Powercommand or not to Powercommand - SV650.org

03-02-06, 10:52 PM

Okay,
I've just read the thread on the K+N issue, and it made me think:

Even if I'm running a standard setup (can and filter), would I benefit from a power commander?
My train of thought goes a bit like this: The general use of a power commander is to get an engine to chuck out a couple of extra BHP, but what does it do?
To my mind it replaces the engine map that suzuki has decided is best for the bike.

Suzuki have a couple of problems to put up with when sticking a 'budget' bike (okay, not meant to upset anyone, but we are hardly talking £10k+ are we) on the world market: 1) They need one map that will work on every single bike they chuck out of that model and 2) they need a map that will work on almost any fuel from round the world (Landrover have the same issue with the Defender which is why it seems to have so much less power than other 4x4s)

So with a power commander you can tailor the mapping to your bike, can't you? And to the type of fuel you use whether it be standard or super

Has this made any sense, or are there huge holes? Let us know, it's how we all learn

03-02-06, 10:56 PM

i want a power commander, but i can't afford one yet. i have an akrapovic full system

northwind · 03-02-06, 11:02 PM

You're definately on the right lines... But IMO a PC is a very expensive luxury unless you've done a lot of work on the bike and really want to get the most out of it- remember, don't just consider the price of the box- also take into accountthe price of the setup.

If you can get to a dyno place with a yoshi or ideally teka box, they can reflash your standard ECU instead- much cheaper, and not much less good by all accounts. All these newfangled FI things confuse I, I like fuelling that you can fix with a screwdriver.

TSM · 03-02-06, 11:04 PM

The SV ecu can be tweeked with a Tekka or Yoshi box anyway.

General consenus is that a PC is not worth it for a road sv, even with mods.

Just get a dyno shop with the right kit and they will tweek the standard ECU.

Its much cheeper, way cheeper.

03-02-06, 11:07 PM

You should try setting up a Matchless then

The James was easier though, I just fiddled with the strength of the mix.

Luckily my SV came with a PC and I think with the Quill and the K+N it might just need it - although I think it does need to go back and be re-done as I'm not happy with it.

Why did we leave carbs behind?

Icing and fuel consumption outstanding...

northwind · 03-02-06, 11:23 PM

Emissions and fashion, IMO

03-02-06, 11:46 PM

i have got a power commander on my svs k5 with standered filter and the bike runs good.would fitting a k&n filter do any better.the can i have is ccc can.or the other thing is getting the ecu remap to make the bike run better without the pc,does anyone know were u can get this done.i have heard that steve jordan motorcycles can do it when i had some work done there.

ps i am tinking of sellin the pc to free up some spare cash.

rictus01 · 03-02-06, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by northwind

You're definately on the right lines... But IMO a PC is a very expensive luxury unless you've done a lot of work on the bike and really want to get the most out of it- remember, don't just consider the price of the box- also take into accountthe price of the setup.

If you can get to a dyno place with a yoshi or ideally teka box, they can reflash your standard ECU instead- much cheaper, and not much less good by all accounts. .

Got the best of both worlds, got the tuneboy software.

Quote:

Originally Posted by northwind

All these newfangled FI things confuse I, I like fuelling that you can fix with a screwdriver.

biggest thing I don't like about the SpeedTriple was the lack of control of the ecu, and having to pay a man to shove something on which I couldn't see anyway.

all changed now, total freedom on the ecu for everything.

Never thought I'd ever be tuning a bike with a laptop. but hey, done it several times already (each one better than the last, still learning) one cool bit of kit.

Cheers Mark.

04-02-06, 12:06 AM

Well interesting debate going on here. I have noticed that stateside the guys swear by the PC. I have read with great interest also on several Ducati forums that many, as opposed to opting for the upgraded ECU from Ducati,( when for example changing exhaust systems) go for the Power Commander.

The beauty to me of the PC is that you can adjust the fuel/air mixture to optimum condtions throughout the firing range and works with your bog standard ECU. Additionally you can download a wide range of maps in order to find one that works best with your non standard fittings. A great bonus is that you can simply unplug it and fit it to any other bike you might buy in the future.

You can get pretty close to perfect setting by adjusting the PC yourself but yes if possible for the finite adjustments then a dynorun or similar would be advantageous.

For me the difference in the price of a Ducati upgrade chip(which does not always work as you would hope) is worth stumping up for the PC due to the greater flexibility.

I will definitely be buying one in a couple of months to set my bike up when the new zorst is fitted.

04-02-06, 01:12 AM

I had my GSXR remapped and it was brilliant, and I shall be doing the same for the SV too. PC is great if you want to change the mapping regularly or maybe for a bike whose fuel system isn't particularly good.

The K4 & K5 machines (not sure about K3's) have excellent mapping in the first place, making the throttle very smooth - so I'm told. In which case there is nothing to "improve" on, just to tune, so I think the the PC3 is probably a bit overkill....

.

