Flash for better milage.

[hawk281]

I read numerous forum threads about flashing the ECU to gain power, take away hesitation and make the motor more lively, ect, ect and so on. However, I use my touring mode for distance travel and the sport mode for the canyons. I have to see anyone mention using a "flash" to extend milage, when in the upper gears of touring mode. I am not a computer guy, and while I could get the max out of a set of points, this stuff, not so much. Some of you guys are up on this wazoo systems, any thoughts? ::021::

 

[Rasher]

Fuelling is the same in T and S, what changes is the fly0by-wire mapping.

This makes it impossible to do a "economy" map, sure you can dumb down the respone - for example only opening the throttle half as much as your wrist asks for - but then you will probably just twist more.

Most flashes will sort the throttle maps, with a dyno setup you can tune for power or economy - but not both.

::021::

Just get the maps sorted to your liking rather than worry about a 1c per mile costs saving or 5% more tank range.

 

[hawk281]

So, nothing is to be gained by flashing (other than embarrassing myself) in regards to economy. It does bring the question, do you use more fuel in "S" mode? I have to run a tank and see. Thanks for the response. ::021::

 

[Don in Lodi]

Yup, gotta reprogram the wrist. ::26::

 

[Rasher]

So, nothing is to be gained by flashing (other than embarrassing myself) in regards to economy.

Depending on the Flash there is much to gain.

Removal of restrictions- first thing, even Gen 2's do not give full throttle in the lower gears as early as later ones, nowhere near as "restricted" as the Gen1, but this is flash gain No.1

Change of throttle maps - similar to above, but you can also alter how S and T mode respond

Changes to engine braking - Some flashes will alter this, I did not have a problem and left mine standard.

Changes to fuelling and ignition can work wonders, not all flashes will do this and to get the best you need a dyno, however in stock trim the bike runs seriously weak in places (to pass emissions tests) and seriously rich in others (Both of which can sap power and use more fuel - especially the rich condition)

I had mine setup on a Dyno with ignition and fuelling being custom mapped and each cylinder individually mapped, then end result is a far more responsive bike that runs much smoother and produces a lot more power, plus of course I have lost the restrictions and got them to pep up T-Mode for full power but with gentler throttle response.

Apart from all that you are right and there is no point

 

[frez]

If you are riding economically, i.e. not on full throttle and using the most appropriate gear, then a flash is not going to get you anything in terms of economy, the reason being that the standard bike uses Lambda/O2 sensors to monitor the exhausts and the ECU then uses this to tune on the fly to keep the output around Lambda 1, which is lean and economical running.

 

[Ramseybella]

I find T mode is a little less gas hungry and taming your right wrist helps as well.
Your going no faster wrenching the throttle back at take off vs a smoother attack and a subtle roll of the wrist.

 

[Checkswrecks]

So, nothing is to be gained by flashing (other than embarrassing myself) in regards to economy. It does bring the question, do you use more fuel in "S" mode? I have to run a tank and see. Thanks for the response.

As others wrote, the modes have nothing to do with economy, because economy is how you use your wrist. If T mode SEEMS to give better economy, it's only because that mode gives about 60-some percent throttle at wide open, so the same amount of wrist movement results in less acceleration fueling. (The fueling curve gets richer on acceleration.)


If I'm REALLY boring-ly careful, doing 50 mph on the highway when there is no traffic late at night, I can get over 60 mpg over a long distance and have done it more than once just for myself. But DANG it was painful to do so.

 

[tomatocity]

I have owned a 2012 and now own a 2015 ES.

Have always wanted to have the ECU flashed mainly to get rid of the restrictions in 1 2 3. On a recent trip with the 2015 ES I noticed a huge different between 3 and 4. While in 3 I would have to twist the throttle a ton to get the performance. While in 4 and 5 I could get the performance without twisting the throttle like in 3. What I am trying to say is getting rid of the restrictions can save a rider gasoline... if they ride reasonably. 4 5 6 above 5000 rpm there is a huge difference in performance that brings smiles. Would like to have the same feeling in 1 2 3. I am sure the fuel mileage is not as good at the higher rpm but it is fun in rolling twistys.

Need to get the ECU flashed.

 

[talonboy]

As already has been pointed out, flashing the ECU will most likely not improve fuel economy. Keep in mind the engine is tuned from the factory to produce the least amount of emissions from idle to cruise. The air fuel ratio that produces the least emissions is about 14.6, or stoic. This is usually the AFR that also produces the best fuel economy. There are two o2 sensors giving feedback to keep the engine running at 14.6 in this idle to cruise area. If you change the AFR in the cruise area, this is the area that greatly influences the overall fuel economy, as this is the area you spend the most time. Changing the AFR at high rpm, and large throttle openings, will not change overall fuel economy much. Unless of course you always ride there, like racing.

So, if you could flash the ECU, and turn off the stock o2 sensors, and then adjust the fuel in the cruise area slightly leaner, you might possibly get slightly better fuel economy. But, most likely not.

 

[Rasher]

So, if you could flash the ECU, and turn off the stock o2 sensors, and then adjust the fuel in the cruise area slightly leaner, you might possibly get slightly better fuel economy.

Or melt your pistons / burn out you valves.

My closed loop area has been mapped for optimum performance, overall the change in fuel consumption is so small I have not been able to measure it accurately, over a full tank in mixed use the difference is very small. If I had to guess I would think when thrashing it is better due to the reduced fuel at the top end, and when cruising it is a bit worse....

...still a guess as the difference (if it exists) is so small - however, the performance gains are both measurable and felt by human emotion ::013::

 

[MoFarkle]

I have owned my 2013 from new, I had my ECU flashed and spent the day on the dyno yesterday and the 130 miles back were the best miles ever and I couldn't care less about the cost of fuel ::015::

 

[ScoutDogMan]

Who did you use to flash the unit?
ScoutDogMan