Keep tuner or not?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,970
Likes: 900
From: Omaha
I think you'll find most of the forum members here do all minor work like adding a tuner and fluid changes themselves.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 505
Likes: 24
From: Edmonton, Alberta
Called Fuel Moto, but Jamie was not available. They really were not able to help me decide, mainly because was case was unique in some aspects. Due to my very limited knowledge of mechanics and would be extremely hesitant messing with fuel tables and changing anything in the ECM. The tuner would sit on the shelf collecting dust afterwards. On the other hand, having a mechanic do all the work is more appealing. My question then is, have any of you paid a mechanic for the tuner and had him do all the work, or do most of you buy and do everything yourselfs?
Do as others have said and buy the V&H Tuner or do even better and get the Fuel Moto Power-Vision. If you know how to read and write.... you can tune that bike yourself. You don't even need to go in depth with fuel tables etc.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 3,185
Likes: 189
From: 90210
if you are completely adverse to doing anything yourself, at very least go find a reputable Dyno Tuning facility with an experienced dyno operator / tuner. you'll have the bike tuned perfectly the first time. the downside is most of the "Dyno" shops have inexperienced operators and cheap dynos, and yet other places (like your mechanic) try to bend you over for fat cash and loading a canned tune file.
I can bet you dollars to doughnuts, once you pay the mechanic for the "additional bike" license needed to connect to your ECM with the Powervision, he's just going to load one of the pre-programmed canned tune files. and that is not cool for $400.
I know there are at least one or two competent dyno tuners in Riverside if you are in Beaumont California- maybe one of the members here knows names of shops. BTW I bought my very first street motorcycle way back in the day in Beaumont- a black KZ550 with only 1200 miles on it, from the local yama/kawi dealer. 18 y.o. and I was on top of the world! lol
I can bet you dollars to doughnuts, once you pay the mechanic for the "additional bike" license needed to connect to your ECM with the Powervision, he's just going to load one of the pre-programmed canned tune files. and that is not cool for $400.
I know there are at least one or two competent dyno tuners in Riverside if you are in Beaumont California- maybe one of the members here knows names of shops. BTW I bought my very first street motorcycle way back in the day in Beaumont- a black KZ550 with only 1200 miles on it, from the local yama/kawi dealer. 18 y.o. and I was on top of the world! lol
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,925
Likes: 945
From: Texas
On a serious note though, the fuel pak is really easy to install. It is literally plug, set, and go if the new ones are anything like the originals. With my 1 month old first bike, I changed the pipes and added a fuelpak by myself in the middle of a parking lot (and I am no mechanic). The fuelpak is crazy easy to add.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 416
Likes: 83
From: NoDak
On a serious note though, the fuel pak is really easy to install. It is literally plug, set, and go if the new ones are anything like the originals. With my 1 month old first bike, I changed the pipes and added a fuelpak by myself in the middle of a parking lot (and I am no mechanic). The fuelpak is crazy easy to add.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 3,185
Likes: 189
From: 90210
I'd second that on the FP3 for straight up ease and no skills required - plug it in and everything is done from your phone. but we still don't know what led the OP to seek tuning in the first place.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,030
Likes: 11,041
From: San Diego, CA
Can someone tell me if this sounds like a good deal, or not? Took my fuel injected Heritage in to a mechanic to resolve an issue with bike running lean. He proposed selling me a tuner for $400, including labor for re-flashing and tuning bike. He keeps the tuner. The other option is that I pay full price for the tuner, plus labor, and I keep the tuner. This is a completely stock bike, and I would most likely never use the tuner again. What say you all?
I'd like to know why you think you need to retune..? All OEM tunes are EPA and on the lean side, but many people put many miles on stock bikes with OEM tunes......
Now if you have or will do any upgrades (air cleaner, exhaust, cam, big bore kit, etc) or you want your bike to run it's best....
I say get a PowerVision from Fuelmoto
The Powervision is extremely easy to use. Just flash a tune provided by Fuelmoto to your ECM. That tune will be close enough for you to ride without worry and have fun with your bike!
When you get curious, the powervision is also easy to use for a basic autotune... which will dial in the map you flashed even more, without you needing any knowledge of tuning. I've done mine and it's actually kinda fun...
Fuelmoto has several videos on their site that show how it's done.... very, very easy to do!
In the end, you will have spent less than paying the clown who made you the ridiculous offer....!
Even if you don't ever want to touch the PowerVision after the initial flash, it will:
1) Be a great selling point should you decide to sell your bike...
OR,
2) Keep it and buy a new license for $199 and you can use it on your next bike!!!
Good luck...
Last edited by hattitude; Mar 16, 2016 at 10:06 PM.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 777
Likes: 45
From: Beaumont, Ca
Warp Factor, I asked on this forum (on another thread), why my header pipes were glowing super red (near head) after 4.2 minutes, while in the garage, and why my bike would sometimes spitting back when first started. I was told it was most likely an issue of running lean. I was advised by most that one fix was the tuner, the other the Dyno. The bike was running okay, and I did not anticipate any type of up grade. It is 100% stock, and I intend to keep it that way. Thanks all for your input.