[mjw930]

Since the ONLY way you are going to get that last few HP out of your bike is to dyno tune it you should use the Race Tuner. The only reason to get the PCIII would be to take advantage of maps that have already been done for combinations that are radically different from the Harley SE Combos. Your setup is very close to the SE setup, that's why you are getting 109.3 already. Using the Race Tuner will allow you to adjust for the 28T pulley, maintain good driveability, make maximum HP and still get reasonable fuel economy. A properly tuned V-Rod in your configuration should get between 37 - 40 MPG (depending upon riding style) and make 115 - 118 HP.

The only down side, there aren't as many techs up to speed on the RT as there are on the PCIII (at least that seems to be the consensus, my experience has been that if they are good on the V-Rod then they prefer the RT).

Oh, I almost forgot, you asked about easy...... If it was easy then you would have a lot of 115+ HP V-Rods out there. None of the fine tuning is easy with any of these products. The level of ease is also relative to your technical skills. For me the RT is easy, for many it's beyond them.

 

[mjw930]

It really depends on how much your configuration deviates from the HD SE parts. The RT comes with maps for both SE pipes as a starting point. Be forewarned that the publicly available PCIIIr maps have met with limited success with many on this forum (others have no problems). EITHER one needs a final dyno tune to make sure everything's OK :2cents

 

[mjw930]

Orest,

The biggest drawback of not tuning on a dyno is the lack of any exhaust gas analysis. Strapping a computer onto the bike and logging data runs will tell you what the ECM is doing but it won't give you exhaust gas analysis. The AFR it records is the target number it reads from its tables, not what is actually coming out the pipe.

There is a way to convert the raw data into simulations. These simulations will report calculated HP and 1/4 mile runs. By tweaking setting you can use these as baselines but the process is tedious at best.

The best use of data logging is to record what's happening and what parts of the maps are being accessed during specific types of riding. Lets say, for example, that you're getting a stumble around 3500 rpm at partial throttle. You can strap on the RT and go for a ride to recreate the event. You then review the logged data for the time, RPM or speed that the problem occurred and find out what the areas of the map the system was in and what values seem the be out of line. You might find that the system is detecting knock and retarding the timing. You could then back off the timing in that area of the program, download the update and go for another ride. Race teams would use this to pull real time data on areas where they are having trouble such as 3rd gear shift point, deceleration into turn 4, etc.......