Are tuners worth it?

[engprosinc]

I bought a Power Vision tuner, but there aren't any O2 sensors on my 05 Ultra trike with the SE 103. Is it worth the money to install the bungs on the pipes so I can auto tune my ride? It seems the answer is obvious, but I like to hear what others say who have the tuners.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Gorilla]

Yes it will be worth it. The tuner will smooth out the fuel delivery using the feedback from the o2s.

 

[screwball]

Not as far as I'm concerned. 40,000 miles on my '09 without one.

 

[geezerglide11441]

Not as far as I'm concerned. 40,000 miles on my '09 without one.

I would think members that have experience with tuners in general, or specifically members with direct experience with the Power Vision could offer a more valued response than someone that has only an opinion!
epper:

 

[geezerglide11441]

Yes it will be worth it. The tuner will smooth out the fuel delivery using the feedback from the o2s.

:Agree: A proper tune will smooth out the total performance of the bike. Generally most all H-D's come from the factory with a very lean fuel delivery and you can correct this issue with the Power Vision. this will most likely also make the bike run a little cooler.

I have a PV on my 2013 V-Rod Muscle as well as my 2013 Trike and have them both running awesome!!

Good luck which ever way you decide to go!

Roger

 

[screwball]

I would think members that have experience with tuners in general, or specifically members with direct experience with the Power Vision could offer a more valued response than someone that has only an opinion!
epper:

He asked a question, I offered my opinion. You offered your opinion. I guess we both have an opinion. You think your trike runs better with one, I think both of our trikes run fine without one.

Oh, this is my 6th Harley since 1970, my wife's 4th since 1995. I dropped a couple of hundred putting a tuner on my '08 Ultra. Didn't do a damn thing to make it run better, faster, smoother, or cooler. That is why I didn't bother to put a tuner on the '09 or '11 trikes.

 

[tbear]

In my 40+ years of riding, I have found that "Tuners" are needed when Extreme Mods are done on your bike but not when you leave it basically stock. I remember in the 70's, when we started messing with the exhaust,carbs,etc, rejetting the carb was all that was needed. Now, with EFI systems, alittle different story. Just had to put my 2cents in :Coffee:

 

[GARYD]

I'm with Screwball on this one.
Over 50 years without one - no problems yet. Just a lot more $$$$ in my pocket.

tbear has a point about a modified engine though.


Those with them will swear by them. I doubt anyone with problems with one will ever admit it. So, who ya gonna trust?

 

[lboos]

I would think members that have experience with tuners in general, or specifically members with direct experience with the Power Vision could offer a more valued response than someone that has only an opinion!
epper:

geezerglide,
Can you please give us a list of opinions that 'you feel' are a valued response ? don't want to give an opinion you don't like :drama:.


I'm also with Screwball on this ThumbUp.

 

[tbear]

geezerglide,
Can you please give us a list of opinions that 'you feel' are a valued response ? don't want to give an opinion you don't like :drama:.


I'm also with Screwball on this ThumbUp.

I'm standing by my reponse. and I use a Tuner which is a PV tuner component. But some guys like Carbs over EFI's. I believe it's called "simplicity".

 

[roadking2]

He asked a question, I offered my opinion. You offered your opinion. I guess we both have an opinion. You think your trike runs better with one, I think both of our trikes run fine without one.

Oh, this is my 6th Harley since 1970, my wife's 4th since 1995. I dropped a couple of hundred putting a tuner on my '08 Ultra. Didn't do a damn thing to make it run better, faster, smoother, or cooler. That is why I didn't bother to put a tuner on the '09 or '11 trikes.

Did you do anything with it or did you just slap it on there with a stock map and not do anything to actually tune your bike? You are the very first person I ever heard say that a tuner didn't do anything for their bike. It's pretty hard to believe it didn't help the lean condition or improve anything.

 

[screwball]

Did you do anything with it or did you just slap it on there with a stock map and not do anything to actually tune your bike? You are the very first person I ever heard say that a tuner didn't do anything for their bike. It's pretty hard to believe it didn't help the lean condition or improve anything.

