Question about Vance and Hines
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,295
Likes: 485
From: St Louis
Question about Vance and Hines
I am looking at some vance and hines 4" slip on mufflers. I love the sound of them. My question is, If I go with the slip on mufflers and keep everything else stock, do I need to do a fuel pak tuner.
I do realize that it will run better tuned, and I will get the fuel pak probably over the winter, but I was curious is anyone else is running the VH pipes with a stock layout and no tuning.
I do realize that it will run better tuned, and I will get the fuel pak probably over the winter, but I was curious is anyone else is running the VH pipes with a stock layout and no tuning.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,295
Likes: 485
From: St Louis
Thanks for the response. I also checked with my dealer and they will not void the new bike warranty if I have engine issues. That was really my concern (along with how it runs). The service people have told me that its actually common for no tuning with just slip ons.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 565
Likes: 152
From: Calgary, Alberta
I got the FuelPak as soon as I added slip-ons, but then I also changed the air intake. I was expecting it to run noticeably cooler, but that didn't happen until I installed the dresser duals. The right side of the bike is now noticeably cooler. I have no idea if the Fuelpak makes that much of a difference but the tune V&H gave me is clean and mileage not too bad. I ride with a guy ('10 SG) who has slipons and an air cleaner but stock head pipes and he does not have a tuner. He gets better mileage than I do, but he also gets some decel pop. I can't say that his runs hotter than mine, but his does run well. I personally was really afraid of running too lean, he seems to think he's okay, so I guess it's preference.
My opinion is that simply adding slipons won't upset any tune enough to make a whole bunch of difference. As mentioned, adding more air could call for it. Removing the cat or adding a more open pipe along with a more open air cleaner would definitely call for more fuel.
I should also add, that although the Fuelpak is strictly open loop and is somewhat limited in functionality, unlike the PCV /w Target Tune, or the variety of closed loop solutions, I am completely happy with the support I've gotten from V&H on this part. I told them the parts I had installed and they sent me a tune, it's that easy. It's not like I'm racing the thing, just looking to keep it cool and collected. For the price it's a pretty good solution.
My opinion is that simply adding slipons won't upset any tune enough to make a whole bunch of difference. As mentioned, adding more air could call for it. Removing the cat or adding a more open pipe along with a more open air cleaner would definitely call for more fuel.
I should also add, that although the Fuelpak is strictly open loop and is somewhat limited in functionality, unlike the PCV /w Target Tune, or the variety of closed loop solutions, I am completely happy with the support I've gotten from V&H on this part. I told them the parts I had installed and they sent me a tune, it's that easy. It's not like I'm racing the thing, just looking to keep it cool and collected. For the price it's a pretty good solution.
Last edited by harkon; Oct 5, 2015 at 02:39 PM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
did the owner have a stock header with the catalytic converter - that affects the sound MORE than the type of muffler.
or did he have a decatted header or aftermarket without a cat?
mike
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,132
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From: Garland, TX
I bought my current bike from my dad who bought it new. He put vance & hines slip ons and a k&n filter in the stock air filter housing. He never put any fuel management device or tuner on the bike and when I bought it from him a few months ago it still ran great with 95k miles. I did put a fuelpak on because I got a used one at a really good price and I wanted to see if it would make a difference. It did help it run better and gave better performance in my opinion.
But to answer your question, you will be fine waiting till winter to get a fuelpak.
But to answer your question, you will be fine waiting till winter to get a fuelpak.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,295
Likes: 485
From: St Louis
No I haven't and that is something I want to do. I was wondering about how it would sound with all of the other stock equipment on the bike. if it sounds stock with just the mufflers than that would be a complete waste in my book.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
that's why I asked...
go to a bike night or dealer bbq type event and hear some other bikes
don;t bother with online sound clips
some of the guys here are on the 3rd or 4th set of exhaust...that gets spendy.
mike
go to a bike night or dealer bbq type event and hear some other bikes
don;t bother with online sound clips
some of the guys here are on the 3rd or 4th set of exhaust...that gets spendy.
mike
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Advanced
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 84
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From: Anthem Arizona
I did the se stage 1 on the air intake, replaced the stock header and cat with V&H power duals(no cat), then tuned it with the se race tuner. Nice performance increase and even the stock mufflers sound better. And runs tons cooler without the cat.
Banned
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 11,232
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From: Socialist Republic of the USA
Gee Mike, I resemble that remark.
OP, I had V&H Big Radius on my last Road Glide along with Heavy Breather and a tune. Loved it and looks great on a bagger IMO. Point is you can find a complete exhaust going with true duals for close to the set of slip ons. Granted that will require a tune but... Just my 2 cents.