Power Commander

[veetwin]

I am on the brink of buying a Power Commander from B&C Express. I will be installing the unit myself and then using a custom map from the PC website as a temporary measure until I can get the bike on a dyno.

My questions are, has anyone installed one of these? If so, is it as easy as suggested on the installation instructions? Is one of these units going to give much in the way of power/torque gain? Is it noticeable when riding the bike on the road/track?

Thanks in advance

James

[yoda954]

It was relatively easy to install - the only fiddly bit being the connectors located beneath the tank requiring some difficult finger bending to get 'em in place (and undo the standard ones). My 954 is running an Akro race can with a PC111 (USB) both of which I bought from a nice PH chappie who gave me a few hints for installation . The PC already had the right map on it too

The difference was remarkable on the road - gone is the flat spot around 3-4.5k instead the torque curve seems very flat which means the speedo has to be checked untill you get used to how the power is delivered. I seem to get about 20 miles per tank more range too.....more power with better fuel economy....can't be beat
I've done one track day at Brands Indy with the only really noticeable thing being the lack of the flat spot & the lack of a step in power at 10k ish before hittin the limiter.....I don't think I bothered revving it to the line due to the increased torque & I wasn't really 'on it' that day
The Akro gives a luvverly sound....but I'm wondering whether I might just try the standard pipe with a PC map to see how much I really need the race can due to noise issues & how much difference the Akro actually makes in the 'real world' .....mind you then again

All being said....this is the difference noticed on my bike - your blade may behave slightly differently in stock form to the way mine did.
BTW - I've not had the bike dyno'd or 'professionally' looked at & due to my limited 'puter knowledge haven't done any tweeking myself eevah....so no idea if I've got a power gain, but I'm not too fussed as the transformation has been so noticeable.


>> Edited by yoda954 on Thursday 16th February 09:56

[MattOz]

James,

I've fitted a PCIII to my Fireblade and a couple of other bikes in the past. It's not too tricky Not sure what bike you have. Seem to recall it's a Blade, but not sure. My 05RR has 8 injectors, so if you have the same (CBR1000RR4 or later) you need to make sure that the piggy back injectors are attached to the standard injectors that sit below the airbox.

I then took the thing to get dyno'd and set up. Made a nice difference, although it needs doing again now as I've changed my exhaust and I'm running a standard PC map again.

Cheers
Matt

[veetwin]

Matt it is an 05 Repsol. Looking at the fitting instructions it shows the 8 injectors. PDQ in Maidenhead can do the dyno run at £150.

I re-geared the bike last year and I have a funny feeling that it will mask the benefits of the PC.

[emailiscrap]

Where is the cheapest place to buy a PCIII at the moment?

[MattOz]

Hi James,

The re-gearing may mask the effect a little, but you'll still notice the extra grunt. I changed my rear sprocket for a 42T and rode the bike like that for a while. I then changed back to the standard 40T and it's less yampy in first gear. PDQ are the best in the country for mapping, so you're in good hands there. £150 for set up is not bad either.

Cheers
Matt

BTW, once powercommander'd mine had 154.1bhp and 80.1ft/lbs at the back wheel. Not the highest figure I've seen for a blade, but not bad at all.

[veetwin]

The yampy first gear tends to get me over that long swingarm when pulling wheelies. I must admit that second gear is a little more controllable on the up-stroke!!! I have been quoted around 155 r/w bhp from PDQ with K&N filters fitted. Mine has also done nearly 5k now and then engine is quite loose.

[MattOz]

James,

On standard gearing with a PCIII and Akrapovic can, mine easily, and very nicely, lofts the front wheel in 1st and occasionally 2nd. Nothing too quick or dramatic, relatively speaking. See what it's like with your gearing and then if it's too much change back.

Matt

[2good]

Sorry, but what does 'yampy' mean? Interesting thread, I've an 04 blade with a full Akrapovic system & I'd like a power commander & a 42T rear sprocket.

[veetwin]

Sprocket changes will have you grinning like a Cheshire Cat. Sheer Madness. You feel like nothing on the planet this side of a Tornado Fighter could keep up.

Matt, do you find it comes up more controlled in 2nd on standard gearing or with the re-gear? I found it took a massive heave in 2nd on standard. Those got a wee bit wobbly to say the least!!