Although we’re reaching the end of 2021, many Harley-Davidson riders are not aware that from 2021 onwards, the ECMs in Tourer and Softail motorcycles using the Milwaukee Eight engine are different to those of previous years…and the data link connector has changed too.
The problem has been that aftermarket tuning companies have struggled to get around this and make their tuners work with the new ECMs and also provide tuning maps for any stage upgrades that any owner would wish to do.
As early as February/March…even though Harley-Davidson’s own Pro Street Tuner in the US could be used, many were not able to get them to function…primarily because the connecting wire harness for the new data link connector had not been produced by the company either.
So for the best part of 2021, most stage upgrades on 2021 bikes have been somewhat of a hit and miss affair and in many regions around the world it simply has not been possible to do. Even in the American heartlands, many dealerships and independent workshops have struggled to be able to perform any upgrades beyond a stage 1 with a simple exhaust muffler and air cleaner change.
For the tuners and accessory manager companies have been scratching their heads trying the make this work or develop work arounds for their existing tuners with little coming to the market…until recently that is.
Dynojet with their Power Vision tuner came out with the 2021 compatible version in October and so far it appears to have been a success. Although some reports are coming out that there appear to be some teething glitches with its use. Whilst the upgrade maps are working, there does appear to be many unresolved check engine lights and there doesn’t appear to be an end in sight for these gremlins. However one can be rest assured that the Dynojet boffins would be on the case to get this fixed as soon as possible.
However Dynojet are not alone in the H-D 2021 tuning universe, for it also appears that other tuning companies are close to bringing out their versions to market soon too. Vance & Hines with their FP3 are said to be close to bring to market a tuner compatible with 2021 bikes and the future years too. Others such as TTS and Tundermax have had some stirrings too. Some owners have tried and failed to use existing variants, whilst others have had limited success or restricted functionality.
What many companies have struggled with is the access to the ECM and being able to flawlessly integrate with it. Accessory manager companies have simply swapped the data link connector and have tested their systems on 2021 bikes…and they seem to work. But no long term testing has been achieved to date.
So is this a Harley-Davidson protection mechanism or is this that tuning companies have been slow to grapple with this? It would appear to be the former as the motor company seem eager to dissuade any of their customers using any parts that are not H-D made and if external parts are used…the company would void any warranties toot suite.
In fact any bike that uses external tuners will have that recorded on the ECM and so the company will automatically know the bike has been modified with external parts thus voiding the warranty. So buyer beware!
So if you are looking to buy a 2021 Harley-Davidson, you may need to check to fine print to know what can be achieved successfully with the modifications you care to make and also whether any warranty would be voided too.
However with Dynojet Power Vision for 2021 bikes coming in at nearly £540, you may want to do some research from owners who have had work done on their bikes and have used this tuner, to see if their were any issues that cropped up and how they were overcome too.
As we move in 2022 with the new Harley-Davidson model line up being announced in early January, prospective owners will have a better idea of which tuning options will be available and most likely to work seamlessly and which bikes will be available to be worked on too. Get ready for the motor company expanding what they can offer with their Screamin’ Eagle products too which may make all the difference when choosing between in house products and externals for any performance stage upgrades going forward.
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