Tuner Confusion!!!!!
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Joined: Aug 2009
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Tuner Confusion!!!!!
Went to my HD dealer to discuss performance package options for my 09 street glide. I was basically told that as far as tuners were concerned that he would recommend the new screamin eagle tuner as opposed to after market tuners cause the S.E. tuner is not a piggy back like the others and it actually changes the curves on the ecm and it leaves less chances of problems. The SE tuner also works well with the new HD fuel injection. I believe him on the true plug n play aspect but im not sure on the rest...it makes sense 2 me.
Does anyone have this unit or can comment on this......i know this is probably a redundant post but any help would b appreciated
Does anyone have this unit or can comment on this......i know this is probably a redundant post but any help would b appreciated
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,788
Likes: 4
From: Here
There are lots of options out there. TTS Mastertune, Power Commander V with or without Autotune, Thundermax with or without Autotune (not sure if these are available for '09 models or not), FuelPak, etc. It really depends on what upgrades you have planned and how much flexibility you need, i.e. air cleaner and pipes, big bore kit, etc.
I have had a PCIII, and now a T-Max with Autotune. While the PCIII is a piggyback unit, you can remove if you need to (in the case of a rare failure), and it's not married to that specific bike if you sell it. The T-Max completely replaces the HD ECM and is also not married to the bike so you can remove it if you sell the bike. OTOH, if the T-Max does happen to take a dump on you while on the road, you may be screwed since you no longer have a factory ECM there for backup. I don't know how many have failed like that, but I haven't read about any failures here.
I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with the SE tuner at all. Just evaluate how much tuning you think you will need based on your future plans. Also, keep in mind that the dealer is trying to sell you one of their products. Depending on your dealer, it may not be the best option for your needs. Good luck.
I have had a PCIII, and now a T-Max with Autotune. While the PCIII is a piggyback unit, you can remove if you need to (in the case of a rare failure), and it's not married to that specific bike if you sell it. The T-Max completely replaces the HD ECM and is also not married to the bike so you can remove it if you sell the bike. OTOH, if the T-Max does happen to take a dump on you while on the road, you may be screwed since you no longer have a factory ECM there for backup. I don't know how many have failed like that, but I haven't read about any failures here.
I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with the SE tuner at all. Just evaluate how much tuning you think you will need based on your future plans. Also, keep in mind that the dealer is trying to sell you one of their products. Depending on your dealer, it may not be the best option for your needs. Good luck.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,217
Likes: 53
From: Gladys, VA
My dealer is also pushing the SE super tuner for my 09. But when they did the stage 1 on my 07 Road King Custom, they used the PCIII. Ran great with it and was very pleased. I think I will go for the PCV from Fuel Moto this Fall and leave the option open for the auto tune. Just an idea but I think that the tight economy is making HD push their own products where profit margins are higher.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,246
Likes: 19
From: Cypress, TX
I am very happy with my power package from fuel moto. It uses the PCV. Very easy install. Did it myself as have many others on this board. The dealer is going to sell you what they will make the most money on. All of the tuners get you to the same place.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,932
Likes: 4
From: 46th State, USA
They want to sell you an HD accessory, what would you expect? It's kinda like oil, you're going to get several opinions on the subject. Also, I'm sure it will have something to do with what kind of performance are you looking for in choosing the correct tuner for you. I opted for a RideMaxx mainly because of the cost and everyone that had one had only good things to say about it. Well guess what? After reading about how great the RideMaxx is, I got one for my '07 RKC that didn't work correctly. The remote would not work.
Last edited by shortride; Sep 26, 2009 at 02:49 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 1
From: Wagoner, Oklahoma
I am also looking at the SE tuner this winter, I still have a few years of warreny on my bike and they say it will still be good. So I hate to really do to much outside HD just because of that..............
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,351
Likes: 461
From: Illinois
If you have a tuner who is truly compentent with tuning the SERT, you will be very happy with the SERT. If you don't have a compentent tuner, you will not be happy with the SERT.
Dennis
Dennis
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,939
Likes: 3
From: TX
The "new" version of the SERT is the SEST (S/E Super Tuner).
In the right hands, it can make your motor run better than you ever imagined it could. The key is "in the right hands". The exact same is true for the TTS and DirectLink ~ both of which are the same (functionally) as SERT & SEST, only sold by someone other than the mothership.
SERT/SEST/TTS/DirectLink would be "MY" choice over the other "add-on" or replacement alternatives (I've owned or worked on bikes with almost all of them.
In the right hands, it can make your motor run better than you ever imagined it could. The key is "in the right hands". The exact same is true for the TTS and DirectLink ~ both of which are the same (functionally) as SERT & SEST, only sold by someone other than the mothership.
SERT/SEST/TTS/DirectLink would be "MY" choice over the other "add-on" or replacement alternatives (I've owned or worked on bikes with almost all of them.
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: MT. airey MD
I am having a 110 done by my indy as we speak and he highly recomends the SE tuner on the new harleys. he says he has had better results with it on the newer harleys. It depends alot on what your shop is most familiar with using as far as tunning bikes. if they have not worked alot with the pc-v or the thunder max for example then they are not going to want to use it. my indy is a dealer for PC and thunder max and used to use all thunder max on all the harley builds. but he started having some problems with them so he switched to the SE. he saves the PC-V for imports and sportbikes. just my opinion. good luck.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: texas
I am having a 110 done by my indy as we speak and he highly recomends the SE tuner on the new harleys. he says he has had better results with it on the newer harleys. It depends alot on what your shop is most familiar with using as far as tunning bikes. if they have not worked alot with the pc-v or the thunder max for example then they are not going to want to use it. my indy is a dealer for PC and thunder max and used to use all thunder max on all the harley builds. but he started having some problems with them so he switched to the SE. he saves the PC-V for imports and sportbikes. just my opinion. good luck.