Excuse my ignorance, but this my 05 Deluxe is my first fuel injected bike. I just bought it a couple of weeks ago and it has an SE exhaust on it (can't ID exactly which one, not on the HD site anymore) and the K&N air filter. That's all that I can tell, performance wise that has been done. I have ordered the Arlen Ness Big Sucker II kit and that's where my question begins. Right now it runs well, but pops some on decel. Can't tell if it's more popping than normal though. But, I'm assuming that I need to tune my bike after installing this air cleaner and I know nothing about tuning an FI bike. I've searched and still have very basic questions.

From what I've read, consensus seems to be to get it dyno tuned by an indy because the dealership will tune it lean to conform with EPA standards.

So, what does that mean? Do I need to order a Power Commander, for example, and take it to the indy to tune or what?

I also have one free dyno run at my dealership within the first year I own the bike. I'm assuming that they'll just map it and give me a printout w/ no tuning. Right?

Thanks for bearing with me!

 

I'm not an expert by any means..but right off the top of my head, you don't need the stage 2 kit unless you know the previous owner has done some work to the engine (i.e. cams & head porting).. the Stage I would be fine. it won't hurt your bike, but it's just more air than it needs. Anyways, right now unless you see an aftermarket tuner installed (FuelPak, PCIII/V, SERT) odds are it probably has a download from a dealer/factory tuning directly in to the ECM. How much is "Some" popping on decel? Is it just a little, or is it loud and rowdy every time you let off the gas? if it's the former, you're probably fine..if it's the latter, you may need to tune it again.
All that is a moot point, however, if you're set on putting the Stage II intake on. Right there I'm like 87.58% sure you're going to need to get it retuned, since you're changing the way the engine is going to handle the air/fuel mixture. I, personally, think it's worth the extra bit of money to get the PowerCommander (or any fuel tuner that you choose), and take it to someone who knows what they're doing, and get it properly tuned. But that's your choice, you could take it to your dealer to get it done, but they'll probably try to sell you on a SERT and tell you a PC will void your warranty* .. if you have 1 free dyno run at your dealer, get it done either way, it'll give you a good idea of where you're at now, and then do some research and see where you should be... even without them tuning it.

* about putting something in that will void your warranty.. it's not true. don't let your dealer tell you that stuff.. the only way a PC or FuelPak or anything you install will void your warranty is if it can be traced back TO that item, and proven that the item caused the problem.

 

If you have a stage 1 K&N then the new filter is not much different no matter what Ness says. That alone would not require a re-tune. Its only a very slight increase in filter surface.

If you buy an aftermarket tuner you can get a canned tune for your set up without the dyno time.

I dont think a dyno tune gives you your moneys worth with out at least a cam change.

Im no expert.

 

A dyno run doesn't map the software, it just tells you how much hp you are putting out.

If you think you need a tune, then go to a reputable Indy. They will have a favorite tuner they are comfortable with (and will sell it to you).

 

The K&N you have is already a "free-flow" air filter. As MStrag stated, the additional fliter area of the AN Stage II should not require a retune. We're all assuming of course that there was a ECM flash to begin with, when the K&N was installed. Otherwise you're probably running very lean (hot). Either way, you've got a free dyno run at the dealer...use it and see where you're at. I have a little decel popping with my V&H pipe and FuelPak. V&H suggest a slight tweak to one value (fuel shutoff RPM) to help. I haven't tried it yet.

 

The first question is if it has been tuned or has a dealer download on it. Did you buy from the OG owner? If so contact them and find out what has been done. It might have the SERT or the dealer download, but judging from the popping on decel the dealer download is my guess.

If it has one of those then your options are to slap on the new air cleaner and do nothing or get some other sort of tuning device if you want the bike to run better which it will once it has some sort of tuning.

The stage II big sucker will be fine on your bike.

Drew

 

Look at your plugs...and come back to the forum with good pics of both plugs. You might want to start in the tuning forum for the real expertise.

The Dr. is right on the money as well, you cant even put on a generic tune from an aftermarket tuner without knowing where you are currently at. The tuner only mathematicaly changes values that go to the ECM so if it doesnt have the proper base line to do the add and subtract from it wont work right.

 

Thanks for all of the responses! I will definitely pull the plugs and post a pic. My primary concern is for the motor to run efficiently and not too lean or hot. Real performance upgrades will be coming, but they're lower on my list of mods after I have some miles on her.

From your inputs, my plans are to install the Big Sucker and take it to the dealer for the Dyno run. Then I'll do more research and ask more questions with that info to find out what I really need.

 

Not an expert either but pull off your seat and have a look around and see if the previous owner has already installed an aftermarket TFI controller. I bought an 06 with only pipes added and found the previous owner had already installed an aftermarket controller. Not the best but in 06 I guess it was ok. There's a recent thread on here that'll I'll find when I get to my laptop and will post a link which contained some good info. Do some searches for efi controllers etc. if you are not planning to do much in the way of actual motor mods and nothing more than pipes and an a/c, it's my opinion you really don't need a high dollar tuner. You'll just need something to increase the fuel. But that again is just my non expert opinion from what I've read up and learned to this point. There are some reasonably priced tuners that will adjust more than fuel, and will adjust timing etc, that would be worth buying. But as mentioned you don't need to spend money on a dyno run to learn your running lean.

 

Don't expect much when pulling plugs, they won't tell you much only the bike is way out of wack. These bikes are tuned so lean that it will probably be white or very light in color. And since they can retard timing to reduce detonation, you won't know that it is too lean since the plugs won't be damaged.

The only way you will really know is to put an exhaust analyzer on it. I wouldn't worry about it until you are ready to change the cams.