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:

Power Commander V

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 9, 2012 | 06:21 PM
  #11  
2black1s's Avatar
2black1s
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 171
From: Simi Valley, CA
Default

This comment is a little off-track from the others but one of the OPs observations struck me as a little funny...

"Throttle response much improved. I can actually pratice the friction zone now."

I never knew "frying your clutch" was a desired feature of any tuner.
 
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2012 | 07:16 PM
  #12  
Bachus's Avatar
Bachus
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 369
Likes: 3
From: Hoisington Ks
Default

Installeed PCV on a 04 V-Rod of my buddys, one of the Retrofit models from FM. His bike is an all out drag bike, and they had NO MAP close to his setup. Set it up with Autotune.


First day out at the strip, he picked up.75 seconds on his 1/4 times, could not get his laptop to communicate with the bike. Went over the following week with my laptop, no problems, saved the trims, 18-20% though the big middle that he was stumbling. Tried to turn up the RevExtender, you need a password.

After an afternoon on the phone with FM and DynoJet handed him a form to fill out, got to list VIN of bike, Vin on motor, all mods to bike, that it is NOT for steet use, sign and fax back. Liability to clear them of any damage to the motor. Whne he gets the password I'll bump up the RevExtend.

With the higher RPM's and another trim save, he will be running right where he wants to!

PCV may be dated, but it is a good tuner, easy to use and this is for MOST everybody out there. I have not looked at the PV tuner, don;t need to, it is capable of autotuning with a little help.

My bike, an 09 FLHTP w/ Stage one, with FM map is spot on! I bought the PCV with all intentions of adding Autotune but cannot for the life of me seeing $300 inprovement with autotune over FM map. Don't think it would help when I change the cams to SE255's.

Maybe I can borrow his Autotune, get some riding in before the tracks open next spring and see some improvement!

Don't dog the PCV, it is a great tuner, capable of Autotune that 90% of the bikes out there could use.

Dan B.
Central Ks.
 
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2012 | 09:13 PM
  #13  
scj's Avatar
scj
Road Warrior
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 114
From: Jackson, Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by lionsm13
Yes it's true that you do not have to dyno them, but most((including myself) think that for an optimal tune that you probably should.

For a stage 1 though, no dyno is necessary, however for a stage 1 with cams, you are generally better off getting a dyno, not always but most of the time.
Been there, done that myself.

Then again you can try and "wing it" w/out a dyno and again you may do alright and have no issues, but again for optimal performance you probably should do a dyno.

I doubt many on this forum will disagree with this..

I'm sure there will be a few though..
What's unbelievable is you think your PCV is giving you an optimal tune..........

Stage 1 with cams is considered stage 2. Both TTS and SEPST offer base maps for several stages from 1 to 4 and with the auto tune feature, you can finish the tuning yourself.
 
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2012 | 09:33 PM
  #14  
scj's Avatar
scj
Road Warrior
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 114
From: Jackson, Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by Bachus
Don't dog the PCV, it is a great tuner, capable of Autotune that 90% of the bikes out there could use.

Dan B.
Central Ks.
Read my previous posts; PV (an updated product from the manufacturer of the Power Commander), TTS & SEPST all have the auto tune feature as a standard feature. You have to spend an additional $300 for the ability to auto tune with the PCV. Where's the value in that?

I knew commenting on the PCV would bring the "not so informed" followers of the dated tuner but maybe someone will pay attention and spend their money more wisely in the future.
 
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2012 | 08:01 AM
  #15  
lionsm13's Avatar
lionsm13
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56,052
Likes: 87,491
From: Western South Dakota
Default

Originally Posted by scj
What's unbelievable is you think your PCV is giving you an optimal tune..........

Stage 1 with cams is considered stage 2. Both TTS and SEPST offer base maps for several stages from 1 to 4 and with the auto tune feature, you can finish the tuning yourself.
No, what's unbelievable is your lack of ability to comprehend the value of a good dyno-tuner.
 
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2012 | 09:05 AM
  #16  
dobeman21's Avatar
dobeman21
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Default

I am not probably as well informed as some of you, but I used a PCV for my 05 Deluxe while I had it and as far as I could see the preprogrammed map worked great (power and fuel economy were both good). The 07 springer that I have now has a PCIII in it and I think the gas milage could be improved, but the system came with the bike and I haven't dealt with it yet (don't know if I will).
 
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2012 | 09:12 AM
  #17  
1BADSG's Avatar
1BADSG
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 137
Likes: 1
From: Arkansas
Default

Well, I ordered a PC-V and had to send back because it was a bad unit. I'm waiting on my new one now so I can not speak to the tunning aspects of the arguement. I am starting to second guess my purchase though. I shall find out soon what if any difference it made.
 
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2012 | 09:22 AM
  #18  
Scrmnvtwins's Avatar
Scrmnvtwins
Stellar HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,664
Likes: 184
From: Indiana, USA
Default

I have the USB III on my '03 and like it so well I purchased the PCV for my '12. I do my own work, I do my own tuning, and to date the off the net program for my '12 build is working great. I did purchase a set of Power Duals for an '09 which have the 18mm bungs for the Autotune if I think I need tyo go there. As of now I am doing OK no ping, good MPG, more torque and HP and less heat. Is it perfect, maybe not but it is a lot better than it was and I don't need anyone to help me modify it. If I want perfect I will get the Autotune and use the closed loop feedback to make the tune better. Again, no dyno, no need to visit a dealership or tuner. The money I invest in the hardware I am familiar with and can use is more than offset by the cost for a tuner & dyno time.

'03 EG Classic, 10.4:1, 211 Cams, Performance Heads, V&H True Duals and Monster Ovals, PC USB III

'12 EG Limited, V&H Power Duals and Monster Rounds, PCV
 
Attached Thumbnails Power Commander V-harleys.jpg  
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Oct 10, 2012 | 11:23 AM
  #19  
TUCCI's Avatar
TUCCI
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
Default

I'm close to putting a 'Troll' label on the PCV flamer, makes me wonder what the end game is.
 
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2012 | 12:31 PM
  #20  
07FLHT's Avatar
07FLHT
Stellar HDF Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,588
Likes: 9
From: Sunny Southern California
Default

LOL! These are my favorite kind of threads! LOL!
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:47 AM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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
story-8
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025

Slideshow: A clear-eyed look at what actually worked for Harley this year, and what quietly undermined its progress.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-29 17:10:48


VIEW MORE