So many different opinions....
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 330
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From: Grayson Ky
So many different opinions....
Ok so I was at my local harley shop today and was picking up a new K&N airfilter... I was telling the parts guy that I got some VH big radius 2 into 2 pipes coming and the first thing that come out of his mouth was did you get some sort of fuel management system.... I said no because when I had my back in for its last service the service guy said if your doing just pipes and a drop in airfilter I didnt need anything.... So who should I listen to? parts guy or service guy... I have read a few posts on here that say you might need a download instead a full blown dyno tune... I can understand you would need a fuel management system if you went with a SE heavy breather or something compareable, but with the stock breather and just a K&N filter what do I really need..
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Oregon City, OR
Put the big radius 2-2 on my SG along with an a/c. Since I'm planning on doing some engine work when I get some cash together I didn't bother getting a fuel management system or dyno'ing it at that point. I just did the H-D stage 1 download. 5k miles later and no problems at all. I'm sure I could have squeezed a bit more power out of it, but it runs fine and until I do the rest of the work I'm not going to bother.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Palm Harbor fl.
is the K&N a replacement for the stock filter system? I think you'll be just fine with a download and the K&N with those pipes. Should you experience decel popping and just overall poor performance, a nice fuel mgmt. system will of course be the next logical step.
You'll probably be okay with out a fuel processor . But , why risk it ? The down load will suffice , but it will still be in the factory lean condition . It allows for pipes and a/c to be installed , and still hold the stock fuel settings .
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: PA
I've always been under the impression that if you change only the pipes, or only the a/c, that you're ok, but if you change both it will run lean and the engine will run hotter. I ran mine without fuel management for several hundred miles at the end of the riding season last year and I did notice it was a little hotter, (or it could have been my imagination - who knows) so that was the next thing I bought for it, ready for spring.
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
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I assume you went to the expense of the K&N filter and pipes to improve air flow for more power. Even though your computer will adjust apparently you will need a remap to get the most out of the less restricted air flow from the air cleaner and pipes. Don't know. Had the remap done when I put on the SE air filter and pipes and never rode it before the remap. Buy the way I noticed a reasonable improvement in power. In my view the bike should come this way from the factory, but then Harley would lose all that extra money.
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Grayson Ky
Thanks for all of the input.... I will stick with what I got and go ahead and pay the $150 for the stage 1 download and take it from there... And if that dont work I will go ahead and get a fuel management system, and if I might as well go ahead with the SE heavy breather while I am it.