ECU Flash

[triman11427]

I've read the threads on the switch mod and I'd like to hear from someone who has done an ECU flash. Is it something that brings more improvement vs the mod or is it just a more expensive way of accomplishing the same thing? To my thinking a flash would be me customizable and you can really dial in the correct F/A mixture etc.

 

[RMac]

For sure a flash is more customizable. Yes, I have the ECU flashed. No, I have never tried to jumper the clutch switch. So, I cannot make any comparison. For 250 Euros the flash was big bang for the buck in my opinion. Transformed a frankly annoying stock engine characteristic into a perfectly linear characteristic. A midrange makeover.

 

[fredz43]

I had the ECU Unleashed flash done by AF1 Racing and am very happy with how the bike runs. For a test, I installed a handlebar switch that would short out the clutch switch to see if it added anything or made any difference. Activating this switch while riding does nothing that I can perceive. I have ridden a stock bike with the clutch mod and it did help that bike, but I felt that mine still ran better, especially off the bottom and it feels stronger in the midrange. Not totally scientific for sure, but enough to convince me and I would do the reflash again.

 

[DubbleJay]

I had the ECU Unleashed flash done by AF1 Racing and am very happy with how the bike runs. For a test, I installed a handlebar switch that would short out the clutch switch to see if it added anything or made any difference. Activating this switch while riding does nothing that I can perceive. I have ridden a stock bike with the clutch mod and it did help that bike, but I felt that mine still ran better, especially off the bottom and it feels stronger in the midrange. Not totally scientific for sure, but enough to convince me and I would do the reflash again.

If you dont mind... what does something like that cost?

 

[~TABASCO~]

The flash is great. They are $450

 

[pluric]

I too had AF-1 do my reflash.

The original feedback from the European side was amazing results. Fire breathing beast.
I can't agree with that assesment. It made mine run perfect. The stalls and hiccups are
gone. The sometimes little surging feel is gone. It just runs like a well jetted bike.

I would do the reflash again and felt it was well worth the money to have the bike feel
so well sorted out. Just don't expect a huge performance difference.

I do run it with the clutch mod done as well. That almost makes it come on a little too
strong just off idle. I'm used to it now. It was just a little adjustment on my end to
go from being ready for a minor stall to now having it lurch forward some.

 

[Salmon Sam]

So, is it pretty much the consensus that a reflash wouldn't pass EPA standards and this is the primary reason that the stock ECU is configured that way?

 

[pluric]

So, is it pretty much the consensus that a reflash wouldn't pass EPA standards and this is the primary reason that the stock ECU is configured that way?

Look around and it's very common for any late model FI bike to have mods available to adjust fueling.
Same with cars that are "Chipped".

I'm not aware of a state that actually emmission tests a bike.

The stock bike is set up to jump through EPA hoops. Once you're through the hoop, well...... O

 

[Salmon Sam]

Pluric. Oh, I agree. Just wondering why the stock ECU is so comparably lame. That would explain it and convince me to be a flasher .... errrr :

 

[pluric]

Pluric. Oh, I agree. Just wondering why the stock ECU is so comparably lame. That would explain it and convince me to be a flasher .... errrr :

I wouldn't call it lame. It's just set to appease someone other than the actual user.
I had to Powercommand my first FJR. It made a world of difference. My 06 didn't need it. Ran fine stock.
I put a Powercommander on my DL 1000 and couldn't tell any difference.

Someone posted early on how it wasn't like the bike needed the little extra power, it was more the
fact is was there and a computer was telling you you can't have it.

We're not talking performance cams or pistons, it's a simply electrical reflash that frees up some HP and
more so makes a very liniere power delivery.

I don't remember anyone regretting they did the reflash.

 

[X5]

I've read the threads on the switch mod and I'd like to hear from someone who has done an ECU flash. Is it something that brings more improvement vs the mod or is it just a more expensive way of accomplishing the same thing? To my thinking a flash would be me customizable and you can really dial in the correct F/A mixture etc.

Not certain what you expect to hear. I have the ECU flash and could not be happier. Ultimately only a dyno does not lie IF DONE WELL. Seat of the pants tend to lie and perception is squishy. Have not kept up with the free 15 hp thing but is there any dyno chart before and after?

