FT ECU in Canada

[nelly5]

Hi all,

I have read all of the discussion about ECU flashing, but I still have a couple of questions. I don’t feel comfortable taking my EC you and shipping it to the US to have it flashed. I figured a better option for me, would be to get the FT ECU and do it myself.

I’ve read some negative reviews (and I know they’re always negative reviews on any product) about the company. Does anybody have any specific good/bad to say about FT ECU?

I’m mainly looking to make the throttle smoother for off-road use. I know practice helps, but if I could smooth it out with the flash, that would also help.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.


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[gv550]

Make sure the FT is compatible with Canadian spec bikes, our ECU is unique and not used anywhere else in the world. A guy posted here a few years ago about his woes after using a USA tuner/flash, bike wouldn't start and it took a year to get it sorted out. He ended up having to buy a new ECU and ignition immobilizer and a set of locks to match his new ignition.

 

[nelly5]

That’s definitely something I’m worried about. I did email the company, and they stated it was compatible.




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[Sierra1]

I'm in the "just practice" camp. It only took me about 20 minutes in city driving/traffic for my wrist to re-calibrate. And that was in "S". "T", to me, would be better in the dirt; everything is delayed in "T". But, I'm a cheapskate, and can't imagine paying what they want for a reflash. And, I don't have to worry about compatibility with anything. But, I think I may be in the minority with my thinking.

 

[nelly5]

I'm in the "just practice" camp. It only took me about 20 minutes in city driving/traffic for my wrist to re-calibrate. And that was in "S". "T", to me, would be better in the dirt; everything is delayed in "T". But, I'm a cheapskate, and can't imagine paying what they want for a reflash. And, I don't have to worry about compatibility with anything. But, I think I may be in the minority with my thinking.

I understand what you’re saying about training. I took the BMW adventure course, and that training really helped. Despite practising that, the on/off response of the throttle is not enjoyable.


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[jbrown]

I use flashtune to change the throttle mapping on my US 2012 bike. You can download the software, see what bikes they support, and see what adjustments you can do on your bike. At least you used to be able to get the software before buying the cable.
Early on there were some errors in the tables, like data associated with the wrong gear. The guy doing the work (I think his name is Chris) was reluctant to admit to errors when i called, but I explained some errors to Anthony and he was able to convince Chris to go back and fix it. The current software requires an internet connection to operate, and it auto updates when you start it. That was a pain for mr because i don't have an internet connection in my garage. Earlier versions didn't need the connection, so I use a saved old version to flash now. The cable is special (it has a chip in it), and it locks to your ecu when you use the current software.

 

[nelly5]

I use flashtune to change the throttle mapping on my US 2012 bike. You can download the software, see what bikes they support, and see what adjustments you can do on your bike. At least you used to be able to get the software before buying the cable.
Early on there were some errors in the tables, like data associated with the wrong gear. The guy doing the work (I think his name is Chris) was reluctant to admit to errors when i called, but I explained some errors to Anthony and he was able to convince Chris to go back and fix it. The current software requires an internet connection to operate, and it auto updates when you start it. That was a pain for mr because i don't have an internet connection in my garage. Earlier versions didn't need the connection, so I use a saved old version to flash now. The cable is special (it has a chip in it), and it locks to your ecu when you use the current software.

Thanks for that! How did you find the new mapping worked for you?


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[jbrown]

Thanks for that! How did you find the new mapping worked for you?


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You can do anything you want with the throttle mapping. A separate map for each gear and separate sets for sport and touring. I have maps that i like just fine. It takes a bit of trial and error to get what you want. Anthony went kinda crazy on stuff he was trying. He mentioned ti me to be careful with reducing engine breaking or the bike won't want to stop! I haven't touched the fuel maps.

 

[nelly5]

You can do anything you want with the throttle mapping. A separate map for each gear and separate sets for sport and touring. I have maps that i like just fine. It takes a bit of trial and error to get what you want. Anthony went kinda crazy on stuff he was trying. He mentioned ti me to be careful with reducing engine breaking or the bike won't want to stop! I haven't touched the fuel maps.

If I could just smooth out the throttle, I would be happy to pay the money for that.


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[Sierra1]

.... the on/off response of the throttle is not enjoyable.

That was my initial impression also. And, it remained until the first day that I could actually get out and ride "in town". Stop & go, turn & go, and bumper to bumper traffic is the best for recalibration. Now that I'm used to it, I now relish the instant on/off. Wouldn't want it any other way. There's is also debate about the large amount of engine braking. Once again, after getting used to it, it's now one of my favorite Tenere traits. But, results may vary. Good luck to getting your bike the exact way you want it; because that's all that counts.

 

[nelly5]

That was my initial impression also. And, it remained until the first day that I could actually get out and ride "in town". Stop & go, turn & go, and bumper to bumper traffic is the best for recalibration. Now that I'm used to it, I now relish the instant on/off. Wouldn't want it any other way. There's is also debate about the large amount of engine braking. Once again, after getting used to it, it's now one of my favorite Tenere traits. But, results may vary. Good luck to getting your bike the exact way you want it; because that's all that counts.

For normal every day riding, I don’t mind the on/off. It’s when I am in the twisties, or the road is very rough, I find that it’s more likely that I’m going to either cut the throttle or give them more throttle when I’m not intending to.


