EFI Control At Your Fingertips - Tech

With the many electronic fuel injection (EFI) tuners on the market today for Harley-Davidson motorcycles, it's hard to choose the right one. RideMaxx, a subsidiary of American Micro-Fuel Device Corporation, offers a wireless EFI tuning system that gives you three different riding options with the push of a button: Auto: automatically adjusts to different riding conditions, Power (PWR): adjusts for on-the-fly performance, and Economy (Econ): maximizes fuel efficiency.

The RideMaxx system includes the FuelMaxx ECU plug-in unit that mounts to your stock ECM, the RideTuner, a handlebar-mounted controller that allows you to adjust your riding mode by simply pushing a button, and the Map Wizard, a mapping system software.

RideMaxx told us that in order to get the best performance from this system we should add a performance air filter, so we called on Wimmer Custom Cycles for one of its Better Sucker Air Cleaner kits. RideMaxx also suggested we use a better exhaust system, so a 2-into-1 from SupperTrapp with a tunable Megaphone was ordered up.

As of now, the RideMaxx system requires a Bluetooth unit to be plugged into your computer and is only compatible with PC operating systems. However, we were told that the RideMaxx would eventually be compatible with Macintosh Operating Systems. So we gathered up all these parts and headed over to Horn Cycle Works in Pomona, California, to install the parts and get a few runs on the dyno.

1. Here is the RideMaxx system, the wireless FuelMaxx ECU plugin unit, and the wireless RideTuner unit with power and economy settings, also included is the RideMaxx Map Wizard software to manage your RideMaxx maps, it allows the basic users access to a list of recommended maps that can be installed to the FuelMaxx (via a Bluetooth device). Note: when you order the unit it comes preset for specifi c bike models, but if you need to change to your specific pipe/air cleaner setup then you'll use the Map Wizard to make adjustments. Also, if you switch your pipe or air cleaner later on, or if you bump up your engine's displacement you can load the proper maps with the help of the Map Wizard.

2. Here is the Super Trapp 2-into-1 Silent Series system with a tunable megaphone. It includes 14 4-inch discs for tuning the pipe. The idea is to add or remove four discs at a time to find the sound and power range you are looking for.

3. Also, we added the Wimmer Custom Cycles Better Sucker. It features the exclusive internal head breathing system (IBS) to help avoid oil mist from dripping all over your bike. The Better Sucker is available in four different filter colors and decorative covers and finishes.

4. The '08 Cross Bones was placed on the dyno to get some base numbers, we were not shocked to see 57.3hp and 71.9 lb-ft of torque.

5. Here is the fuel tuner; on the right side you can see the indicator lights, this will let you know that there is power to the bike (top), what map mode you are in (mid), and also when you are receiving a signal via a Bluetooth device (lower).

6. We removed the seat and disconnected the battery, and then we removed the four bolts that mount the ECM to the bike's rear fender. The FuelMaxx unit plugs inline with the stock harness between the stock ECM. Once the two pieces were plugged together we bolted the stock ECM back into place on the rear fender. Then we reconnected the battery and installed the seat back onto the bike.

7. Next, we installed the battery into the RideTuner before installing it to the handlebars. The system comes with a bulk battery (no name or label). We recommend that you get one of the Energizer Lithium batteries, which last longer.

8. We installed the RideTuner on the handlebars and pressed the power button. The LED light started to blink and then turned green. The green light means the FuelMaxx is in Auto mode, then switches to red for PWR mode, and finally to blue for Econ mode.

9. Here we wanted to see what was on the Map Wizard CD. However, we soon found out that the computer we were using did not have a Bluetooth device. We were still able to see a list of different maps and how easy it would be to switch maps and ride configuration by reprogramming the FuelMaxx with one of the supplied maps on the CD. Also, you can build your own maps.

10. We found out that most computers over a year old more than likely will not have a Bluetooth device. We made a quick run to the computer supply store and picked up a Bluetooth adapter so that we could send maps to the FuelMaxx if we needed to. There are other Bluetooth devices (PDAs, Blackberrys etc.) that have the ability to send/receive maps and transfer them to the RideMaxx.

11. Next, was the SuperTrapp exhaust system, fi rst the stock H-D pipe was removed along with the bracket and old gaskets. The old exhaust fl anges were removed from the pipe then installed onto the new SuperTrapp head pipe along withthe O2 sensors.

12. A new set of exhaust gaskets were installed into the head ports followed by the one-piece head pipe.

13. Then the mounting bracket was installed along the lower frame rail just past the transmission case.

14. Next, the megaphone was slid onto the head pipe and then mounted to the bracket. Once the megaphone was lined up and bolted in place, the head pipe bolts were tightened.

15. At this point all 14 of the tuning discs were installed, later we could tune the sound and power to the owner's liking. There are six 4-inch long fi ne thread bolts that hold the discs in place. We used a bit of anti-seize on the threads to prevent binding/rusting.

16. Here is how the SuperTrapp 2-into-1 Silent Series with tunable megaphone looks on the bike. Then the heat shields were installed and the system was wiped down to remove any fi ngerprints and oils from the chrome before we started the bike and heated up the pipe.

17. Next, we installed the Wimmer Better Sucker. Once we removed the stock H-D setup, a new gasket was placed on the intake of the throttle body.

18. Then the mounting posts for the backing plate were installed. Each one has a set of Tefl on washers for both sides to ensure a good airtight seal.

19. After, the backing plate was installed along with the air filter mounting bolts...

20. ...the filter was placed onto the backing plate, the bolt holes were lined up and the fi lter was bolted in place.

21. Last, the outer cover was installed to the filter housing.

22. With everything installed we brought the bike up to operating temp and checked to see that the Ride Tuner was sending and receiving a signal to the ECM. We then put the bike on the dyno. At fi rst we ran two passes without the RideMaxx on to see what the pipe and air cleaner did alone.

23. With just the pipes and air cleaner we got 60.88hp and 79.03 lb-ft of torque. Then with the RideMaxx powered on and in Auto mode we got 62.44hp and 79.40 lb-ft of torque. Then in Econ mode we got 65.82hp and 80.93 lb-ft of torque. And lastly in PWR mode we got 67.06hp and 81.98 lb-ft of torque. Once we had the bike out on the road we started to track the gas mileage and it was apparent that this is where the RideMaxx system worked the best. After running the bike through six full tanks of gas (two in each mode) to make sure we were tracking the same type of commute each time, this is what we found.

Sources

RideMaxx
(360) 201-9315
www.americanmicrofuel.com

Wimmer Custom Cycles
(215) 721-4110
www.wimmermachine.com

SuperTrapp Exhausts
(216) 265-8400
www.supertrapp.com

Horn Cycle Works
(909) 392-8788
www.horncycleworks.net