2014 ES - Anthony Reflash Review

[WJBertrand]

The ECU can obviously control the throttle position, so another way to reduce engine braking and I think the primary way it's done is to hold the throttle slightly more open at certain conditions. The main reason to defeat the fuel cut at closed throttle is to reduce the delay in starting fuel delivery again when the throttle is reopened, which in the OEM setup is in part what causes the herky-jerky on-off-on again behavior. Also in conversation with Anthony, the talk about the Super Tenere being lean is a myth, he says it's actually on the rich side as delivered.

To the comment that there's no way to improve MPG with an ECU re-flash, I have direct experience with re-flashing my car and having it actually gain 2-3 MPG, so that's not an accurate statement.

 

[jbrown]

Most of the flash work is just remapping the twist grip position to the throttle opening. With the O2 sensors still there, the closed loop fueling is dictated by the O2 sensor. Changing the fuel maps only impacts the open loop areas (hard accelleration mostly). At the beginning, Anthony was just doing the throttle mapping. He may have developed some fueling changes now, but that's not where the big "seat of the pants" change is. I'd assume anything he did there would be to smooth out transitions. My understanding for dyno'd examples of gen 1 S10s was that they were actually too rich in several areas.

 

[ballisticexchris]

The ECU can obviously control the throttle position, so another way to reduce engine braking and I think the primary way it's done is to hold the throttle slightly more open at certain conditions. The main reason to defeat the fuel cut at closed throttle is to reduce the delay in starting fuel delivery again when the throttle is reopened, which in the OEM setup is in part what causes the herky-jerky on-off-on again behavior. Also in conversation with Anthony, the talk about the Super Tenere being lean is a myth, he says it's actually on the rich side as delivered.

To the comment that there's no way to improve MPG with an ECU re-flash, I have direct experience with re-flashing my car and having it actually gain 2-3 MPG, so that's not an accurate statement.

Hmm, interesting outlook. I find it hard to believe that the Super Tenere comes rich from the factory. Every indication from riding it is it runs pretty darn lean to meet the emissions here in CA. I'm still very interested to see how you like your re-flash. I'm pretty lucky in the sense that I don't have any of the downfalls described from others. And so far have not noticed the throttle restrictions in certain gears.

 

[WJBertrand]

Hmm, interesting outlook. I find it hard to believe that the Super Tenere comes rich from the factory. Every indication from riding it is it runs pretty darn lean to meet the emissions here in CA. I'm still very interested to see how you like your re-flash. I'm pretty lucky in the sense that I don't have any of the downfalls described from others. And so far have not noticed the throttle restrictions in certain gears.

I’m actually just repeating what I was told from someone who knows a lot more about this than me. Still haven’t gotten out for a road test - pouring rain all day today in Ventura.


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[ballisticexchris]

I’m actually just repeating what I was told from someone who knows a lot more about this than me. Still haven’t gotten out for a road test - pouring rain all day today in Ventura.


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I get it Jeff, My biggest fear is you are going to come back here and let us all know how much more wonderful your bike runs. Then my wallet will get lighter!! LOL!! In reality a few less mpg is no big deal considering how big the tank is on our bikes.

So far you have talked me into some really cool products.

 

[WJBertrand]

OK, finally got a break in the weather that coincided with my lunch break. Anthony's flash is definitely better than the canned Flash Tune flash I had in there and OEM before that. The biggest immediately noticeable change is the reduced engine braking in S mode. It's more like my ST1300 used to be. I included reference to OEM because it was factory mapping and snatchy throttle that led me to seek out a tune in the first place. Throttle pick up after deceleration is much smoother, no more big jerk as the injectors come back on line. I think the reduced engine braking helps smooth this out as well. In fact, I going to have to retrain my right wrist a little as I'm finding I'm too tentative rolling back into the throttle now. This tune definitely gives you some feel (for lack of a better way to describe it) before getting back on the gas in earnest, allowing a more predictable, controlled application. The improvement is most noticeable in the lower gears, and now city driving in traffic and stop light to stop light can be done smoothly in S mode. What I am also happy about is that the throttle response at highway speed is still crisp, I was a little worried about that as I really don't care much for the lazy throttle response in T mode, regardless of speed. I did a combination of country roads, canyons, in town, and freeway riding and have got to say I'm very happy so far.

If Yamaha had done something like Anthony's tune as OEM, I frankly don't think there's any use/need for T or any other mode now. Maybe I'd use it in the rain or something. Sometimes I think the manufacturers screw up the driveability of some of the modes just to make them distinct from one another, ending up with no mode that's spot on. It's a marketing gimmick IMHO. My ST13 had only one mode and I never felt the need for any additional ones.

With respect to power, I'm not sensing a noticeable increase there, but the bike is so much more rideable and responsive now I don't care. The Super Tenere is plenty powerful anyway.

