Dave, I too have a 2012 machine with stage 1 and no fan and have yet to experience the skip fire condition, even when driving in 95 degree heat. I will say I rarely encounter any significant traffic due to living in the boonies.
As for the bump steer, mine already had the steering kit fitted so can't compare. But being familiar with bump steer set up from my racing days, I can't imagine that your machine would be devoid of it, because it's a function of suspension geometry in relation to steering arm geometry. Shocks do nothing to eliminate bump steer, unless they are simply reducing suspension travel.
