I understand that the ECM is the rev limiter for the 2012 103's softails.
I also understand that it is set at 5500 rpm.
But what happens when you hit the limiter?
Does the ECM stop providing fuel to the injectors, or does the ECM retard the timing when hitting the limiter. I know I can go out and try it for myself, but I am not allowed to go over 25 mph.

 

..as the name suggests, I'm guessing it won't rev any higher...

..was this a trick question?

They tell me the Stage 1 raises it to I believe 6200, but I'll never see it.

 

Thats a ton of iron to be spinning that fast, to which one would also ask "Why?"
Isn't the peak torque somewhere around 3200 RPM's?
When you ride something with big jugs like that you shouldn't be looking to see how violently you can make them flop around, not even on a bike!

 

The pro/race tuners will raise it to 6500. When you hit it, it's like the fuel gets retarded and keeps the bike from speeding up any more. Not a happy feeling, for the rider or the bike. Really, no reason to rag your scoot out that badly, unless bullets are flying.

 

I believe on the earlier bikes, it cuts fuel, and then when rpm's drop a specified amount, puts fuel back in.
But some more sophisticated "throttle by wire" systems incorporate other strategies, like reducing throttle opening, retarding timing before reducing throttle or cutting fuel, etc., and the latest Harley systems on some of their bikes may do this.

 

I've hit the stock rev limiter. And yes it just cuts fueling until RPMs fall below limit.

My Power Vision raised it, but I'm not sure what to as I've never hit it and don't need to.

 

With most ECM management softwares (SESPT, SEPST, PV, PC5), you can up the Rev Limiter to 6200-6500rprm. When combined with Stage 1 mods and a mild remap, there is a clear impact on the acceleration as the engine does develop peak HP in the 5200-5500 range and pulls strongly to 6K. Worth it if you like to work the rpm range but not the happiest of engines when you ask it to work hard above 4000 rpm.

On the few occasions I have stretched my bike (trying to keep up with sports bikes), the redline (not limiter) in third gets me somewhere north of 145kmph & I could never bring myself to hit the redline in fourth. Not sure if I will ever explore the redline in gears higher than that on a Softail.

 

LOL - It was worth reading this thread just for that

 

6250 on mine. Ive redlined mine 1st through 4th. Don't have a need to redline the other gears since 4th redlines after my speedo maxes out. I do redline 1st and 2nd quite a bit. When it was stock I wouldn't come near it.