Power commander vs Thunder Max ???
2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Kansas
I ran a Power Commander for 2 years. I had it installed at a dealership with a 95 inch kit and it was dialed in on a dyno. On a cross country ride my bike started loosing power crossing the dessert (115 degrees) and I made it into Reno HD on one cylinder. The first question they asked was if I was running a Power Commander. This is a common problem with Power Commanders in extreme heat. If you ride in moderate temperatures they work real well, but a lot of aftermarket electronics don't like moisture or extreme heat. HD and Screaming Eagle components are designed for vibration, heat, and moisture exposure.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,602
Likes: 721
From: Bellevue, NE
I ran a T-Max for 4 years in my '07, and now use a Power Vision on my '11. Have never used a PC. I loved the T-Max and would have used it again if it wasn't so expensive. I also wasn't keen on swapping exhaust or modifying mine for the larger O2 bungs. I think the T-Max is more user friendly than the PV and certainly has better instructions.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Sin City
I ran a Power Commander for 2 years. I had it installed at a dealership with a 95 inch kit and it was dialed in on a dyno. On a cross country ride my bike started loosing power crossing the dessert (115 degrees) and I made it into Reno HD on one cylinder. The first question they asked was if I was running a Power Commander. This is a common problem with Power Commanders in extreme heat. If you ride in moderate temperatures they work real well, but a lot of aftermarket electronics don't like moisture or extreme heat. HD and Screaming Eagle components are designed for vibration, heat, and moisture exposure.
I would not doubt your experience however consider this about the dynojet power commander.
Main Office Physical Address
Dynojet Research, Inc.
2191 Mendenhall Drive
North Las Vegas, Nevada 89081 (that is about 15 miles away from the casino stip you see on tv all the time.)
The main office, telephone tech support, dyno research center, etc is right here in the Las Vegas, Nevada desert where daytime Summer temps easily hit 110F and nightime temps are still 100F at midnight. I am sure they are aware of what it takes to build a product to work in the heat. Not saying their products will never fail in the heat or vibration environments, but having a company design, test and support a product from the desert shows they are not a stranger to extreme heat environments.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 569
Likes: 1
From: Delaware, OH
I have bought a couple of both of these units in the past. I was satisfied with the PCV on both bikes for a while. But like most of us I am somewhat obsessive about my bikes and ended up upgrading to the TMax on both. I am in the process of changing the Fat Bob over now.
The PCV is a good unit and all most people need. Definately an improvement over stock and necessary when changing exhaust, AC, and cams. Only buy your PCV from Fuel Moto. You get the correct map when buying and great technical support afterwards. Usually around $300.
The TMax is top of the line. Quicker throttle response and more flexability in tuning. At best you can find these units for $800. I would highly recommend the TMax if you have any desire to do more upgrades to the motor...anytime in the future.
The PCV is a good unit and all most people need. Definately an improvement over stock and necessary when changing exhaust, AC, and cams. Only buy your PCV from Fuel Moto. You get the correct map when buying and great technical support afterwards. Usually around $300.
The TMax is top of the line. Quicker throttle response and more flexability in tuning. At best you can find these units for $800. I would highly recommend the TMax if you have any desire to do more upgrades to the motor...anytime in the future.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 7
From: Daytona, Fla.
I ran a Power Commander on my Road Glide for 4 years. It worked reasonably well with canned maps, but better tuning required some dyno time. I put the bike on the dyno twice due to changes I made. It ran better both times, but never really satisfactory.
Last March I changed to a ThunderMax. The bike ran better in the first 15 minutes than it ever had before. I've added the Auto Tune changes 4 times & it's nearly perfect. I'm the happiest I've ever been with this bike.
When comparing the cost of the two tuners don't forget to add the cost of dyno time to the cost of the Power Commander. That expense makes the price difference almost negligible since the dyno isn't required with the ThunderMax.
Last March I changed to a ThunderMax. The bike ran better in the first 15 minutes than it ever had before. I've added the Auto Tune changes 4 times & it's nearly perfect. I'm the happiest I've ever been with this bike.
When comparing the cost of the two tuners don't forget to add the cost of dyno time to the cost of the Power Commander. That expense makes the price difference almost negligible since the dyno isn't required with the ThunderMax.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,710
Likes: 6
From: Spokane, WA.
If I had the cash, and a tuning center such as FM near me, it would be interesting to see,
how the tune would dyno out, FM PV compared to TMax.
Having run a TMax for three years on my previous 07 FLSTF for three years, I did not go TMax on my RKC, and am very happy the way my bike runs with the FM PV.
how the tune would dyno out, FM PV compared to TMax.
Having run a TMax for three years on my previous 07 FLSTF for three years, I did not go TMax on my RKC, and am very happy the way my bike runs with the FM PV.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
The PCV has an auto tuner which you can buy that will make it the same price as the TMax. My dealer told me that they had nothing but bad luck with the PCV on newer bikes and had better luck with the TMax. PCV can also fry your ecu then you need to buy a new ecu.
Has any one had luck with the HD screaming eagle tuner and a dyno which will cost about 800 to 900 bucks?
Has any one had luck with the HD screaming eagle tuner and a dyno which will cost about 800 to 900 bucks?
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
This claim has been hashed-about for years and to date I've seen no evidence of this ever happening. Can you share any actual cases of ECU failure that can be linked to the PCV? In the absence of actual evidence the consensus seems to be that these stories have been propagated by dealers who have a financial interest in selling owners a more profitable tuner.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Denver, Colorado
I have the PC 5 with autotune from fuelmoto. changed cams, ridden from sea level (Long beach) to (Mt Evans)14K not the same day but the same month. never touched it, never had a problem. nuff said.