Hitchcocks Forum

I recently purchased a new, stock, 535 GT here in the USA. I've been a Harley user for the past 10 years. For each new Harley I've purchased, I've upgraded the air cleaner and exhaust system to a Stage I Screaming Eagle Kit. The kit consisted of 1. A high performance air cleaner. 2. High performance slip-on exhaust tail pipes. 3. A Harley Davidson Super Tuner.

Upon installation of the kit, the engine would undergo a Dyno test to determine the torque and HP, etc. I assumed that during this Dyno test, the electronic control module would be "mapped" for maximum performance.

At the next, regular oil change and inspection, the engine would undergo a second Dyno test to fine tune the electronic control module and make sure it was working properly.

Since purchasing the 535 GT, I've installed a high performance K & N air filter. It gave the bike a little more pep. I would like to get a little more pep out of it.

My dealer suggested I simply purchase the Taper Silencer, part no. 91098, install it and forget about installing the DYNOJET POWER COMMANDER (mapped for 535cc Continental GT with K&N air filter and factory sports and Motad silencer), part no. 92018/8.

The dealer here in the USA doesn't have a Dyno tuner. I don't think he knows of a place where I could have it done. He and his mechanic have said I should have no problem simply installing the Taper Silencer and not having the system Dyno tuned with the POWER COMMANDER installed. To be honest with you, I've never heard of such a thing. I get the impression they don't want to make any money by selling me a tuner and a couple of sessions on a Dyno tuner.

I also went to a local Triumph dealership here in the USA. He, too, said they did not regularly Dyno tune any of their bikes. He even went so far as to say that the tuning is done by the seat of your pants. Again, this sounds kind of ridiculous to me and that he also did not wish to take my money for that service. He did, however, refer me to a mechanic who would be willing to Dyno tune the bike for me. It turned out to be some Ducati dealer located about 50 miles from where I live. (A big inconvenience.)


Any thoughts? Do I just need the pipe? I would like to purchase the pre-mapped DNYNOJET POWER COMMANDER from Hitchocks, have it installed and then dyno tuned, but I'm put off by the price. When converting the British pounds to the dollar, the price jumps up to one that is a lot higher than I would pay for an unmapped POWER COMMANDER over here. Plus there's the shipping and handling charges to be considered.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Waltcs

I think they are absolutely right - power commander is a total waste of money if you are just changing the filter and silencer - both will give you a slight boost but that is it. Have a look at the Hitchcocks section on the GT - you get into serious cash to transform the machine but most people seem to be going for the filter/exhaust treatment.

Hi Waly, I'd go along witht the dealer, keep the $s in your pocket. The Screaming Eagle stuff is just part of the uniform Harley lifestyle thing. Rarely have I seen a Harley used properly. On our US trips we mostly see them getting smaller in our mirrors!

Thanks for your input. I got the tapered silencer. Just need to install it. If need be, I'm going to go with the Power Commander and find somebody nearby who can put it on a dyno. If anything to get rid of the "dead spot" on the throttle whlle taking off from a stop. This "dead spot" frequently causes the bike to stall requiring a restart. I have less than 1000 miles on it and the electric starter is already periodically malfunctioning. This is a known problem with the 535 EFI GT. I've never had this problem on any of the other bikes I've ever owned or been on.

@Beezabryan: Exactly what is the proper way to ride a Harley?

Walt,
Enfield starter problems only started when Enfield started fitting starters, up until then the sprags never gave any trouble

Walt, forgive me if I have misunderstood but looking in the Accessory Catalogue if you buy the correct Power Commander system from the list available for your bike you won't need to do anything to it or get it Dyno'd, it's already mapped for your specification. And by the way, I think Bryan is saying the correct way to ride a Harley is Faster! Certainly the ones we see here in the UK are mostly driven (I use that word deliberately,) like mobile road blocks!
REgards, Mark