Are you a Harley-Davidson biker who is being recommended to get a stage 1 upgrade on a Harley-Davidson bike but wants to know about it first? If yes, then you are definitely in the right place.
A Stage 1 upgrade on a Harley-Davidson involves installing a high-flow air cleaner, performance exhaust, and fuel tuner to improve airflow and engine performance, resulting in increased power and throttle response.
As a side effect, it will enhance the sound and the look of your bike as well. As a side effect, it will enhance the sound and the look of your motorcycle as well. The Stage 1 Upgrade Kit is widely popular among bikers since the installation does not require you to disassemble the engine.
In this article, you will get to know all about Stage 1 Upgrade on your Harley-Davidson bike, what is stage 1 on a Harley-Davidson bike, what is included in a stage 1 kit on a Harley-Davidson, what are the different performance upgrades for a Harley-Davidson bike, and more. Continue reading to get all the answers that you’re looking for.
What is Stage 1 on a Harley-Davidson bike
The basic purpose of a Stage 1 Upgrade to your bike is to modify the air filter, fuel metering system, and exhaust system to run as efficiently as possible, allowing it to breathe freely, and, as a result, increase the available power. Moving more air and fuel through the engine will be the fastest and most cost-effective way of generating more power and torque. A free-flowing air filter and matching tuned exhaust add performance that you can really feel. Heavy breather and Stage 1 Free Flow Air Filters will bring a massive boost and a sweet-sounding exhaust system that delivers power that you can feel across a broad RPM range.
There are many different ideas and variations of what constitutes a Stage 1 Performance Upgrade. Generally, it is a recalibration of the air intake and exhaust systems for improved airflow, often using aftermarket accessories that are better equipped for achieving this goal. An important aspect of the process is that upgrading one part without the others will not give the desired effect. A Stage 1 Upgrade also requires no internal engine modifications.
There are a few myths surrounding Stage 1/4 and Stage 1/2, but they’ll be best disregarded, as they’re a poor substitute for the real thing. While they are definitely cheaper, they do not provide anything like the performance increase that you are looking for. If you have not come across the cheap alternatives, they will revolve around getting more air into the motor by drilling holes into the plastic air-filter backplate. They work on the assumption that the restriction is getting an air-to-air filter instead of getting air through the air filter into the engine.
What is included in a Harley-Davidson Stage 1 Performance Kit
The Harley-Davidson Stage 1 Performance Kit contains four mods, including an exhaust pipe, an upgraded Screamin’ Eagle air filter, and an ECM tuner. The increased airflow and modified fuel metering system will produce a noticeable increase in performance as well as a deeper exhaust sound.
The Harley-Davidson Stage 1 Performance Kit will cost you between $1,000 and $1,500 depending on the type of engine and the specific intake and exhaust of your choosing. Note that this price won’t include the labor if you don’t install the kit yourself. As the Stage 1 Kit only involves bolt-on performance parts, this kit can be easily installed at home with a few basic tools.
Why should you get a Stage 1 Upgrade for your Harley-Davidson bike
The Stage 1 Kit is the entry-level upgrade kit for Harley-Davidson bikes, and it is intended to increase engine power. As a side effect, it will enhance the sound and the look of the bike too. This performance is widely popular among bikers since its installation won’t require disassembling the engine.Â
Many performance-minded bikers claim that a Stage 1 Kit is a must-have for any Harley-Davidson bikers, since their engines come detuned from the factory. The Stage 1 Kit is also considered to be the foundation for other Harley-Davidson performance kits – Stage 2, Stage 3, and Stage 4 Kits.
