Power Commander (Dynojet)

[dt]

Does anyone have any experience with a Power Commander Fuel Injection Module? Specifically, the Dynojet Power Commander V (PC-V).

I’m changing out the exhaust system on my BMW G450X from the stock to a Leo Vince X3 system and was thinking about combining the non-cat slip-on with a PC-V. I’ve read a lot of good stuff on the PC-V, but here’s the dilemma. First, I don’t have any experience with them. Second, knowing that the open-loop slip on is going to improve the bike’s overall performance, I’m probably not going to be able to tell what if any effect the fuel injection module adds, beyond what I can read and see in the charts of the manufacturer. Granted, I might just double step into it, putting the X3 on first, but if some folks came back and said the power commander was the next thing since sliced bread, I’d probably just plug it in. It’s around $360 for the unit. The dealer would have to do the install and mapping, of course. That’s not a huge amount, but I certainly don’t want to waste $$.

http://www.powercommander.com/powercommander/Products/PowerCommanderV/powercommander_v.aspx

[lrn2fli]

I don't have experience with that particular model, but I did use a PC III on my 954 when I put the Akro pipe on. It came with pre-installed a map, and there were also other maps on DynaJet's web site (some from DynaJet and some from other users). I know that without the map it seemed the pipe didn't do much, and even had a few flat spots. I don't know your location, but there is a shop in Miami http://www.blaiscycle.com/ that can custom tune a map for you. It was $300 about 7 years ago, but well worth it.

[dt]

Hey, thanks lrn2fli! That was helpful. I was kind of thinking about the mapping and wondering how it could be that one could just download the mapping and go, without some tinkering and customizing on the dyno to get the best performance out of these setups. There would seem to be a lot of variables that would go into that.

This G450X is about the most complicated motorcycle I’ve ever had to deal with, but at the end of the day it’s just a dirt bike and that’s all I’m ever going to use it for. The problem is it’s got two operation modes: normal and competition. In normal mode, it can’t do what I need it to do on the trails. In competition it’s going to eventually blow out the catalytic converter, and I believe the cat system impedes performance and is much heavier. I knew this going into it, but gave it a try to see if I could make it work. Anyway, the LeoVince has a full stainless system for this model for a little over $500 and a titanium system for a little over $800. There’s an Akrapovic system for my bike too, but … holy crap! … is it expensive! Over $1,600.

I’m working with my dealer on exhaust, fuel injection module and mapping. I just bought the thing three months ago and it has a three year warranty; very rare for a dirt bike, so I want to stay in bounds. Going back to the two modes, both need to be remapped to put any aftermarket system on and apparently LeoVince already has the mapping, both for just the exhaust system and the combination exhaust and PC-V. But my dealer’s telling me they’ll be customizing the mapping. Also, PC-V will actually have a switch somewhere on the side frame to flip back and forth. Right now, I need to pull off the right shroud to do that. Here are the charts (horses at rpm) for three set ups. Blue is stock pipe and fueling; red is the LeoVince X3 with stock fueling; and green is LeoVince and PC-V with modified fueling mapped.

[lrn2fli]

I'm glad to be of help if I was. Did you check on DynaJet's web site to see if your dealer is a certified DynaJet Tuning center? I think that would be huge if they are going to adjust the map for you. Pretty impressive numbers on the dyno readout  .... over 11 hp!!

I know what you mean about the Akro pipe being expensive... mine was $1250 and that was in 2003, although it is 316 SS w/Ti canister... tapered head pies, etc....

Good luck with your new toy. I am looking to sell my sportbike and either get a dual purpose OR start buying back the dirtbikes of my youth and trying my hand at restoring. I worked for a HONDA daler as a teenager in the 70's and had several cool bikes. I have seen you too do some restoring of vintage dirtbikes.

[dt]

Did you check on DynaJet's web site to see if your dealer is a certified DynaJet Tuning center? I think that would be huge if they are going to adjust the map for you.

No, I didn’t check that, and they’re not listed, even as a dealer, although our favorite local out-of-biz mom and pop shop, RTM Motorcycles, was listed LOL. Anyway, this is Euro Cycles of Tampa Bay. They’re the local BMW, Ducati, MV Augusta, Triumph and Guzzi dealer. Weird, that they aren't in the dealer/center list. I’ll call them tomorrow and check into that. Thanks for the tip...there were other shops that I'm familiar with on the list.

My hobby is restoring vintage dirt bikes. It’s a lot of fun to find parts and restore the bikes, and then take them out once in awhile. I always have a contemporary dirt bike around, though…better suspension for my old bones.  I was riding today for about three hours on the G and I'm a achin right now. If I did that much time in one day on an old dirt bike with four inches of travel, I'd be in traction.   

[dt]

This is dragging because it took some time to run down the Leo Vince X3. Geesh, for all the hype and hoopla out there, you’d have thought they would have hand delivered it the same day.    Anyway, we’ll have the system early next week and hopefully I can get out late in the week to test the new system before I run up to Leesburg for the weekend. Not sure if we can pull off everything in the short week, though.

[mrbones]

Wow. That looks high tech!

[dt]

It's going to knock 9 pounds off, too. Almost back to the YZ weight. 94dbl too, which is below Florida's 96dbl max (does anyone pay attention to this?).

[mrbones]

At Croom? No. Maybe in a National forest like, ONF. But, still. I would be surprised.

[dt]

I got the G450X out yesterday and today (at Croom) with the piggy-backed Leo Vince X3 Full Titanium Exhaust and the Power Commander V Fueling Module. As it relates to the PC-V, ultimately we only downloaded the vendor mapping for the model; no further tuning or optimization beyond that. Like I knew would be the case, there’s really no way to tell the full benefit I got out of the fuel injection module. However, overall, the additional torque and power was very noticeable and really quite remarkable. The vendor charts indicated a 28% increase in horsepower (at the rear wheel, 7,000 RPM) and a 25% increase in torque. Of course, we pulled off a restrictive clunker of an exhaust, with a catalytic converter in the process. Pulling the cat out might have gotten me half of that alone. Anyway, I’m fairly confident that I got those or close to those results out of this mod.

Yesterday, after I got the bike from the dealer, I took it out on the road for awhile to see how it ran. Definitely got a good sense for where the additional power was; it was in the low to mid band, which is where I need it for trail riding. I really don’t think the bike goes any faster, but for the record I’ve already geared the final drive ratio down looking for some more umph on the bottom end. I know that took a lot of top end out. Out on the trail today, the bike pulled real strong all the way through fourth (of five). Up until now I’ve seen fourth only in the rarest instances, because it required too much speed/revs to maintain. Anyway, more useful gears mean a more useful trail bike, so overall I’m glad I did the mods.

[lrn2fli]

I got the G450X out yesterday and today (at Croom) with the piggy-backed Leo Vince X3 Full Titanium Exhaust and the Power Commander V Fueling Module. As it relates to the PC-V, ultimately we only downloaded the vendor mapping for the model; no further tuning or optimization beyond that. Like I knew would be the case, there’s really no way to tell the full benefit I got out of the fuel injection module. However, overall, the additional torque and power was very noticeable and really quite remarkable.

.... and it looks awesome! Glad to hear you're happy with it. Now if you think you need more, find a Power Commander tuning center like Blais Cycle (many of them in the state) and have them put it on the dyno and make you a custom map.

[dt]

Thanks. Forgot to mention that it sounds awesome too.   

[dt]

Well, believe it or not, we’re remapping the EFI, or should I say correct mapping. You’re not going to believe this…

After the LeoVince and PC-V install, I gave a good overall report ^^, but there was one thing about day-one with the new set up that I didn’t mention. It didn’t seem like a big deal, but I had two weird stalls; just two. Seriously, if anyone knows how to stall a dirt bike it’s me, but then I also know when I cause it and why I caused it, too. On that basis, I reported these stalls back to the dealer last week and we agreed that I was probably just getting used to the extra torque. Today out on the trails…same thing. It only happens on slow-speed, tight, winding trails and only in second; and it ain’t me doing it.

So I called the service department again this afternoon to report. After some back and forth it came out that while Power Commander had a lot of maps for the G450X, they didn’t have the specific Leo Vince map. So the technician picked one he thought was close. LOL! Honestly, if they’d have asked, I’d have told them where to get the correct mapping. I would have thought Power Commander had the specific mapping, but I did do a little (more like a lot) of freaking research on the stupid thing, so I about know everything about it, including where to get the correct mapping. I really don’t know for sure if the stalls are being caused by the fueling module, but geesh. This is just ridiculous!

Anyway, this goes right back to my original post. By installing the exhaust and fuel injection module at the same time there was no way that I would be able to tell what the benefit of the fueling module actually was. I have no doubt at this point that all the enormous benefit I got from the mod is solely from the Leo Vince. Since this is all inside a matter of hours, I’m not sure if I’m going to import the correct mapping or go with a custom mapping. Either way, as a result of this and another experience with this dealer that I’ll spare you, they ain’t touching it again…

[mrbones]

That's lame. It's a BMW so I can guess where you bought it and who was working on it. Frustrating and time consuming, but hey, you'll get it sorted.