I don’t know about the rocket three, my guess is the V2K won’t have as much grunt, and it won’t have as much as a Vrod, no matter what you do 😁. My VTX 1800 actually has more low end torque than my V2K. Just my 1.5 cents.
V2K Acceleration vs. Other Muscle Cruisers (i.e. Rocket 3)
This is my first V2K and it is a great bike, but wanted to ask a comparison question. I have had other muscle cruiser (Rocket 3, VROD, etc) and at least on my Vulcan I don't feel like it has that arm pulling acceleration like some of the others. When I bought mine it had been sitting 4 year so I have been dealing with that but it runs great now. When I crack the throttle it will get up and go but seems a little chuggy to me during the process. It does have a tuner and custom tune, 2 in 1 pipes, high flow air box, etc.
Is this normal for the V2K given the type of engine and such. My Rocket 3 use to just jump when you cracked the throttle so am not sure if my bike needs more work or this is just the way it is.
Thanks
Is this normal for the V2K given the type of engine and such. My Rocket 3 use to just jump when you cracked the throttle so am not sure if my bike needs more work or this is just the way it is.
Thanks
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Despite the big engine they don't really like low (relatively speaking) RPM. And, yeah, with all the weight and size they still pull pretty respectibly with the torque but are not rocket ships.
If you are short shifting based on the notion of all torque, that could explain part of the chuggy feeling, whilst bearing in mind it is only two cylinders.
I suggest to try spinning it up more than perhaps you have been to see if that helps. The torque curve is fairly flat but max horsepower is in the upper RPM 4500-5000 (stock rev limiter 5150 per Ivan).
Also, despite that you have a tuner, I highly recommend you consider replacing that with Ivan's ECU flash. Lots of changes to the overall operation that cannot be accomplished by tuner box (Power Commander, et al).
Read here: Ivan's Performance Products - VN2000
If you are short shifting based on the notion of all torque, that could explain part of the chuggy feeling, whilst bearing in mind it is only two cylinders.
I suggest to try spinning it up more than perhaps you have been to see if that helps. The torque curve is fairly flat but max horsepower is in the upper RPM 4500-5000 (stock rev limiter 5150 per Ivan).
Also, despite that you have a tuner, I highly recommend you consider replacing that with Ivan's ECU flash. Lots of changes to the overall operation that cannot be accomplished by tuner box (Power Commander, et al).
Read here: Ivan's Performance Products - VN2000
Save your time and money, it's Not a Power Cruiser like the V-Rod, V-Max and the like. The Rocket 3 isn't a fair comparison, it's basically a 3 cylinder car engine, 2.3 liter, 150 hp and 150 ft/lb torque.
The V2K isn't capable of the kind of hp the others are. Similar to the HD Big Twins, give it a hand full of throttle, it kind of thinks about it for a moment, then begins to move. Just the nature of the beast.
I have a V-Rod and have ridden the earlier Rocket 3. The V-Rod makes high revving power, the Rocket has power all over the place.
The V2K isn't capable of the kind of hp the others are. Similar to the HD Big Twins, give it a hand full of throttle, it kind of thinks about it for a moment, then begins to move. Just the nature of the beast.
I have a V-Rod and have ridden the earlier Rocket 3. The V-Rod makes high revving power, the Rocket has power all over the place.
“…kind of thinks about it for a moment..,” I love it 🤣Save your time and money, it's Not a Power Cruiser like the V-Rod, V-Max and the like. The Rocket 3 isn't a fair comparison, it's basically a 3 cylinder car engine, 2.3 liter, 150 hp and 150 ft/lb torque.
The V2K isn't capable of the kind of hp the others are. Similar to the HD Big Twins, give it a hand full of throttle, it kind of thinks about it for a moment, then begins to move. Just the nature of the beast.
I have a V-Rod and have ridden the earlier Rocket 3. The V-Rod makes high revving power, the Rocket has power all over the place.
Yeah, even dumping a ton of money in it it's not going to roll like a V-Max et al.
