2010 Road Glide, I have stock headpipes (with cat), and have been running the Nightstick slip-on. I have the Ventilator a/c to install on the bike. What kind of tuning changes will I need to make? I know the stock ECM will compensate for one or the other, but not sure how it'll handle both.

 

You will at least need to get the ECM download

 

You've been a member here for a year and a half and still don't know the answer? This topic is brought up at least every other day. you'll get all kinds of opinions, from XIED's and download, to add on fuel management such as Power Commander, to VCI's such as SERT, SEST and TTS. to all out ECM swapped like Thundermax. Some will tell you that you need a dyno tune, other that know nothing about you our your abilities/knowledge will tell you that you are perfectly capable to Smarttune or Vtune on your own. Here's the question you need to ask your self. What do you want out of your bike? Maximum performance for what you have? Just good old reliablity so you don't hurt your ride? How much money are you willing o shell out to acheive the first 2 questions. Come back with these answers and we can help you better.

 

That's a loaded question ... I know there are several answers to the tuning issue.

My last bike I went with the SERT and had the bike dyno'd. That worked well, but then the changes I made to that bike were more drastic. I went with a 103 stage II and Vance & Hines Pro Pipe. This bike is still basically "Harley" stock with the Harley a/c and the SE slip-on. I'm not expecting riveting performance without more changes to the bike (which I will do at some point in time). I put the Nightstick on because I got a deal I couldn't refuse on the muffler, otherwise I would've waited for new pipes some day. The wife picked up the ventilator for me for Christmas, so I'm going to try that for a while.

So I guess, until I'm prepared to make more drastic changes to the bike (i.e., new pipes, stage 2, etc.), I'm looking for good old reliability so I don't hurt my bike. I'm still enjoying the cruising on the bike in the countryside with the radio playing. If a download has been successful for other owners with a similar configuration, that'll do. If the ECM will recalibrate for me, that'll do. If a tuner would benefit me now and still grow with me later, I could go that route. I've avoided the PCV in the past as I've heard murmurings of moisture issues, and living in Oregon, I don't want to tempt fate.

 

I use the XIEDS, bang for buck.
Lots of info on this forum including my own overlong assessments. Try to filter out the guys who have a product to sell ( "and just the product you need")



To make long story short, had pinging with stock 2009 FLHTC, now have hi flow air cleaner, supertrapp slip ons, ness big sucker and XIEDS.
Performance is inline with expectations, MPG is good, mods are reversible ( in case I have trouble with smog test here in AZ) pinging is gone and my out of pocket costs were very low. ( Xieds, $125, ness big sucker, $115)

In your case with the cat in the header, that is "the bottleneck"--- and it allows H-D to sell the nightstick as compliant for 2010 and up bikes.
My supertrapp supermegs are very similar pipes, I run stock 09 no-cat headers, 2 supermeg slip ons, 10 discs left, 16 discs right, solid end cap (open end cap is equal to about 10 discs). These were on my evo bagger for 10 years.

Mike

 

Cool, now we're getting somewhere. Since you've had the SERT and had it tuned I'm guessing you have a decent tuner in your area? One you trust? If you do and you didn't have any issues with this dyno tuners tune, then stick with him, if you get the SEPST (latest version of the SERT) it will definately be able to grow with you as you build your bike in stages, jut keep in mind that whenever you make changes the bike will need re-mapped (tuned). The TTS Mastertune would work as well, runs pretty much on the same platform as the SERT you had before. I would steer clear of the downloads, they do alright for the basic stage 1's with screaming eagle equipment, but once you go to the aftermarket brands the download seams to leave a little bit on the table. A nice feature that both the TTS and the SEPST is that he have the ability to help you tune your bike yourself. (Smart tune feature on the SEPST and Vtune on the TTS). If you have the time, patience, knowledge and are willing to learn about fuel injection you can fine tune your bike to meet your needs, in addition to getting the tuner you would need the appropriate cables, software and laptop. If your not interested in it thats fine, just get a dyno tune and you'll be good to go. Good luck.