Until/Unless someone does stock bike followed by switch mod followed by ECU flash on same bike, day and dyno then all there is are stories.

For me, you usually get what you pay for and if the switch mod works then bully for that too good to be true bang for the buck!

 

[Rasher]

Until/Unless someone does stock bike followed by switch mod followed by ECU flash on same bike, day and dyno then all there is are stories.....

For me, you usually get what you pay for and if the switch mod works then bully for that too good to be true bang for the buck!

Yep, I posted before and after dyno graphs for switch mod, at 40mph in 3rd gear (about 4,000rpm) the power jumped from 41BHP stock to 49BHP with clutch mod, a decent flash will do at least the same, and most likely a bit more.

Stock the bike is weak low down (below 5k) in lower gears and rich up top (Richens from being weak at 5k to rich at 6k) I suspect this is all emmisions / noise test related, the clutch mod equals the mixture out and cuases it to run richer all the way, it also must allow the throttle bodies to open earlier (and maybe alter timing) as you would never get a 20% + increase from a mixture change.

A good flash will optimize fuelling, Throttle Body timing and Ignition in all gears across the rev range, but at a few pence / cents the clutch mod gives an impossible to beat value for money "fix" - but I will still get a flash at some point.

 

[scott123007]

That's my issue at hand. I've done the clutch mod and it sure boosts low rpm power, probably as much as the reflash would do, but does nothing for the just off idle hollowness, so $450. is a lot to spend to get rid of just that. It sure would be nice if, without having to do any mods, it would run as well as my DL1000 does off idle. For that matter, as well as the DL1000 does, period, as the DL is a faster bike

 

[zamfield]

Im interested in doing the flash, but I'd be happier with a Power Commander so I can see what's going on, too.

I've done the clutch switch mod... does it give you more HP? - Unlikely.
Does it smooth out low gear, high RPM? - Absolutely... no doubt about it.
The hesitation I had prior to shorting the switch has gone and I've pulled the fuse mod to try the bike without it and it's back, immediately.

 

[Kevy 511]

Can anyone tell me what the difference between an ECU flash vs. putting on a PC V and having the bike dyno tuned at a shop?

K

 

[zamfield]

PCM - You need to find a program or a shop that can do the tune.

FLASH - Pull your ECU, mail it in and get it back in a couple of days.

Obviously, the PCM / Tune is the way to go as each bike will be slightly different than the next and it can be tuned to you and your riding style / mods.

Cost, is a factor also... Dyno time can be expensive!

Can anyone tell me what the difference between an ECU flash vs. putting on a PC V and having the bike dyno tuned at a shop?

K

 

[Kevy 511]

Thanks Zamfield,

I already did the PCV and dyno tune. Just wanted to know the difference and which is better.

 

[Rasher]

Can anyone tell me what the difference between an ECU flash vs. putting on a PC V and having the bike dyno tuned at a shop?

Both have advantages, a Power Commander optimizes fuelling, but cannot alter fly-by-wire throttle body openings, this means the restrictions in power at low rpms will still be present - but probably smoothed out a bit. The Power Commander is also unable to alter ignition timing.

A reflash will remove all restrictions and can alter fuelling, ignition timing and critically the fly-by-wire mapping, but few places (if any) currently offer a custom map for your bike.

You could have a flash done AND fit a Power Commander, but that is mega bucks.

My guess is a reflash would be best for low down power and for standard bikes, but if your de-catting the exhausts, fitting a different end can and maybe putting a hi flow filter in the power commander would be a better option.

I know a UK tuner who "can" do custom flashes, but has not done a Tenere yet, he has offered a free flash for the first bike, BUT, and this is a big BUT he will need to cut open the ECU to read the Yamaha code, once done he can modify bikes without needing to cut the ECU open, but the Yamaha ECU's only allow writing to and not reading from.

Holding out for a bit longer as my other mods are going well right now

 

[Kevy 511]

Thanks Rasher, I'll book mark this good explanation and will stick with my current mod for now.

K

 

[Rasher]

Thanks Rasher, I'll book mark this good explanation and will stick with my current mod for now.

May not be correct though :

Others have done a lot more work and may be along shortly with their wisdom ::008::