Harley Davidson Forums banner

Vance and Hines FP3 Review

1 reading
125K views 62 replies 24 participants last post by  YTownBreakout  
#1 ·
I currently have:
High flow A/C, Rush slip-ons w/ 2" baffles, stock header pipe w/ catalytic converters.

When I changed the air cleaner and added slip-ons about a year ago, I had installed FL-ViED-10's. These helped enriched the air-fuel-ratio, though I still would get a lot of decel popping. That being said, the bike ran pretty good. I always wanted a tuner, just couldn't throw down the $500 plus for the Power Vision. So when I saw the VH fuelpak 3 was selling for around $350, I quickly downdloaded the app and liked what I saw, than placed my order.

The Install:
First I removed the ViED's.









Installing the FP3 is very quick, once the seat is removed. It's just plugin and start the fp3 app. The app finds your VIN number and mates up to you FP3 device. After that it does a update of the firmware. Then you do a map lookup:

Twin Slash 3” slip-ons, standard baffle. Flash map to the bike and than went for a quick test ride around the block.

RPMs were a bit high @1150-1200 …. it did hesitated on first take-off. After that it was fine.

AutoTune:
First run - I connected to the FP3 device and set it for autotune. Then went on a hour long ride.
WOW. What a difference. This thing turned my bike into a rocket ship … LOL My bike pulls away fast in any gear. Decel popping is all gone. I did notice a slight engine vibration while giving it full throttle above 90 mph. Also not sure were the rev-limiter is set now.

Second run – Another hour long ride streets/freeway. Same as the first run. Lots of power and no decel popping. Engine vibration about the same. Great results, still not perfect.

Next day I rode to work, at lunch time I flashed the autotune to my bike. On the ride home I started getting decel popping …. Hummm. Maybe I should have given the autotune more time ? I will try this again this coming weekend !



I will highly recommend this product after I figure out the autotune process.
 
#2 ·
I'm in the exact same boat you are. I'm on a '13 Slim, stage 1 & ViED's. The ViED's did their job but it's time to move on.
I never considered them to be a permanent fix and I can do without the piggyback install.
I found the FP3 at Direct Cycle Parts. Com for $319, with another $10 off for being an hdforum member. A lot of very good reviews over there are beginning to show up.
Should be here in a couple of days...

Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App
 
#7 ·
I finally got a break in the weather, enough to check out the new FP3.

All I can say is "WOW"...
I was hoping it would do at least a good a job as the ViED's did in correcting my heat and decel popping issues I had with the dealer tune.

This thing did all that and more, just using the first downloaded canned map from V&H. (BigShots, staggered, quiet baffles, free-flow A/C, stock 103ci)
(it backed up my existing map right before flashing the new one, so now I can pull up a list to see what maps are stored, right now only the two.)

So far:
- This bike pulls hard, from top to bottom - throttle response is crisp and FAST.
- Decel pop is now completely gone. The ViED's did a good job here, as I practically had to try to make it happen, but no more.
Now it's gone. 100%. Left off the throttle at any speed and all I get is rumble.
- Engine vibrations at highway speeds (I'm talking 75-80 MPH) are also gone. This thing just purrs, smooth as silk.
- ..and as an unexpected benefit, it even sounds better... Hard to explain, just deeper and more mellow - pure music.

I took off this afternoon just using the first map it gave me, and if it never improved from here I'd be happy - thrilled actually.
I can only imagine running AutoTune will just make it better.
The jury's still out on oil temps and gas mileage. I'll need some time to see on those.

I DID have it running in AutoTune for today's ride, but I haven't flashed any changes from that yet...
So, initial impressions are ...it's already worth every penny.
 
#12 ·
I'm new to tuners, so forgive the dumb question- but do you only connect the tuner when actually tuning the bike or doing an auto-tune run, or do you always leave it connected under the seat? I'm assuming you take it off after you flash the auto-tune data, but not sure.

And as for the bluetooth features- Does this allow you to flash the tuner without connecting to a PC- just tell it to "flash" the new info while the tuner is connected (but straight from your phone)? If the tuner doesn't stay on the bike, I'm assuming the phone tuning only works when the tuner is connected then, right?
 
#9 ·
When you say popping on deceleration, was it a loud or just a gurgling, I don't know right words here LOL. Mine does some grumbling. Run standard Xieds into 3" slip-ons with SE A/C. Plugs not showing lean conditions.
 
#16 ·
I've been running my FP3 for a while now, and thought that I'd use the auto tune function to get the map closer to what I've got (Bassani Pro Streets vs Big Radius 2-2's), but every time I've run on Auto tune I get "0 cells" and a blank update map. I've called V&H 3 times on this and at first they told me to shut off the tuner and run a tank on the canned map, then go to auto tune. This time I get the story that "It feels that you have the correct map and no changes are needed." WTF?? Has anyone else ran into this situation?
 
#17 ·
Are you sure you had a clean Bluetooth connection established?
Something like that happened to me once, but it was "user error", and I don't remember exactly what I did...
There are several prompts you have to acknowledge in order to get AutoTune to connect and run...
Have you tried it again?
 
#20 ·
:biker:

The last time I called, they asked what I had, and then told me the map I was using was correct for my equipment (Big Radius 2-2 = Bassani 2-2 Pro Street Turnouts). Running the bike yesterday I noticed a couple of hesitations starting off (FP3 disconnected), but that's all. I mentioned to their Tech guy that I'd like this cleared up before the warranty runs out. I just find it hard to believe that their canned map is 100% perfect for my setup.
 
