to SERT or not to SERT (or SERF!)
#1
04-24-2006, 06:13 PM
to SERT or not to SERT (or SERF!)
Just got off the phone with my dealer's service manager. I had originally brought the bike in for stage one modification AND the installation of a SERT. When I picked up the bike, I noticed that there was no SERT on my bill. Service manager tells me that unless I plan on track racing, I don't need a SERT. He further tells me that the modifications I had done to the bike were all I needed for road riding. Finally, he told me that, after SERT modifications, my bike would no longer be street legal. He seemed to think that he was doing me a favor saying he was "saving [me] $450.00 plus labor for something [I] don't need."
Well now, I've read the tech threads in this forum for a while and thought I knew what I wanted. I know I'll never race this bike. It will always be a street bike. I just want the most performance out of my bike that I can get and the option to tweak things around every now and then just to keep things interesting.
Am I a dingus for wanting a SERT? Am I a dingus for listening to the service manager's tripe? Am I a dingus for even considering using these folks to service my bike in the future?
Well folks, lets have at it. The good, the bad, and the ugly!
Well now, I've read the tech threads in this forum for a while and thought I knew what I wanted. I know I'll never race this bike. It will always be a street bike. I just want the most performance out of my bike that I can get and the option to tweak things around every now and then just to keep things interesting.
Am I a dingus for wanting a SERT? Am I a dingus for listening to the service manager's tripe? Am I a dingus for even considering using these folks to service my bike in the future?
Well folks, lets have at it. The good, the bad, and the ugly!
#3
04-24-2006, 06:58 PM
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RE: to SERT or not to SERT
I’m also considering a SERT. It seems there are not many tuners out there that are proficient with the SERT. If the rumors of it being on the pending obsolescence list are true then a few years down the road there will probably be no one that can tune one. I like the idea that it reprograms the ECM and is not one more thing that can fail. But with so many people running Power Commanders it seems that might be a better choice. Well maybe even just a DFO type of product might be all one needs.
#4
04-24-2006, 07:18 PM
RE: to SERT or not to SERT
I'll give ya the straight scoop on the SERT, no BS.
The sert is just a tool that gives you the adjustability capability that we 'used' to have on our cars and bikes (and many more features) before the days of computers and fuel injection. You can buy it discounted online for $369 at many places. If you have ever set a timing curve yourself on a Chevy V8 or a Shovel head, You'll like the sert. If you have ever jetted a Holly 3310 4 Barrel, Rochester quad, Carter AFB, Mikuni, Keihin CV or Amal concentric carb, You'll love the sert. Ever have to over compensate on the main jet for a needle with not enough taper just to eliminate an annoying lean surge at 3500 RPM's only to make WOT too rich? You'll love the sert. Answer yes to most or all of those questions and you may want to consider buying one.
Bottom line is all of those jets, air screws, timing weights, springs and needles are now adjusted through an electronic interface. Freakin' RACING your bike has nothing to do with it. Control of your own bikes tune does IF you or somebody you know has the knowlege to tune it in the first place which, by the way, is in clear black and white text in the manual that comes with the thing. This is not some voodoo. The principals remain, the tuning interface changes. Pretty simple and to the point, right?
You can adjust (optimize) a stock bike for better performance, economy and driveability the exact way you would tune a highly modded big bore bike or simple stage one bolt on's. Same principals appily but you still need the tools to do it and they 'aint comming with the bike any more.
The sert is just a tool that gives you the adjustability capability that we 'used' to have on our cars and bikes (and many more features) before the days of computers and fuel injection. You can buy it discounted online for $369 at many places. If you have ever set a timing curve yourself on a Chevy V8 or a Shovel head, You'll like the sert. If you have ever jetted a Holly 3310 4 Barrel, Rochester quad, Carter AFB, Mikuni, Keihin CV or Amal concentric carb, You'll love the sert. Ever have to over compensate on the main jet for a needle with not enough taper just to eliminate an annoying lean surge at 3500 RPM's only to make WOT too rich? You'll love the sert. Answer yes to most or all of those questions and you may want to consider buying one.
Bottom line is all of those jets, air screws, timing weights, springs and needles are now adjusted through an electronic interface. Freakin' RACING your bike has nothing to do with it. Control of your own bikes tune does IF you or somebody you know has the knowlege to tune it in the first place which, by the way, is in clear black and white text in the manual that comes with the thing. This is not some voodoo. The principals remain, the tuning interface changes. Pretty simple and to the point, right?
You can adjust (optimize) a stock bike for better performance, economy and driveability the exact way you would tune a highly modded big bore bike or simple stage one bolt on's. Same principals appily but you still need the tools to do it and they 'aint comming with the bike any more.
#5
04-24-2006, 09:08 PM
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RE: to SERT or not to SERT
ORIGINAL: dadofsix
Just got off the phone with my dealer's service manager. I had originally brought the bike in for stage one modification AND the installation of a SERT. When I picked up the bike, I noticed that there was no SERT on my bill. Service manager tells me that unless I plan on track racing, I don't need a SERT. He further tells me that the modifications I had done to the bike were all I needed for road riding. Finally, he told me that, after SERT modifications, my bike would no longer be street legal. He seemed to think that he was doing me a favor saying he was "saving [me] $450.00 plus labor for something [I] don't need."
