I just bought a set of VH Big Radius'. The dealer said there is no need for fuel management if I just replace the pipes on my 2009. He said the O2 sensors will compensate enough that I wont need a fuel manager. Doesn't sound right to me. I don't want to run lean.

 

As long as you don't change the intake you will be fine.

 

Greetings,

And if you do change the intake, just get the Stage 1 download. I have changed my intake and running Vance and Hines Shortshot Staggereds on mine. All I have is the Stage 1 download and no issues whatsoever. A lot cheaper than the race tuner!

 

I had my HD dealer install the same pipes on my 09 Rocker, he told me there was no need to make any changes unless you changed the intake, and man do they sound nice!!!!

 

Yup, what he said.
Same thing no problems.

 

My understanding is that from the factory a Harley is lean and needs the Stage 1 download. When you install pipes, the computer does compensate, but only returns to factory lean condition. I installed V&H slip-ons on my 2007 Heritage with no problems, but rear head pipe puts off alot of heat, which should be corrected with Stage 1. I do not know any of this for a fact, but sounds correct...maybe someone knows for sure.

 

All new Harleys shipped since 2007 are running lean due to a mandate by the
federal Government. (EPA) They are not picking on the MOCO as every motorcycle manufacturer comes under the same general law. The bikes that are water cooled are having an easier time of complying because they generally run cooler. A water cooled engine generally runs considerably cooler than an air cooled variety.
Now, just because they run lean from the factory does not mean that they will burn a hole in the piston when you cruise at 70 mph. I have yet to hear of that happening unless someone was using a fuel delivery device and mistakenly had it set so it subtracts fuel from the factory map. Some of the fuel injection devices are not capable of subtracting fuel, but they do add fuel when it is called for by sensing things like air volume, rpm and demand. Unless you are in a racing environment, my opinion has always been that most of these devices are overkill, to say the least. I would think the vast majority of owners (95%) who run their bikes on the street or at highway speeds would be much better suited by installing one of the devices that adds fuel when it is needed rather than having the capability to both add and subtract fuel. Devices such as Harleys Race Tuner is pretty expensive to say the least and it does have the ability to subtract or add fuel. If installed, whether by the dealer or individual, it pretty much voids any factory warranty which may or may not be in effect. A device such as the Dobeck TFI is only capable of adding fuel when it is called for so there is never a risk of burning a hole in a piston because it will never run any leaner than the factory installed map whether it is the stock version or the SE Stage 1 download. If a dealer wanted to be chicken enough they could even claim a TFI could void the warranty but I have not seen that happen.
I don't own any such devices for myself but I have helped a lot of friends install them on their bikes. Any yes, when you install new slip on mufflers, download the Stage 1 download from the factory and put on a SE Stage 1 air cleaner you will increase the performance of your motorcycle. And once again, if you install a fuel device of which there are many available, that will increase your performace even more. Remember some devices only add fuel when demanded and some subtract fuel as well as adding fuel. Everyone has to decide which is for them. Generally speaking the devices which both subtract fuel and add fuel are more expensive. In addition those type devices are best tuned by using 2-4 hours of very expensive dyno time or at the very least having a laptop computer to set up a new map. The types that just add fuel are pretty much just plug in and go. The base (uninstalled) price of slip on mufflers will generally run $300-$800.00. The Screaming Eagle air cleaner is about $130.00. The SE 1 download from the Harley dealer is another $150.00.
Anybody have comments? Lets hear them.

 

WOW!!! I miss my carburetor. LOL

 

Hey Retrop.... what the heck are you tying to say?

 

+1 on that. I have an 07 and I just was in the dealer today and looked at the 09's. You lost me when you started talking about water cooled bikes. If there was a water cooled bike in there it was a jap bike that I didn't notice anyway. Maybe he V-rods are but I'm not into them anyway. But hey, at least you have a lot to say!