I purposely waited till I got some mileage on my bike before making this change, because I wanted to be able to really discern the difference from stock tune to Steve's Mountain Runner. Having said that, coming from my 900 lb Bagger/Cruiser (Yamaha Stratoliner), this bike made me feel like I lost my touch? Throttle response was so inconsistent and fuel cut was so drastic that I couldn't smooth it out unless I really feathered the clutch!
Having said that, I'm happy to say "I've joined the ranks" of those with Steve's Flash! Steve spent considerable time discussing my riding style and expectations, as well as the theory behind his refinements and the evolution of his flash profiles. Having spent quite a bit of time 3D mapping the Power Commander on my Strat, I have, at least, some idea of what Steve does with his flash maps, but mine was barely entry level compared to what he does to make these awesome machines run their best!
Results? Holy Smokes! I could not be more pleased! Gone is the twitchy low-end throttle, jerky shifts, and flat spots. I feel like I know how to ride again! Even low-speed maneuvers are easier (a common complaint on this bike) because throttle control is so much better. The bike actually feels "lighter" at low speeds. Shifting up or down is smooth as "butta", torque is stronger across the entire band. And yes, I am a gear higher now in most conditions. In the turns, now I can focus on body position and line, instead of trying to keep the bike settled. Overall the bike runs smoother and sounds better (IMO). I haven't put a ton of miles on it yet, but from what I've experienced since getting the ECU back, it's the best $$ I've spent on this bike, by far. If I had to describe throttle action, I would say that resolution is improved in the low end - it tracks my input better, and has more torque in all rpm's, with no flat spots. And when I cut the throttle, it rolls down much more smoothly, instead of the "throttle-chopt" jerkiness from before. Has me grinnin' from ear to ear!
Steve's professionalism and customer service are spot-on, and his passion for delivering a great product is evident. I'm sure there are other good flashes out there that maximize HP or torque for a given RPM, but what impresses me the most about Steve's Mountain Flash is how much smoother and more refined the bike feels now. Makes this amazing ride that much better,
To all you folks who have not taken the plunge, I promise you will not be disappointed.