I Just bought my first Harley, a 2012 Ultra Classic Limited. I put Rush slip-ons on the bike but want to get rid of some of the heat on the right side. I have read that installing Vance and Hines True Dual Header Pipes cut the heat almost all the way out. The question is if I install the Header Pipes do i need to get a tuner or will the bike run alright?

 

YES you do...

 

There are three correct answers; yes, no, and maybe, just depends on who you ask and what all your goals are. A tuner is not the only way to mitigate exhaust heat. You better keep reading because not everyone thinks the duals are cooler. If all I wanted to do is knock down the heat, I'd try one of the midframe type shields, creamic coating, or wrap.

 

Or remove the catalyst from the stock header like I did, right side heat went bye bye. Put a VIED to add a tad more fuel and ride boddie ride!

 

As long as you do not change the amount of air the engine is able to beath in, you should be fine. The ECM is able to make slight adjustments without a tuner. If you ever decide to go with a high flow air filter you will have to have a tuner.

 

My friend added a high flow air cleaner and new slip ons to his Road Glide, says it runs fine with no tuner. YMMV, try it and see. If your bike doesn't run good then look into adding the tuner.

 

If you really wanna take car of the heat, and get optimal performance out of your set up, and prevent running too lean... aye

 

Because the 2012 has o2 sensors and the duals have ports for them wouldn't that eliminate the need for a tuner?

 

If you go with that combo you will need a tune. I had slip ons with SE intake and when I switched to the V&H true duals, it ran like crap. I ended up tuning it myself with the SE pro race tuner. Wasnt hard at all

 

Yeah Ive got a KN in place of the OEM filter along with slipons and my VIED is handling it fine ( its not a tuner).