ECU Flash: Have any of you done this?

[AdrianR]

Some posts here have me thinking now.

About an ECU reflash.  Since I have never owned a FI bike before, I know nothing of it..

I also know that many carburated bikes  (my old Shadow for instance) ran really lean from the factory to pass emissions.  Just adjusting the A/F mixture screws (drilling out plug) man the bike run better and produced more HP.

I have read on the F6C forum about several whom have done this with good results.  More power, smoother power delivery...rev limiter raised by 500k...ignition retardation removed in first and second gear.

Do you guys know anything of this?  I might want to try this.  The Valk already is fast...but I am always thinking that it should be quicker/faster based on the size of the motor and configuration.  It really became evident last weekend...On the throttle off the throttle again...without it being full..and noticing more power...weird...

[CajunRider]

I'm not 100% sure, but I think the ECU program is the same as the full Goldwing ECU program. 

Read up on the ECU Flash on the Goldwing forums (GL1800Riders).  There's a ton of information (some good some bad).  I think it's made by Guhl Motors?  I'll have to look it up again. 

I would like to do it to my Wing, but I haven't had the "cold stumble" that most people are trying to fix with the flash. 

UPDATE:

Yep... Guhl Motors.  Unfortunately, I can't get to their website.  Not sure if their server is down or if they shut the whole thing down.  Give it a shot... maybe you can get their contact info. 

I hear it's better to call instead of email. 

[Robert]

http://www.guhlmotors.com/

The site worked fine for me as for the ECU mod I have only seen good reviews. I don't have the cold hesitation but hear that it takes the speed cap off and the fast idle when cold. This along with the other things you guys have mentioned. There is also a Power Commander that will work and has some good reviews. I am thinking about it but that may be as far as it ever gets because messing with the computer on my bike that is running well doesn't really thrill me. Although some have claimed great results I am just not convinced. I have also never lacked for power really anytime I hit that throttle it has done exactly what I wanted it to do. I have not found anything lacking enough to do something about it on this bike except the things that I have already done.

I do have some experience mapping other vehicles and with a normally aspirated engine the gains in power are not that much on the whole, but with a turbo you may be talking some real gains.  If you compare putting in jets in a 1500 you do get some gains and some performance improvements but as a whole its not earth shaking, just a nice little increase or better throttle response. With the Guhl ECU mod I have heard of increased MPG in the improvements that Guhl has done and even with my 1500 I did get some improvement in mileage.

[hungryeye]

Most likely to void any warranty related to the drive line, just sayin...

[Robert]

Most likely to void any warranty related to the drive line, just sayin...

You could be right but they will have to detect the mod first. It might not be all that easy to do and the tech would have to look for the changed parameters.

[Skinhead]

Most likely to void any warranty related to the drive line, just sayin...

You could be right but they will have to detect the mod first. It might not be all that easy to do and the tech would have to look for the changed parameters.

That depends on what information they flash.  The non volatile RAM may contain dates of last flash, or part numbers which are easily read.  If these are problems you are trying to fix, Honda may have a service cal to address them.  Some times compromises are made for emissions (especially on cold starts) or other reasons.

[bradrcfii]

What flash aere we talking about?  I run a powercommander and have had tremendous results.

Brad

[Robert]

What flash aere we talking about?  I run a powercommander and have had tremendous results.

Brad

Ok come on now that you said something tell the whole story, like is there more power, rev limiter, cold idle, reg idle. Dont keep everyone or at least me in suspense.

[goldstar903]

Come on, Brad! And butt meters don't count! Dyno results preferred! 

[bradrcfii]

Sorry guys, no dyno results.  Just seat of my pants.  I picked up my new Valktyrie Saturday that felt weak comparied to my first bike that had the PCV on it.  I do not know about rev limit.  Would never go into the red myself.  I am going to install the Power Commander and leave the map alone so I can record stock air fuel mixtures.  It will be very interesting to see what they  are. at stock  We know what AFR values are for 4 stroke engines to make best power.  i am guessing we will learn stock AFR will be around 14.7 where best power is 13.2.

[Robert]

Well did some checking on the power commander for our bikes first its 646.00 and you should buy the autotune at another 346.00 approx. It does not control timing but only controls fuel mixture and corrects it by the map or on the fly by the autotune.

  Now I Know our bikes come through lean but I dont know at a 1000.00 if its worth buying. I have no doubt that it does make a difference and you could just spend the 640 to the only the Commander but the real spur of the moment adjustments can make all the difference in the world. I think I remember the Ghul reprogramming is something like 650.00 and there is nothing to wire in and it looks oem. Of course this is a set map and doesn't change like the Power Commander with the autotune. Thanks bradrcfii for getting me curious enough to check it out.

[goldstar903]

Guhl is $375 

[Robert]

Guhl is $375 

Thanks I hope your price is right and not mine. 

[Dragunslayer]

While I find this interesting for my bike. I am not sure what the advantage of unlocking the top speed would be. Heck if she is in the redline at say 135 there is no real benefit. Now if there was a way to put a 6th gear as an overdrive that would help