What's wrong with Harleys?

[intimid8er]

Originally Posted by Rickster

Well in that case, the map is most likely a good one for your bike, and if that's the case, the problem is somewhere else.
I believe there is a cold run sensor that send a signal to the ECU when the engine is below a certain temp, this changes the fuel/air mixture till the engine warms up, maybe that sensor is set wrong, or just plain not working at all.

I thought this might be the case because I hadn't received a call from the shop asking me to bring down my USB Stick Memory card they gave me containing my custom map.

After reviewing the paper work. It looks like they found some faulty plug wires, and the TPS cable got frayed, so that was replaced as well.

I could tell a slight difference in the way it ran this morning. We'll see what happens this afternoon.

[omegajim]

some of the others -- yeah several thousands difference but by the time you deck out the others to look like a Harley -- hardly any differnce at all

It took me awhile to realize that, but it's really the case.

The only way around it is to find a bike that's the better part of 10 years old, then the resale is cheap enough you can put on significant add ons and still keep it within budget.

Being Wisconsin, you'd be amazed how many low mileage older bikes are around; they get put in the back of the garage one year and before you know it, 7 - 8 years goes by.

[Rickster]

Originally Posted by intimid8er

I thought this might be the case because I hadn't received a call from the shop asking me to bring down my USB Stick Memory card they gave me containing my custom map.

After reviewing the paper work. It looks like they found some faulty plug wires, and the TPS cable got frayed, so that was replaced as well.

I could tell a slight difference in the way it ran this morning. We'll see what happens this afternoon.

So were they working on the bike with only the stock map, or is the stick memory card only needed for installing the map?

[intimid8er]

Originally Posted by Rickster

So were they working on the bike with only the stock map, or is the stick memory card only needed for installing the map?

I guess in this situation they were just going back to basics based on the info I gave them. They just went ahead and did some straightforward old fashioned diagnostics. Starting at the most obvious and logical points and working their way forward from there.

I can't really give you an informed answer about the USB key for the map. They guard info about the Direct Link system jealously, and talk in circles when it comes to asking questions about it. Hell....I have a hard enough time finding out about it on Google. I'm going off of the supposition it is exactly like a Power Commander, but signed off on by the Motor Company.

I suppose if they didn't find the hardware problems, they'd get it on the dyno and take a look at it that way to see what's going on. The USB key holds a copy of the map they created so I guess if they futz with it on the dyno, they have the baseline stored in the key. Again, either they don't know enough to explain it to me properly, or they don't want me to know exactly how it works. I'd more lean on the fact that the dealership personnel are ill informed about the product as is usually the case.

[Rickster]

I got the same kind of answer when I was checking on installing a "Harley Race Tuner" on my Road King, they said Harley wouldn't release the key to open the stock ECU so it could be re mapped.

The result is you need to install an aftermarket unit like a Power Commander, or Race Tuner that basically lies to the ECU.

I went with the Power Commander because I can make adjustments myself, if I had the Race Tuner, I would need to take it back to the shop (and pay) every time I wanted to try something a little different.

[intimid8er]

Originally Posted by Rickster

I got the same kind of answer when I was checking on installing a "Harley Race Tuner" on my Road King, they said Harley wouldn't release the key to open the stock ECU so it could be re mapped.

The result is you need to install an aftermarket unit like a Power Commander, or Race Tuner that basically lies to the ECU.

I went with the Power Commander because I can make adjustments myself, if I had the Race Tuner, I would need to take it back to the shop (and pay) every time I wanted to try something a little different.

I highly suspect the Direct Link is basically a Power Commander or at the least Power Commander like. They went out of their way to tell me what a P.O.S. the Power Commander was, and basically wouldn't honor anything if I went my own route etc...you/I both know the steps to that dance. I didn't feel like fighting with them about it.

PC would've been around $250 plus the $275 dyno time. Their unit was the same, plus it came with the added bonus, if they screw up, since they installed, tuned, and did all the monkeying.....it's on them if the sucker blows up.

I probably could've gotten away with a Buell plug in race ECM for $175 and been done with it. Boy....the looks I got when I mentioned it!!!

[robertc729]

Originally Posted by JmalB

Only if he stops using than in place of then...

[Rickster]

Well if there is one thing that everybody agrees with when it comes to Harley's, it's that the Motor Company's in it for the money, and they have one of the best marketing plans going.

If you want to ride Black & Orange (not orange & black, that's KTM ) your going to be paying more.

[oyrider]

Talk about money and merchandising, those rotten guys at HD made me buy T-shirts! I just looked at the clean clothes and counted 26 Harley shirts. Plus 13 more Buell shirts. In contrast, I only have three Ducati shirts and one Triumph. Those last two aren't after my money... And don't even mention the jackets, but that orange and black one is my favorite! (HD should have bought KTM when they had the chance)

[inspiron]

I still don't have a Triumph T-Shirt, even though I technically still own one. The stealership didn't have any nice shirts in my size (yea, I'm weird, I wear XL).

[omegajim]

You weren't in an American store were you?

If you were, more likely they were all sold out. To the gals.

[blackcloud1959]

HD's are not 100% American made. Parts for HD's are being imported from Mexico, all the time. Have personal experience. (US Customs) When I got my 2005 Vmax, only thing I heard at work was "why didn't you get a real bike?" It's a attitude, and usually of ignorance! Most of these guys never rode a bike before and hear everybody say Harley is the only way to go. Road some when I was young and they vibrated the hell out of my behind! High cost of maintainance, too! Hear the new ones are alot better but still way over priced! Been riding since I was 7 years old and have had a few bikes. Mostly rode dirt bikes when I was young but enjoying the hell out of my VMax. Made riding fun, again.

[frostbitevinnie]

And yet another resurrection.

[amvince]

IT'S ALIVE.......but why?

[frostbitevinnie]

HD SUCKS!!!

There, that will get this thread going again.

[Rickster]

Originally Posted by frostbitevinnie

HD SUCKS!!!

There, that will get this thread going again.

Vinnie, it's not like you to stir the pot.

So if I offered to trade you my Road King for your C90 you would turn me down?

I was wondering when someone would bring this thread back to life.

[Karmak]

I owned Harleys 40 years ago when they were considered the fastest and best handling bikes. Not much has changed about them, they are as fast and handle pretty much the same now as they did then. That is why I ride an FJR today. And I can afford Harleys. To each his own-performance and speed is important to me-if you like cruising around at a sane rate and feeling the pulse of the Harley (and sound) as well as enjoy the looks there is nothing wrong with that. Some people are Pirates, I'd rather be a Power Ranger.

[frostbitevinnie]

Originally Posted by Rickster

Vinnie, it's not like you to stir the pot. :

Oh really?? What you been smokin today Rick?? I suppose you won't share either.

So if I offered to trade you my Road King for your C90 you would turn me down?

Yes I would turn you down. If you had a Ultra Classic or a Rocker then I would trade even up.

I was wondering when someone would bring this thread back to life.

Some newbie resurrected it so I thought a little slap would get it going again. Actually my 90 is almost as good as HD. HD is hundred dolla for dis and dat and my 90 is ninety dolla for dis and dat. Just ten dolla to go!!!

[ChicsterMG]

I'll trade....I'll trade!!!!!

[tricker]

the only harley product i'd get would be a buell.. but now that i'm a little attached to a zzr1200 or a zx14 don't think that will happen