I bought the tuner from Honest John's EVO ETC. and he installed it. We took the bike to Fire Breathing Industries and Drew did the dyno and tuning.

I don't pull a trailer, ride 2 up, drag race, ride parades, idle all day in city traffic or do wheelies. My plugs were brown before, brown after. I don't check mileage, but it looked like I ran low on gas at about 160 miles before and after. The bike felt about the same. MAYBE had a bit better throttle response, but not $650 worth. The Ultra was stock with the exception of a Stage 1 kit with Python slip-ons and a Harley SE air cleaner. I had no decal popping before or after the change. The only difference I really felt was a wallet that was $650 lighter. IF you have a need for speed, put in hot cams, shave the heads, stroke or bore the motor, then you may need one.

I learned from that experience that just because you read it on the internet it isn't written in stone. I'm amazed with the people that are buying 'necessary' accessories before they even have a bike and know if they need them. I'm all for customizing the hell out of your scoot. Hell, I should be here expounding on how much better my Springer ran after I dropped 3 grand in custom paint.... after I dropped a grand in custom tin..... been there, done that. Now that I'm old I ride my bike er Trike. We just got back from a 4000 mile ride to Yellowstone. No tuner, no king sized windshield, no additional storage, no lift kit, no custom seat, no plastic film paint protector, no cooling fans, no monster oil cooler, all the 'stuff' deemed necessary on the Bulletin Boards. Our trikes washed and waxed and got pretty when we got home. I sure don't want to step on the toes of any of your sponsors, but a pretty stock Harley doesn't NEED a lot of help IN MY OPINION.

 

[dcvernon]

I bought the tuner from Honest John's EVO ETC. and he installed it. We took the bike to Fire Breathing Industries and Drew did the dyno and tuning.

I don't pull a trailer, ride 2 up, drag race, ride parades, idle all day in city traffic or do wheelies. My plugs were brown before, brown after. I don't check mileage, but it looked like I ran low on gas at about 160 miles before and after. The bike felt about the same. MAYBE had a bit better throttle response, but not $650 worth. The Ultra was stock with the exception of a Stage 1 kit with Python slip-ons and a Harley SE air cleaner. I had no decal popping before or after the change. The only difference I really felt was a wallet that was $650 lighter. IF you have a need for speed, put in hot cams, shave the heads, stroke or bore the motor, then you may need one.

I learned from that experience that just because you read it on the internet it isn't written in stone. I'm amazed with the people that are buying 'necessary' accessories before they even have a bike and know if they need them. I'm all for customizing the hell out of your scoot. Hell, I should be here expounding on how much better my Springer ran after I dropped 3 grand in custom paint.... after I dropped a grand in custom tin..... been there, done that. Now that I'm old I ride my bike er Trike. We just got back from a 4000 mile ride to Yellowstone. No tuner, no king sized windshield, no additional storage, no lift kit, no custom seat, no plastic film paint protector, no cooling fans, no monster oil cooler, all the 'stuff' deemed necessary on the Bulletin Boards. Our trikes washed and waxed and got pretty when we got home. I sure don't want to step on the toes of any of your sponsors, but a pretty stock Harley doesn't NEED a lot of help IN MY OPINION.

I agree screwball. We all ride to enjoy riding. If you ride stock great, if you ride tricked out great, or if you're just tricking out to brag about it that's a bummer just ride.

 

[lboos]

My ride is a 2013 stock T/G, plenty of power imo. I also do not understand all this need for all the mod's that some folks buy to gain more power, that to is just my opinion, it's not my money, I think people should put on their bikes what they like, or leave it bone stock if they like.
There is no way to compete with Harleys engineers, or their 110 years exp. you will either go broke or blow your eng. experimenting with all these tricks [magic HP].
Harley is not the most powerful, or will be the most powerful motorcycle no mater how many mod's you can buy and put on it.
If the stock Harley does not have enough power, you might look at one of those Yamasaki crotch rockets with 170 HP out of the box, that way you don't have to spend all that money on after market mod's.
But, I love em all, as long as everyone is happy, that's what counts .

