Power Commanders?

[yorkie_chris]

Do it yourself, take notes and don't forget to baseline it and you should be fine. Even easier than rejetting carbs.

[tinpants]

So, would you agree that, if your (or my) bike is running ok and isn't lumpy anywhere in the rev-range then a PC isn't necessarily needed or required? The reason I ask is that I was talking to a bloke I know and told him what bike I now had. (W plate Aprilia Mille) His first words after finding out the bike were " you'll need a power commander on that thing before long". When I asked him why, he couldn't really answer me. I'm not a mechanical dunce but electronics go straight over my head - probably 'cos I don't "get" what is going on. Any ideas?

Discuss.



Ta.

hmm maybe they are notoriously lumpy when warm ?

and the power commander is hardly electrical it has plug(s) that usually plug in between the fuel jet power lead thing and the jet its self then 2 wires to the battery then obv the tuning and stuff, but basically it interrupts the signal coming from the ECU and places its own signal there instead of the ECU signal. in other words it overides the stock fuling

the only reason i can think of you needing one if because its lumpy?

[tinpants]

I didn't actually say mine was running lumpy, I said that the guy I spoke to expressed the opinion that I would "need one soon". My particular Mille runs great - in fact it goes like f*ck and doesn't bog or wallow low down in the rev range like my old VTR did. But then I put that down to the VTR being carbed and the Mille having FI.I also get quite good fuel economy from the Aprilia - 120 miles to the tank as opposed to 80-90 from the VTR.


So I don't think I'll be fitting a Power Commander just yet...

Originally Posted by Bellerophon

So, would you agree that, if your (or my) bike is running ok and isn't lumpy anywhere in the rev-range then a PC isn't necessarily needed or required? The reason I ask is that I was talking to a bloke I know and told him what bike I now had. (W plate Aprilia Mille) His first words after finding out the bike were " you'll need a power commander on that thing before long". When I asked him why, he couldn't really answer me. I'm not a mechanical dunce but electronics go straight over my head - probably 'cos I don't "get" what is going on. Any ideas?

Discuss.



Ta.

A Power Commander, or related device, is a fuel map modifier. The stock computer in fuel injected bikes has a fuel map that is set from the factory to give the bike maximum power while at the same time keeping within the legal limits for emissions and noise; in effect at the time the bike was built. This map varies according to air box size and flow, engine rpm, exhaust type and restriction, injector body size, valve timing and other factors.

The Power Commander connects between the stock computer and the fuel injectors and allows you to adjust the amount of fuel the engine receives; changing the fuel to air ratio and effecting power. It's a neat device that shows the best increases in power when used in conjunction with air box modifications and exhaust modifications, at least. Word of caution: Start with the recommendations that the unit comes with regarding mapping changes. It's easy to change the map to the point where you are actually losing power. Or worse; running too lean and burning up the engine.

Yes, It would raise the power output of your bike. But the cost of the unit plus the cost of new exhaust, etc. may be more than you are willing to pay for the few extra horsepower you will gain.

Originally Posted by Bellerophon

I didn't actually say mine was running lumpy, I said that the guy I spoke to expressed the opinion that I would "need one soon". My particular Mille runs great - in fact it goes like f*ck and doesn't bog or wallow low down in the rev range like my old VTR did. But then I put that down to the VTR being carbed and the Mille having FI.I also get quite good fuel economy from the Aprilia - 120 miles to the tank as opposed to 80-90 from the VTR.


So I don't think I'll be fitting a Power Commander just yet...

I think you're dead on. If it ain't broke don't fix it. Is your bike standard? Perhaps the guy meant you'll be tempted to alter induction or exhaust which would require fueling modifications and hence use a PC.
My bike has the CAT removed which may have contributed to my 'issue' (although I've heared of others on standard bikes with similar symptoms), I'm well happy with it now though.

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by Bellerophon

So, would you agree that, if your (or my) bike is running ok and isn't lumpy anywhere in the rev-range then a PC isn't necessarily needed or required?

" you'll need a power commander on that thing before long".

Yup, if it's fuelling alright leave it alone. You might be able to get another half a bhp or make it a little snappier at some points, but that's not really worth a couple hundred quid.

Also "before long", dunno what that's about. It isn't time-dependant, the mixture is either correct or it isn't, it won't get worse for a laugh.

The only way to know if your bike requires a PC or fueling modification is to get an AFR run done on a dyno. A bike can feel great yet still have more to come. I personally cant understand spending money on a can and then not maximising everything possible via the fueling, unless of course budget is really tight.

Just putting on a PC wont add BHP and in most case the downloadable map is way out. No two bikes fuel the same, even if they are identical.

And yes it is worthwhile getting a proper setup on the SV..not neccesarily for top end BHP but for the smoother small low end throttle openings that a proper fuel map will give you.

Originally Posted by SV650Racer

not neccesarily for top end BHP but for the smoother small low end throttle openings that a proper fuel map will give you.

This is exactly what i get with the ZX much smoother I can pull off from rolling about 5-10mph in 4th without a judder and the power delivery is nice, but I have had to change the map and will get it dyno'd soon as it used 12ltrs of fuel in 65miles and was using +65% fuel over stock at position 2 and 1500rpm.

Originally Posted by SUPERSTARDJ01

12ltrs of fuel in 65miles

bloody hell, i bet you had the throttle wrenched back though ?