That said, if one is keeping the bike Ivan's tune is a strongly-recommended addition.
I'd even recommend it on an otherwise stock bike having first hand experience with stock, Power Commander, then Ivan's. The term "night and day difference" is often overused, but that's along the lines of it in overall drivability improvement.
That said, if one is keeping the bike Ivan's tune is a strongly-recommended addition.
I'd even recommend it on an otherwise stock bike having first hand experience with stock, Power Commander, then Ivan's. The term "night and day difference" is often overused, but that's along the lines of it in overall drivability improvement.
Although, per another thread, removing those secondary butterflies will help it only need a half a minute to think about it. 😜 And it might even bump up your mpg’s a little bit, it did mine.“…kind of thinks about it for a moment..,” I love it 🤣
Reprogramming the sub-throttle (aka secondary butterflies) is just one of the tweaks in Ivan's tune, if anyone hasn't caught all the details.
A lot of the work in the tune is related to addressing throttle response and the torque limits in the factory programming.
A lot of the work in the tune is related to addressing throttle response and the torque limits in the factory programming.
About how much is Ivan's tune?Reprogramming the sub-throttle (aka secondary butterflies) is just one of the tweaks in Ivan's tune, if anyone hasn't caught all the details.
A lot of the work in the tune is related to addressing throttle response and the torque limits in the factory programming.
Did it used to be $300 and recently go up to $350 or has it been $350 for a while?
I think it's been $350 for a while. Seems like I recall it being near $400 by the time it was all said and done with shipping, insurance, etc.
That said, of the performance-type things I've done with mine (Power Commander changed to Ivan's flash, pipes, intake/air cleaner, euro gears, 465 RAP rear shock) if I had to pick only one Ivan's flash probably would be it.
That said, of the performance-type things I've done with mine (Power Commander changed to Ivan's flash, pipes, intake/air cleaner, euro gears, 465 RAP rear shock) if I had to pick only one Ivan's flash probably would be it.
Ok, maybe I was thinking of others stating nearly $400 as an even $100 denomination. That shouldn't be applicable to me as I'm 40 minutes from his shop so I can drop mine off in person. If I'm real lucky, he'll need $350 worth of time to play with a low mileage 2008 LT!
I'm sure you've probably read some about it but it is sorta a PITA to remove ECU since the rear shock has to come out (which requires taking the weight off the rear end), amongst several not exceptionally obvious other things to remove.
Point isn't that it's real hard, but it's not something that happens in 10 minutes in a parking lot using a pliers and Crescent wrench.
Point isn't that it's real hard, but it's not something that happens in 10 minutes in a parking lot using a pliers and Crescent wrench.
Thanks everyone for the feedback, makes me feel better that the bike is running like it should compared to some of the others I have had. Funny, I had never heard of the Ivan's tune until I as talking with someone who had that done on his FZ1. I may look into it if I hold on to the bike long enough. The bike is fun to ride and solid as a rock compared to some others I have had.
Ok quick update. In this discussion I had mentioned that I was not very impressed with the acceleration vs. other bikes that I have owned and this is my first Vulcan and it has some aftermarket stuff. Given that I decided to sell it. Had a guy come over yesterday to look and he observed that the front cylinder was much cooler that the rear, which we later confirmed. After he left I did some investigating and low and behold, for the last couple months riding this thing, the front spark plug wire was disconnected from the plug. I usually check all of this stuff but is set so far back that it looked ok. After firmly reconnecting it, WOW!! It is like a whole new bike. This thing just rocks. Am taking her out later today for a more thorough ride but just wanted to provide an update. I feel so stupid when this kind of thing happens but glad it is resolved now.
I guess the "a little chuggy" must have been a lot more severe than came across in the earlier problem description.
Yep, pretty heavy bike as a V1K 😜
I would think with aftermarket pipes the sound, or lack thereof, from one big bang vs. two would be quite noticeable.
But if he was never familiar with the bike running properly… and he suspected that something was off.I would think with aftermarket pipes the sound, or lack thereof, from one big bang vs. two would be quite noticeable.
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