Is the Stage 1 Kit with the upgrade air cleaner and the download really the worth the money. I have an 06 EG classic and I have had mixed reviews about it actually haelping my bike.

 

Stage 1 air kit (or Ness Big Sucker kit)....ABSOLUTELY worth the $140 or so (and install yourself...takes about 10 minutes).

Download...not worth it in my opinion. Save the $150 and purchase a PowerCommander, SERT, or other fuel management system. The PowerCommander, for example, will allow you to change the map based on your bike's setup. Plus, as you make changes, say new pipes, you can change the map at no add'l cost.

 

I bought an 06 SG in Feb and had the same reservations you do. I dont want to talk outta turn and it might not be HDs fault with them having to follow the EPA's rules but I dont feel that the download will be enough and its a 1 time shot.

So I'll fill you in on what I did. I went to Eastern Performance's ebay store. They are a site sponsor here and they have great buy-it-now prices and their shipping and service is excellent. A great supplier but enough with the commerical. I bought the Arlen Ness Big Sucker for $99. It has the K&N and the SE kit doesnt. It is a nice product and looks good on the bike. Takes about 15-30 min to install. I also bought the PC III USB for $277. Eastern Perfromance shipped me both for free. I put the canned download in for now but I am set-up to have it dynoed this Friday to fine tune it mainly to try and get a couple more mpg and just to make sure it is optimized.

I am having it done at Cycle Dyne in Fort Worth. They claim that is will take no more than an hour ($100) and my buddy that recommended then backs it up.

I kept the bike stock (except for Wild Pig slip-ons) for 2000 miles. I wanted it to get hot here (and it has) to see if the problems everyone talks about happened. They never really did. It has gone into the low idle, it did pop on decel, it has sputtered taking off when the engine is cold. Nothing big. But the Air filter was getting dirty and I felt I needed to do something and I choose the Sucker and the PCIII USB.

Quickly the math:
SE = $150 + tax + replacement filters ($120 +shipping from Chicago) Big Sucker = $99 diff= at least $25 less
HD download = $150 +labor = $200 for 1 time shot PCIII USB = $277 diff = + $77

So for $50 more ($20 more from dealer, even money if a/c is installed by them) you get so much more... a tuneable FI module and a better a/c kit. if it aint right, try a different map or get it dynoed. I will say this just putting the a/c and the PCIII on with the canned map made a huge improvement. Rode 1000 miles over Memorial day in the TX heat and it did great. Like I said, getting it dynoed for fine tuning. In closing, I still have the 8 deg injectors and it is running great and it has been 99-100 for 2 weeks here and I ride it everyday. And the big plus to me is, if when it really gets cooking in August and if it starts acting up, since the bike has not been back to the dealer, and I still have the stock pipes and air box, I can put them back on, take the PCIII off, take it to them and say fix it it - its a stock bike - your problem.

 

FYI:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HARLE...spagenameZWDVW

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HARLE...spagenameZWDVW

 

I did the Stage 1 at the same time as the 25 Degree injectors, with the one-time Download and SE Race Pipes. Couldn't see changing it and I am very happy with the results. Not sure how much more you would get from the SERT or Power Commander unless you plan on changing pipes down the road. HD MAP runs perfectly under all conditions.

 

I fell far there pitch on Stage I again(I must be a dumbass) again when I bought this bike. They did there download, SE air filter said they could not do the mufflers. I took the Rush mufflers off the Road King Custom I traded in and put them on the 06 FLHTCI. Even with the stock mufflers on it would pop back thru the exhaust somtimes and fart back thru the throttle bottle. It ran a lot stronger when I put the Rush mufflers on. I got tired of the oil mist dripping on the air filter so I changed it to a Doherty air filter with powervents would still get a little oil on the air filter so I just vented them to the ground with a filter at the end of the hose. No more oil mist problems. I put a Techlusion TFI on and it took the backfire thru the mufflers out. I am still playing with it to get the highest mpg I can with no backfires or farts. Talked to George at Dorbeck and he told me some settings to try so I will try them. I think the HD download is a waste of money.

 

A properly tuned stage one combo on a stock motor is......GOLD!

 

Maybe I am naive, but I like the Stage I kit with the standard download. I had it done three weeks ago, and am running stock exhaust. Much better throttle response at all rpms, and much better power on the hills, not to mention 13% better fuel mileage. For the money, I couldn't do any better than that.

 

I agree with Jdag 100%

 

Yes, stage 1 - best boost for the money. But, would get rid of the stock exhaust.

I did the same with the SERT - easy to do by yourself. Load the Stage 1 map and you're real close.

I had mine dyno'd - but was not impressesed - but then again my HD shop pushes the PC - so not sure they were experts on the SERT.

Seemed a bit slugish and when it turned out outside, noticed a little pinging. Backed off the front/rear spark timing a bit and increased the AFR by .1 across the map and seems much better now. Was only getting about 38mpg, now at 41mpg (spark plug color seems right on).

Long story short - you need to find a dyno tuner that KNOWS what they're doing with your specific tuner. Many on this forum making the tuner purchase decision soley based on this.

I thought the same as many on this forum - just want to do the Stage 1 and exhaust. Now, I'm looking for a little better mid-range response - which points to different cams (as well would install the gear drive). i.e. having the SERT allows me to do whatever is needed.

I really think they should have a different name for the SERT - as many of us will never "RACE" - but just want to "tweek" our bikes for the stuff we put on.




Good luck,