After watching more youtube videos that I'd like to admit, I pulled the trigger on a set of Rush slip ons for my 2012 Fatboy Lo. I've called three dealers (service dept) to inquire about what I should do tuning wise, if anything. Most say "try it" and see how you like it. From all that I've read, the general consensus is to let it be and enjoy your new sound with simply installing the slip ons. However, at my 1,000 service, I'd like to put a nice air cleaner on it (I'm leaning towards Arlen Ness Big Sucker but really, really like the looks of the Roland Sands Design "Judge", as well). This is where the confusion sets in. I have three dealers within a 75 mile radius and they all tell me something different. One says it's imperative to tune the bike with the Screamin Eagle Pro Super Tuner. The other says don't get a tuner and do the Stage 1 download. Lastly, the other say to do the Super Tuner and have the bike dyno'ed if I want it right. It's rather incredible that they have all told me something different and swear it's what's 'best' for the bike.

So two questions - 1) what intake would you get if you're looking for the best intake (sucks the most air) for the money and 2) what would you do about a tuner if anything?

Honestly, this is getting a bit stressful because I don't know what/who to believe. My heart tells me to go ahead and get the tuner on Ebay or somewhere that has them for less than MSRP (seems like they can be had for around $370 in sealed, unopened package), get the intake I like and put on the Rush and be done with it. My ultimate goal in all of this is for it to run right, decrease the chance of decel pop as much as possible, slightly decrease the operating temp of the bike or at least keep it the same and get a better, deeper/louder sound (but nothing close to a V&H straight pipe loudness).

Thanks in advance for the help and input.

P.S. If anyone can comment on how hard it is to switch out the mufflers and any helpful hints, I would appreciate it. I'm mechanically inclined but don't want to get into a mess. I can't imagine it being very difficult but I could be wrong.

 

2012 Fatboy Lo: 2" Rush slip-ons, SE Airfilter backing plate and pieces w/factory "football", SE 204 cams & SE Pro Super Tuner. Runs great.
If you need more details IM me.

 

If you get the breather, do NOT get the download. The decel popping will drive you nuts and it's a waste of money. If you don't plan on any future engine mods, then go with a tuner with canned maps. The HD Pro Tuner requires a dyno run to dial it in which may be overkill with just mufflers. My $0.02. Plenty of posts on here so do a search.

 

Thanks for running Rush exhaust! Tuning is always recommended and depending on the baffle size it is sometimes required. If you use the 1.75" or 2.00" baffles on a completely stock engine tuning is usually not required for the ECM to still tune the bike back to stock air/fuel ratios. Many of our customers use the 1.75" or 2.00" with no tuning.
The dealers might have different information but usually they have good suggestions for tuning. The absolute best case is to install a fuel management system and have it dyno tuned... this is also the most expensive. Many of our customers and forum members have had success with fuel management systems like the power vision using a pre-loaded map or downloaded map. The stage one download or flash doesn't really do much. It only adds 3-5% of fuel at full throttle, the rest of the time it will not tune beyond 14.7 which is the stock setting.

The best install tip is to torque the muffler clamps down to 60 ft-lbs to ensure a good seal. Rush exhaust has a thicker gauge steel than stock exhaust and will require more force to clamp them down. Using new clamps every time is also recommended. They can stretch or turn egg shaped causing exhaust leaks.

We have phone tech support available 8am-5pm mon-fri.
-Ryan

 

I installed them yesterday. I took my time and they look great. With the 2" baffles, I get a slight 'crack' when shifting from 1st to 2nd and quite a bit of decel pop when letting off the throttle mostly in 2nd and 3rd gears. They sound great but I honestly didn't expect them to be quite as loud as they are. It's one of the deepest tones I've ever heard. Since I haven't changed the air cleaner and the bike doesn't seem to be running hot, I'm going to leave it be until June 9th (my appoint for my 1K service). I think a tuning is definitely in order as I don't think I can be happy with it popping the way that it is. I think I may bit the bullet and get the SE Super Tuner and put on a AN Big Sucker at the same time. I'm still not certain if I should have the dealership tune it with the SERT or do that in conjunction with the dyno. It's quite the chunk of change but I want the bike right. I just hope from now until the time I get everything worked out that it doesn't hurt the bike. I'm thinking I'll be just fine since I still have the stock AC on it.

 

At my 1k service back in 07 I did the Rush 2''ers, SE A/C, SERT. and dyno, plus I still have the muffs and I still really like then. I knew at some point I was adding cams so thats why I did the SERT because Back then there wasn't as many picks as there is today.

The SEPST IMO is one of the best tuner in the right hands, not all tuners are equal..
but if U do make a lot of changes, like pipes this yr, cams next yr, then head work in a couple more, the cost of dynos will add up..
That's why if U do go with SE tuner it's best to just do it all at once, then U'll need only one dyno and Ur motor should be running at its best that U wont have to tinker with without adding another part to the mix. Just my thoughts.


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Where did you end up ordering them from?
Thanks

 

Been running the 1.75s on 2 bikes for four years w/o any tuner and have never had any decel pop on either of them. One of them even has a K&N AC on it. Might want to check for leaks. Did you torque the clamps?

I've read plenty of posts here about decel popping on bikes with tuners so I wouldn't look for that to solve your problem. As the Rush rep said your ecm can easily adapt to 1.75s-2.00s.

If you decide you just gotta have a tuner I'd recommend getting one from a reliable vendor with good customer support.

 

I put zinc grease on the pipes when I installed my 1.75's. Torquing to the spec is important as is checking for any leaks. I went for a ride and rechecked the torque as sometimes they initally can loosen up as they settle in.
I put on a Ness Big sucker and Xieds. http://www.nightrider.com/parts/
Which are pretty easy to install. I don't get any decel pop. I don't have a tuner yet and really not sure I need one at this point. Just another thought. Enjoy the ride.