- The enhanced exhaust systems will provide less restriction for the gas to escape but also feature the added perk of giving the motorcycle the raw, powerful Harley-Davidson sound
- The Stage 1 Upgrades are a widely recognized addition while adding value to your bikeÂ
- Not only will this upgrade increase the overall horsepower, but it’ll also provide the traditional Harley-Davidson soundÂ
- The response from the throttle will be sharper and crisper with your riding experience becoming more enjoyable overallÂ
What are the different performance upgrades for a Harley-Davidson bike
Stage 1: Performance Upgrade for a Harley-Davidson bike
Spark plugs require oxygen for igniting fuel. With any combustion engine, more oxygen will mean more power when the oxygen is delivered more efficiently. The focus of the Stage 1 Upgrade for Harley-Davidson is to get more oxygen through the bike’s system and deliver more power to the back wheel.
Manufacturers have regulations, which force them to use restricted air boxes and exhaust and for keeping the amount of fuel entering the combustion chamber at set levels. They even have noise regulations. From the factory, each Harley-Davidson bike comes as a fierce-sounding, powerful machine, but it can be made even better.
 A Stage 1 Upgrade will allow your bike to move more air and more fuel. The kit will include an air filter, allowing your motorcycle to take in more air, a restrictive exhaust, and a tuner that can increase the fuel that gets delivered. A Stage 1 Upgrade will increase the performance by 10% while giving your Harley-Davidson bike a deeper, throatier sound. Stage 1 is essentially a foundational upgrade, and its components are compatible with all other upgrades.Â
Stage 2: Performance Upgrade for a Harley-Davidson bike
Many bikers get a Stage 1 Performance Upgrade, and they think that they are good to go. They are happy with the improved sound and enhanced performance. There are also bikers who are so delighted that they need to know what happens if they keep on investing.
A Stage 2 performance upgrade is essentially a cam change upgrade. In any Harley-Davidson engine, the cam is responsible for driving the valves while the valves open to allow the air to come in for combustion. The kits made for improved lift, duration, and timing will focus on either torque or power upgrades. The Stage 2 Performance Upgrade can deliver up to 30% more horsepower while giving 10% more torque.
Stage 3: Performance Upgrade for a Harley-Davidson bike
If you are addicted to power, then you must get a Screamin’ Eagle Stage 3 Upgrade for your Harley-Davidson bike.
The Stage 3 Performance Upgrade Kit will include high-compression forged aluminum pistons, large diameter cylinders, and a performance cam upgrade that can give you a higher lift than what you would have gotten from the Stage 2 Upgrade Kit. Gaskets, clutch components, and other components help in ensuring that your installation is seamless.
The Stage 3 Performance Kit will improve the torque by up to 24% over the original equipment while giving you up to 39% more horsepower. It is essentially a bolt-on installation where the engine will remain in the bike while the upgrade is being performed and components integrated.
Stage 4: Performance Upgrade for a Harley-Davidson bike
Take your motorcycle all the way and give the bike the highest possible horsepower with a Stage 4 Performance Upgrade. This Performance Kit uses the pistons and cylinders installed during the Stage 3 Upgrade, then add a larger throttle body with the cast aluminum manifold to boost air delivery to the engine.
You will get more horsepower as the air doesn’t come in with greater volume but improved velocity as well. The upgrade will also include a cam with the highest available lift, high-capacity filters, clutch components, and the needed gaskets. A Stage 4 Performance Kit is capable of delivering 24% torque improvement and up to 50% more horsepower than original equipment.
Conclusion
Thank you for reading. Hopefully, now you know a lot more about Stage 1 Upgrade on your Harley-Davidson bike, what is stage 1 on a Harley-Davidson bike, what is included in a stage 1 kit on a Harley-Davidson, what are the different stage upgrades for a Harley-Davidson bike, and more.
Stage 1 on a Harley-Davidson is an upgrade to your bike for modifying the air filter, the exhaust system, and the fuel metering system to run as efficiently as possible. This will allow it to breathe the air freely, and, as a result, increase the power available. It is the entry-level upgrade kit for a Harley-Davidson bike, and it is intended to increase the engine power.
As a side effect, it will enhance the sound and the look of your motorcycle as well. The Stage 1 Upgrade Kit is widely popular among bikers since the installation does not require you to disassemble the engine.