Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

08 RKC w/Thunderheaders - what's next?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 5, 2011 | 02:35 PM
  #1  
winger18's Avatar
winger18
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Default 08 RKC w/Thunderheaders - what's next?

I just installed ThunderCone slip-ons on my stock '08 Road King Classic. I've spent hours reading these forums on Stage 1 A/C and remapping and to be honest, I'm dizzy from reading all the different opinions on whether one needs to re-tune or not with new exhaust.

I definitely plan to upgrade but I'm looking for ideas for a stage 1 a/c and EFI tuner. I'm just not sure what direction to go. I love the sound of the ThunderCones but I am getting some popping on deceleration which has me concerned that I'm running too lean.

I just got the bike so I don't want to cause any damage to the engine or at least end up with blue exhaust pipes. Like I said, I am going to go with a tuner and stage 1 so I don't want this to start another debate on whether I need to or not.

Am I better off letting my HD dealer handle this for me or should I go with a DIY product?

I value your opinions but I'm new to this EFI stuff so any advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance.
 

Last edited by winger18; Sep 5, 2011 at 02:42 PM.
Reply
Old Sep 5, 2011 | 02:48 PM
  #2  
mkguitar's Avatar
mkguitar
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
Default

if you are still with the stock air cleaner housing, you are probably ok.

when you want to change the air cleaner, the ness big sucker is the tidiest, easiest install. and a much better unit thaan what H-D is selling at a better price.
costs $115 shipped on ebay from easternpc.

I didn't think much of what my Pals are getting with the "tuners".

i use nightrider.com XIEDS.

I have some automotive training and work on a lot of stuff, and know the signs of a motor persistently running lean- the XIEDS work for me at a bargain price.

a lean running motor may:

"ping"- which is the mixture igniting early and uncontrolled while the piston is still on the compression stroke--- this sounds like pebbles rattling in a coffee can, most often happens when accelerating hard or pulling up a long grade.

sneeze- backfire from the intake ( was common on stock jetted H-D carbs)

run hot

running proper octane is really important.

Mike
 

Last edited by mkguitar; Sep 5, 2011 at 02:52 PM.
Reply
Old Sep 5, 2011 | 03:03 PM
  #3  
winger18's Avatar
winger18
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Default

Thanks for the link Mike. I see the XIED is a plug and play but I didn't see any instructions on the website. Forgive my ignorance but what does it plug into - the O2 sensors?
 

Last edited by winger18; Sep 5, 2011 at 03:30 PM.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
kuchyyz
Exhaust System Topics
3
Aug 15, 2016 10:39 PM
user 8382390
Dyna Glide Models
34
Jul 30, 2015 07:14 PM
Westy
Exhaust System Topics
14
Mar 28, 2010 10:44 AM
FLoTR
Touring Models
9
Nov 10, 2009 04:03 PM
Grind
Dyna Glide Models
15
Jun 14, 2009 11:21 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:49 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE