Benefits of Motorcycle Tuning

The motorcycle world is extraordinarily fascinating. It absorbs your very being, embeds its love deep within you, and gives you a "healthy addiction" that never goes away (amen to that). This feeling is beautifully encapsulated by Hollywood star Keanu Reeves (who also happens to be a motorcycle company owner and a big time enthusiast). He said, "When I don't ride a motorcycle, I go through withdrawal."

So, if you own a motorcycle, chances are you treat it like a child. You take care of it, pamper it, and can't stand the sight of it being in distress. And speaking of being in distress, do you give your motorcycle tuning the much-needed attention it truly deserves? Because if you don't, it's about time you started considering reaping the many advantages of motorcycle tuning like enhanced performance and improved fuel efficiency.

Let's shift directly into sixth gear to find out more about the world of tuning a motorcycle.

Benefits of Motorcycle Tuning and Effects of the Bike's Performance

• Improved Performance: You won't get the acceleration thrill and the rush of adrenaline with a sluggish motorcycle that has worn-out or restricted components. Tuning does a commendable job when it comes to enhancing the engine's volumetric efficiency. Generally speaking, it helps the engine produce a lot more power from the same displacement. And if you're wondering how much horsepower tuning can give your bike, it can vary widely—from a modest few horsepower to significant double-digit improvements.

• Better Fuel Economy: Motorcycle tuning helps optimize the ECU's settings to adjust certain key parameters. In fact, you can make the combustion process within the engine more efficient by making adjustments to the fuel injection settings and the air/fuel ratio. As a result, the engine will start to run at its optimal level to deliver a smoother riding experience with more power and possibly reduced fuel consumption.

• Enhanced Rideability: Tuning is one guaranteed way to ensure your bike keeps running smoothly for many years to come. It prevents your bike from running lean and delivers a far more responsive and enjoyable ride in a lot of ways. For instance, you get a sharp throttle response. There's also a smooth power delivery devoid of flat spots or abrupt power surges. And last but not least, tuning does a pretty good job of increasing torque at lower RPMs.

What Are Different Types of Tuning Options?

Your search for the best tuning option for your motorcycle will bring you to the following two choices:

Power Commander

Considered one of the most sophisticated tuning devices for numerous modern EFI motorcycles, the power commander from Dynojet gives a "Kick" to the motorcycle's performance by optimizing its air/fuel ratio.

The best part about Power Commander is that it operates as a "piggyback" on the motorcycle's ECU, which means it'll only intercept and modify the signals sent to the fuel injection system without permanently changing the factory ECU settings. You can easily return your bike to its stock settings whenever needed.

The latest version, Power Commander 6, is a good option due to its highly impressive ease of use and comprehensive tuning abilities. Moreover, it offers features such as adjustment of fuel tables, the ability to map each cylinder and gear individually, and compatibility with other accessories like the Autotune, Quickshifter, and Ignition Module.

A potential drawback is that they generally only do basic fueling and no other adjustments like ignition, derestriction, etc. It is a cheap option, for sure, but it usually requires a dyno which usually costs more money than other solutions do.

ECU Flash

ECU Flash can be best described as the best way to get the most out of your motorcycle. It is a process of reprogramming the code that essentially controls your bike's functions. You simply modify the software within your bike's ECU to change how the engine operates. Sounds simple? Well, it is. This opens doors to “exciting improvements” like adjusting settings of fueling, ignition timing, and throttle response. It can also help remove factory-imposed restrictions like speed limiters.

Think of a Power Commander like applying a filter to your favorite photograph (it doesn't change the original image and just enhances certain colors and adjusts the contrast). On the other hand, an ECU Flash is like using a photo editing software to adjust the raw image data.

What we mean is that you won't be using a filter, but changing the picture's original properties (brightness, contrasts, and saturation) directly at the source. In short, you're getting way more with ECU flashing.

ECU Flashing can also be done at home with no Dyno required. As an example, BMW can tune itself using its on board wideband system. From the factory, BMW's do not do this full time, but with flashing it's possible to always have the motorcycle tune itself. This is also referred to as "full-time closed loop" or FTCL.

And for those wondering, when it comes to enhancing your motorcycle's performance, an ECU Flash often stands out as a superior option over traditional dyno tuning. Also ECU Flashing can be way more cost-effective than dyno tuning in the long run. While flashing needs to be done only once to reap the benefits from the modifications without further tweaks, dyno tuning could require multiple sessions to perfect the setting.

Important Note: It's important to consider that installing a Power Commander or ECU Flash may void your bike's warranty because of the obvious reason...manipulation of the stock engine parameters. But there's a SOLID solution. We'll share it shortly.

How Do You Tune Your Motorcycle?

The most fun part about tuning a motorcycle is that it has a therapeutic effect on you. Though the whole process can be time-consuming, the attention to detail, patience, and a bit of mechanical savviness give this precious satisfaction knowing that what you're doing can enhance your beloved bike's performance. So, if you're venturing into DIY motorcycle tuning for the first time, here's everything you need to know:

Preparation Before Tuning

Before diving head first into tuning your motorcycle, it's a good idea to start with a clean slate. That's in a literal way because you'll be giving your bike a thorough wash—this way, you won't be wrestling with any grime or debris. Also, consulting your motorcycle's manual cannot be overstated. It is your blueprint for understanding the unique specifications and requirements of your bike. The manual provides crucial information such as torque settings, maintenance schedules, and adjustment procedures that are vital for a successful tune-up.

Once you've done it, next comes gathering the necessary tools and replacement parts specific to your motorcycle's model and tuning needs. In general, some of the common tools required for tuning a motorcycle are:

• Screwdrivers

• Spanners and Wrenches

• Socket Set

• Allen Keys

• Pliers

• Tire Pressure Gauge

• Torx

Most DIY motorcycle tuning tasks can be done with minimal tools and there's no need for high-end tools.

Step-By-Step Guide To Tuning a Motorcycle

What Are The Benefits of Using a BT Moto Handheld for Tuning My Motorcycle?

If you wanted your Bike to perform better, which option would you choose?