Hi everyone.
​​​​​​I see lots of posts about tuners on bikes with cam upgrades, etc. . .
What about on a stock bike ?
Any benefits ??

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I would just wait until you do a stage 1 or swap a cam. A "tweaked" tune could give you better throttle response and a slight increase in performance if tuned properly but I doubt you would notice it enough to justify the cost. Stage II with a good tune is the best bang for buck you can get.

 

If you are planning upgrades for the future then a tuner is a good first step. Places like Fuel Moto will give new maps as you upgrade. Get the tuner now, intake and exhaust in a few months, cams in a year or two, etc.

If you are planning to keep it stock I wouldn’t bother.

 

A completely stock 114 that Fuel Moto dyno'd was 106TQ and 84HP, the pic below is of a 114 they tuned with a power vision. So about 8 additional foot lbs of torque and a couple more ponies when tuned by an expert. CVO vs Softail, not sure if that matters much, but both M8 114s. I'm guessing the stock cam in the Softail is (slightly) different from the cam in the CVO.

Notable is not just the peak numbers but the fact that the tuned bike decays less in the higher RPMs. The different stock exhausts may have something to do with that.

 

I had a Power Commander 3 on my stock 2003 before the PC3 and a replacement crapped the bed and I went to a Thundemax and cammed the bike.

IMHO every HD bike can use more fuel, even if it is stock.

There are people who disagree with me, especially when it comes to M8's

If you are planning on upgrades, just get a tuner you know you will be able to re-map to fit what what you think you are going to do in the future. as mentioned above buying from a supplier you know is going to be around and able to help you with maps is important.

YMMV

 

Yes - They all are tuned too lean from the factory - that is one of the reasons they run hot - a tuner will help
Is it worth it to you ? I can't answer that -
I got a Daytona Twin Tec years ago because I know I would be making changes - and would be able to change the tune as needed

 

Yep. I’d put one on a stock bike for sure. And if ya go with the FP3 and change the throttle progessivity to standard plus it’s worth the money. That setting along makes it a different ride. But yes. You’ll get the benefit of a richer and cooler tune.

 

Lets back it up, since what stock bike, since may not need a tuner to tweak the tune to start with.
If older evo and already had the ECM swapped out with a S&S unit, then all you need is the free software to re-tune the ECM from them instead.

But yes, HD sends the bikes out on the lean side to meet EPA standards, so they runs hot as hell, since it's tuned so lean to start with (fuel is cooling).

 

On the 2016 Dyna I had with the 103, I got an FP3 before I did intake and exhaust, and flashed the improved stock tune. Let me tell you it ran much much better. Less hesitation, just generally smoother at all rpm’s. If I ever bought a bike and intended to leave it stock (not likely lol), I would still get some sort of tune on it. They run much better when not forced to run the EPA mandated lean stock tune.

Just my opinion.

 

The AFR on a stock M8 isn't too lean and definitely not as lean as some people may think, In fact it's actually pretty good. These guys from DK customs do a pretty good job of explaining it.