Part 1.
A couple of months ago now I traded a small hatchback (VW Polo) for a 2008 XL1200C. Bike was fitted with a TMAX ECM & the owner (2nd one) believed it had an auto tune function. The bike was fitted with V&H Sideshots in Black Ceramic finish & that was all I could find out about the bike. It ran pretty well but, was pretty damn loud. Included with the bike was a ratty old set of saddle bags with chrome supports, Le Pera Bare Bones solo seat & a full set of HD pipes with SE slip on mufflers. Picture of the bike as I got it below: (Sissy bar & rack was added post purchase)
Part 2 Fast forward a couple of months, over the initial excitement of a new bike & returning to riding after 17 years. A couple of things were bugging me; did I really have an auto-tune function, why was my bike a bit of a pig to ride at low revs, the saddlebags fell apart.... I wasn't overly taken on the look or sound of the sideshots.... etc... etc... So began a voyage of discovery & decision making that is not yet complete. Due to the generosity of a forum member I managed to source a data cable so I could plug into the ECM. From this I discovered that I don't have an auto tune unit. I have now discovered that I have a SE Stage 1 Aircleaner fitted & yesterday we removed the V&H Sideshots & refitted the factory headers & SE Mufflers. Oh, along the way I bought the detachable sissy bar in order to entice my wife back onto the bike as pillion. Photo of the bike now:
Part 3 The difference in the bike's performance & IMHO it's looks are amazing. Personally I think the look of the chrome pipes & the visual flow is much, much more appealing. Performance wise it is a totally different bike. It's only running on an appropriate TMAX canned map with no auto-tune function but, it's smoother & I think it pulls a bit harder than it did before. I do miss the snarling bark of the V&H on startup (that used to scare folk & was mildly amusing) but, I do like the deep rumble of the SE Mufflers & they aren't obnoxious to me or anyone within 1000m. I'm also slowly but, surely removing all the old clear coat from the forks (using Dremel polishing tool & autosol) & polishing up the lower fork legs... thus far they look fantastic, far superior to the pitted & mottled clear coat that was there at the start. The saga continues as I now decide whether or not to source the auto-tune unit (together with wideband O2 sensors) from Zippers or, replace it with factory ECM & pick another tuner... The costs obviously are variable & the results also. I haven't talked to anyone yet about tuning my bike locally other than the local dealer & he hates anything but, the SE Tuner unit. My next step is to visit the limited number of MC workshops here in Cairns & make some decisions from there. I do love this bike, wondering why I never bought a Harley before really. Hoping to get out on the road with some local forum members before too much longer... Comments and/or suggestions are most welcome... for those interested I'll keep you posted on the progress of my XL1200C voyage of discovery
just reading , your adventure, i like the stock headers & SE slip on's better too.
sorry to read about stator & regulator, common problem, caused by battery or trying to make a battery last longer.
put new genuine HD battery in now and replace every few years. as when battery gets older the regulator has to work harder to keep it charged so regulator burns out , they say stators can be effected by wrong primary & gear box oil, but , just what the experts say, so check you have the HD primary gear box oil the factory recomend. easy job, they take about 900cc. should change regularly. good luck.
