Do I need a tuner?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 5,317
Since DKCustom is showing a high-flowing air cleaner alone will improve HP and torque by as much as 10% and 7%, respectively, without a tuner, why don't you install a free-flowing air cleaner and see what the bike does? I'd be interesting in reading what you have to say afterwards.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 5,315
Likes: 4,272
From: Granville New York
Sounds like you've already made up your mind. Still baffles me...spend 30k on a motorcycle...spend a couple thousand more for some pipes and air cleaner then get suddenly budget conscious when its time to buy a couple hundred dollar tuner. Its not just the op either...this topic is becoming the new what kind of oil should I use? Lol. Op just save your money till the warranty is up then buy some upgrades that are actually worth the money.
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2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Gladstone, MO
Thanks for the advice guys. I haven't made up my mind already, if I had I wouldn't be here asking the question. I'm not trying to be budget conscious. I just don't want to spend $300 on a tuner if I don't need it. If I need it, that's fine, I'll get it. If DK Customs is full of **** with their claims, it's ok to just say they are full of ****. Their video looked believable. I just wanted confirmation or not from people with more M8 knowledge than me. Thanks again for the info fellas! Cheers
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 307
From: Houston, Texas
FYI - There are threads here from people that say they have talked direct to Harley and were told that any aftermarket changes to the drive train voids the warranty. In other words, you have already voided your warranty with the slip ons. Your local dealer is more than likely going to look the other way because they want your future business. But at anytime, any dealer could out you in the computer and would void your warranty everywhere. You would need to put your stock slip ons back on before taking it in for service to be 100% protected.
Having said all that, my suggestion would be to put 3 or 4000 miles on it if you haven't already to make sure your engine is good. There are a minimal amount of bad ones. Then screw the warranty and make it yours with all the mods you want.
To answer your original question, do you need a tuner? Probably not. The bike should adjust it's self as close as it can and run fine. But..... You want one. The bike will run so much better with a good tune. Even with out the mods.
Having said all that, my suggestion would be to put 3 or 4000 miles on it if you haven't already to make sure your engine is good. There are a minimal amount of bad ones. Then screw the warranty and make it yours with all the mods you want.
To answer your original question, do you need a tuner? Probably not. The bike should adjust it's self as close as it can and run fine. But..... You want one. The bike will run so much better with a good tune. Even with out the mods.
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 11
Likes: 5
From: AZ
I noticed that when I changed out my head pipes, mufflers, and AC. But it sure as hell sounded better.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 428
Likes: 153
From: Raleigh NC
I can tell you on my 103, adding slipons and a high flow filter absolutely caused decel pop and I knew it was running lean. On my 2021 that came with what they say is a "Heavy Breather" and I added slipons, I am getting zero decel pop and it runs very good...so its possible that the new ECU is adjusting...I have zero idea...however I do have my stock stuff to toss back on if it has issues....once there is a hack for the new ECU and I can get it tuned, then I am going full exhaust, a real cleaner, and warranty be damned...I am hoping to have a few 1000 miles by then and will already know if I got a lemon....
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