Does Your Harley-Davidson Need A Tune With Slip-On Mufflers Only??

One of the biggest questions about replacing the mufflers on a Harley-Davidson is "Do I need to tune my bike when I am only adding slip-on exhaust?" The answer is no, you don't need to tune, but there are a few things to consider first. Your bike has to have a stock air box, and preferably oxygen sensors in the factory header. Now while some bikes do well with slip on mufflers and the stock tune others need a little help to run properly. Knowing a few things up front before changing your mufflers can save you a lot of frustration and headaches down the road.

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Bikes on the channel:

Motorcycle: 2016 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL1200CP (Sportster 1200 Custom)

Custom Parts Installed:
Screamin' Eagle Heavy Breather air cleaner
Harley-Davidson Reach Seat
Harley-Davidson Chrome and Rubber Collection grips
Drag Specialties Offset Clevis Footpeg Conversion Kit
Aftermarket Detachable Back Rest
Harley-Davidson Air Flow timing cover
Harley-Davidson Air Flow clutch cover
Screamin' Eagle spark plug wires
Screamin' Eagle spark plugs
Flipped Down Stock Mirrors

Motorcycle: 2017 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL1200X (Sportster Forty-Eight)

Custom Parts installed:
Harley-Davidson Factory Security System
Screamin' Eagle Exteme Billed Air Cleaner (Black)
Harley-Davidson Burst Collection Foot Pegs
Harley-Davidson Burst Collection Grips
Harley-Davidson Burst Collection Shifter Peg
Screamin' Eagle spark plug wires

[GixxerFoo]

Have you run your slip-ons without a tune with any luck? Which fuel tuner do you think is the best setup?

[tjrunlimited]

According to DK Customs dyno testing, the m8s are able to handle most AFR adj with ECM, and are not as lean as the twin cams were, and that the ECM seems to be able to handle stage 1 upgrades without the need for tuning. The O2 sensors seem to be doing their job. There seems to be a lot of misinformation out there. I appreciate all efforts to clarify.

[artiscat]

Good advice. My 2008 Sportster XL1200C has O2 sensors, all original.

[mikeromanoski]

I bought my 103 that had slip ons and it didn't run very well. Added a high flow air box and it ran a little better. After that I decided to do the full stage one and it ran so much better.

[nfan]

The contents of this video 100% answer my question. Appreciated indeed. Later on, I will dig into Xied

[MrBrooksMLMInfo]

IDK, I've heard both sides, after I installed my Tab Performance (Zombie Baffle), seemed like my mile/fuel was off. When I took it in for my 5000 mile, HD recommended the Stage 1 for efficiency. My pipes were "blueing" I guess but I feel a difference in sound and performance. - 2023 Street Bob 114

[yoso]

I’ve had both a 2012 Sportster with a fuel pac and SE cleaner and one without the tuner and stock cleaner. Both had o2s v and h pipes. No doubt, the stage one would tear the other a new asshole, but I found the sound quite annoying. Sold it and find the non stage one sound to be great and for whatever reason great! And the fact is, it has enough power to get me in all the trouble I can afford for sure! Happy Days to all of you!

[lancasterjim]

When working with a Pot style fueler which is anyone that has the adjustable screws on it, you really have to be ultra careful about water intrusion. Do not get them wet while washing your bike or riding in the rain I have seen several of them short out this way even though they may say solid state the potentiometers corrode and they stop working all the sudden the bike will start popping and run like crap and will not respond to any adjustments. If you have a bike with a cat 🐈 in the head pipe then adding more fuel will raise the exhaust pipe temps as the converter over heats
its best to remove the cat or change head pipe

[FranBunnyFFXII]

As far as the M8 Softail and Touring bikes, DK Customs is showing you dont need a tuner at all with regular Stage 1. You'll need one for stage 1 with a manifold swap or higher stages.

[jamesball]

This was an outstanding segment on exhaust, even though I'm running a Mikuni 42 on my 95" twin cam, I still was able pick some valuable info from this video!

[roadglide]

Put the Exide's on my bought new 09 FXSTC. With the mandatory Kalifornia emissions tune, lean. Engine would cough and die in warm weather in city traffic at most inopportune times. Installed 3" Cycle Shack slip ons and Screaming A/C kit. Cooled oil temp by 20 degrees. Third gear WOT pulls strong to 5000 RPM my redline. MPG high 40's estimated at 70-75 MPH. Two up in cruising Las Vegas strip in 90F air temp engine runs fine. Best $100 you can spend on HD without going to a tuner and possibly hurting your warranty. Ride Safe

[cjs]

You mentioned that sportsters didn't get o2 sensors until 2014, but that's wrong. Harley introduced o2 sensors on Dynas in 2006 and on all models in 2007. My wife's sportster is 2008 and has them.

[CNSTAdventures]

I have power commander5. Fuel Moto has an amazing service dept! They help and solve any issues fast .
I only have upgraded breather and Vance n Hines 2-1.
I’m about to call Fuel Moto and see what I have to do to get another map for quieter exhaust I’m putting on

[garybaldwin]

I'm not sure why anyone would need more power then the stock M8. I have the 114 FLHC. I guess some slip-ons might be ok....for a little more bark.

[bobbyromo]

Personally I cut out the baffles on my streetglide I didn’t tune it but I left the stock air box and the cat is still in the head pipe. It still runs perfect but I will be tuning it now that it’s off warranty

[billysober]

A million thanks! Went with the Xied and bike is running like it should. I'm all stock, with the exception of slip-ons, but that radical fluctuating between high and low at idle is gone... Runs a lot cooler also... Again... Thank you... A simple $140 fix for 2017 Dyna Street Bob...

[josephd]

Helpful information, thanks. Wished I would had seen this before I spent 1 million dollars on the Harley-Davidson Screaming Eagle tuner.

[FreeSwimmer]

Whatsup !! We got the 2021 Softail StreetBob for the Lil Miss and just wanted a little sound.. I put on the S&S Slashcut slipons and have run it for about 100 miles so the ECM would adjust the AFR.. NO decel pop at all ! Its smooth and strong. Ive thought about upping the fuel mix on her bike, but it seems the O2 sensors were adequate to accommodate the bikes needs.. I had put the FLIEDs on my 14 StreetG;ide, when I changed to full exhaust and airbox.. It ran exceptionally well that way.

[jackx]

I have an 07 Sportster sitting in the garage with 02 censors that came stock from the factory.

[ericmowrey]

I can answer this question. My stock - except for German made Miller slip-on's - 2011 Heritage Softail 103 pops and farts badly on de-acceleration at nearly all rpm's...from low to high. I've been doing some online research, YouTube etc., and have decided to go with the PV3. If ever a motor needed remapping it's this one and the only deviation from stock are the slip-on's. They're not even open. They just allow slightly better flow and a nicer exhaust sound without breaking eardrums. If I were to fit a K&N air filter without some new mapping this bike would be unrideable due to the stock factory lean fuel parameters.