ThunderMax concerns and question
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,738
Likes: 7
From: St. Charles, IL
ThunderMax concerns and question
I recently added a ThunderMax with the autotune to my bike. Last year I ran with the PowerCommander3 and was getting over 40mpg on the bike. Since getting my bike back on the road this spring with the T-Max unit, my MPGs have dropped significantly to around 30mpg. I am hoping that the unit is "Learning" still as I have only just put @ 400 miles on the bike so far. What my question is, has anyone else noticed this and will it get better MPG over time?
Thanks
Thanks
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,961
Likes: 263
From: Conroe Texas
RE: ThunderMax concerns and question
Yep same issue, just switched to the SERT last week after dicking around the TMAT, even had the tech look at it in Destination Daytona. Did lose some TQ/HP on the switch but bike runs without pinging, still dont have a MPG # yet but wil repost when I have enough data. Probably could have got it dialed in but did not want to waste riding time doing it.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,106
Likes: 12
From: SoCal
RE: ThunderMax concerns and question
It's all in the tuning. Zippers builds their MAPs fat and rich, so they have old me. This makes the bikes run cooler with better response. So the choices are learning to tweak it yourself, or find a tuner who knows ThunderMax, and have him tweak it for you. You can lean it out in certain areas that will help. I kept mine fat (it came at 13.021, I have now leaned it out to 13.310) at idle and low speed so the bike is cooler in traffic and when I teach Ride Like A Pro. I leaned it out a bit more at cruising range (13.542) to give me better freeway mpgs. I don't want go go too lean, other wise it runs hotter than I like, and the performance drops.
What other mods do you have? Heads, cams, larger juggs and pistons, intake and throttle body make a difference too.
What other mods do you have? Heads, cams, larger juggs and pistons, intake and throttle body make a difference too.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,738
Likes: 7
From: St. Charles, IL
RE: ThunderMax concerns and question
I understand that the base maps might be a tad rich, but I thought with the "Auto-Tune" type units that it will deviate from the base map after running a while and reading the sensors?
All I have is true dual headers, Vance&Hines ovals and the larger HD airbox. All else is stock in the engine
All I have is true dual headers, Vance&Hines ovals and the larger HD airbox. All else is stock in the engine
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2006
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From:
RE: ThunderMax concerns and question
I have the same setup on my 06 Ultra. V&H true duals, slipons and air filter. The TMAX started out giving me 32 mpg. After 2000 miles I am up to 37 mpg. It has tuned itself. No heat or decel pop or pinging issues ever.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,373
Likes: 5
From: Northern Virginia
RE: ThunderMax concerns and question
I don't have a TMAX but my tuner has the software to adjust the settings. I have a PCIII and average 40mpg. The best i have gooten so far is 46mpg with a half full bike and pulling a trailer.
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2008
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From:
RE: ThunderMax concerns and question
Mine ran at about 33mpg for the first 400 miles or so, but after about 800 miles the milage has gone up to about 38mpg. I think if you give it some more time it will improve. My milage isn't as good as it was with the pcIII, and I don't expect it to be, but it does run cooler and smoother and that makes a few miles per gallon worth it.
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Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,738
Likes: 7
From: St. Charles, IL
RE: ThunderMax concerns and question
Thanks for all the posts, you made my mind rest easy a little bit. I will give it some more time, going away for the first weekend in June to upper Wisconsin. That should put a couple hundred miles on it and I'll keep track of it then. 