2hogs,
I think the above posts will lead you in the right direction. One thing I will note is that when I first started on this board, researching the issues on Stage 1, mapping, fuel management and the richness or lean-ness of the HD engine, I got very confused. I don't know your background, but this was all brand new to me and I was never a "gear head" growing up.
One of the biggest confusions/issues for me was the term "too lean" and what that meant.
Was it too lean for my personal performance taste?
Too lean as in "melt the motor too lean"?
Or somewhere in between: like exhaust was o.k. stock but if you changed the air filter to a stage 1, the additive impact was that the motor would run so hot that bad things would quickly happen.
Again, you will often see "Your ride, you decide" in many posts, and that still holds true. My opinion:
1.) HD runs in a relatively lean condition (compared to older model, years gone by) to meet EPA standards. MoCo must comply.
2.) Adding free flow exhaust and/or a higher flow air cleaner will make the motor run more lean than stock. Is a remap necessary: I say no. Will your engine melt down or decrease the life your engine: I say no, given all the other variables of maintenance, riding style and maufacturing variability.
This was mainly (for me) based on the data from a dyno run on an all stock bike with and without pipes and an air cleaner, no re-mapping.
I have an SE air cleaner, V&H ovals and TFI as my fueler. No remap, no dyno work. If my TFI ever fails for an electronic issue, the main reason I will get another one is that adding that little bit of "extra"fuel makes such a difference in the performance/seat of the pant feel. I am not going to run out an get on because I think my motor is going to grenade or melt the headers off the thing.
There are many similar products and most have more bells, whistles and flexibility. To me the TFI was simple to install myself and on my 2007, I just like something I can adjust with a little screwdriver to play around a little. It was exactly what I wanted. Great bang for the buck. IMHO, you can get much more power and torque going beyond a stage 1, but it is much more expensive for the gains delivered. (the people at TFI/Dobeck are really nice to talk to and spent time with me on the phone. No matter what the product, that is always a good sign.)