I am new to Harleys so forgive this question (I may have many as time goes) but When I add a set of aftermarket pipes can this be done straight up? No other changes? The dealer told me I would need to hook it up to the dyno and play with the ECM to get the flows dialed in...others have told me that I can add exhaust straight up with no issues. Please help

 

Of course dealer is gonna say you need to re-map, etc. No, I have'nt re-mapped for just slip-ons, true duels and slip-ons YES, but for just some slip-ons your fine.

 

I had the dealership install Vance and Hines slip-ons on my 2013 Fatboy and I had to go with Stage1 AC, Screamin' Eagle Tuner and Dyno time just to keep the bike from popping and backfiring like crazy !!!

 

I want to add the V&H big radius 2 into 2... just by doing this am I good or should I need a remap?

 

I installed the Vance and Hines Big Shots Staggered on mine. Before I did I went down to the dealer and asked the parts guys up front then snuck around back and talked to the service manager. I got two entirely different answers.

Parts guy: If you install any kind of aftermarket exhaust part you must install a stage 1 intake or filter kit and you must also have some sort of fuel management device. You will void your warranty if you do not do this and you will void your warranty if anyone else other than Harley does the work.

Service manager: You can install those pipes. We can do it or your can. If your engine has a manufacturer defect Harley will take care of it. We do recommend intake and fuel management but some exhausts systems can be installed without much change to the engine. Put the pipes on and see if they perform. Drive it down the road and you will know pretty quick if your setup will work or not. Then you will know you will at least need some sort of fuel management.

Me: I did install the Vance and Hines pipes. Did it in my garage. I took my time and laid everything out. I am an aircraft mech and am very proficient in wrenchcraft. I was super careful because I didn't want to scratch any chrome. Things woulda went smoother if I hadn't had to stop to go buy a few extra tools--extra long torx bits. I fired the thing up and it was very loud, but good. Ran for about 30 seconds then shut it down. Took it down the road and I immediately noticed a drop in bottom and midrange pull. I returned home and parked it in the garage. It sat there until my powervision tuner from fuel moto had arrived. I told them what I had and they sent a tune preinstalled in the unit. I installed everything and all I can say is WOW. I ran some autotunes and it got even better. Do I think you need to do a full stage one for it to work? No. Do you need to have it tuned in some way or another? Yea, I think you do. And as soon as money and circumstances permit I will also change the induction system as well. I know the stock air cleaner just cant feed that engine what it needs to run with some better pipes. But good fuel management can set the fuel mixture properly so you wont overheat the engine.

After I installed the pipes and before I tuned it. I made one trip to town and back. No bottom end power. Lots of popping on decal. Engine seems to pick up excessive vibrations. This is probably what you are gonna be in for if you do the big radius pipes without some kind of fuel management.

And this is just a recommendation too. If you do get the big radius pipes you may wanna think about getting the quiet baffles too. Those baffles restore just enough back pressure to get a good bottom end pull back. And if you are worried about loss of sound you might be surprised that those baffles in my opinion made mine sound better.

My opinion? If you cant afford something like a powervision that can tune your bike for you go ahead and do the stage one. You'll be better off and more happy down the road. When my bike gets out of the shop my next part is gonna be some kind of intake upgrade...I shoulda did the entire thing to start with.

 

Put the pipes on and see how it runs. Odds are you will be fine with just pipes. If it is a newer bike the O2 sensor will help the bike adjust a bit for the pipes anyways. If it pops like crazy after they are on there are cheaper and some would say better options than paying the dealer for a dyno to fix that.

 

We have Bassani Road Rage 2-1 on out bike and yes it does run leaner and we do get the decal popping but not really bad. With just the pipes only you can ride it without a tune. Like others have said you will need to install them and ride it to see how lean it runs.

The bikes come from the factory very lean to pass EPA standards, but, some don't need a tune where others do.

If you go the full stage 1 than yes you will need a tuner or a dyno run to set up the fuel management system to correct for the freer flowing intake and exhaust system.

 

Thanks everyone

 

Are these pipes EPA approved pipes? If not did the dealer install them?

 

I had issues after installing a new header and went with the HD SERT and Dyno. Runs like a champ after the upgrade.