Picked up a Ventilator Extreme air cleaner, strictly because I like how it looks, for my 21 RKS.

I have heard/been told conflicting responses, so I'll ask here, anyone here running this cleaner with Rinehart (or any brand) slip-ons only, and not tune?
I know its "recommended" to tune, but I was also told by a local dyno shop that I can run the slip-ons and this air cleaner without needing to tune, until I swap out the head pipes.

Honestly, I'm anxious to throw the cleaner on, but I do plan on swapping headers in the future which will be followed by a dyno tune, so unless someone has run slip-ons with this cleaner without a tune and has had no issues, I may just hold out until I swap the headers.

 

I've run both the same air cleaner and slip ons on my 19 RKS, you need a tune.

 

Thanks for the info, appreciate the response. Looking like I'm going to wait to swap the headers and then I'll throw this cleaner on and tune, just to ensure everything runs smooth.

 

I was told by many techs that you can run slip ons without a tune but if you open up the air cleaner you will need a tune. In addition to that a VERY good tech added some info to that. He said you can install slip ons without tuning because the ECU has about a ten percent adjustment range. He said then imagine if you use up about seven percent of that adjustment range by installing slip ons then you wind up in higher elevations, you then only have three percent adjustment range left. I know I am probably butchering the description but hopefully you can get the gist of it.

Years ago when I got my first fuel injected bike I bought a tuner and learned how to do the basic tuning myself. Then whenever I felt like making a change I just ran another auto tune to allow it to correct for whatever changes I had just made. Might be worth some research so you can change what you want when you want and not have to rely on service visits.

 

I'm not sure slip-ons alone have much effect. The O2 sensors are way up stream from the mufflers. Does the ECU even know the mufflers were changed?

 

That was my thought, especially considering the 114 touring bikes already come with the ventilator back plate (to clarify, I would only be changing the cover and filter unit), but that is also why I was hoping to get some feedback from those who have run the same set up I am considering (slip ons and the ventilator extreme).
Honestly, on my last two Harleys when I ran slip ons and a performance air cleaner, I did also tune them using an FP3 fuelpak, I just figured that since these do come with the ventilator back plate, I may have been able to get away with it on this bike.

 

so there's a few ways to consider this...

1. Although some 114s come with the exact same part number Ventilator stock as the SE version, the OEM has a paper filter and the SE version has the high flow K&N in which Harley states requires an ECM recalibration or severe engine damage may occur. So they believe the airflow difference from just the filter element is significant obviously. And they state that from just adding the SE Ventilator to a stock powertrain without even adding hi flow mufflers.

2. There are some that will call BS, having made the change/s and not retuning with no stated ill effects, but how long have they run them and how hard have they run their bikes, etc. etc. You can forego and save some $ by following this knowing you 'enter at your own risk' on the consequences.

3. The safe, prudent and wise choice is to add the SE Ventilator filter, Slipons and retune appropriately for optimum and safe running condition.

 

Yup, I agree 100%. Jumping the gun isn't worth the risk, I will be waiting until I throw on the headers before I install the cleaner and get everything tuned then.

Thanks everyone for your info/advice, appreciate it.

 

Remember, in closed loop, the O2 sensors keep the fueling levels in the factory callout. Open loop is where the problems come when you change the exhaust and air cleaner assembly. That is the reason you need a Tune.

 

Just a question: Since you will have to buy a tuner when you do the dyno, why not buy the tuner now, put on the new air cleaner, and then when you do the headers, do the dyno? Then, you can enjoy the benefits of the new air cleaner now instead of waiting. Or you may find out you can do the tune yourself without paying a dyno tuner to do it for you.