Tuner Frustation
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 105
Likes: 1
From: Pennsylvaina
Tuner Frustation
I have read many post where people like the Screamin eagle pro tuner and
the people that like the Power Commander 5. I spent 3 years back and forth at the dealer who said they did not use the PC and talked me into the
Screamin eagle tuner. I spent money on a tuner and dyno and from the
beginning had backfires that felt like the pipes would blow off.
This continued for 3 years until I went to a non Harley shop and had them install the PC5 no more pop,no more backfire smooth throttle through all gears and rpms. have the Big Screamin eagle air cleaner with Python staggered duals .I lost a lot of time and money with a tuner that I was told had a ace working with this tuner at this shop.By the way they did replace the gaskets during the 5 visits that did nothing for the backfires.
Has anyone else gone this direction?
Thanks
Charlie
the people that like the Power Commander 5. I spent 3 years back and forth at the dealer who said they did not use the PC and talked me into the
Screamin eagle tuner. I spent money on a tuner and dyno and from the
beginning had backfires that felt like the pipes would blow off.
This continued for 3 years until I went to a non Harley shop and had them install the PC5 no more pop,no more backfire smooth throttle through all gears and rpms. have the Big Screamin eagle air cleaner with Python staggered duals .I lost a lot of time and money with a tuner that I was told had a ace working with this tuner at this shop.By the way they did replace the gaskets during the 5 visits that did nothing for the backfires.
Has anyone else gone this direction?
Thanks
Charlie
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 461
Likes: 22
From: East Coast, US
Yea dealerships love selling the SE stuff. It's an ok tuner IF the tuner at the shop knows how to use it. My dealer tried to pull similar BS on me. I paid for TTS when I bought the bike new (w pipes etc), but when I went back to pick it up they had used SE, saying they knew it well and TTS would void my warranty (BS). The tune was terrible . . I went back 4 times to get the guy to get it right, which he never could. The last time he swore he had it right, I picked it up . . drove a block away, the bike died it was running so rich. I got back to the shop and damn near jumped over the counter to choke the bastard. They put the TTS on (obviously, no charge) and had the tuner who knew TTS inside and out tune it . . . runs great now. So many knuckleheads call themselves 'tuners' who have no idea what the hell they are doing, especially at dealers. That was the last time I went to the dealer for anything, outside of covered warranty items on the bike. It's a shame because that one mechanic who tuned my bike with the TTS is a great mechanic but I want nothing to do with the knuckleheads who run the shop.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 716
Likes: 24
This is a general reply, as of course there are exceptions to the rule in many cases. The SERT (or whatever acronym the latest SE tuner is called) and TTS are very similar, being created by the same person. This is a full range tuner capable of completely manipulating the Delphi system as installed on the HD ECM equipped bikes. Most shops that sell these tuners load a canned map that needs to be close to the bikes setup, then fine tune from there.
Most dealers and basic indy's have no idea how to fully manipulate these tuners in a way that correctly remaps the bike for ALL riding conditions and regimes. This is very evident in the closed loop functions of the tune.
There are of course shops that specialize in doing such, and have skilled technicians who fully understand every parameter of the bikes adjustability. If you don't have your bike tuned by one of these specialist you are only doing half the job required.
A Dynojet tuner such as PCV again uses canned maps.
These tuners however do not use in general any closed loop function, thus the bike runs a more rudimentary algorithm of fuel and spark tables. 90% of most riders are satisfied with this type of tune, thus this tuner type is very popular.
Unless you have a qualified dyno facility available, or want to spend weeks "road tuning" your closed loop system, then go with a basic tuner and be done with it.
Fuel Moto will get you a tune and tuner that will satisfy all but the most stringent rider.
Most dealers and basic indy's have no idea how to fully manipulate these tuners in a way that correctly remaps the bike for ALL riding conditions and regimes. This is very evident in the closed loop functions of the tune.
There are of course shops that specialize in doing such, and have skilled technicians who fully understand every parameter of the bikes adjustability. If you don't have your bike tuned by one of these specialist you are only doing half the job required.
A Dynojet tuner such as PCV again uses canned maps.
These tuners however do not use in general any closed loop function, thus the bike runs a more rudimentary algorithm of fuel and spark tables. 90% of most riders are satisfied with this type of tune, thus this tuner type is very popular.
Unless you have a qualified dyno facility available, or want to spend weeks "road tuning" your closed loop system, then go with a basic tuner and be done with it.
Fuel Moto will get you a tune and tuner that will satisfy all but the most stringent rider.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 105
Likes: 1
From: Pennsylvaina
I get what you mean with the more advanced tune but would the 90%
know the difference from the more basic tune with no popping or backfire
and a smooth ride.I went as far as to put quiet baffles in just to get it to run
richer more restricted and loved the ride until the packing burnt out.
Took them out more power in every gear but back to the dealer for a "Adjustment" on the tune and popping back no big deal but the backfires were
huge. Felt like a 61 yr old delinquent..
know the difference from the more basic tune with no popping or backfire
and a smooth ride.I went as far as to put quiet baffles in just to get it to run
richer more restricted and loved the ride until the packing burnt out.
Took them out more power in every gear but back to the dealer for a "Adjustment" on the tune and popping back no big deal but the backfires were
huge. Felt like a 61 yr old delinquent..
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 578
Likes: 0
From: Apache Junction
This is like an oil thread so didn't even bother reading previous comments...
That being said a tune is only as good as the guy tuning it regardless of software. Some better than others? Absolutely. I like TTS personally, and wouldn't even consider a Pro Tuner as an option, but that's just my opinion for my liking. There are plenty of people not having issues with their MAP using SE software for typical Stage 1 mods. This sounds more like a typical case of you went to a HD dealer for a performance tune and didn't get it. Surprise Surprise. Should have gone to a performance shop of some kind in the first place. Don't go to a burger joint and expect to get a good steak...
Glad you got your bike all straightened out in the end though!
That being said a tune is only as good as the guy tuning it regardless of software. Some better than others? Absolutely. I like TTS personally, and wouldn't even consider a Pro Tuner as an option, but that's just my opinion for my liking. There are plenty of people not having issues with their MAP using SE software for typical Stage 1 mods. This sounds more like a typical case of you went to a HD dealer for a performance tune and didn't get it. Surprise Surprise. Should have gone to a performance shop of some kind in the first place. Don't go to a burger joint and expect to get a good steak...
Glad you got your bike all straightened out in the end though!
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 105
Likes: 1
From: Pennsylvaina
thanks not a oil thread.Question was did anyone else go this direction that I took. Did not go for a performance tune had pipes and air cleaner installed
and took the advice of the service department and used their tuner and had a dyno tune and the bike backfired and popped from day one. back 5 times
no difference.New tuner no more problems. I was not looking for anything more than a bike that sounds and runs good.
and took the advice of the service department and used their tuner and had a dyno tune and the bike backfired and popped from day one. back 5 times
no difference.New tuner no more problems. I was not looking for anything more than a bike that sounds and runs good.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 578
Likes: 0
From: Apache Junction
thanks not a oil thread.Question was did anyone else go this direction that I took. Did not go for a performance tune had pipes and air cleaner installed
and took the advice of the service department and used their tuner and had a dyno tune and the bike backfired and popped from day one. back 5 times
no difference.New tuner no more problems. I was not looking for anything more than a bike that sounds and runs good.
and took the advice of the service department and used their tuner and had a dyno tune and the bike backfired and popped from day one. back 5 times
no difference.New tuner no more problems. I was not looking for anything more than a bike that sounds and runs good.
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