Exhaust Upgrade Question
Exhaust Upgrade Question
Just bought a 2015 Road Glide Special. The stock pipes are emasculating. If I upgrade those without upgrading the air cleaner, do I need to put in a tuner as well or can I wait until I get the air cleaner?
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,557
Likes: 6
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
You don't need a tuner if you just slap on some slip-ons. Just about everyone who thinks they're going to throw on some slip-ons to save money, ends up going all the way anyway and loses the money they spent on the slip-ons they bought to save money. I'd save yourself the time, trouble and money and just get the pipes, intake and tuner all in one shot. Slip-ons sound like ****. They'll sound great in the beginning, much better than stock, but chances are after 3 months you're going to hate them.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,557
Likes: 6
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
I'd go for it. Worst case is it'll run a little lean, but I don't think too bad. You'll have time to get the other items. I ran mine with the pipes and air cleaner for a week before I got the Power Commander. Lean as hell, but still ridable. Pulled the plugs the day I put the Power Commander in and they were destroyed. If you're just the pipe though, I think you'll be okay. You'll still need a tuner eventually. Anything more than a slip-on and you'll need a tuner.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,979
Likes: 57
From: PA
About 2 years ago I put slip-ons on my bike (V&H Monster Rounds) with a K&N filter and no tuner. The bike runs great and contrary to what Thumper says, they sound even better now than they did when they were new.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Ponchatoula, LA
The American Custom Exhaust (site sponsor) slip-ons sound great and are designed to work with the stock AC and tune. I was going to get these but then decided to just bite the bullet and go the whole Stage I route. If you go that way, check out FuelMoto, great prices and customer service.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,557
Likes: 6
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
One thing I have to say about FuelMoto is that they loaded the wrong tune on my Power Commander when they shipped it to me. It was way too rich, resulting in 90 miles for a 4.6 gallon gas tank. I loaded a canned map from Dynojet's website and it's running like a champ now. I'll never rely on someone else to download a map for me.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 13,456
Likes: 10,452
From: Sunshine State
Contrary to what most say, stage one, map it with the new pipes. I like V&H Big Shots Staggered because of the power chamber over the the 2 into 1. That's just me. I could have went true duals with fishtails but I didn't.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 226
Likes: 56
From: Dallas, GA
I agree with the person that said you'll outgrow the slip ons pretty quick. Unless you get a hell of a deal on a set. I figure why pay for something your gonna replace again though.
Fuelmoto does have pretty decent package deals tho. If you piece it together yourself, I would at least get the tuner from fuel moto cause you can get tech support and free maps as often as you need them.
Fuelmoto does have pretty decent package deals tho. If you piece it together yourself, I would at least get the tuner from fuel moto cause you can get tech support and free maps as often as you need them.