Vance and Hines FP3-- my review

[Spazz]

On release of the FP3, I followed posts, threads, reviews ( what I could find ) and any/all info I could find.... nothing that set off reservations... so I acquired one... Thanks Mojo!

Upon opening the box...looks too simple and almost like a gimic...



There are two instruction booklets that come in the box... one for Apple and one for Android.

After marrying the FP3 to my sled via bluetooth ( again... almost too easy ), it notified me of a needed update to the FP3... it took around 2-3 minutes.

***NOTE*** if you ever have a problem ( I didn't ) connecting via BT... use cell data only OR WIFI only... connectivity problems have been reported if you try both enabled.

For reference:

3.5" Rhinehart slip-ons
Stock AC
Stock headpipe

I then searched for a map that resembled my setup.... downloaded and flashed. Again... WAY TOO EASY!!!! You really can't mess this up.

I took the maiden voyage and I noticed a marked improvement in throttle response and much more pull across the RPM range to 6000 rpms.... no flat spots, no decel pop.

Now I know I am running richer than with the VIED since my tips are now black in only a few short days vice the golden brown they used to be. Bike is running a bit cooler as well.

This is only my first map I have downloaded. I will try more and select the best possible 'base map' after trying them out for a few days of varied riding scenarios.

Once I select the map, I will be using the autotune feature of the FP3 to 'dial in' or tweak the base map to optimize the settings for my setup. This can take a few rides to a few days... depending on the varying riding scenarios.

Overall.... I am VERY pleased with the results.... I can't say anything bad about it. The only concern ( if you want to call it that ) is how easy it is to use, download and flash your sled. SCARY EASY.

 

[hulkss]

Now I know I am running richer than with the VIED since my tips are now black in only a few short days vice the golden brown they used to be.

I am hesitant to tune my bike to a richer air/fuel mixture for this reason. By definition, a mixture richer than stoichiometric will not burn completely, leaving behind deposits from combustion that build up in the engine. These deposits are known to accumulate and cause reduced engine performance over time.

 

[Spazz]

I hear ya.... I'm still toying with different maps before the autotune... I will clean up my exhaust tips again and run see how they run for a week. Now don't confuse 'black' I mentioned with 'soot' style deposits... it's darker than brown, but not sooty at all and no black smoke is evident whatsoever like on my softail with a TTS tuner/dyno , SE AC and V/H Big Radius 2/2 . She blew black smoke like a diesel at times... lol!!! It's a thin coat of black, but not sooty and super rich.

I'll keep you updated and take some pics....

The only drawback I can find so far is the VE tables cannot be viewed unless you are hooked up to the sled.... IF you downloaded the map... it should be viewable on the app without BT to the sled and VP3.

I would like to be able to view/analyze the VE tables of different maps side-by-side for comparison. If I find a way to do this... I will let you know... like saving/exporting tables. I haven't looked too far into it yet. It would interesting to see the variables and multipliers on the tables for different maps... agreed?

 

[Mojo]

Spazz- The way it was explained to me was that you "marry" the closest map they have with your setup and then Auto tune till all the fields are filled in on the map. Even if you load a map not closest to your setup, once you do a complete autotune the fields would eventually fill in the same as it tweaks itself to your setup. It just happens quicker if you use a closer map. BTW- with my Dyno tuned setup, my pipes look black inside but when you rub your finger inside nothing much comes off. Plugs look fine too. I am looking forward to riding my stock rental SGS to feel the difference.