I have a 2012 Tri Glide with Cobra Tri Oval mufflers (not loud at all) and factory A/C. I bought an exhaust header with the CAT already removed. Will I need to put a tuner on it or have a Stage 1 download done?

 

concensus is if the A/C is stock then no. forget the download altogether., when ready get a tuner

 

Don't waste your $ on a stage 1 download. When you are ready buy the tuner - much better value for the buck - you can get the tuner and adapt for your mods. Stage 1 is one and done.

 

Thanks, I'll take your sound advise.

 

Jim,

the thing to watch out for is pinging- it'll sound like pebbles shaking in a coffee can.

It is most likely to happen when suddenly opening the throttle or when running up a grade ( and I think more likely given the weight of a tri-cycle)

if you experience this then you need to resolve it.
persistant pinging can burn a hole in the piston- momentary pinging will usually cause the ECM to retard ignition timing, which will reduce power


My 09 pinged from new - completely stock under certain conditions ( 2800~3200 rpms, up 6% grades) and i added nightrider.com xieds which solved that. I then was able to go stage 1 with no further tuning compensation.

SOME bikes run stage 1 with no tuning compensation, and as shown with my bike, some need help.

I would think that after dropping cash on the exhaust you would want to go to a high flow air cleaner--- until you do that you will not realize the performance potential of the exhaust.

Best bang for buck is the Ness big sucker with chrome backing plate- under $120 on ebay from easternpc

Mike