds like going through my dealer is not the best way to go, from what I have been reading. Which way is the best?
Thanks in advance!
Johnny5

[NWFatboy]

Yea you should be OK. When ya do the air filter ya probably want to address the fuel mixture.

What Bigshots ya lookin at. I got the V&H Bigshot longs on mine.

I LIKE IT!

[NWFatboy]

Originally Posted by Johnny5

As far as the programming goes, it sounds like going through my dealer is not the best way to go, from what I have been reading. Which way is the best?
Thanks in advance!
Johnny5

I assume your bike is EFI.

You should get a few different opinions on this one. I went with the Power Commander III USB. It's less expensive than the SERT and easier to use, for me anyway. There is a unit called a DFO that is less expensive yet, but I don't know anything about it.

In my opinion, don't even think about the dealer reflash alone because you'll still be running in a lean condition. I hear some guys use it along with a programmable unit so if the PCIII, SERT, DFO etc, fails then they can still run on the reflash without getting too lean. Hope that makes sense.

This just my opinion!

[Kwalker]

Johnny5...

I put the Bigshots Staggered on my 04 Fatboy (carb) and love them. They are LOUD tho. I put them on my self and rode the bike to the dealer to have the carb rejetted. At this point, I had not changed the air kit either. The bike was running really lean and pop a lot on decel. After the rejet, and the air kit, it's like riding a new bike. The performance increase is really noticeable. So I guess you could ride the bike without changing the air kit or doing carb/EFI work, but in my case, it would not have been an enjoyable ride. You also wouldn't get the full benefit of the performance exhaust. Hope this helps...........

[Johnny5]

NWFatboy,
I would like to get the b.s. staggered, if I could find them anywhere!! Been reading up on the PCIII and I may just order the works (pipes, air cleaner, PCIII) and get it all over with before the snow flies and I can still do some riding.

KWalker,
The louder the better!! Was even thinking about ordering the other baffles at the same time, that I see everyone else talking about, if the stockers aren't the tone I am looking for.

J5