Well now, I've read the tech threads in this forum for a while and thought I knew what I wanted. I know I'll never race this bike. It will always be a street bike. I just want the most performance out of my bike that I can get and the option to tweak things around every now and then just to keep things interesting.
Am I a dingus for wanting a SERT? Am I a dingus for listening to the service manager's tripe? Am I a dingus for even considering using these folks to service my bike in the future?
Well folks, lets have at it. The good, the bad, and the ugly!
Just got off the phone with my dealer's service manager. I had originally brought the bike in for stage one modification AND the installation of a SERT. When I picked up the bike, I noticed that there was no SERT on my bill. Service manager tells me that unless I plan on track racing, I don't need a SERT. He further tells me that the modifications I had done to the bike were all I needed for road riding. Finally, he told me that, after SERT modifications, my bike would no longer be street legal. He seemed to think that he was doing me a favor saying he was "saving [me] $450.00 plus labor for something [I] don't need."
Well now, I've read the tech threads in this forum for a while and thought I knew what I wanted. I know I'll never race this bike. It will always be a street bike. I just want the most performance out of my bike that I can get and the option to tweak things around every now and then just to keep things interesting.
Am I a dingus for wanting a SERT? Am I a dingus for listening to the service manager's tripe? Am I a dingus for even considering using these folks to service my bike in the future?
Well folks, lets have at it. The good, the bad, and the ugly!
#7
04-24-2006, 11:39 PM
RE: to SERT or not to SERT
Update. Now it seems that they didn't have a SERT available at the time. They didn't want to hold me up since they had had my bike parked in a corner for two weeks (in fairness to them, 5 days of that was waiting for my parts). Time to look for a new dealer for service? I don't want to burn any bridges here b/c there is only 1 other dealer w/in 150 miles of me. But d@mn, I wish they'd treat me like I am a semi-intelligent person instead of a local yokel![:@]
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#8
04-24-2006, 11:43 PM
RE: to SERT or not to SERT
You're only hope is to educate yourself and call 'em on it. I call 'em out every chance I get and have been doing that for years. It will eventually earn some respect.
Most of the dealers and indy shops are all the same. They got one hand in your wallet and one foot in bull$hit.
Most of the dealers and indy shops are all the same. They got one hand in your wallet and one foot in bull$hit.
#9
04-25-2006, 12:10 AM
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RE: to SERT or not to SERT
Why not consider a power commander. You can get them for 100 bucks less...you can re sell them. You can download hundreds of maps...or you can get hundreds more for free from your local dyno shop. The dyno 250 hooks straight into the USB port and makes the map as they tune. I am not real sure why SERT over PCIII. The guys that make the Dyno...make the PCIII.
#10
04-25-2006, 01:59 AM
RE: to SERT or not to SERT
ORIGINAL: fl_799
I'll give ya the straight scoop on the SERT, no BS.
The sert is just a tool that gives you the adjustability capability that we 'used' to have on our cars and bikes (and many more features) before the days of computers and fuel injection. You can buy it discounted online for $369 at many places. If you have ever set a timing curve yourself on a Chevy V8 or a Shovel head, You'll like the sert. If you have ever jetted a Holly 3310 4 Barrel, Rochester quad, Carter AFB, Mikuni, Keihin CV or Amal concentric carb, You'll love the sert. Ever have to over compensate on the main jet for a needle with not enough taper just to eliminate an annoying lean surge at 3500 RPM's only to make WOT too rich? You'll love the sert. Answer yes to most or all of those questions and you may want to consider buying one.
Bottom line is all of those jets, air screws, timing weights, springs and needles are now adjusted through an electronic interface. Freakin' RACING your bike has nothing to do with it. Control of your own bikes tune does IF you or somebody you know has the knowlege to tune it in the first place which, by the way, is in clear black and white text in the manual that comes with the thing. This is not some voodoo. The principals remain, the tuning interface changes. Pretty simple and to the point, right?
You can adjust (optimize) a stock bike for better performance, economy and driveability the exact way you would tune a highly modded big bore bike or simple stage one bolt on's. Same principals appily but you still need the tools to do it and they 'aint comming with the bike any more.
I'll give ya the straight scoop on the SERT, no BS.
The sert is just a tool that gives you the adjustability capability that we 'used' to have on our cars and bikes (and many more features) before the days of computers and fuel injection. You can buy it discounted online for $369 at many places. If you have ever set a timing curve yourself on a Chevy V8 or a Shovel head, You'll like the sert. If you have ever jetted a Holly 3310 4 Barrel, Rochester quad, Carter AFB, Mikuni, Keihin CV or Amal concentric carb, You'll love the sert. Ever have to over compensate on the main jet for a needle with not enough taper just to eliminate an annoying lean surge at 3500 RPM's only to make WOT too rich? You'll love the sert. Answer yes to most or all of those questions and you may want to consider buying one.
Bottom line is all of those jets, air screws, timing weights, springs and needles are now adjusted through an electronic interface. Freakin' RACING your bike has nothing to do with it. Control of your own bikes tune does IF you or somebody you know has the knowlege to tune it in the first place which, by the way, is in clear black and white text in the manual that comes with the thing. This is not some voodoo. The principals remain, the tuning interface changes. Pretty simple and to the point, right?
You can adjust (optimize) a stock bike for better performance, economy and driveability the exact way you would tune a highly modded big bore bike or simple stage one bolt on's. Same principals appily but you still need the tools to do it and they 'aint comming with the bike any more.
