Motorcycle Repair: exhaust and mapping, o2 sensors, sensers

Question
QUESTION: I will be purchasing a 2011 Heritage Wednesday and wanted to upgrade the exhaust. Dealer pushing Screaming Eagle slip ons and don't have to remap. I prefer the Vance & Hines slip ons, but was led to believe that any other slip on with the exception of SE would need a remap ($700.00). Is remapping really necessary because it seems to me that the O2 sensors would be able to adjust to this. I am not doing any other mods to the bike, I just don't want to pay for an extremly high (my opinion) remap. Thanks, Gary

ANSWER: Your bike came from the factory a little lean to pass EPA standards. Adding either the SE or the Vance and Hines will make it run leaner. Leaner it runs the hotter it runs and the less power you have. The 02 sensers will not make the changes you need and you need to get the bike remapped. The 700.00 seems really high to me. I would check around at different shops and get a price. You dont have to remapp with a harley map. There are alot of aftermarket maps out there.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike

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QUESTION: I was also told that using anyhing other that the SE performance tuner would void warranty. Is there any  information I can access to better understand the mapping process and is this something that a person can learn and do? I always thought that when you installed a tuner, it took care of eveything automatic. I am sorry if my quesions are on the lame side but i have been riding carb (and do all work myself) and this will be my first EFI bike. Thanks, ary

Answer
You might want to check your warrenty. I dont think there is anything in there that says you have to use a Harley product. That would be like saying that you can only use Harley oil or spark plugs. Some dealers even use a Power Commander for mapping.
The process of mapping is alot like rewrtting a program ina  computer. Your onboard computer tell the motor what to do by what the readings are from the sensers. When you remapp you are making changes to the information that the on board computer receives.
You can learn it and do it yourself, but you would spend more money that it costs to get it done for the programing and equipment.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike