A Dynamometer (commonly called a "Dyno") is a machine that measures engine output - horsepower, torque and fuel mixture. It can test under different engine loads and conditions. This helps us adjust fuel mixture and timing to ideal settings.
If you have performance work done, you should have your engine tuned to get optimum performance without sacrificing drivability or fuel economy.
By using the best settings exactly matched to the equipment on your motorcycle, you will get the best possible performance. Note that "performance" includes not only the maximum power, but also good drivability, smooth running engine, and good fuel economy.
There is a lot more to tuning than just getting maximum horsepower. That's the easy part. A properly tuned bike should still get nearly as good fuel economy as stock. It should also have good drivability with no hesitation or "flat spots".
A properly tuned engine does not have to work as hard as a poorly tuned engine to do the same job (i.e. normal riding, such as cruising on the highway) resulting in less wear and tear.
Your bike should be in good condition before running on the dynamometer. If your tires, belt, etc. are in poor condition they may fail; after all we will be testing at maximum output.
Fuel-injected motorcycles can be tuned any time of the year and in any weather. Our state-of-the-art dynamometer has a special room all to itself. Carbureted motorcycles should only be tuned in moderate conditions. Extreme temperatures can affect the results.
The dynamometer has its own software to control load, tuning options, collect data, etc. Each brand of Tuner (Race Tuner, Power Commander, etc.) has its own software.
There are three basic types of tuning devices for tuning fuel-injected Harley-Davidson® motorcycles.
The first type is a "fueler", which plugs in between the wiring harness and the fuel injectors. It has a few switches or knobs, and adds or subtracts fuel in a few areas. The capabilities of this type of tuner are very limited, allowing adjustments to fuel only and only in a few areas.
Advantages: Price Disadvantages: Poor results, and it adds extraneous hardware to the bike.
The second, and probably most common type, is a "piggyback" device that plugs in between the wiring harness and the Engine Control Module (ECM). It intercepts and modifies signals between the engine and the ECM. This type has more capabilities than the first, allowing adjustment to both fuel and ignition tuning.
Advantages: Can adjust more parameters than the first type.
Disadvantages: Adds extraneous hardware to the bike.
The third type does not add any extra modules. It loads a new "map" into the existing ECM.
Advantages: Can adjust more parameters than the other types, and no extra hardware is added to the bike.
Disadvantages: Initial purchase price.
There is very limited space on a motorcycle to add any extra hardware. They often do not fit which will often causes stress on the electrical connectors resulting in poor connections. Also, there is sometimes pressure on the extra module or hardware, which may result in failure. Whereas, actual ECM failures are extremely rare.
Yes, of course.
There are fewer adjustments that can be made to carbureted motorcycles.
We use the appropriate tuning products and software to tune different types of motorcycles. Please give us a call to get more information on tuning any and all types of motorcycles!
Yes, however, there may be additional costs involved. Contact us and we will be happy to discuss the details with you!
Skip to main content
