Super Tuner vs Power Commander 5
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Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Texas
Super Tuner vs Power Commander 5
I Currently am running a Ultra Limited with 103 engine. The header pipe baffle has been removed courtesy of me and some homemade tools. I have Road King slip-ons since I "learned" on my stock pipes that the baffle removal required more thought. I have managed to get a clean 1 inch hole through the slip ons and run big city thunder baffles at the exit end of the header pipe. In addition, I got the stage 1 kit w/map download and bike runs great. While traveling through Big Bend National Park, TX I was getting 59 mpg cruising from 45-60. On the Highway and interstate between 70-80 I would average 42 with two up seating and fully loaded bags. I am impressed with the performance but feel I did not achieve the sound I desire. So I plan to replace exhaust with the Vance and Hines Monster Rounds and either use the big city thunder baffles or V&H baffle depending on loudness. My question is this, I spoke with the HD dealership and they of course recommend a dyno and a Super Tuner, however, I plan to do more mountain/desert/variation in temperature riding and researched the Power Commander 5 which auto tunes on the fly. HD dealer said it was so insignificant I would never tell the difference. So is this a true statement or just a dealer trying to take my cash?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 4,416
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From: San Quirino, Italy
I Currently am running a Ultra Limited with 103 engine. The header pipe baffle has been removed courtesy of me and some homemade tools. I have Road King slip-ons since I "learned" on my stock pipes that the baffle removal required more thought. I have managed to get a clean 1 inch hole through the slip ons and run big city thunder baffles at the exit end of the header pipe. In addition, I got the stage 1 kit w/map download and bike runs great. While traveling through Big Bend National Park, TX I was getting 59 mpg cruising from 45-60. On the Highway and interstate between 70-80 I would average 42 with two up seating and fully loaded bags. I am impressed with the performance but feel I did not achieve the sound I desire. So I plan to replace exhaust with the Vance and Hines Monster Rounds and either use the big city thunder baffles or V&H baffle depending on loudness. My question is this, I spoke with the HD dealership and they of course recommend a dyno and a Super Tuner, however, I plan to do more mountain/desert/variation in temperature riding and researched the Power Commander 5 which auto tunes on the fly. HD dealer said it was so insignificant I would never tell the difference. So is this a true statement or just a dealer trying to take my cash?
I don't understand a word of the first part of this...To answer the question at the end, I would never buy a tuner that ties me to the dealership and 95$ an hour labor. Pick the tuner of your choice based on your research but IMO, stay away from the SE tuner...
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 997
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From: Charlotte, N.C.
The Super tuner you want to purchase is the SESPT you are not tied to the dealer all you need is a laptop and you will have a lot more tuning options than the PCV. If you purchase the auto tune with the wide band sensors you will have a better setup with the ability to tune for every gear however you will have to add a total of three black boxes and about 1000ft of wire. The newer bikes married with the SESPT is better IMO due to the o2 sensors with the smart tune feature and no add on modules.
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From: Texas
Thanks, I would rather stick with Harley stuff sometimes just because if something were to go wrong it is easier to troubleshoot especially when dealing with warranties. Good info/advice. Thanks
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Baton Rouge, LA
First, the PCV will auto-tune only if you buy the optional AT-100 kit ($300). It's a very good tuner combo but if you don't plan on doing future upgrades I would suggest that you buy just a PCV from Fuel Moto. They have a large library of maps for many bike-hardware combos and they certainly will have one for your bike. The PCV uses all the sensors which function with the stock ECM, including MAP which will vary the tune for changes in altitude and temperature. I would have to agree with your dealer than you may not notice the difference in the PCV with Auto-Tune installed compared to only the PCV, if you start-out with a good map in the PCV, and that's a big "if."
SEPST is a good tuner too, but very few canned maps exist and you'll likely need a dyno-tune, which in total will probably cost more than a PCV-AT. Between those two I would buy the PCV-AT without hesitation. I ran this combo for two years, then moved to the Power Vision, but I still think very highly of the PCV as the best option for many riders. Of course your dealer wants you to buy SEPST with a dyno-tune, as that's a big-profit combo for them.
Another option is the new Power Vision, which if purchased from Fuel Moto will also have a correct tune installed. It is very powerful, a flash-based tuner like SEPST, and can work with the AT-100, the datalogger feature, and software that is included. It is not a true closed-loop system for AFR's like the PCV-AT, but the practical application is just as good, IMO. Using the AT-100 and PV Tune software you can tune the bike for AFR's and spark advance, something you can't do with any other tuner, AFAIK.
You can also buy the AC and mufflers from Fuel Moto, as their prices are competitive and customer service second to none.
SEPST is a good tuner too, but very few canned maps exist and you'll likely need a dyno-tune, which in total will probably cost more than a PCV-AT. Between those two I would buy the PCV-AT without hesitation. I ran this combo for two years, then moved to the Power Vision, but I still think very highly of the PCV as the best option for many riders. Of course your dealer wants you to buy SEPST with a dyno-tune, as that's a big-profit combo for them.
Another option is the new Power Vision, which if purchased from Fuel Moto will also have a correct tune installed. It is very powerful, a flash-based tuner like SEPST, and can work with the AT-100, the datalogger feature, and software that is included. It is not a true closed-loop system for AFR's like the PCV-AT, but the practical application is just as good, IMO. Using the AT-100 and PV Tune software you can tune the bike for AFR's and spark advance, something you can't do with any other tuner, AFAIK.
You can also buy the AC and mufflers from Fuel Moto, as their prices are competitive and customer service second to none.
Last edited by iclick; May 14, 2011 at 09:32 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
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I just had my bike Dyno'd at the dealer last week. Charged me a 4 hr min ( $ 389.00)... My numbers were low, side by side street performance does not seem to be what it should be and I lost 6 MPG.
I ordered a PCV from Fuel Moto with a canned map for my bike because I will not spend the above on a Dyno tune again. Now I just have to get my ECM flashed back to stock or stage 1 then install the PCV and see how it does. Cost of the PCV with map was less than the above Dyno.
I ordered a PCV from Fuel Moto with a canned map for my bike because I will not spend the above on a Dyno tune again. Now I just have to get my ECM flashed back to stock or stage 1 then install the PCV and see how it does. Cost of the PCV with map was less than the above Dyno.
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