 

[VRODE]

^Yup. After the flash I only use T mode in the rain and sometimes on dirt roads, so not very often.

 

[twinrider]

I, too got my '16 ECU reflashed by Anthony with T-light/S-enhanced maps. As other members mentioned, s-mode response was more linear/useable. But the fact that engine brake was removed (de-cel injector cut disabled) made me a little bit uncomfortable in turns since I used to rely on engine brake to control entry speed of a turn.

I downshift when I want engine braking. I prefer that to the engine deciding when to apply braking.

 

[Cycledude]

I have always been surprised by all the talk about the Tenere’s braking power, it just doesn’t seem like anything special to me.

 

[MattR]

Me too. Engine braking is good. On and off the brakes all the time is bad. Cornering speed is controlled by the throttle not the brakes.


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[thughes317]

I have always been surprised by all the talk about the Tenere’s braking power, it just doesn’t seem like anything special to me.

I guess it's all relative: I came off a 650cc carbureted inline UJM 4cyl.......compared to that ride, the S10 has a TON of engine braking.

 

[WJBertrand]

Me too. Engine braking is good. On and off the brakes all the time is bad. Cornering speed is controlled by the throttle not the brakes.

I guess this is an individual thing, but I know in MotoGP they tend to tune the bikes to minimize engine braking to some extent. From my perspective I don't have a good or bad opinion of it, but that depends on the type of riding. In the twisty bits I find it easier to be smooth with less intrusive engine braking. I use braking and trail braking to set my corner entry speed and throttle for the exit speed. This is what we were taught in track day classes, you basically don't want the bike coasting much but either under brake or throttle control at all times. One does have to adapt the characteristics of the bike to some degree.

If reducing engine braking makes for smoother on-off-on throttle transitions, then I'm all for it.

 

[MattR]

I would have thought that if you don’t like engine braking you should buy a bike with a smaller engine. Having two 600 cc pistons is supposed to have engine braking but the XT is no more intrusive than my ZX14R And I’ve never heard anyone complain about engine braking on them.


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[2talltoo]

Ask....they may start b______g up a storm.

 

[s.ga.rider]

After a 1k miles on my flash I will say my fuel mileage dropped a little. It was around 45-47 now its down to 40-42. Im not heavy handed on the throttle so I don't think that's the issue. Either way, the flash is worth it. The fueling is so much better. My only recommendation is to have 50% of the engine braking taken out of sport mode. The braking is basically eliminated in sport mode. %50 would be ideal for me.

 

[Eville Rich]

I'm another satisfied customer from Anthony's reflash. I've only had about 200 miles on it, but the bike is more enjoyable with both T and S modes quite a bit more responsive, but also smoother. As many have noted the flash smooths the off to on throttle action while also having a sharper and smooth response. My sense is that the engine at ~2500 to ~3500 rpm is smoother - I can accelerate from that range with less engine vibration. I haven't noticed a decrease in gas mileage, other than from my excitement on the throttle. With mild cruising and only my top box, I getting an indicated ~48-50 mpg, right in line with where I was before. I did ask Anthony to retain engine braking in S mode and not dial it back too much in T mode. Bike feels good. Don't know why Yamaha doesn't do something like this from stock. They'd sell more.

Eville Rich
2016 S10

 

[fac191]

I'm another satisfied customer from Anthony's reflash. I've only had about 200 miles on it, but the bike is more enjoyable with both T and S modes quite a bit more responsive, but also smoother. As many have noted the flash smooths the off to on throttle action while also having a sharper and smooth response. My sense is that the engine at ~2500 to ~3500 rpm is smoother - I can accelerate from that range with less engine vibration. I haven't noticed a decrease in gas mileage, other than from my excitement on the throttle. With mild cruising and only my top box, I getting an indicated ~48-50 mpg, right in line with where I was before. I did ask Anthony to retain engine braking in S mode and not dial it back too much in T mode. Bike feels good. Don't know why Yamaha doesn't do something like this from stock. They'd sell more.

Eville Rich
2016 S10

Simple reason is the engine braking is so strong because the ECU just cuts the fuel off. So big contributor to emissions.

 

[WJBertrand]

If I were going to do this again (and I'm not), the only minor negative about Anthony's flash is perhaps he goes a little too far with the reduced engine braking. I wouldn't mind getting like 50% of it back. If on the other hand that reintroduces the herky-jerky on/off/on throttle response, then I would keep it exactly the way it is.

 

[Eville Rich]

In my request to maintain some engine braking, Anthony was able to that. There's still some on/off throttle feel, but it is far more controllable. I think it's the sweet spot between stock and not having any engine braking.

Anthony was great to work with and we talked through options. I didn't get the sense of a one size fits all approach.

Eville Rich
2016 S10

 

[MattR]

I can’t understand why people don’t like engine braking? I hate following people who are on and off the brakes all the time and with decent engine braking I can ride quickly and smoothly without using the brake unduly.


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