Tuning Question - A different Route
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 9
From: Monmouth, OR
Tuning Question - A different Route
Traded my 2009 FXDF for a 2010 FLTRX. With the Fat Bob I went the route of the Stage II with cams, a Vance & Hines Pro Pipe, and the HD SERT for tune on the dyno. Liked the sound, power and feel of the bike, but with the Touring bike I'd like to go a bit more mellow. I've been looking around, and am starting to like the sound of the Nightstick HD offers. Was thinking of doing the Nightstick and retaining the 2-1 pipes, and open the a/c with the Screaming Eagle Ventillator. Was at the dealership this afternoon, and they suggested with those upgrades I wouldn't need to dyno the bike, just use one of HD's standard flash downloads on the bike.
What are the thoughts out there? Would a standard download give me any bang for my buck? I was at a dealership in Minnesota this past week (on vacation), and one of the parts guys just purchased a 2010 Road Glide, and went this route. He showed me his bike, and I was pleased with the sound of the bike. Saw a Nightstick in Pennsylvania earlier in the week on a bike that looked like it still had the standard a/c, and there was some blueing on the pipe. The dealership said the download would help the tune and eliminate the blueing.
For me, it's a Touring bike, I'd like a little growl, but would like to hear the radio when I'm cruising.
What are the thoughts out there? Would a standard download give me any bang for my buck? I was at a dealership in Minnesota this past week (on vacation), and one of the parts guys just purchased a 2010 Road Glide, and went this route. He showed me his bike, and I was pleased with the sound of the bike. Saw a Nightstick in Pennsylvania earlier in the week on a bike that looked like it still had the standard a/c, and there was some blueing on the pipe. The dealership said the download would help the tune and eliminate the blueing.
For me, it's a Touring bike, I'd like a little growl, but would like to hear the radio when I'm cruising.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,352
Likes: 7
From: Keene, CA
My wife's 2010 Street Glide (same bike w/batwing) had a Nightstick on factory pipe, SE A/C, and Stage 1 download. Ran GREAT. We recently changed it out to a V&H Pro Pipe - she wanted louder, she got louder! Still runs great with dealer Stage 1 download. She's leaving it alone, just riding the snot out of it.
My 2011 RGU has the same setup, but the 103 Stage 1 download doesn't do as well. Lots of decel popping, soot on the exhaust. It's going to get a SERT and dyno Saturday.
My 2011 RGU has the same setup, but the 103 Stage 1 download doesn't do as well. Lots of decel popping, soot on the exhaust. It's going to get a SERT and dyno Saturday.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 9
From: Monmouth, OR
My wife's 2010 Street Glide (same bike w/batwing) had a Nightstick on factory pipe, SE A/C, and Stage 1 download. Ran GREAT. We recently changed it out to a V&H Pro Pipe - she wanted louder, she got louder! Still runs great with dealer Stage 1 download. She's leaving it alone, just riding the snot out of it.
My 2011 RGU has the same setup, but the 103 Stage 1 download doesn't do as well. Lots of decel popping, soot on the exhaust. It's going to get a SERT and dyno Saturday.
My 2011 RGU has the same setup, but the 103 Stage 1 download doesn't do as well. Lots of decel popping, soot on the exhaust. It's going to get a SERT and dyno Saturday.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Was thinking of doing the Nightstick and retaining the 2-1 pipes, and open the a/c with the Screaming Eagle Ventillator. Was at the dealership this afternoon, and they suggested with those upgrades I wouldn't need to dyno the bike, just use one of HD's standard flash downloads on the bike.
Saw a Nightstick in Pennsylvania earlier in the week on a bike that looked like it still had the standard a/c, and there was some blueing on the pipe. The dealership said the download would help the tune and eliminate the blueing.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 9
From: Monmouth, OR
The HD ECM Stage 1 re-flash will upgrade the tune to accommodate free-flowing AC and muffler upgrades, but will keep the bike EPA compliant and short of its potential. You'll spend $150 for the download (or thereabouts) but you could buy a real tuner for $300 with an accurate map loaded for your bike. I would go the latter route, as if you buy a tuner you will have the flexibility to grow if you decide to in the future. Plus, the bike will perform up to its potential. Do a search on "Fuel Moto" and read the positive feedback, then give them a call. No, I don't work for them but have been a customer for four years. Their service is second to none and they sell most brands of mufflers and tuners on the market including their own product line.
I'm told from a reliable source that the Nightstick discolors easily, especially when used with the stock catalyst pipe. A friend who purchased a '10 SG two weeks ago researched this topic after being offered a used but perfect Nightstick for $185, but ended up buying a V&H Pro Pipe Chrome with PCV and AC.
I'm told from a reliable source that the Nightstick discolors easily, especially when used with the stock catalyst pipe. A friend who purchased a '10 SG two weeks ago researched this topic after being offered a used but perfect Nightstick for $185, but ended up buying a V&H Pro Pipe Chrome with PCV and AC.
With the tuner, would you need to have the bike tuned on the dyno? When I did the upgrades on the my Fat Bob, I researched different tuner options, and finally went with the HD SERT. I heard too many issues with moisture on the PCV, and never really heard much positive or negative on the other options.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 9
From: Monmouth, OR
I was very pleased with the results. I had this done on my Fat Bob, installed the V&H Pro Pipe, the Stage II (w/cams), SERT, and had it dyno'd. The bike had excellent throttle response after the updated and sounded great. Too loud for the direction I'm going on the touring bike.
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