 

[FLTR2008TRIKE]

My ride is a 2013 stock T/G, plenty of power imo. I also do not understand all this need for all the mod's that some folks buy to gain more power, that to is just my opinion, it's not my money, I think people should put on their bikes what they like, or leave it bone stock if they like.
There is no way to compete with Harleys engineers, or their 110 years exp. you will either go broke or blow your eng. experimenting with all these tricks [magic HP].
Harley is not the most powerful, or will be the most powerful motorcycle no mater how many mod's you can buy and put on it.
If the stock Harley does not have enough power, you might look at one of those Yamasaki crotch rockets with 170 HP out of the box, that way you don't have to spend all that money on after market mod's.
But, I love em all, as long as everyone is happy, that's what counts .

Not everyone is satisfied with stock. Whether it be the sound or the performance of stock.

I am one who wants power on tap. After riding my trike with a 103" for 30k miles I can say it was lacking oomph for the mountains and struggled to climb them without having to drop another gear to get to the top.


Harley doesn't build a performance engine for production. Even the 110" is lacking without some work to find that power it has within it. Also HD engineers todays products for the majority who are just trailer queens and the "weekend" bike riders. I think they figure if it looks shiny and says Harley the majority will be happy with what they build.

 

[geezerglide11441]

geezerglide,
Can you please give us a list of opinions that 'you feel' are a valued response ? don't want to give an opinion you don't like :drama:.


I'm also with Screwball on this ThumbUp.

No need for a list, you guys don't need them anyway!! Have fun, ride safe on your stock H-D's, as I have both of mine running pretty well WITH tuners.

Cheers!!epper:


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[msocko3]

Not everyone is satisfied with stock. Whether it be the sound or the performance of stock.

I am one who wants power on tap. After riding my trike with a 103" for 30k miles I can say it was lacking oomph for the mountains and struggled to climb them without having to drop another gear to get to the top.


Harley doesn't build a performance engine for production. Even the 110" is lacking without some work to find that power it has within it. Also HD engineers todays products for the majority who are just trailer queens and the "weekend" bike riders. I think they figure if it looks shiny and says Harley the majority will be happy with what they build.

:Agree: Couldn't have said it better, there sure are a whole lot of low mileage Harley's setting in garages. My dad and I call them weekend warriors, they get them out ride around town and bar hop on Saturday and Sunday then put'em away until the next weekend if it's not raining.

I've never owned a stock Harley, the ones I've ridden have always been underwhelming in the usable power dept.

 

[RdKnB]

I have also never had a stock harley, although I have friends that do. For me it is All May, None Must and some Should

To each their own. If they want a weekend bar hopper so be it, if they want a I ride everywhere bike so be it.

 

[tbear]

It comes down to this: RIDE EM' IF YOU GOT EM' !!!:gah:

 

[hotsyman]

Wood it be better to let a Harley dealer tune my bike then I buy the tts tuner. Do you know anybody that can tune my trike with a tts and do a good job.

 

[GARYD]

I ride stock - I don't have anything against people that want more power. Stock has all I need/want. I'm not a young invincible racer anymore - I want comfort and tunes now - that's all.

I keep seeing the comment "It needs more power, I have to downshift when going up a mountain". REALLY!!?
When have we got so lazy we can't downshift? I thought the whole idea of riding a motorcycle was the fun being able to shift through the gears. That's why automatic trans on bikes don't make it.
Am I behind the times?????

 

[hotsyman]

Wood it be better to let a Harley dealer tune my bike then I buy the tts tuner. Do you know anybody that can tune my trike with a tts and do a good job. epper:

 

[geezerglide11441]

:Agree: Couldn't have said it better, there sure are a whole lot of low mileage Harley's setting in garages. My dad and I call them weekend warriors, they get them out ride around town and bar hop on Saturday and Sunday then put'em away until the next weekend if it's not raining.

