I'm sure this question has been asked many times, but I am looking for help from those who know more about this than I do. I just bought a 2015 Road King. I am about to add some Vance and Hines True dual headers and slash cut slip-ons. I don't really want to change the intake, so if I just change the full exhaust, do I need to do a tune on the bike? I don't want to do a tune if I don't need one. I would rather spend that money on other things for the bike. Please help!

 

a tuner will also make a bone stock bike run better. once you start adding pipes etc a tuner is highly recommended

if you get a power vision from fuel Moto you will have lifetime tune updates.

 

yes you will need a tune when doing a full exhaust swap, if you were just changing the muffs then you would not need a tune. Rob

 

Enjoy that Road King.....it's one of my favorite HD's....next to my Road Glide it's #2.

Second thought after seeing Rob's post above.....he may be right about that. If only mufflers, then "no" is the answer to "need". But headers and all.....he may be correct.

 

You're allowed to install those pipes, ride it, and decide for yourself if you need a retune or not. There's a good chance that you don't. You may get a little popping on deceleration and the occasional burp on take-off. But if the bike isn't pinging, knocking, running horrible, etc. you're ok.

 

With the headers, go with the tuner. The Vance and Hines FP-3 tuner is a real easy setup for the DIY guy. Just the app on your phone to instal it. No dyno required after that. You'll be happy with the results.

Safe riding!

 

You could just ride it for now, and save up for a performance upgrade with tune later, you know...

 

As mentioned, the fact that you are swapping head pipes to a true dual will effect the AFR's making them even leaner than they are now. These come from the factory pretty lean in order to meet EPA emissions. Lean means heat, sometimes hesitation and being more susceptible to pinging. If you are not planning on making any other performance modifications than a simple programmer will work fine.

Have a question for you. Are you using the power duals or the dresser duals? If you go with the dresser duals don't be surprised if you end up with a slight loss in low end grunt. If you were thinking dresser duals might I suggest either the power duals or one of the many 2-1-2 head pipes. They will do a better job maintaining the low end power. Low end torque is what gets these bikes moving. Regardless, enjoy the new ride.

Neil
RDMC

 

I have already ordered the dresser duals.

 

A word of caution. My last bike did not have a tune and that 96 ci got mighty hot, to the point that the black powder coat looked like it had cancer.