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Author Topic: To Tune or Not to Tune?  (Read 3709 times)

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wadeh

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To Tune or Not to Tune?
« on: August 17, 2011, 06:56:24 PM »
I had my dealer install a set of Vance & Hines headers with 4" Rinehart mufflers upon taking delivery of my 2011.5 SE Ultra. I was told that installing a tuner was not necessary as HD compensates for a certain percentage of air/fuel change when non-stock pipes are installed. Bike runs good, but everyone keeps telling me I definitely need to install a tuner as the bikes come lean from the factory anyway, and pipes only add to the lean condition...any opinions on whether to install a tuner, and if so, what kind?
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SBB

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Re: To Tune or Not to Tune?
« Reply #1 on: August 17, 2011, 07:06:49 PM »
Quote from: wadeh on August 17, 2011, 06:56:24 PM
I had my dealer install a set of Vance & Hines headers with 4" Rinehart mufflers upon taking delivery of my 2011.5 SE Ultra. I was told that installing a tuner was not necessary as HD compensates for a certain percentage of air/fuel change when non-stock pipes are installed. Bike runs good, but everyone keeps telling me I definitely need to install a tuner as the bikes come lean from the factory anyway, and pipes only add to the lean condition...any opinions on whether to install a tuner, and if so, what kind?

wadeh

Typically a muffler change your bike can handle. With the header pipes also I suggest you get it tuned. My 2011.5 uses the TTS Mastertune.
Also when you have a chance please go to this thread, http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=61133.0 and register your bike.

SBB
« Last Edit: August 17, 2011, 07:10:02 PM by SBB »
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Midnight Rider

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Re: To Tune or Not to Tune?
« Reply #2 on: August 17, 2011, 07:09:35 PM »
Quote from: wadeh on August 17, 2011, 06:56:24 PM
I had my dealer install a set of Vance & Hines headers with 4" Rinehart mufflers upon taking delivery of my 2011.5 SE Ultra. I was told that installing a tuner was not necessary as HD compensates for a certain percentage of air/fuel change when non-stock pipes are installed. Bike runs good, but everyone keeps telling me I definitely need to install a tuner as the bikes come lean from the factory anyway, and pipes only add to the lean condition...any opinions on whether to install a tuner, and if so, what kind?

ABSOLUTELY!!  The ECM cannot compensate for the amount of extra air the motor is pumping now.  If you just put the slip on mufflers on, it might be OK, but with the catless header pipe, it is now running very lean...too lean.  The brand of tuner?  TTS Mastertune, SERT...really, you need to first find a tuner, then talk to him about which device he prefers using.  There are too many possible solutions to list them all in one thread, but if you look under the appropriate heading here, you'll read all you want to read.  The bike will run better, and have more power, IF it's tuned properly.  It will also run cooler.

If your dealer told you that it didn't need to be tuned, they don't have a clue as to how the ECM works on the bikes they sell.  I'd find another dealer, if possible.
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Re: To Tune or Not to Tune?
« Reply #3 on: August 17, 2011, 07:21:02 PM »
Quote from: wadeh on August 17, 2011, 06:56:24 PM
I had my dealer install a set of Vance & Hines headers with 4" Rinehart mufflers upon taking delivery of my 2011.5 SE Ultra. I was told that installing a tuner was not necessary as HD compensates for a certain percentage of air/fuel change when non-stock pipes are installed. Bike runs good, but everyone keeps telling me I definitely need to install a tuner as the bikes come lean from the factory anyway, and pipes only add to the lean condition...any opinions on whether to install a tuner, and if so, what kind?

If you are done making changes, it would be a good idea to have your bike tuned...  As far as which tuning device, many can accomplish the task equally well.  My advice is to find a compentent tuner first - and let him recommend the tuning device he is most comfortable using.   
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Aussie

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Re: To Tune or Not to Tune?
« Reply #4 on: August 17, 2011, 07:36:50 PM »
Absolutely, any change to pipes or air intake requires a tune.

Had pipes and air cleaner fitted to a new 08 before delivery and was told a tune was not required.
So I took dealers advise and didn't bother to get a tune.

Problem was when I road on a hot day bike was toasty hot and when I started her up she went of with a bang when firing up.

This alarmed me so I loaded a SEPST map and did a few smart tunes and all is good.
Runs like a clock now and a lot cooler.
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Banana man

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Re: To Tune or Not to Tune?
« Reply #5 on: August 17, 2011, 09:24:33 PM »
Since you have done the pipes, you might as well put a better intake system on
it and then tune it immediately after. It will run cooler and have more power.
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murphy

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Re: To Tune or Not to Tune?
« Reply #6 on: August 17, 2011, 09:35:10 PM »
I have never seen an HD come from the factory that wasnt already too lean.
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AXIL

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Re: To Tune or Not to Tune?
« Reply #7 on: August 18, 2011, 07:33:18 AM »
   WADEH, every one of the posts above are true. get it tuned. you'll be amazed by how well it will run.
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Re: To Tune or Not to Tune?
« Reply #8 on: August 18, 2011, 09:43:06 AM »
The short but true answer is YES! get it tuned!
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JCZ

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Re: To Tune or Not to Tune?
« Reply #9 on: August 18, 2011, 09:48:44 AM »
Quote from: iselbulls on August 18, 2011, 09:43:06 AM
The short but true answer is YES! get it tuned!

And never trust what that dealership tells you again!   Time to find a new dealership.....one that will be honest with you instead of just interested in a sale and more labor charges.
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Re: To Tune or Not to Tune?
« Reply #10 on: August 18, 2011, 01:30:56 PM »
Quote from: JCZ on August 18, 2011, 09:48:44 AM
 Time to find a new dealership.....one that will be honest with you instead of just interested in a sale and more labor charges.

Dealer could have sold him a download, SEPST, and dyno time, so it isn't that.  Still, the dealer gave bad info re not needing a tune.
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Re: To Tune or Not to Tune?
« Reply #11 on: August 21, 2011, 03:42:17 PM »
Tune.......as soon as possible. I think any mechanic worth his weight will agree with all the guys here. TUNE NOW!!
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Keats

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Re: To Tune or Not to Tune?
« Reply #12 on: August 21, 2011, 04:01:10 PM »
Quote from: SBB on August 17, 2011, 07:06:49 PM

Also when you have a chance please go to this thread, http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=61133.0 and register your bike.

SBB


Forgive my ignorance,

but what is the point of registration?

to find the closest one to steal?

extra CVO special?

out of 999 their are less than 40 accounted for, so tracking cannot be it.

why track them anyway?

just another thread?

A convention coming up?

to many fakes showing up?


there are some things I just do not understand


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Re: To Tune or Not to Tune?
« Reply #13 on: August 21, 2011, 04:35:30 PM »
Quote from: Keats on August 21, 2011, 04:01:10 PM


Forgive my ignorance,


OK, consider it done.



SBB
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Re: To Tune or Not to Tune?
« Reply #14 on: August 22, 2011, 10:38:57 AM »
Quote from: SBB on August 21, 2011, 04:35:30 PM
OK, consider it done.



SBB

Great response!
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