The "tune" PieMan/Mike is talking about is written to your motorcycles ECU. No additional hardware is added to the motorcycle. This let's the ECU send tune corrected (for any performance mods) signals to the fuel injectors, ignition timing and such. Not having the base tune signals manipulated by an aftermarket device (PowerCommander) you have to buy and then pay to have installed.
You communicate with the ECU using the OBDII port under your seat via an application called TuneECU and a particular USB to OBDII cable(~$20). The TuneECU program runs on PC and not Mac. It's a shareware type program, download for free and contribute to the creator if you like. The program is really useful for general maintenance and diagnosis and also allows "tuning". NOT something most of use should do, but it also allows you to load a map modified by someone much smarter than me! I paid a distant tuner for a custom tune using TuneECU after mods. Triumph factory tunes (base & aftermarket exhaust) are really all that's out there for most configurations.
Mike is such a tuner and should have some tunes out soon (looks like soon maybe?) for the America/Speedmaster line much like he already has for the Bonneville/Thruxton line. Check out his site for some good information.
If I have misstated anything somebody please correct me. Jay, I hope that helps.
edit: maybe it goes without saying or maybe not, this applies to the EFI models as the carbed ones actually require changing out parts like jets & needles
