Power comander ???
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,614
Likes: 27
From: Toms River, NJ
I had the same question, but after reading all the posts on the forum I can't see why you wouldn't get one. I am looking at the monster ovals and called V&H. They said if I don't use a power commander I will not gain in the LOW and TOP end. As always, Just my 2 cents. Be Safe JIM
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,142
Likes: 7
From: Michigan
the Stage 1 ecm flash is harley's "canned map" for the stage 1 aircleaner and slip on upgrade. If you use a Power Commander, you have the ability to fine tune this map to your type of riding, as well as your desired results. If you want more torque/HP, get teh bike to run cooler, etc, you can most likely do that to some degree with the Power Commander. Realize though, that you may sacrifice things like mileage to attain these goals. Having said all that, at $150 per ECM flash the Power commander is a better investment if you are going to be doing anything to the motor in the future.
The Schlong Man
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,772
Likes: 4
From: Nantucket
I'll convey to you my experience. With all you have already done to your motor, if your bike is running well, you will not notice any difference in performance. I dunno about cooler oil temps cause I never worry about such things. My engine doesn't seem overly hot when I'm sitting on it so I assume the internal temps are within normal operating parameters. Never bothered to see what the actual temps were before and after. I fyou have exhaust popping or sputtering and hesitation the PCV will likely help with those things. But like I said, if your bike is running well no need for the PCV unless you plan on making modifications. BTW, my PCV helped with some exhaust popping I had but did not totally eliminate it. Also my mileage went from 42 to about 35.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
If you add an oil cooler you can lean the AFR's and keep the cool-running behavior, how much depending on how far you go. Wednesday some friends from out of town came for a visit and we did a 100-mile ride in 90° weather. I have an '07 leaned in the cruise range (14.5), another guy had an '08 EGS and the third an '09 SG. The two friends both have PCV's with unaltered Fuel Moto maps (likely no leaner than 13.8 in the cruise range), which are tuned rich there for extra cooling. When we returned I did some spot checking of engine temps using an infrared thermometer. My '07 was coolest measured at the head and the EGS close behind at only about 10° hotter. The SG was hotter yet but not dangerously so. Neither of these other two bikes have an oil cooler installed.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Not much of a chance, really. Stock mileage is about as high as you'll get, so if you richen the mixture in the cruise range for cooler running it will affect mileage.
If you order a PCV from Fuel Moto, which is a very good idea IMO, ask for their "mileage map." It is leaner in the cruise range but still not up to stock specs (13.8 vs. 14.6). You can tweak the PC map as you wish, as I have done where I now get stock mileage while cruising (i.e. not WOT) without a performance hit. The WOT part of the map, as well as all throttle positions >40% should remain unaltered. There is much discussion of mileage on this forum and if you search on it you'll find more info.
If you add an oil cooler you can lean the cruise range back up to stock if you wish, or somewhere in between, without causing higher engine temperatures that you would have gotten with richer mixtures and no cooler. At least that's my experience.
If you order a PCV from Fuel Moto, which is a very good idea IMO, ask for their "mileage map." It is leaner in the cruise range but still not up to stock specs (13.8 vs. 14.6). You can tweak the PC map as you wish, as I have done where I now get stock mileage while cruising (i.e. not WOT) without a performance hit. The WOT part of the map, as well as all throttle positions >40% should remain unaltered. There is much discussion of mileage on this forum and if you search on it you'll find more info.
If you add an oil cooler you can lean the cruise range back up to stock if you wish, or somewhere in between, without causing higher engine temperatures that you would have gotten with richer mixtures and no cooler. At least that's my experience.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 75
Likes: 1
I have a R/K my friend has a R/G
I added pipes, air cleaner and got the comp flashed = I am getting 52mph on secondary roads and about 43 on the highway (2 up and 80mph)
my friend added pipes, aircleaner, download and power commander = 45 secondary roads and 40 highway (1 up 80mph)
Now I know its 2 diff bikes but I am wondering if the power commander is causing that? I am totally happy with the changes I made, but never know what I might try for extra power.
as a note......running regular vs premium is totally noticeable when 2 up
I added pipes, air cleaner and got the comp flashed = I am getting 52mph on secondary roads and about 43 on the highway (2 up and 80mph)
my friend added pipes, aircleaner, download and power commander = 45 secondary roads and 40 highway (1 up 80mph)
Now I know its 2 diff bikes but I am wondering if the power commander is causing that? I am totally happy with the changes I made, but never know what I might try for extra power.
as a note......running regular vs premium is totally noticeable when 2 up
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
I'll convey to you my experience. With all you have already done to your motor, if your bike is running well, you will not notice any difference in performance. I dunno about cooler oil temps cause I never worry about such things. My engine doesn't seem overly hot when I'm sitting on it so I assume the internal temps are within normal operating parameters. Never bothered to see what the actual temps were before and after. I fyou have exhaust popping or sputtering and hesitation the PCV will likely help with those things. But like I said, if your bike is running well no need for the PCV unless you plan on making modifications. BTW, my PCV helped with some exhaust popping I had but did not totally eliminate it. Also my mileage went from 42 to about 35.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
I have a R/K my friend has a R/G
I added pipes, air cleaner and got the comp flashed = I am getting 52mph on secondary roads and about 43 on the highway (2 up and 80mph)
my friend added pipes, aircleaner, download and power commander = 45 secondary roads and 40 highway (1 up 80mph)
Now I know its 2 diff bikes but I am wondering if the power commander is causing that? I am totally happy with the changes I made, but never know what I might try for extra power.
as a note......running regular vs premium is totally noticeable when 2 up
I added pipes, air cleaner and got the comp flashed = I am getting 52mph on secondary roads and about 43 on the highway (2 up and 80mph)
my friend added pipes, aircleaner, download and power commander = 45 secondary roads and 40 highway (1 up 80mph)
Now I know its 2 diff bikes but I am wondering if the power commander is causing that? I am totally happy with the changes I made, but never know what I might try for extra power.
as a note......running regular vs premium is totally noticeable when 2 up
Last edited by iclick; Jun 12, 2009 at 11:18 AM.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,016
Likes: 277
From: East Tn Foot of The Dragon
you will gain a loss of about 5-10 mpg on the fuel consumption and burn the eyes of who is riding behind you. the right exhaust and se a/c with download will do more for less $ then a tuner. now, if you are **** go ahead with a tuner, but deal only with fuel moto out of WI. they appear to know what they are doing. good luck! for the record, my 07 ran hot and surged and no power and 46-50 mpg . dealer stated after many dyno runs with many customers and combos, that the se 1 a/c, and download and rush 1.75 mufflers were the best results by far and the most bang for the buck. i had this combo installed, now very happy, runs cooler, no surge, power improved, and mufflers are a light brown color and spark plugs the same and 50 plus mpg riding 2 up. tuners will void your waranty if failure is related to fuel or electric cause
Last edited by checkers; Jun 12, 2009 at 12:05 PM.