9 Essential Modifications For Your Harley Davidson Motorcycle. Must Do Mods - M8 114 Street Glide Special.
Here are the 9 essential modifications for your Harley Davidson motorcycle based on 30 years of riding Harley's. In my opinion these are the bare minimum modifications I have made on all my Harley's including my current black on black M8 114 Street Glide Special. Let me know in the You Tube comments what you have done to your Harley - especially if you have a Street Glide. What are your essential - must have modifications?
The mods cover comfort safety and performance
1. Seat
Being 6’ 4 inches tall, the first modification I always do is the seat. I have tried different combinations of floor board extension, lever extensions. On a Street Glide 2 inches back on the seat is all that’s required.
I am using the LePera Outcast GT daddy long legs solo seat with a taper at the back. It puts you 2 inches back from standard seat.
It’s a lot firmer than a standard seat and a lot narrower. So far after about 10,000ks I can say it seems to be pretty comfortable. I don’t have many comparisons to really plush seats because I usually buy lower profile seats, for looks.
I can ride for a couple of hours on this without a break no problem. Even though it’s a solo seat - You can take a passenger for a short ride - 30 mins or an hour – I put a sissy bar on for them just to make them feel more comfortable.
2. Tyres
I am using Metzler Cruistec dual compound tyres with a nice curve contour so as you lean you don’t feel the change in lean angle. This tyre has a hard compound in the centre and soft compound on the edges. The standard Dunlops that you get with a Harley are just ok but you can always do better.
These Metzler’s are sensational they seem to be lasting with heaps of tread after 10 or 12 thousand ks. They have great grip and are very good in the wet. I really like them and I will get the same tyres when they wear out.
3. Headlight – changed to a Hoglights 80w LED which is much brighter than the standard headlight. Check out my before and after video to see the difference. It’s enough to say if you are riding away from the freeways and urban area’s you MUST - you have to do something about upgrading your headlight.
4. Everyone’s favorite modification – slip ons
You have to do slip ons otherwise your Harley sounds like a sewing machine. I have Rinehart racing mufflers – I think they are 4 inch - slip ons, they came with the bike. They sound good, I have had the same on the last Street Glide so there was no reason to change them.
5. Hi flow air cleaner
I believe this isn’t necessary anymore because on the later models the Harley air cleaner is a hi flow air cleaner. I got an S and S Stinger Air cleaner kit. It’s a high flow system with a mini tear drop cover. I love the classic teardrop from S&S BUT I’m undecided about the size of the mini teardrop cover. Time will tell, I may go to the standard size teardrop eventually.
I’ve also done the following modifications and if you watch the video you can find out the detail that goes with them.
6. Cam
7. Headers
8. Fuel Moto exhaust tuning inserts
9. Tuner (Not the Harley one)
A lot of people say what about Suspension – it’s just adequate. I’m 108kg and I have it turned right up for 2 and luggage and it just does the job. I might change this in the future.
Handle bars – I find I can ride harder with low bars. The bike is comfortable enough but if I find another Street Glide with a similar seat and higher bars, that I can sit on, I may change the handlebars in the future.
Let me know what you have modified on your Harley - are these the 9 essential modifications for your Harley Davidson motorcycle?