Spirit750 Performance Upgrade?: Cobra Pipes + JetKit + Air Intake + 39 Rear Sprocket

[vinehorn]

My 2006 Shadow Spirit 750 fits my riding style but I would like to improve top end performance. I mostly ride state highways and country roads but I will occasionally hit an open freeway for a little m/c traveling. Also, I'm a big dude, so a little extra power couldn't hurt. (Note: I thought getting a vtx1300, but I want to put another 6k miles over next year or two on my 750 before considering a larger bike).

Here is what I'm thinking about upgrading in the next week or two:

- Arlen Ness Big Sucker Kit (air intake)
- DynaJet Jet Kit (stage 1)
- Cobra Street Rod Exhaust
- Sunstar Front & Rear (39 tooth) Sprocket
- Bike Master O-Ring Chain

Positives: Smoother cruising at higher speeds (75mph); Possible fuel mileage improvement (not sure because of the jet ket may have opposite effect); New pipes & air intake will look cooler than stock (though not super important to me)
Negatives: Decreased take off speed; Longer clutch holding after a full stop

Please provide any comments or challenges to my logic. I'm still learning motorcycle tech basics.

[oblivion_twister]

I had those nearly same changes on my 07, not a huge performance upgrade, in fact opening up the intake and exhaust takes out some bottom end grunt and gives it back in higher rpm horsepower. The sprocket change really wasn't that noticeable on take off, it was the last thing I did to it. On the road though the shift points move slightly and highway speeds were easier.

[93gc40]

In reality any performance gains will be mostly placebo, affect less that 5HP. SO if the purpose is truly for power, leave it stock, and save for a bigger bike. The difference between a Shadow 750 and a VTX1300, is much bigger on paper than it is in the saddle. Bigger bike being much easier to ride at speed and for distance. If your main purpose is aesthetics, visual and aural, go for it.

[MOFO YO]

I have a 39 tooth rear sprocket,cobra slashcut pipes,dynojet stage 2 kit,and a hypercharger.they have been on for years now when these upgrades were all installed it made a huge difference in power and speed my bike rips they are not placebo affects.

My bud who helped with the insall has a vtx 1300 and i have no problem keeping up
so i think your upgrades will make a difference..go for it..

[vinehorn]

Thanks for all the responses. Keep them coming. I RESPECT ALL RESPONSES AND ALL ARE WELCOMED! I've only been riding 1 year (as of today) and I've racked up 3,500 miles on this beautiful bike. I'm just not ready to give her up. But, all of your responses seriously helps me evaluate my current and future bike moves.

Personally: I'm trying to bridge the next 18-24 months while I learn more about motorcycles. I will get a bigger bike in the next 2 years, but I have not decided if it will be a Goldwing, ST1300 (sport touring) or a VTX1300 cruiser. I just don't want to switch up bikes so soon after I started riding.

[rieckena]

Personally I would say the sprocket swap is your best money spent. As far as performance goes a jet swap isn't bad (Honda sets their bikes pretty lean from the factory). The Cobras would be fun but I doubt you'll get any performance from them, plus they cost a lot.

You're not too far from me. I may hit you up next time I'm through, I always make a stop at the Broad Ripple Brewery for a sustaining meal!

[vinehorn]

Originally Posted by rieckena

Personally I would say the sprocket swap is your best money spent. As far as performance goes a jet swap isn't bad (Honda sets their bikes pretty lean from the factory). The Cobras would be fun but I doubt you'll get any performance from them, plus they cost a lot.

You're not too far from me. I may hit you up next time I'm through, I always make a stop at the Broad Ripple Brewery for a sustaining meal!

Cool! Thanks! I'm In.

[gmck]

one consideration, your planning to replace this bike, might not want to put much money into it. in looking at bikes for sale mods like this don't seem to add much value over a good stock bike.

[93gc40]

Originally Posted by MOFO YO

I have a 39 tooth rear sprocket,cobra slashcut pipes,dynojet stage 2 kit,and a hypercharger.they have been on for years now when these upgrades were all installed it made a huge difference in power and speed my bike rips they are not placebo affects.

My bud who helped with the insall has a vtx 1300 and i have no problem keeping up
so i think your upgrades will make a difference..go for it..

I can keep up with my buddies BUSSA, until he twists the throttle more. Heck I can out run him on some roads. But that has nothing to do with the bikes, cause I could outrun him on my kids bicylce when the road gets twisty. I'd bet My bike that better than 90% of any improvenet you are feeling is do to the sprocket change, another 5-7% will be do mainly to the change in sound. If it is louder it always feels faster.

To the OP; I would go with the sprocket change for performance reasons. This best allows you to use the power you have or might add. I would not do the other mods for PERFORMANCE reasons though. Now as I said before, IF you decide you want different exhaust. You might also have to adjust the intake and/or Jetting to make the pipes work correctly. If you are lucky you'll pick up a few ponies along the way. I have spent enough time Dyno Tuning my bikes to KNOW that MOST, off the shelf performance upgrades are Placebo more the real performance upgrades. It's like the guy that add a loud muffler to his F150 and thinks it goes faster, because of it.

[RonsterEMT]

another thing to think about is the chain a 39t chain takes a 122 link chain. After some wear you don't have much adjustment left in it. I switched to a 38t and a 120 link with a lot of adjust to add for a longer life. Just something to think about, my girl runs great and I;m 240 lbs.