No, they could use their HD diagnostic equipment to flash the ECU.

 

No they just use a laptop . HD releasing the SEST was TTS mastertunes doorway to selling the software to the public,you see the people behind TTS designed the software that the moco uses on all the ecm's including all stage 1downloads and SERT. and the moco breached their contract when they released the SEST apparently without consent,at least that's the way I understand it.
I have a pcV and I've done my best to keep it dry by carefully placing it out of water's way but every now and then with rain and heavy exposure I get some hesitation. If I could get a decent amount of money back by selling it I would then go with TTS. You need to read up and be computer freindly but I believe TTS mastertune is the way to go.

To the OP RicMF for sure you'll have decel popps, that can be controled since it only happens in the off throttle position. even at 2% throttle those won't happen,and it's only fuel exploding in the pipes so there's no real harm except your pride I guess! HEHEE . Your 150 to 225$ you spent on the HD download would have made a nice dent in the cost of the TTS software but we all live and learn. that's my next way to go if ever! But the more I think of it the more i want to do it, and yes you will feel a power boost with a fuel management upgrade --nothing to rock the planet with but once you have it you will never want to go without!

 

I don't claim to be an expert, but if you have V&H big radius, you could go with the vance & hines fuelpak. my dealer wanted $250 for a download and all I wanted were straight shot slipons and stage 1 aircleaner. I opted for the fuelpak because it was only $200 (eastern performance). I agree it is somewhat limited as to what it can do, but I do not plan any huge performance mods, and it was cheaper than my dealer, and it gets the job done as far as air/fuel mix. I noticed a big difference on installing the fuelpak better acceleration etc (seat of the pants dyno).

 

So, if the flash that HD provides is still an EPA flash, what does it that paticular flash do vs. something like a V&H fuel pack or PC? Maybe I should also ask what the difference is between the V&H fuel pack and a PC. I know there are several topics about this, but most are technical and not put in simple terms

 

They both essentially do the same thing. The PC is tuneable. Not sure the FP is. The FP is very cheaply made and have heard many stories (on here) of failures. I haven't heard many failure stories on PC's although Im sure its happened.

It like the FP is around $180. The current version of PC is $300...w/autotune module +$350 (650 overall). Tmax autotune is around $800. They all do the same thing. Which each level of configurability, the price goes up. Sort of like a desktop computer. You can get one for $300 from walmart that is ok....or you can buy one for $2000 that will blow your doors off.

 

This may be oversimplified....

To optimally tune a bike you need to adjust the HD supplied fuel and timing programed into the ECU without making more problems. Its not simple, it costs more to be able to control more things and with higher accuracy. And as with most things in life, better is the worst enemy of good enough.

Software based products like the $500 Mastertune TTS or Harley SEST change the timing and fuel tables within your existing ECU. The TTS also provides you some nice tools to record performance and self tune, which appears to be the hot ticket at the moment. If you are handy with a laptop and software, or have an existing SERT this is the way to go. There is also software like MyTune to add to a SERT or SEST that logs and generates tuning tables.

Products like the $100 XiED, $150-$300 fuel packs (V&H, PC), $600 PCV with autotune, $800 Thundermax (zipper) with autotune, $900 DDT add their own consumer grade hardware that manipulates the ECU into supplying more fuel and with varying levels of sophistication. More money, more sophistication. The PC is more sophisticated than the V&H. Their tables are typically plug and play, although some will adapt and some allow you to make adjustments. If you are more comfortable with adding hardware, or have no interest in tuning yourself, these devices may be the way to go. Some of these add ons only adjust fuel delivery.

A dyno shop uses laboratory grade equipment and a skilled operator to optimize your ECU or fuel pack for your specific bike.

There is a lot of marketing claims and fan hype out there, some misinformation. The easier to use software based solutions, like TTS, are relatively new to the market where the PCs, fuel packs, and XiEDs have been around for a long time and have a big user base.

Any consumer grade product will have some compromise so they are affordable, a $900 device may give you pause to think where $100 may be good enough.

At the moment for those of us that don't want to be married to a dyno shop, the TTS seems to be the best compromise. It comes with pretty good base tables that are good enough if you don't choose to optimize for your bike. Others work well also, but if you are going to spend between $500 and $1000 ($100 if you already have a SERT dongle) the TTS appears to offer the best capability and handles a wide variety of mods. The PCV is also provides good results. I don't think the above is a complete list and new products come out all the time, so your mileage may vary.

 

It's slight of hand, not magic.........

 

I bought the TTS mastertune and I'm quite happy: I've SE Stage 1 and the map for TTS is good!