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03-02-06, 10:52 PM	#1
Caddy2000 Guest Posts: n/a	Powercommand or not to Powercommand Okay, I've just read the thread on the K+N issue, and it made me think: Even if I'm running a standard setup (can and filter), would I benefit from a power commander? My train of thought goes a bit like this: The general use of a power commander is to get an engine to chuck out a couple of extra BHP, but what does it do? To my mind it replaces the engine map that suzuki has decided is best for the bike. Suzuki have a couple of problems to put up with when sticking a 'budget' bike (okay, not meant to upset anyone, but we are hardly talking £10k+ are we) on the world market: 1) They need one map that will work on every single bike they chuck out of that model and 2) they need a map that will work on almost any fuel from round the world (Landrover have the same issue with the Defender which is why it seems to have so much less power than other 4x4s) So with a power commander you can tailor the mapping to your bike, can't you? And to the type of fuel you use whether it be standard or super Has this made any sense, or are there huge holes? Let us know, it's how we all learn

03-02-06, 11:02 PM	#3
northwind Moderator Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In the garage where I belong Posts: 17,083	You're definately on the right lines... But IMO a PC is a very expensive luxury unless you've done a lot of work on the bike and really want to get the most out of it- remember, don't just consider the price of the box- also take into accountthe price of the setup. If you can get to a dyno place with a yoshi or ideally teka box, they can reflash your standard ECU instead- much cheaper, and not much less good by all accounts. All these newfangled FI things confuse I, I like fuelling that you can fix with a screwdriver. __________________ "We are the angry mob, we read the papers every day We like what we like, we hate what we hate But we're oh so easily swayed"

03-02-06, 11:04 PM	#4
TSM The Sick Man Mega Poster Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Peckham.SE.LDN Posts: 4,768	The SV ecu can be tweeked with a Tekka or Yoshi box anyway. General consenus is that a PC is not worth it for a road sv, even with mods. Just get a dyno shop with the right kit and they will tweek the standard ECU. Its much cheeper, way cheeper. __________________ OTR: KTM 690 Duke R 2015 Full Akro SIDELINE: Kwak ZX636 A1P 2002, Red, R&G's, Yoshi, Double Bubble Screen GONE: Kwak ZX-7R P1, Full Akro, Undertray, Screen GONE: SV650S K2 Very Bruised & Without Fairing, Motovation Frame Sliders, R&G Ally Sprocket Toe Protector, HEL 2 Line Setup, GSXR K1 600 RWU Forks, Barnett Clutch & Springs, Penske 8981 Shock, Gilles Ti Rearsets, Steel Barends, Scottoiler, AFAM Chain & Sprockets, Twin FIAMM Horns, Skidmarx Bellypan, Full Micron Zeta Steel System, Cut down undertay. Forum Problems & Information / Site Suggestions

03-02-06, 11:23 PM	#6
northwind Moderator Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In the garage where I belong Posts: 17,083	Emissions and fashion, IMO __________________ "We are the angry mob, we read the papers every day We like what we like, we hate what we hate But we're oh so easily swayed"

03-02-06, 10:56 PM	#2
hall13uk Guest Posts: n/a	i want a power commander, but i can't afford one yet. i have an akrapovic full system

03-02-06, 11:07 PM	#5
Caddy2000 Guest Posts: n/a	You should try setting up a Matchless then The James was easier though, I just fiddled with the strength of the mix. Luckily my SV came with a PC and I think with the Quill and the K+N it might just need it - although I think it does need to go back and be re-done as I'm not happy with it. Why did we leave carbs behind? Icing and fuel consumption outstanding...

03-02-06, 11:46 PM	#7
latts650s Guest Posts: n/a	i have got a power commander on my svs k5 with standered filter and the bike runs good.would fitting a k&n filter do any better.the can i have is ccc can.or the other thing is getting the ecu remap to make the bike run better without the pc,does anyone know were u can get this done.i have heard that steve jordan motorcycles can do it when i had some work done there. ps i am tinking of sellin the pc to free up some spare cash.

04-02-06, 12:06 AM	#9
Peter Henry Guest Posts: n/a	Well interesting debate going on here. I have noticed that stateside the guys swear by the PC. I have read with great interest also on several Ducati forums that many, as opposed to opting for the upgraded ECU from Ducati,( when for example changing exhaust systems) go for the Power Commander. The beauty to me of the PC is that you can adjust the fuel/air mixture to optimum condtions throughout the firing range and works with your bog standard ECU. Additionally you can download a wide range of maps in order to find one that works best with your non standard fittings. A great bonus is that you can simply unplug it and fit it to any other bike you might buy in the future. You can get pretty close to perfect setting by adjusting the PC yourself but yes if possible for the finite adjustments then a dynorun or similar would be advantageous. For me the difference in the price of a Ducati upgrade chip(which does not always work as you would hope) is worth stumping up for the PC due to the greater flexibility. I will definitely be buying one in a couple of months to set my bike up when the new zorst is fitted.

04-02-06, 01:12 AM	#10
Jelster Guest Posts: n/a	I had my GSXR remapped and it was brilliant, and I shall be doing the same for the SV too. PC is great if you want to change the mapping regularly or maybe for a bike whose fuel system isn't particularly good. The K4 & K5 machines (not sure about K3's) have excellent mapping in the first place, making the throttle very smooth - so I'm told. In which case there is nothing to "improve" on, just to tune, so I think the the PC3 is probably a bit overkill.... .