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[Occam]

Hokey folks, just spent an hour looking through search results and thought this would be a good one to bring to the forefront.
Let's keep the partisan Ford vs Chevy out of it, but please feel free to include relevant facts that advance your position - even if it is only to a style of bike i.e. dresser, dyna etc.
Cost is a factor, as are punishing and expensive dyno pulls. Ease of use plays in here (auto tune). Installing a box or firmware that affects your warranty is a major point; I think we'll find there's really something for almost everyone.

[Heatwave]

The response to this survey will be rather interesting. Other than tuner mechanics, I think you'll find very few bike owners have deep experience with more than one tuning software, therefore you may find the poll results suspect. Esentially you're likely to hear that the one I own is better because I own it. I don't think I've ever seen 2 dyno runs on the same dynomometer, tuned by the same mechanic on the identical bike with no differences other than the software. Essentially you'd be paying $400 twice just to decide which gets the best results.

The main difference is that you'll going to potentially have more warranty "issues" running non-HD software on your HD bike. If you're out of warranty I think you'd be best going with the software that is most familiar to the tuner that'll be working on your bike.

It's also worth noting that the software is not necessarily interchangeable. For example you can run the SEPST on a most HD bikes but you can use the SERT on bikes newer than 2008. Neverthe less I'd be interested in the poll results however if the votes represent users that have experience with only one software I really don't see how they can say the one they are using is better than another version they aren't familiar with unless they have some data to support their view.

[ronw48]

I've only tried 2.  The SE Pro Race Tuner and the TTS Mastertune.  The SE Pro Race Tuner was on an 09 Ultra with Stage II kit (103, SE A/C, Se Mufflers, SE 211 cam).  TTS Mastertune is on a 10 Ultra Limited (factory 103, Arlen Ness Big Sucker, SE Mufflers, Still has cat in head pipe and no cam).  IMHO, TTS Mastertune wins.  Easier to use and more options.  Also has V-tune (SE Pro Race Tuner -10 supposedly has something similar).  SE Pro Race Tuner wasn't bad, just needs more capability.

[CVORick]

Started with the SE Pro Super Tuner and still was not happy with the way the bike ran, plus the heat.  Now running TTS Mastertune and it is a different bike.  Like Heatwave said, it is just not the software, but the tuner as well.

[eddfive]

Not to "muddy" the waters but you left Direct Link off of the list.  I use it a lot as it also tunes the ECU directly like SEST and SERT.

[Heatwave]

I've used Power Commander, Techlusion, SE Race Tuner, SE Super Tuner, and TTS Mastertune. For me, the PC & the Techlusion were inadequate, and the SE Race Tuner or Super tuner were only as good as the Harley tech running the dyno. With TTS you can start with a map and use its V Tune to tweak the map or even better Mastertune will automatically self adjust to your type of riding after putting on some miles.       

It's worth noting that the SE Pro Super Tuner (2010) also has an automated tuning component called SmartTune which calculates and modifies the VE Tables to better achieve the targeted AFR (Lambda). I believe this is identical to TTS' v-tune.

[jarica]

The response to this survey will be rather interesting. Other than tuner mechanics, I think you'll find very few bike owners have deep experience with more than one tuning software, therefore you may find the poll results suspect. Esentially you're likely to hear that the one I own is better because I own it. I don't think I've ever seen 2 dyno runs on the same dynomometer, tuned by the same mechanic on the identical bike other than the software. Essentially you'd be paying $400 twice just to decide which gets the best results.

The main difference is that you'll going to potentially have more warranty "issues" running non-HD software on your HD bike. If you're out of warranty I think you'd be best going with the software that is most familiar to the tuner that'll be working on your bike.

It's also worth noting that that the software is not necessarily interchangeable. For example you can run the SEPST on a most HD bikes but you can use the SERT on bikes newer than 2008. Neverthe less I'd be interested in the poll results however if the votes represent users that have experience with only one software I really don't see how they can say the one they are using is better than another version they aren't familiar with unless they have some data to support their view.

The best EFI upgrade that I know of is a dyno tune from an experienced dyno operator.  I thought the survey question was biased toward self-tuning software.  Spend the extra money and get your prized bike running like it should with a dyno tune.  There's my bias.

[Occam]

Ok, I've added a few I apparently forgot/didn't know about, and added Dyno Tuning although I view it as a fine tune on whatever map you already have.

[timtoolman]

iv used the pc-2  back in 2002  on a 2000 ultra, it was good for the time,  i used pciii in 2003 on a rk classic. 2007 i used a thundermax on a 2007 ultra,  i have a pcv with auto tuner i used on my 2009 ultra, i now have a tts master tuner on the 2009 ultra,  for me its actually a toss up between the thundermax and tts master tuner,  both are excellent and both auto tune and both have diagnostics programs in them,,  tts master tuner has been the easiest to use so far,  tmax  u need to learn  write a few times to get the map properly tuned as the pcv  with auto tuner does trim steps,  so for now ill go  with tts tuner as the number one with me,  wew  thats over

[Steve Cole]

I think that I might be a little to one side as is eddfive, since we use products each and every day. TTS Mastertune has more ability built in to allow for a better tune than anything else out today for an HD bike. HD used to sell our product as the SERT but they only allowed us to put certain functions to be in the product. Once we went direct without HD in the way we have built in what we felt needs to be in there. Since we've done that, HD and Direct Link started to try and copy what we've done, so far with very little success.

[JDOFLHRIDER]

I 've had a SEPT on 07 and switched to t-max afr's lined up on top of each other on the chart and gained 5hp from other adjustments in t-max .I'm still riding 2010 with stock pipes till tunner is happy with t-max he is close now.The tunner that i use has the advanced program to adjust things us as the end user can't get too.Tunners can fine tune things that we wouldn't even think about so if you find a good one you will love what they can do for you. ride safe jdo

[Heatwave]

FYI, I think that the SEST and SEPST are the same thing. You should delete one or the other from your poll.

[Opossum]

I think that I might be a little to one side as is eddfive, since we use products each and every day. TTS Mastertune has more ability built in to allow for a better tune than anything else out today for an HD bike. HD used to sell our product as the SERT but they only allowed us to put certain functions to be in the product. Once we went direct without HD in the way we have built in what we felt needs to be in there. Since we've done that, HD and Direct Link started to try and copy what we've done, so far with very little success.

My '08 Ultra was tuned with direct link and I gotta say, It ain't the program it's the tuner!  There is no way a canned map will be OPTIMUM!  Each bike has to be tuned, and the TUNER is the guy that makes it happen, just my experiance.

[jarica]

My '08 Ultra was tuned with direct link and I gotta say, It ain't the program it's the tuner!  There is no way a canned map will be OPTIMUM!  Each bike has to be tuned, and the TUNER is the guy that makes it happen, just my experiance.

I totally agree.  Here's a question related to the survey that could be addressed:  How much does it matters whether one uses the SEPST, or TTS, or Direct Link or other dongle-based software in a dyno tune?  If a good dyno operator would get you the same TQ and HP with any of these tuners, is there really an issue - except with self-tuning (perhaps)?

Rick

[WestCoastRuss]

I think that I might be a little to one side as is eddfive, since we use products each and every day. TTS Mastertune has more ability built in to allow for a better tune than anything else out today for an HD bike. HD used to sell our product as the SERT but they only allowed us to put certain functions to be in the product. Once we went direct without HD in the way we have built in what we felt needs to be in there. Since we've done that, HD and Direct Link started to try and copy what we've done, so far with very little success.