I know this has become a "dead horse" topic but I got the new AIM and see, yet again, 2 more references to whether or not any type of fuel management or tuner is needed with 2007 and up EFI models. The first one, below, reflects what I've seen said in AIM in several recent issues. The second is probably good advice for anyone wondering what to do, if anything.

"...what we have been seeing is that the 2007 and 2008 models will automatically adjust the fuel settings to the proper mix when minor changes (read slipons and/or high flow a/c's) are made to the bike" Chris Maida - AIM

"...The ECM can and does make adjustments to the fuel mixture to take into account the new fuel demands caused by the air cleaner and exhaust changes. This usually takes about 10 - 15 minites. At least, that's what we have found with the few we have done.

Please not that the ECM will adjust the air-to-fuel ratio to the stock setting of 14.7:1 and not a 13.7:1 power ratio. This means that though the bike will run as it did before the mods, but with more power due to the mods, it will not run as strong as it will if a fuel tuner is used to increase the fuel portion of the mixture ratio from 14.7 to about 13.7.

My advice is to make the a/c and exhaust changes you have in mind and ride the bike. If it pops, spits, surges, or does any of the nasty things a bike does when the engine is running too lean, have a fuel tuner installed. If it doesn't behave badly, and you are happy with the power increase you have realized with your changes, don't install a fuel tuner." Chris Maida - AIM

So, at the very least, it sounds to me like fuel management still helps even if it is, in fact, not required.

 

There are two reasons why you need fuel compesation:

the first is the fuel curve at wide open throttle, here the fuel curve is belive it or not Typicaly TOO RIch! and to make optimum power it needs to be leaned out a bit to get more power and better milage.

everywhere eles it needs to be fattened up in most cases. the bike when new has a catyilist in the mufflers that has to be operating at a certian temp to light off and create a reaction inside to burn off the exess Hydrocarbons. Too much fuel here and the cats will saturate and not work properly.

once they are removed the fuel curve leans out abit, in most FI setups there is a learned value and a preset value, the difference between the two is the trim or compensation. In most cars if the value exceeds plus or minus 30 to 35% the Check engine light comes on! (I have a carbed bike so Im not sure if a HD dose too).

If your at plus 35% then the bike is running very lean (melt down lean) and it out of the proper range to make any adjustments by the ECU.

the PC III fuel box basicly takes the readings from the 02 sensors and the map or tps sensor and gives the ECU a calculated "lie" to bring the ECU into a range where it can properly run the bike and have proper base compensation for the pipes and air cleaner you just put in.

I think no matter how little mods a person sticks on, a fuel mod should be instaled to bring the fuel trim to 0% plus or minus 5% to run the bike at its best.

 

Mentor, I hear and agree with you which is why I have a fuel manager. This argument will live on to be sure. I was having issues with my bike popping by just adding slipons so I can't say I agree 100% with what I'm reading. But, I have read statements similar to this in AIM on multiple occasions as have others. The second quote I put here seems to be the more appropriate advice to give people and/or publish in magazines.

 

When I installed se slipons with the fiber packing removed the bike didn't idle as smoothly as stock and had a bit of popping on decel.I installed the nightrider Xied's and the motor runs better than stock with no popping.I'm now considering having the factory download to my ecm and installing the se air filter.If I was considering a full exhaust system in the future(I'm not) I would definately go with a fuel manager,so I agree with you.

 

That nigh rider mod just gives a small "lie" or correction to get you back in the compensation range probably 15% plus or minus to keep it in a place where the ECU and contol it, just fine for muffler mods I guess.

wont help the engine make better top end power though.

and wide open throttle the 02 sensors are typicaly ignored and the injectors "batch fire" to the pre-instaled ECU logic. the PC or other fuel tuner can adjust that for best power and econoemy.