upgrading Fatboy exhaust help needed!
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Toledo
upgrading Fatboy exhaust help needed!
I just bought a 2012 FatBoy Lo denim. I'm new to HD's. It is all stock. I've decided to put either Big Shots or Big Radius on it. My question is, do I need a tuner/fuel pack and air filter as well? Will my bike be damaged if I don't? What would a good air filter and tuner be for my Fat boy with vance and hines pipes. I'd really appreciate you input
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
Almost everyone will agree that you can put slip on mufflers on and do nothing. If you change to a full exhaust and/or a air cleaner you definitely need a tuner. How much money are you willing to spend and or how much time are you willing to spend learning how to use a tuner? There are an almost endless number of tuning options. If you just want your bike to run better you can get by for about $300. If you want the last available HP and a bike that runs perfect expect to spend $1000 on a tuner and dyno time. There are about a million different air cleaners so you have to decide what you like style wise. My advice is to take your time and dont rush into buying anything. Do some research and decide what tuner is best for you. If it were me I would not buy a tuner that did not utilize the stock O2 sensors. Otherwise you will use a lot of fuel and the bike wont adjust for altitude and fuel changes. Best of luck with your new bike
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Toledo
Martin! I really appreciate your advice!Thanks. I plan on getting full exhaust. I found some air filters that look pretty cool and utilize the stock 02 sensors, so I'm set with that stuff. As far as the tuner, I just want something that will make the bike run better and prevent any damage that would occur if I only got an exhaust. I plan on doing lots of research. Again, a big help!
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
Martin! I really appreciate your advice!Thanks. I plan on getting full exhaust. I found some air filters that look pretty cool and utilize the stock 02 sensors, so I'm set with that stuff. As far as the tuner, I just want something that will make the bike run better and prevent any damage that would occur if I only got an exhaust. I plan on doing lots of research. Again, a big help!
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 440
Likes: 15
From: South East PA
i've used power commanders on most of the bikes ive owned. i have one on my 2012 FatBoy lo, along with a S&E air cleaner and V&H pipes. the Harley is my first with a custom map, but you can get pre-loaded maps off powercomanders website, then download them into you power commander by yourself.
ive used PC's pre-loaded maps from their site many times on my sprotbikes and have had really good results (never as good as a custom map, but works well). mine only has a custom map because it came like that from the previous owner. i plan on replacing my V&H big radius with V&H shortshots, if it doesn't run the same i will try another map from their site, or see if anyone on the forum as one they'd like to share.
their preloaded maps for 2012 softails are at the bottom of the page.
http://www.powercommander.com/powerc...dl=314&yr=2012
ive used PC's pre-loaded maps from their site many times on my sprotbikes and have had really good results (never as good as a custom map, but works well). mine only has a custom map because it came like that from the previous owner. i plan on replacing my V&H big radius with V&H shortshots, if it doesn't run the same i will try another map from their site, or see if anyone on the forum as one they'd like to share.
their preloaded maps for 2012 softails are at the bottom of the page.
http://www.powercommander.com/powerc...dl=314&yr=2012
Last edited by ADRENALINE RUSH; May 16, 2014 at 11:47 AM.
Tourer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 460
Likes: 4
From: New York
I purchased my Vance and Hines pipes, air cleaner and tuner from Fuel Moto, and couldn't be happier. www.fuelmotousa.com/
The Powervision tuner is easy to use, has an auto tuning feature, and they will send you a preloaded map for the specific setup on your bike. It's truly plug and play.
The Powervision tuner is easy to use, has an auto tuning feature, and they will send you a preloaded map for the specific setup on your bike. It's truly plug and play.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 115
Likes: 1
From: Boston MA area
I went the route of V&H slip ons, K&N RK-3910 air filter kit (fits under the stock air cleaner cover), and a Power Commander V using a canned MAP. While it is not a custom tune, it was a relatively inexpensive route and I have been quite pleased after a year of riding.
Trending Topics
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
Well, if the Techlusion tuner is too basic for you I would skip right past the Power Commander and go straight for the Power Vision. The Power Commander is still a piggy back device and unless you get a dyno tune it is still just guess work. I once took a Techlusion tuner off a 2004 Roadking and put on a power commander and had the bike dyno tuned. The HP and Torque numbers were very slightly higher than with the Techlusion but in the real world I could not tell a before and after difference in the way the bike performed. By the time you buy a Power Commander and dyno time you are past the cost of the Power Vision which has auto tune and is not a piggy back device. All of this being said if I already had a Power Commander I would keep it and be happy with it.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Hellmop,
I have a 2012 Fatboy Lo. Love it. I had the Big Radius 2 into 2. I just sold them because they are LOUD and they end right about in line with your ears. I loved the look of the BR, but on 2+ hour trips with highway riding, I got tired of the LOUD drone going through my helmet into my right ear. If the Big Shots extend farther back, you may find them more acceptable. Plus it will be easier to buy/build baffles for straight pipes, if you want to quiet them down. Good luck. BTW, I bought a PCV for about $225, new, recently. It's my second PCV in two bikes, and I really like it. Good Luck!
I have a 2012 Fatboy Lo. Love it. I had the Big Radius 2 into 2. I just sold them because they are LOUD and they end right about in line with your ears. I loved the look of the BR, but on 2+ hour trips with highway riding, I got tired of the LOUD drone going through my helmet into my right ear. If the Big Shots extend farther back, you may find them more acceptable. Plus it will be easier to buy/build baffles for straight pipes, if you want to quiet them down. Good luck. BTW, I bought a PCV for about $225, new, recently. It's my second PCV in two bikes, and I really like it. Good Luck!
