I have been looking and there is so much conflicting info on this subject.

All I want to do is put some VH 2-2 big radius pipes on my 2011 Fat Bob. I am new to this stuff but is it really this hard to make a harley sound like a harley?

All these tuners and running too lean? Also I totally dont trust the local dealership to do any thig right...

I dont want to damage the bike but what do you do?

Anyone done this with any success that would like to share the secret?

 

If your just want to change your exhaust and not your air intake I wouldn't worry about a tuner.

There is a lot of conflict on the newer bikes about if a tuner is needed or not but the way I look at it is that you have spent a lot of money on your bike why take a chance running exhaust with a high flow air intake why take the chance of running lean and damaging the motor, but if you do change both exhaust & air intake spend the money & get a good tuner

 

You dont think it will be too lean from less exhaust restriction? From what i read they are lean to begin with.

 

If your just putting the pipes on but still have the stock A/C I wouldn't worry about changing anything else for the time being. If it feels like maybe your getting decel pop or running way too hot after changing the exhaust you can always try some xied's. Your FI will adjust within its preset range to adjust for changes. The reason most go with a tuner and a dyno is what they did to their bike was outside of the range of what the stock FI could account for. I always disconnect my battery for like 5 minutes after changes just to make sure the old readings in the FI temporary memory bank get dumped and the system adjusts to current readings. At least that's what I have always done on all of my other vehicles. I put an 08 catless headpipe on mine and a SE air intake and with no tuner its running fine. I'm sure it could be dialed in better with a tuner and a dyno but its not running bad or fouling the plugs so I would think just new pipes shouldn't push yours outside of what the stock FI can handle.

 

What is an xied's?

 

do a search lots of threads on them

 

They are inline resistors you add to your O2 sensor wires to trick the FI into thinking it's running too lean and adjust your fuel ration down to about 13.8 if I remember right. You can buy them on nightrider.com for about $100. They are not adjustable like a tuner would be so its a cheap band aid fix for a bike running too hot and too lean. I tried them on my bike but on my current setup they made it run too rich. Air/fuel ratio on a fuel injected engine is a finicky process to dial in right. That's why the stock fuel injection can adjust itself within a preset range but like I said before past a certain point it can no longer compensate for modifications.

 

find out about xieds at nightrider.com. just changing the stock exhaust the stock EFI will be fine. You will only need a tuner or re-tune if you change the pipes and air cleaner both.

 

I'm planning the same. Going to be getting just the Vance and Hines big shots and was wondering about needing the tuner. I guess it should be safe enough to try the pipes first before spending the money on a good tuner. Last resort if it doesn't run right i'll get the tuner. It's funny how so many people have different opinions on the subject.

 

Just pipes or ac no tuner. Do both then a tuner