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Tuner required?

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  #1  
Old 07-21-2018 | 09:30 PM
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Blackjack1
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Default Tuner required?

I picked up a 2011 Road King Classic two weeks ago. Almost finished adding 14" Chubby's. Had the exhaust off so I figured I'd open up a "window" and remove the cat and throw on a set or 4" Rinharts.

Bike has stock intake.... is a tuner required for it to run right?
 
  #2  
Old 07-21-2018 | 09:55 PM
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I would say exhaust only. Not required. But I would get one because you are 1 high flow air cleaner away from a stage 1 . LOL Then it is required. I used the FP3 and love it but there are many more out there. Search the forums. Good luck
 
  #3  
Old 07-22-2018 | 06:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Blackjack1
I picked up a 2011 Road King Classic two weeks ago. Almost finished adding 14" Chubby's. Had the exhaust off so I figured I'd open up a "window" and remove the cat and throw on a set or 4" Rinharts.

Bike has stock intake.... is a tuner required for it to run right?
If you do add a free flow AC, you'll definitely need a tuner, and even with a tuner and a good tune you'll not do yourself any favors at low and mid range rpm. (right where we ride most of the time.) Call Fuel Moto and get some muffler recommendations for your bike and a tuner. They can also pre load a tune for you to at least get the proper tune for that bike with those mods.
 
  #4  
Old 07-22-2018 | 07:38 AM
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I would say why risk it? Just get a tuner and be done with it.
 
  #5  
Old 07-22-2018 | 07:46 AM
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Ride it and see...... After you remove the cat, and change the air cleaner you are altering the fuel requirements more than the stock ECM can adjust too. Their are those who say they never tuned it and rode thousands of miles, the other side is will you do motor damage running it too lean. They are lean from Harley, now you have added better air flow. See how it rides.....but I think you will want to put a tuner on it.
 
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Old 07-22-2018 | 08:01 AM
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Originally Posted by Beak
Ride it and see...... After you remove the cat, and change the air cleaner you are altering the fuel requirements more than the stock ECM can adjust too. Their are those who say they never tuned it and rode thousands of miles, the other side is will you do motor damage running it too lean. They are lean from Harley, now you have added better air flow. See how it rides.....but I think you will want to put a tuner on it.
I have not added an air cleaner... still stock intake. I've read where they are too lean from the factory.

I'm planning to take off on a 2100 mile loop through Colorado the first week in August and don't want to hurt anything but I also don't want to spend the $'s on a tuner right now unless necessary.
 
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Old 07-22-2018 | 08:08 AM
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Originally Posted by Blackjack1
I have not added an air cleaner... still stock intake. I've read where they are too lean from the factory.

I'm planning to take off on a 2100 mile loop through Colorado the first week in August and don't want to hurt anything but I also don't want to spend the $'s on a tuner right now unless necessary.
I can understand not wanting to spend the $$$ now but might be better than finding out that you did need one 1000 miles into the trip
 
  #8  
Old 07-22-2018 | 08:18 AM
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Originally Posted by FLSTC-Dave
I can understand not wanting to spend the $$$ now but might be better than finding out that you did need one 1000 miles into the trip
That's me question, will adding Rineharts and removing the cat require a tune? Most seem to say No, but you are implying yes...?
 
  #9  
Old 07-22-2018 | 08:24 AM
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If you've only removed the CAT and installed different slip ons, YOU DONT NEED TO TUNE YOUR BIKE. Your air intake has not changed therefore your fuel requirements haven't been altered. Yes, HD do run a little lean out of the factory but not enough to risk any damage. If in doubt, inspect your plugs before and 100 miles afterwards, you'll know by examination if something amiss … it should be fine. Go on your trip and have a great time. Biggest advice I could give you is to keep fresh oil in your machine and if you haven't already, or uncertain if it's been done recently, flush your brake fluids. If your brake fluids have too much water contamination, your brakes may fade going down the mountains.
 
  #10  
Old 07-22-2018 | 08:56 AM
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if you do buy a tuner id suggest the FP3. I got one off amazon. Dont buy a used one LOL once they are used they are useless for any other bike. I got a bike with a full set of vance and hines pipes and after market air cleaner but the guy i bought it from did not have it tuned after he put those on and it backfired and ran hot. After installing the FP3 it runs awesome.
 


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