Tuning Options
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
Tuning Options
I have an 07 FXST. While at the dealer I was looking at pipes. They gave me a price quote for a full stage one setup. V&H BSS, Screaming Eagle cleaner and race pack with 3 hours of dyno tuning. $1700. I about gave berth. I can get the BSS on the web for about $250 less then they wanted and I can install the pipes and cleaner my self. But ECM is the issue. He said do not go with fuel packs because they will not last. He said go with the Race Pack from Harley. Requires more tuning but gives more power is is more reliable. So I ask you the experts. Is this true? I ama bit new to this EFI Harley stuff. My 05 XL1200C was a much simpler jet change. I am familiar with EFI systems and tuning. I tune my race car via laptop software all the time. Just wanted to make sure my dealer isnt being a stealer. Thank you.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 1
From: Pittsburgh, PA
RE: Tuning Options
I had mine tuned and went through this same dilemma. I too am very hands on with race tuning my car but when it comes to the bike I trust my dealer more than me when it comes to important issues with my bikeand when you're on two wheels instead of four being mechanically sound takes on a whole new meaning.
That being said after digging through all the tuning info I came to this conclusion regarding my bike. I went with the power commander as I don't plan on making my bike a 120 HP rocket (not that the PC couldn't work for that) and they use the PC all the time as well as the SERT. They both work but for me the SERT was a little overkill. I can tell you this if you are just doing a stage 1 upgrade you need about 15-30 minutes of dyno time with an average tuner. Most of the canned tunes will do great. They had my bike dead nuts in 3 pulls.
I bought the PC, SE AC from the dealerand paid them to install both and dyno tune my bike for $700 (already had my pipes on).
That being said after digging through all the tuning info I came to this conclusion regarding my bike. I went with the power commander as I don't plan on making my bike a 120 HP rocket (not that the PC couldn't work for that) and they use the PC all the time as well as the SERT. They both work but for me the SERT was a little overkill. I can tell you this if you are just doing a stage 1 upgrade you need about 15-30 minutes of dyno time with an average tuner. Most of the canned tunes will do great. They had my bike dead nuts in 3 pulls.
I bought the PC, SE AC from the dealerand paid them to install both and dyno tune my bike for $700 (already had my pipes on).
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
From: Denton, Texas
RE: Tuning Options
Find you a local shop to work on the bike....you can get the race tuner off the net for about 20%off the list
or you can try the terminal velocity from terrys components. You dont have to dino the bike.
or you can try the terminal velocity from terrys components. You dont have to dino the bike.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
RE: Tuning Options
I just didnt know if the SERT was really needed. I see posts where people talk about re flashing their ecm for a Stage 1. So I was just thinking maybe they could do that since I dont plan on doing any other upgrades to the motor.
Bonecrusher, I am with you. Ill wrench on my race car all day. Like you I think its the concept of 4 wheels verses 2 and less room for error. Glad to see Im not the only one who thinks this way.
Bonecrusher, I am with you. Ill wrench on my race car all day. Like you I think its the concept of 4 wheels verses 2 and less room for error. Glad to see Im not the only one who thinks this way.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 581
Likes: 7
From: Portland, OR
RE: Tuning Options
I made the mistake of buying the Harley download ($150) for my '06 FXST when I had pipes and A/C installed. Dang bike ran like crap. I even went back to the dealer and told them their download was a piece of sh*t. Bike popped like crazy on decel and ran erratically at low speeds. I bought the SERT and installed the can map for my bike/configuration and it ran much better, but still popped a little. Between help from this board and reading/researching fuel management systems, I tuned out the popping.
I haven't had it Dyno'd, but it's running pretty nice now, runs cooler, little to no popping, plugs look good and it has enough HP to put a smile on my face every time I light her up.
I haven't had it Dyno'd, but it's running pretty nice now, runs cooler, little to no popping, plugs look good and it has enough HP to put a smile on my face every time I light her up.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,727
Likes: 2
From: North Carolina
RE: Tuning Options
I bought my own V&H pipes, a/c and PCIII, installed them myself andhad the dealer dyno and tune. They normally charge $150 for a remap but we had a couple of issues and theyended up doing itfor me at no cost. Bike runs great!
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 72
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From:
RE: Tuning Options
I have the SERT and have had the PC as well, didn't like the piggy back with the PC, but both do a good job with the SERT being the ultimate for tuning since it will accommodate any configurationyou can think of. Just using one of the can maps that comes with the SERT made a world of differencewith my 08 Heritage, i.e. no more heat issues, surging, back firing etc.I might get it dynoed one day but I don't see how it could get any better. The cost for the SERT at Chicago HD was not much more than the PC. Also, I've heard that if the ICM fails and you have a piggy back HD won't warranty.
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Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 651
Likes: 12
From: Broomfield, Colorado
RE: Tuning Options
Easy Crossing,
How did you decide which canned map to use? Are they well enough described that it is easy to get the right one downloaded into the ecm? I have looked into buying the SERT and installing it myself as you did, but of course the dealer says I'll never be able to get it right. Much of the info I get from the dealer is suspect to say the least. Right now I have the V+H FuelPak and it seems to be working fine, I'm not sure I'd gain a thing by going with the SERT.
Paul in Colorado
How did you decide which canned map to use? Are they well enough described that it is easy to get the right one downloaded into the ecm? I have looked into buying the SERT and installing it myself as you did, but of course the dealer says I'll never be able to get it right. Much of the info I get from the dealer is suspect to say the least. Right now I have the V+H FuelPak and it seems to be working fine, I'm not sure I'd gain a thing by going with the SERT.
Paul in Colorado
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Advanced
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Tuning Options
There is plenty of maps that come with the new SERT and it seems just about every configuration that would be needed for the average bike is in there. The thing I like is it's not piggy back, no wires or tie straps to mount anything and no unplugging the Oxygen Sensors like the PCrequires.you just plug in your laptop to the ECM, download the map (just like the dealer does when he charges you $150.00 for a Stage I) and your ready to go. You can also tweak to your hearts content as well. I think most of the maps are close enough that you don't need the dyno either, at least I didn't with my 08 Heritage which has the 2.5 Rush mufflers and SE breather. Bike now runs 200% better than when HD sold it to me. NO heat, surging, or back firingand plenty of power.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 709
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Tuning Options
I purchased and installed my own headers, air cleaner and PC Commander. It is an easy upgrade. Took all of about 3 hours. great way to become aquainted with your bike. Downloaded a map into the commander and off i Went. Spent another $250 for a dyno session which really cleaned up some dead spots.
If I were to do it again i would spend the extra cash on the ThunderMax with the auto Tune. When I first looked at it I didn't realized how cost effective it really is sice you no longer need to pay for Dyno Tuning. What ever you do to your bike it will adjust for it. http://www.thunder-max.com/
Good Luck
If I were to do it again i would spend the extra cash on the ThunderMax with the auto Tune. When I first looked at it I didn't realized how cost effective it really is sice you no longer need to pay for Dyno Tuning. What ever you do to your bike it will adjust for it. http://www.thunder-max.com/
Good Luck
