What electronics are absolutely necessary
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 563
Likes: 370
From: Grimville just past Kurmsville
I like the Sportster but there is no fun in it if you like to tinker. It has slip on exhaust and I intend to add a Cobra Tuner with a different air intake. It's a new learning curve. It has good performance for me right out of the box but it is choked from the factory. I am interested in making it perform optimally to its potential in its stock form.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 12,271
Likes: 4,952
From: England
My choice of tuner was driven by cost which got me the FP3 from V&H. Dynojet and V&H have got a mapping for a bike with stock hardware.
I applied the V&H mapping and it made a noticeable and good difference to the running of the engine. The temperature dropped and the horrible raspy note in the exhaust went away.
If on a budget I would do the tune first (i.e. get the tuner first) and get the hardware as and when and then chase the optimal tune to your hearts content.
I applied the V&H mapping and it made a noticeable and good difference to the running of the engine. The temperature dropped and the horrible raspy note in the exhaust went away.
If on a budget I would do the tune first (i.e. get the tuner first) and get the hardware as and when and then chase the optimal tune to your hearts content.
Last edited by Andy from Sandy; Nov 14, 2022 at 08:36 AM.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,609
Likes: 4,048
From: San Diego, CA
What? The Sportster product line has a huge selection of aftermarket performance, tires, suspension, and styling products out there. Just what do you mean by tinker? Free horsepower from the gods? What kind of tinkering are you wanting to do?
If you don't like EFI, sell your bike and get an older carbureted model like mine. Then you can tinker away to your heart's content.
John
If you don't like EFI, sell your bike and get an older carbureted model like mine. Then you can tinker away to your heart's content.
John
Last edited by John Harper; Nov 14, 2022 at 09:24 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 563
Likes: 370
From: Grimville just past Kurmsville
To much bullshit. Engine codes? It appears (to me) the new bikes are (over complicated) too delicate and sensitive to the slightest changes. The days of seat of the pants tuning are over. Mess with one thing you screw up something else because the computer doesn't like it.
I drive a 1963 Plymouth Savoy. It has 6 wires under the dash but it runs? That's all that's required. I have a 1998 Jeep and the thing is a piece of ****. I have been chasing ECM and BCM bullshit for years. I am about ready to give up on the turd. The engine is billet proof but they screwed it up with all the electronics.
I sold a 1968 Plymouth Valiant. You think the person who bought it could figure out how to start it? The starting procedure changes with the weather. If it's damp or cold you need to adjust your technique. If it doesn't start maybe you need more gas and less choke or more choke and less gas. You have to take or give what the engine is telling you or giving you. It is something you can't teach it's something you need to learn. No one has a feel for things. They expect instant gratification, hit the button and go. I've had to literally go and show the person who bought the Valiant how to start it a dozen times. They appear amazed and ask how'd you do that. Go figure? I guess I'm a genius.
I drive a 1963 Plymouth Savoy. It has 6 wires under the dash but it runs? That's all that's required. I have a 1998 Jeep and the thing is a piece of ****. I have been chasing ECM and BCM bullshit for years. I am about ready to give up on the turd. The engine is billet proof but they screwed it up with all the electronics.
I sold a 1968 Plymouth Valiant. You think the person who bought it could figure out how to start it? The starting procedure changes with the weather. If it's damp or cold you need to adjust your technique. If it doesn't start maybe you need more gas and less choke or more choke and less gas. You have to take or give what the engine is telling you or giving you. It is something you can't teach it's something you need to learn. No one has a feel for things. They expect instant gratification, hit the button and go. I've had to literally go and show the person who bought the Valiant how to start it a dozen times. They appear amazed and ask how'd you do that. Go figure? I guess I'm a genius.
Last edited by Tenfive0; Nov 15, 2022 at 06:49 AM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 2,441
Likes: 2,884
From: Southeast
To the OP, how primitive do you want to go?
Last edited by Tcrafty; Nov 15, 2022 at 06:49 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 563
Likes: 370
From: Grimville just past Kurmsville
What is there to understand? An Internal Combustion Engine operates the same way it has since its invention. It doesn't need to be over complicated is my point.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 12,271
Likes: 4,952
From: England
Discounting the main fuse my bike only has 2 fuses.
But I admit it has about $300 worth of electronics to control current flow to all the electrics.
But I admit it has about $300 worth of electronics to control current flow to all the electrics.
Last edited by Andy from Sandy; Nov 15, 2022 at 09:38 AM.