2014 ECU Flash!

[kthursfield]

Hi guy’s, be gentle with me please as this is my first post.

I live in the UK and I am due to take delivery of a new Yamaha 2014 tenere. After a 200 mile test ride I was sold. That said I have been looking through the forums and noticed people talking about custom maps drastically improving performance / delivery of their 2010 – 2013 S10’s. Has anyone or is anyone aware of this being done on a new 2014 and has the performance / gains been noticeable?

People mention the bike becoming a different animal entirely after an ECU re-map, improving both S and T modes. I’m not a mechanic or technically minded in the slightest, so I will be looking for guidance / words of wisdom. I would very much like feedback on the above as I believe this upgrade will confirm that I have made the right choice making this the bike of my dreams. I look forward to your feedback.

Karl

 

[Tremor38]

The ECU flash changes the personality of the bike/character of the power delivery. I wouldn't say it drastically improves overall 'performance,' because there is no significant change in HP, but people have different definitions of that word. Basically you are turning a boring, linear power delivery into one that is more exciting. It also makes the bike more usable when steep, twisty roads. The stock ECU flash restricts throttle opening in the first three gears below a certain RPM and there is also restriction in 6th gear. The flash makes changes that the seat of you pants can easily detect. There is a noticeable difference off the bottom end in the first three gears with the throttle restrictions removed.

From what I understand, an aftermarket pipe with catless header combined with a Power Commander -when used together with the ECU flash- turns this bike into a beast, so it all depends on how far you want to take it. I have a pipe and Power Commander sitting on the shelf and haven't decided if I really need the extra clutter and added hassle of returning the bike back to OEM configuration for inspections (Japan). The flash alone has been good enough for me so far, because it improves the power delivery in a very useful range.

 

[motostevie]

I have read Yamaha has addressed some of the complaints on the fueling of the older models, as well as other specific changes and additions to the bike that I and many others have made themselves, so I think they listened well to the owners. I did the ECUnleashed flash on my 2012 with no other intake or exhaust mods, and the flash alone did make for a fairly drastic and better change. But is it necessary now for your 2014? Maybe they got the fueling right now. I would ride the bike first, break the engine in, and then if there is anything you don't like about how it runs, then let us know what it is, and we can compare it to what we experienced before our flash.

If you are thinking to do it strictly for higher performance, not sure about that. Even though our older bikes have gained better mid range performance from the flash, it's probably not the reason a lot of us did it. I'm not sure if there are any options for the new bikes yet either, but I would not mess with a good thing if you don't have too. Feel her out first. I hope to get a demo ride on the 2014 at the Americade Rally in Lake George NY in a month or so. It would be interesting to compare it to my flashed and highly modded bike. Enjoy your new ride, it's is a great one.

 

[Rasher]

I know much has changed so the difference may not be so big with a 2014, a flash will always improve a modern bike due to the way emmisions and noise regs have made it impossible to fuel and engine properly anymore.

I would suggest you hold off until some people have done all gears dyno tests to see what is going on with the new model - or even get yours checked out, if you can get it to Race Engineering in Essex they will be very well placed to do this as they have flashed a number of S10's and have a lot of S10 dyno data including standard, flashed, flashed _ Power Commander, bikes on stock pipes, bikes with end cans, bikes with full systems etc.

If you did this you could see exactly how your 2014 compares to earlier models both modified and stock ::008::

I am sure Race Engineering would be quite interested to find out as well.

 

[kthursfield]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I’m not necessarily looking for any bhp gains, if I can get them then great, however, I’d like to increase / improve the power delivery that you speak of low down for when I hit the twisty roads. I plan on using the bike for touring round Europe, Atlas Mountains, commute etc and I believe this bike will deliver.
I too have read that Yamaha have addressed issues raised by owners of 2010 – 2013 models which is nice to know, however I still feel with regulations needing to be adhered too, the 2014 model may not be running to its full potential. It would be nice to know someone who has flashed a 2010 – 2013, and rode a 2014, and flashed it too see if it made a noticeable difference. I will take your advice and run the bike in first and make a more informed decision later down the line.

Again many thanks Karl

 

[Marty]

I don't know what was change on the ECU for 2014 but, I can tell you for sure that it still has a fuel cut off when the throttle is closed above idle speed. I don't know for sure, but highly suspect, that the restrictions in the first 3 gears are still in place. In time a flash will be developed and people will reporton it here. Stay tuned and congrats on your S 10!

 

[Welsh wizard]

::022:: Congrats on the new bike - I had the flash done earlier this year [ ECUunleashed, Race Engineering , Great Dunmow Essex]. Would endorse everything already said, including get used to the bike first.
I'm in North London - if you want to do a back to back comparison I would be happy to oblige - sure others would be to.

 

[Tremor38]

It would be nice to know someone who has flashed a 2010 – 2013, and rode a 2014, and flashed it too see if it made a noticeable difference.

Not quite sure I understand. It's a bit early for anyone to have a flashed 2014; however, Twinrider has a flashed pre-2014 and has test rode a 2014. He reports that, although the S-mode on the 2014 is an improvement over the stock pre-2014, The S-mode on his flashed 2012 is noticeably more responsive/lively than the 2014. I recon he'll jump in here soon to expound upon that.