Does everyone buy into Dyno tuning?
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 994
Likes: 45
From: North Carolina
Here's my 2 cents...... by the way, your 2013 has fuel injection, not a carb, which makes for better tuning possibilities...
The EPA tunes on current Harleys are pretty poor. An aftermarket tune will benefit any Harley. If you change any of the components to a stock engine, I would get a tune. Some will say an A/C and maybe pipes won't need one, I would disagree.
With a knowledgeable tuner, a dyno tune will get your bike running it's best..... period. Stock, stage I, or major engine mods... your bike will run at it's best with a competent tuner performing the dyno tune. The big variable is finding the competent tuner. A bad tuner can mess up a bike on a dyno
If you are doing minor mods, that are common to a Harley, I think a good flash tuner, with a MAP based on your combo, will get you in the ball park to have a good running bike.
For example, a shop like FuelMoto has spent a lot of time collecting tunes for various combinations. I flashed one of their maps on A/c, cams, exhaust mods and their tune was head & shoulders better than the Harley download. My bike would run it's best with a dyno tune, but this map is very good, and has it running extremely well. I feel I don't need to pay the extra for the small amount of power to be gained on a Dyno. Add to this, my PowerVision allows for an easy autotune procedure. I could further dial in my tune, making the dyno tune a smaller increase yet.
I believe, a GOOD dyno tune can't be beat for maximum HP and rideability. A flash tuner with a GOOD map will get a bike running really well, to the point that most people won't notice the difference from a dyno tune.
I went with the PowerVision flash tuner. I will be set for my two current bikes and any additional mods, or other bikes I may add/change in the future...
Good luck.......
The EPA tunes on current Harleys are pretty poor. An aftermarket tune will benefit any Harley. If you change any of the components to a stock engine, I would get a tune. Some will say an A/C and maybe pipes won't need one, I would disagree.
With a knowledgeable tuner, a dyno tune will get your bike running it's best..... period. Stock, stage I, or major engine mods... your bike will run at it's best with a competent tuner performing the dyno tune. The big variable is finding the competent tuner. A bad tuner can mess up a bike on a dyno
If you are doing minor mods, that are common to a Harley, I think a good flash tuner, with a MAP based on your combo, will get you in the ball park to have a good running bike.
For example, a shop like FuelMoto has spent a lot of time collecting tunes for various combinations. I flashed one of their maps on A/c, cams, exhaust mods and their tune was head & shoulders better than the Harley download. My bike would run it's best with a dyno tune, but this map is very good, and has it running extremely well. I feel I don't need to pay the extra for the small amount of power to be gained on a Dyno. Add to this, my PowerVision allows for an easy autotune procedure. I could further dial in my tune, making the dyno tune a smaller increase yet.
I believe, a GOOD dyno tune can't be beat for maximum HP and rideability. A flash tuner with a GOOD map will get a bike running really well, to the point that most people won't notice the difference from a dyno tune.
I went with the PowerVision flash tuner. I will be set for my two current bikes and any additional mods, or other bikes I may add/change in the future...
Good luck.......
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
When I purchased my 2013 Ultra I had the dealer install True Duals, RaceTuner and Stage one work. Dealer is suggesting that during my 1000 service that I have my bike Dyno tuned. The only time that I have ever seen a bike on a Dyno was at bike ralleys and to me, it looked punishing to the bike.
I have more grey than the color I was born with on my roof and I don't ride around with my *** on fire anymore. So my question is, does Dyno tuning help the bikes general performance or is it more race minded? Do the masses have it done or is it something that is nice to do but not necessary?
Merry Christmas All..!!
I have more grey than the color I was born with on my roof and I don't ride around with my *** on fire anymore. So my question is, does Dyno tuning help the bikes general performance or is it more race minded? Do the masses have it done or is it something that is nice to do but not necessary?
Merry Christmas All..!!
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 502
Likes: 0
From: Roads of Idaho
Everyone with FI would benifit from a good tune by a tuner and his dyno. Use what your choice of tuners has tuned many, many, many times before with much success!
I went with a SE Race Tuner, my builder for 3 motors works here at HDHD, and the last 2 have been FI. Greg and Ryan the DynoJet expert get together and we talk about what I want, we all make a plan that they are excited about too. When mods are done, it goes on the dyno for final tuning after my heat cycles got the motor broken in and running on fresh syn. oil. They then tune it with Ryan doing the tuning while Greg is there to listen and discuss where they need to be for MY riding style, with the tune. I would choose the best mechanic I could find for all work to be done and then ask him/her what they have used and are most comfortable with when tuning.