#25 ·
Yes. A friend loaned my their iPhone 4 with the FP3 app loaded, and when I got home I paired it and set the bike to auto tune. Then I rode it for about a half hour around the local lake, giving it urban and highway sections for 5-8 miles. When I got home, I checked the chart and again there was nothing - "0 points learned, TPS 0:0". So I called V&H, and what I got was that the answerer would give my info to the tech people and get back to me. If they couldn't figure out how to get auto tune working they would put another map in the folder for me to pull down and try. I'm still bothered by the fact that they continue to evade the notion that they should replace this defective unit. It's advertised with auto tune as a feature, and if this unit won't, they should stand behind it and issue a replacement.
 
#27 ·
Yep , you've made every effort on your part per V&H to get it to function as advertised.

Tell them you want it to Auto Tune like it's supposed to , NOT just load another map , there's less expensive tuners you could have bought to just load canned maps , the Auto tune feature is what sold you .
 
#30 ·
.. Because of one guy having a problem, with an incompatible phone?
No, because V&H's tech support doesn't know the meaning of "Doesn't work as advertised."

Oh, and that's 2 iPhones (3GS & 4) & an iPad3. ...And for your information, that "incompatible phone" excuse was bullshit thrown at me because I told them I wanted an RMA.

I currently have a request in for an RMA through the seller, but I'm now over the 30 day seller return date because of all the putzing around with Vance & Hines's (It must be your fault!) tech support. What good is their warranty when they won't stand behind it?
 
#31 ·
V&H Tech support has been top-notch in my book, but when it comes to returns or replacements, they're as bad as anybody. I went through their crapola over a set of tarnished pipes last year.
But yeah, since you bought the unit from DCP, they're the ones who ought to be handling a replacement or a refund.
Regardless, it shouldn't have taken a month to figure out it didn't work.
But at least you should have a support ticket # from V&H that shows the duration of the problem.
I'll be surprised if DCP doesn't come through for you on this.
 
#33 ·
Regardless, it shouldn't have taken a month to figure out it didn't work.
It didn't, but they dragged me through a wringer and still refused to admit didn't work right.

But at least you should have a support ticket # from V&H that shows the duration of the problem. I'll be surprised if DCP doesn't come through for you on this.
DCP said I was the second person to ask for an RMA, so Im hoping to hear from them soon.
 
#32 ·
I installed the FP3 about a month ago and have been running one of their maps up until yesterday. I have the V&H 2into2 and air cleaner so the map I have been running was awesome. Big improvement, better response and no more decel popping. Yesterday I turned on the auto tune, it gave me a choice to choose the auto tune function on the original base map or the V&H map I had been running. I choose the run the auto tune off the V&H tune. I rode the bike about an hour and once I was home I flashed the recommended changes. I took it out for another ride today and just feels better. Great product.
 
#34 ·
Completed the install of cfr's, s&s stealth, and the fp3 Friday. Ran the canned map all weekend. Maybe 300 miles. Didn't want to park the bike. Big improvement, looking forward to running the auto tune. Hooking up the tuner was seamless. Synced no problem with my old Motorola android, did a firmware update out of the box, and I was glad to find out that V&H stores the base map before flashing the ECU for the first time. Juuust in case I guess.
So far, pleased. I'd recommend it to a friend.
 
#35 ·
I ran with ViED's for a year before the FP3, which corrected the problems I encountered with that garbage dealer Stage 1 "remap".

Overall with the FP3 compared to the dealer map, my oil temps have dropped 50°, the bike pulls hard, runs smoother and decel pop is a distant memory - it's 100% gone.
I've run AutoTune twice now since the first V&H suggested map (which by itself was incredible) and it has since smoothed out a little more.
Each AutoTune produced smaller changes as it became "dialed in".
The bike is running so perfectly right now I'll probably never take the FP3 out of the box again - unless I change something else... :thumbsup
 
#36 ·
Thanks for all the great information posted in these threads. I've made up my mind.......
 
#37 ·
I just ordered my exhaust parts,went with the Cobra Powerport headpipe,I like that it looks like true duals and the price,I could NOT find any true duals for the same price or less then the powerport,also ordered the V&H slash down mufflers,had then on my 2013 Ultra and loved the sound and look also got the V&H trike adapter kit,already had the FP3 for a few weeks,found it for less then 270 bucks so just ordered it then.I hope all goes well with my FP3 and I cant wait to put all on the tri glide.:):)
 
#40 ·
I added a Vance & Hines FuelPak3 to my 2015 Road Glide. I have RC Components mufflers and header with an Arlen Ness Deep Cut air cleaner. Vance & Hines stated although they didn't have an exact map for that set up, it would be easy to dial in. Well, I have used damn near every map they have and nothing works. The bike stalls at red lights on occasion and sputters when accelerating. Their technical assistance is very nice but that only goes so far. In speaking with two Harley Dealers, they said the Fuelpak is garbage. They said to put on a Screamin' Eagle Tuner and have it dynoed. I'm sure they are pushing their stuff to make money but I can't really dispute what they are saying because the VH Fuelpak3 can't seem to tune my bike at all.
 
#43 ·
Update:
Still running the FP3 after one year. Bike runs great still ! I occasionally turn it on to check sensor data, like the system voltage. It also seems like it does a software upgrade every time I use. Overall I'm very glad I purchased the FP3. If you want something that's simple to use, I highly recommend this.
 
#45 ·
fp3

I have a 2014 Fatboy. Had V&H slip on installed at purchase. Just popped and backfired during accel and decel. Put an S&S Super air cleaner on and FP3. Like driving a different bike.

Just dropped of for first service and got a little nervous when person checking me in stated they have been seeing a lot of problems with the FP3. I responded probably not the bow, but the indian. Curious to see how bike runs when I get it back. Cannot find one negative thing about FP3.