SERT or DFI????
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
RE: SERT or DFI????
Tick Tock, you I and Faction paid a Dear price for our Education. 
There is something different about the 07. I'm glad I didn't buy the SERT from the start. My dealer would have screwed it up for sure. Destiny has brought me to where I am now. I'm done fiddling with the Bike for a while. Time to ride and enjoy.
There is something different about the 07. I'm glad I didn't buy the SERT from the start. My dealer would have screwed it up for sure. Destiny has brought me to where I am now. I'm done fiddling with the Bike for a while. Time to ride and enjoy.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 894
Likes: 1
From: Northport, AL
RE: SERT or DFI????
I tried the DFO route first. It was one of the Gen III models & it did a good job but I wanted more control like timing & independent mapping of each cylinder. I changed to a SERT & am glad I did. That DFO was undoubtably the hardest install/uninstall I've ever done. The front O2 connection is behind the voltage regulator, the rear O2 connection is under the oil tank (not a job for large hands), & access to the injectors required disconnecting the gas line and raising the tank to the limit of the hoses & wires. Anyone intrested in a slightly used DFO?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,927
Likes: 5
From: Midwest
RE: SERT or DFI????
ORIGINAL: grandpawmoses
I tried the DFO route first. It was one of the Gen III models & it did a good job but I wanted more control like timing & independent mapping of each cylinder. I changed to a SERT & am glad I did. That DFO was undoubtably the hardest install/uninstall I've ever done. The front O2 connection is behind the voltage regulator, the rear O2 connection is under the oil tank (not a job for large hands), & access to the injectors required disconnecting the gas line and raising the tank to the limit of the hoses & wires. Anyone intrested in a slightly used DFO?
I tried the DFO route first. It was one of the Gen III models & it did a good job but I wanted more control like timing & independent mapping of each cylinder. I changed to a SERT & am glad I did. That DFO was undoubtably the hardest install/uninstall I've ever done. The front O2 connection is behind the voltage regulator, the rear O2 connection is under the oil tank (not a job for large hands), & access to the injectors required disconnecting the gas line and raising the tank to the limit of the hoses & wires. Anyone intrested in a slightly used DFO?
But you're right about the DFO not being what you want if you want to alter timing and do more complicated tasks. The DFO is designed for one specific purpose--to add fuel at certain points--and it's great at what it does. No need to use a bazooka when something smaller will do, but when you need a bazooka, nothing else will do!
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,678
Likes: 3
RE: SERT or DFI????
Sometimes the bazooka is cheaper in the short run. SERT = HD, your bike = HD, add those together and at least you get one stop shopping. I generally don't go for the HD stuff is better because it is HD, but I learned my lesson on this one. For anyone familiar with computers and software this is the classic "it's not me" syndrome when there is a problem. At the end of the day, you the consumer are stuck with a vehicle that does not perform as expected and will be up to you to figure out what to do. You'll have a 20K bike sitting around and can't enjoy it.
I'm out 600 bucks at the moment because of the bazooka theory (not buying more than you need) and my advice to one who was considering the SERT vs. something aftermarket to go with the SERT. If you don't buy anything else, buy this - There is something a little different with the 07 EFI system and the automated inputs - you're bike may or may not have an issue, but is it worth the gamble?
I'm out 600 bucks at the moment because of the bazooka theory (not buying more than you need) and my advice to one who was considering the SERT vs. something aftermarket to go with the SERT. If you don't buy anything else, buy this - There is something a little different with the 07 EFI system and the automated inputs - you're bike may or may not have an issue, but is it worth the gamble?
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 812
Likes: 0
From: Alta Loma, CA
RE: SERT or DFI????
I'm not familiar with the DFO but I canreiterate a few points about why you should get a SERT.
1. Its a Harley part that’s made for a Harley. There is no hard starting or stuttering throttle problems.
2. There is no unit that adds on or piggybacks on the bike. So you don’t have to worry about water or dirt damaging a third party unit that’s strapped to your bike.
3. It only costs about $75 more than what you would pay for a PC3.
4. It can be installed and programmed with a canned map ina few minutes.
5. It can be custom dyno tuned.
1. Its a Harley part that’s made for a Harley. There is no hard starting or stuttering throttle problems.
2. There is no unit that adds on or piggybacks on the bike. So you don’t have to worry about water or dirt damaging a third party unit that’s strapped to your bike.
3. It only costs about $75 more than what you would pay for a PC3.
4. It can be installed and programmed with a canned map ina few minutes.
5. It can be custom dyno tuned.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
RE: SERT or DFI????
