Why Modify EFI Models?
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 131
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From: Lower Alabama
Why Modify EFI Models?
The home page of the HD Forum recently posted a short article on the Harley David EFI and contained the following statement: "If you want to modify your motorcycle--an EFI system makes it much more complicated, because changes to any component of the motorcycle's engine requires changes to the fuel map of the EFI system. Generally, factory motorcycles have been tuned to a high degree of reliability, and adjusting them can be an expensive procedure. Correctly done, changes to the engine can certainly provide an increase in power and performance, but changes also nullify the engine warranty."
I recently did a stage 1 on my carburated '05 Road King with 40k miles and have been debating whether or not to do a stage 1 on my stock '07 Low Rider with EFI. I am happy with the performance of the Low Rider but would consider modifications that improve performance and reliability of the bike. After reading this short article, I would have serious doubts that I would get much out of a stage 1 on the Low Rider.
Are stage 1's worth the expense and work on the EFI's?
I recently did a stage 1 on my carburated '05 Road King with 40k miles and have been debating whether or not to do a stage 1 on my stock '07 Low Rider with EFI. I am happy with the performance of the Low Rider but would consider modifications that improve performance and reliability of the bike. After reading this short article, I would have serious doubts that I would get much out of a stage 1 on the Low Rider.
Are stage 1's worth the expense and work on the EFI's?
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 131
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From: Lower Alabama
Thanks, Dave. I suppose I am at that stage of doing "due diligence" for modifications on my Low Rider. The link you provided contains a wealth of information that will take a while for me to absorb.
I am satisfied that a stage 1 was the right thing to do on the carburated Road King, but my Low Rider is performing so well right now that I am not sure that I want to touch it. I have read where there is a line of thought that every stock Harley produced over the past 20 years comes off the line out of tune. However, some folks are going to tweak their bike regardless of how well it runs, so one has to reconcile all these philosophical approaches to bikes
I am satisfied that a stage 1 was the right thing to do on the carburated Road King, but my Low Rider is performing so well right now that I am not sure that I want to touch it. I have read where there is a line of thought that every stock Harley produced over the past 20 years comes off the line out of tune. However, some folks are going to tweak their bike regardless of how well it runs, so one has to reconcile all these philosophical approaches to bikes
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From: New England
...I am happy with the performance of the Low Rider but would consider modifications that improve performance and reliability of the bike. After reading this short article, I would have serious doubts that I would get much out of a stage 1 on the Low Rider.
Are stage 1's worth the expense and work on the EFI's?
Are stage 1's worth the expense and work on the EFI's?
But as far as getting much out of a stage 1, that's really up to the rider. Some might really appreciate even very minor differences where others wouldn't waste their time or money unless they saw huge gains.
I put a TTS on my completely stock TC96 Ultra before any mods simply because the bike didn't run as I wanted it. And the slightly cooler-running motor kept the pipes from seriously bluing not to mention the improved performance and mileage.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 552
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From: las vegas nv
mods
Swamp Tiger, a lot depends on the bike. I had a 07 ultra that pinged excessively, sixth gear was absolutely useless even at 80 mph. The engine was incredibly hot, so hot that it burned my wifes leg through her jeans. So after a stage one and a t-max ecm guess what? No pinging, even at 55mph the engine ran cooler and momma was happy again! So in my case a stage 1 made a very big difference from stock. Just my $.02
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,067
Likes: 394
From: Edmonton Alberta Canada
As fishcop stated, it's mostly to "undo" everything the factory has had to do to comply to government polution controls, a little more power and better sound is just an added bonus.
As far as EFI being more expencive to modify, if you get a programable tuner such as a PC5 it's really only more expencive to do the first modification, after that you can do anything you want and just update your map every time for free.
As far as EFI being more expencive to modify, if you get a programable tuner such as a PC5 it's really only more expencive to do the first modification, after that you can do anything you want and just update your map every time for free.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Home of the World Champion Steelers
If you want performance, then you modify. Mine is producing 89 hp/113 Ft Lbs of torque to the rear wheel. I know personally of others producing 100+ hp and they drive it daily.
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,074
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From: Baltimore, MD
Seems like almost everybody puts on aftermarket pipes. Well ya gotta re map for that. Richen it up a bit, I think. Seems to make the engine run a notch cooler too. I don't think I would fool with it unless I changed the pipes. With bigger mods, the fuel map would also have to be changed. Didn't like EFI until I had it. Now I like it alot. But then, I don't change things. I just ride it.