This is all based on U not having mechanical apptitude or the desire to ride and not tune..?? For me, I love riding!!! Just turned 60 and I sold my big lift and all the projects i had going over the last few months. I love the work and service that I have been getting from HDHD... Oil, service, yeah, some of it...
ps. I have all the software for tuning with the SERT as well as the training video to learn how to use it and tune your bike... Never used if anyone wants to do it and I will sell cheap!!!!!
I went with a SE Race Tuner, my builder for 3 motors works here at HDHD, and the last 2 have been FI. Greg and Ryan the DynoJet expert get together and we talk about what I want, we all make a plan that they are excited about too. When mods are done, it goes on the dyno for final tuning after my heat cycles got the motor broken in and running on fresh syn. oil. They then tune it with Ryan doing the tuning while Greg is there to listen and discuss where they need to be for MY riding style, with the tune. I would choose the best mechanic I could find for all work to be done and then ask him/her what they have used and are most comfortable with when tuning.
This is all based on U not having mechanical apptitude or the desire to ride and not tune..?? For me, I love riding!!! Just turned 60 and I sold my big lift and all the projects i had going over the last few months. I love the work and service that I have been getting from HDHD... Oil, service, yeah, some of it...
ps. I have all the software for tuning with the SERT as well as the training video to learn how to use it and tune your bike... Never used if anyone wants to do it and I will sell cheap!!!!!
Last edited by petewerner; Dec 22, 2012 at 10:35 AM. Reason: ps.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,144
Likes: 6,166
From: SE Michigan
On my 12 King, I had Fuel Moto send me maps, but we just couldnt get it to stop pinging. So when I got a FLTRU, I decided to have it dyno'd. I got pretty good numbers on it, but we'll have to see if she pings when its hot a few long months from now.
Not taking anything away from Fuel Moto, but your bike, if dyno'd properly, can be really dialed in for best operation - better AFR, better performance. How much better and whether its worth that $$ is up to each of us, I wouldnt say its an absolute yes/no question.
Not taking anything away from Fuel Moto, but your bike, if dyno'd properly, can be really dialed in for best operation - better AFR, better performance. How much better and whether its worth that $$ is up to each of us, I wouldnt say its an absolute yes/no question.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,328
Likes: 15
From: Pacific Northwest
OP:
The dyno pulls you see being done at rally's are a competition so one lucky douche can brag about being able to urinate farther than everybody else. They usually have nothing to do with performance tuning.
Back when I put my PCIII on my stage 1 '06 SG there were no maps available for my combo. I was forced to put the bike on a dyno but I've never regretted doing so. Not only did my bike gain power but it also got better than stock mileage.
Then when I did what could be called a stage 4, I again needed to tweak the only map I could find that was close to my combo. And again it not only gained power but I was able to recover my mileage as well.
Gaining both power AND mileage is something that can't always be accomplished with a 'standard' (or 'canned') map.
Hope this answers your question.
The dyno pulls you see being done at rally's are a competition so one lucky douche can brag about being able to urinate farther than everybody else. They usually have nothing to do with performance tuning.
Back when I put my PCIII on my stage 1 '06 SG there were no maps available for my combo. I was forced to put the bike on a dyno but I've never regretted doing so. Not only did my bike gain power but it also got better than stock mileage.
Then when I did what could be called a stage 4, I again needed to tweak the only map I could find that was close to my combo. And again it not only gained power but I was able to recover my mileage as well.
Gaining both power AND mileage is something that can't always be accomplished with a 'standard' (or 'canned') map.
Hope this answers your question.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 994
Likes: 45
From: North Carolina
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,502
Likes: 6
From: Lapeer , Mich
well from what I have seen and heard I would just get a stage one down load , I have mine running alittle rich just to help with preigniton and heat , bike runs great and don't really care if I get 1 mile less to a gal or if I do the 1/4 mile a little slower but would never put my bike through a dyno run IMO
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5,477
Likes: 5
From: New Braunfels, Texas
so many talk about how abusive a dyno tune is...but are willing to run their bike out of tune for life...to me that's abusive.
It's not about racing...it's about having your bike run as well as it can. Makes a huge difference in just cruising
It's not about racing...it's about having your bike run as well as it can. Makes a huge difference in just cruising