110% what Tick Tock said...
I'm not one of the Flock to rush to my HD Dealer and buy, buy, buy because it says HD on it.
I tried several Bazooka's only to have them blow up in my face. The Dealer says its the fault of the non HD unit. The supplier of the unit says its HD. The end result is a$$$ bike that doesn't run right.
I'm not advocating running to the Dealer and paying their ridculous price or to tie up your Bike on their Dyno to the tune of $$$ an hour. You can acquire a SERT for a lot less if you shop around, and there are plenty of good shops around that will tune your Bike professionally. Some even are able to do it themselves by reading and a little help from the Experts up here.
I'm not one of the Flock to rush to my HD Dealer and buy, buy, buy because it says HD on it.
I tried several Bazooka's only to have them blow up in my face. The Dealer says its the fault of the non HD unit. The supplier of the unit says its HD. The end result is a$$$ bike that doesn't run right.
I'm not advocating running to the Dealer and paying their ridculous price or to tie up your Bike on their Dyno to the tune of $$$ an hour. You can acquire a SERT for a lot less if you shop around, and there are plenty of good shops around that will tune your Bike professionally. Some even are able to do it themselves by reading and a little help from the Experts up here.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 624
Likes: 9
From: Orangevale, Calif.
RE: SERT or DFI????
Thanks all for your input, I think I'll just step up and go with the SERT, I was thinkin on keeping it simple with the DFO, also do not really like the idea of having parts velcroed or strapped on like an afterthought AND I know wherever I go there will be a stealership should I have problems.
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
RE: SERT or DFI????
Your welcome, you won't regret it.
I picked mine up from the Tuner today. Gives "Runs like a scalded Dog" a new meaning. Feels good all over, but I really notice the difference taking off. I just roll that throttle and the Bike leaps ahead. Throttle response is a lot stronger now. For the first time when I let off the throttle I hear the Grrrrrrrrrrr sound now, instead of the gurglinggrrrr popping that it used to do.
I picked mine up from the Tuner today. Gives "Runs like a scalded Dog" a new meaning. Feels good all over, but I really notice the difference taking off. I just roll that throttle and the Bike leaps ahead. Throttle response is a lot stronger now. For the first time when I let off the throttle I hear the Grrrrrrrrrrr sound now, instead of the gurglinggrrrr popping that it used to do.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,378
Likes: 1
From: Boise, Idaho
RE: SERT or DFI????
i bought a DFO for my '06 dyna when it was new. hoping to save some change vs the price of a SERT. after going thru all the hassle in installing the DFO, noticed that the instructions concerning the colors of the DFO wires was reversed. course you can't mix them up, since the long wire goes to the front cylinder and the short wires can only reach the rear cylinder. after going thru all of this, the damn DFO wouldn't operate/adjust like the instructions said. called the manufacturer who said they did have some manufacturing problems. they refunded my money, but i ended up eating the freight both ways.
went with the SERT and am satisfied with it. the canned map worked well with my Dyna with SE parts, and i used a map that was close to what i had installed on my UC (V&H Ovals and AN BS). the UC ran much better after using the canned map, but did appear to be running a bit lean on the rear cylinder. certainly could have played with the SERT to richen it up, but decided to dyno it instead and have a custom map installed. runs noticably better with the custom map.
was concerned about an add on tuner, such as PC III,and did read about a few that had failed. never read about an ECU failing, so decided to just install the map into the ECU and nix the idea of an add-on tuner (PC III) which had instances of failing, and did not want to chance this while on the road.
[IMG]local://upfiles/12616/BB8D15B826384E14AEA3E66EC13C916B.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/12616/A3888790B53047A6A2BA285EA92C4D41.jpg[/IMG]
went with the SERT and am satisfied with it. the canned map worked well with my Dyna with SE parts, and i used a map that was close to what i had installed on my UC (V&H Ovals and AN BS). the UC ran much better after using the canned map, but did appear to be running a bit lean on the rear cylinder. certainly could have played with the SERT to richen it up, but decided to dyno it instead and have a custom map installed. runs noticably better with the custom map.
was concerned about an add on tuner, such as PC III,and did read about a few that had failed. never read about an ECU failing, so decided to just install the map into the ECU and nix the idea of an add-on tuner (PC III) which had instances of failing, and did not want to chance this while on the road.
[IMG]local://upfiles/12616/BB8D15B826384E14AEA3E66EC13C916B.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/12616/A3888790B53047A6A2BA285EA92C4D41.jpg[/IMG]