I've never owned a stock Harley, the ones I've ridden have always been underwhelming in the usable power dept.

:Agree: there are folks out there that are better off buying a stock Harley and let the dealer do all the servicing and just ride it!! That ain't me!!!epper:

 

[tom w]

Wood it be better to let a Harley dealer tune my bike then I buy the tts tuner. Do you know anybody that can tune my trike with a tts and do a good job. epper:

find a good dealer with a dyno and have him set you up.

if you are all stock then just let it be. if you have h-p exhaust or air box then get it tuned.

IMHO tuners have their place in upgrading the performance of your bike when needed.

 

[FLTR2008TRIKE]

Wood it be better to let a Harley dealer tune my bike then I buy the tts tuner. Do you know anybody that can tune my trike with a tts and do a good job. epper:

William, why would you want pay for tune and device twice??

Tom

 

[FLTR2008TRIKE]

Wood it be better to let a Harley dealer tune my bike then I buy the tts tuner. Do you know anybody that can tune my trike with a tts and do a good job. epper:

William, why would you want pay for tune and device twice??

Tom

 

[msocko3]

I ride stock - I don't have anything against people that want more power. Stock has all I need/want. I'm not a young invincible racer anymore - I want comfort and tunes now - that's all.

I keep seeing the comment "It needs more power, I have to downshift when going up a mountain". REALLY!!?
When have we got so lazy we can't downshift? I thought the whole idea of riding a motorcycle was the fun being able to shift through the gears. That's why automatic trans on bikes don't make it.
Am I behind the times?????

I grow anoyed when I'm going 75 mph with the cruise control on and I have to take it off to down shift because the waddling hog won't pull the hill. When I first got my 2010 Triglide it was a new experience having to shift way more often than I have ever had on my previous baggers. I just about got my a$$ run over on I65 in Ky when I had to kick off the cruise and drop a gear while on my first road trip with the Trike.

Even when my 06 Ultra was a simple Stage 1 I could run the hills and never have to drop a gear. I run out to SD in 08 with a warmed over 95" build and bucked head winds while pulling some pretty good hills with the cruise control on, I never had to touch the shifter.

Granted the Triglide is 400 lbs heavier than my 2 wheel Ultra, it just means HD should have accounted for that by bumping up the torque.

 

[FLTR2008TRIKE]

I grow anoyed when I'm going 75 mph with the cruise control on and I have to take it off to down shift because the waddling hog won't pull the hill. When I first got my 2010 Triglide it was a new experience having to shift way more often than I have ever had on my previous baggers. I just about got my a$$ run over on I65 in Ky when I had to kick off the cruise and drop a gear while on my first road trip with the Trike.

Even when my 06 Ultra was a simple Stage 1 I could run the hills and never have to drop a gear. I run out to SD in 08 with a warmed over 95" build and bucked head winds while pulling some pretty good hills with the cruise control on, I never had to touch the shifter.

Granted the Triglide is 400 lbs heavier than my 2 wheel Ultra, it just means HD should have accounted for that by bumping up the torque.

:Agree:

 

[GARYD]

I still don't see a problem. How often do you have to downshift? If I had to downshift every couple miles or so, then yes, I'd be annoyed.
I like to shift, that's why I bought a Harley. If I didn't want to shift, I'd have bought a Honda with the automatic trans or a motorscooter. The TG has plenty of power for me, but I do ride solo so I bet that makes a difference.
At least there's something for every taste. You can even buy an air operated shifter or a Trike with hyd. operated training wheels. If you want something special, just look around, somebody has it. ThumbUp

I hope I never get to that stage where I hate to shift. epper:

 

[screwball]

Damn, my Lincoln, F150, and Jeep all downshift when I hit a long up-grade. So did my Ducati. Just doesn't make any sense to drop a couple of grand so I wouldn't have to downshift. BUT, to each his own.