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[jbrown]

You need to know the number off your ECU to tell if FlashTune has read it and supports it. They don't do much work on the ST, but the ECU code is very similar to the R6 and R1, so they were able to leverage the work on those bikes to find the tables. They offer "unrestructed" ECU images, and you can compare those to the stock images to see what they did. It appears that they only adjusted the throttle maps on their "unrestricted" images for the ST.

 

[jbrown]

Here is the "unrestricted" version of the above throttle map.

 

[nelly5]

Here is the "unrestricted" version of the above throttle map.
View attachment 53406

Thank you for the effort in posting that. I’m not going to lie, those tables mean nothing to me. Care to decipher them a little for me?


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[jbrown]

Thank you for the effort in posting that. I’m not going to lie, those tables mean nothing to me. Care to decipher them a little for me?


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Engine RPM along the Y axis, accelerator postition (twist grip) along the X axis. Each cell has the throttle position the ECU will apply. This is a table used in one of the lower gears. You can see that the most you can get in the stock table is 52.9 percent throttle. The unrestricted table goes all the way to 100 percent. You can adjust how much throttle change you get for a given twist percentage at any RPM, so you can reduce the low side to change gradually, while still giving the full 100 percent at the top. Or you can adjust your cruising throttle range to be more gradual to help maintain a steady speed (if you don't have cruise control).

 

[klingklang]

Hi nelly5. I don't know if you still looking for infos. I am in Canada also and like you, the only thing I wanted was to smooth out the throttle. I confirm it work on canadian bike, even that I speak french to her… couldn't be more happy. Had good support from both FT and their dealer. HP is a bonus. I still remind the feeling when I left Euromoto.ca to make them a little exposure.

 

[Fortech]

Hi nelly5. I don't know if you still looking for infos. I am in Canada also and like you, the only thing I wanted was to smooth out the throttle. I confirm it work on canadian bike, even that I speak french to her… couldn't be more happy. Had good support from both FT and their dealer. HP is a bonus. I still remind the feeling when I left Euromoto.ca to make them a little exposure.

Besides smoothing out the throttle, there are some performance gains here also? I’ve been hearing for years that Yamaha limited the throttle in the lower gears. This tune allows more throttle to be applied in lower gears?

 

[nelly5]

Hi nelly5. I don't know if you still looking for infos. I am in Canada also and like you, the only thing I wanted was to smooth out the throttle. I confirm it work on canadian bike, even that I speak french to her… couldn't be more happy. Had good support from both FT and their dealer. HP is a bonus. I still remind the feeling when I left Euromoto.ca to make them a little exposure.

Thanks so much for the update. I confirmed that my ECU number matches their file. I think I’ll pull the trigger and get one.

Did you get the bench tune (I think that’s what it’s called)?


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[klingklang]

I do not regret it, not an once. For the bench tube, if it is what I think, yes. In my case it happen like this. They removed the computer from the bike and brings it to his office to plug it to a laptop. 10 minute after it was back in bike. It is not like it going to turn your bike in a R1 but it surely bring that big potatoe alive.

 

[sutol1]

I sent mine off to ECU Unleashed and it was a certified nightmare I just finished update another thread with the details after not being on this thread for along time. Here is a copy and paste of my experience from the other tread.

- sent it in to AF1 Racing
- they tried the reflash and sent it back
- after much back and forth they realized that they treated it like a US bike which didn't have immobilize
- I tried over and over again to get them to fix it and they struggled.....
- time passed
- I tried sending messages but they seemed to dodge me and be out of the shop every time I called
- I called one final time and was told sorry they were not available said that is fine.....my lawyer will be calling next
- 2 min later I had the man in charge who indicated I should not threaten legal action and scare the receptionist.
- He agreed to forward my ECU to California at the ECU unleashed center
- they tried to fix it but took a long time.
- I got the ECU back but again it didn't work
- I was told again to send it back down
- Seems they were not able to restore the encrypted files so they sent it to Italy via Frankfort
- Italy tried but was also not able to fix it.
- it was then sent back to me.
- I was then in conversations and ECU unleashed said it was not repairable and that a new one would have to be fixed
- Given ECU unleashed was in the US they were not able to purchase it directly so it had to be sent to me from the dealer
- Once I receive I had to ship to California
- ECU unleashed then sent it to Italy via Frankfort again
- At this point my ECU has triple the mileage of the bike and I am so frustrated....lost the entire season and then some
- Lost insurance cost
- Finally I received the ECU and put the key in expecting to hear the fuel pump start but again nothing.
- I was devastated. I called them immediately and they said your on your own. I asked them what else i can do and they said sorry we are out and didn't answer my emails. I can understand their frustration as they pain 2500 for the new ECU.
- Sitting around I thought to myself perhaps I need the red key to initialize the ECU. Note no instructions came back with the box indicating any procedure to follow.
- I told my son the one thing I have not tried is the red key....I wonder.......
- Put the key in and the pump fired right up. No Seriously?
- Pushed the button and instantly it fired up and was idling. Wow. Wow Wow

In the end it was 14 or so months and it was working. AF1 not cool and very disappointing. ECU.....not their fault so appreciate they stood behind their product but could have been much faster and I should not have had to hound them for information. They refunded my tune money as well but that is it.

As for the tune it is a great product so happy it is done but wow scary journey.

It has been a while since this all happened so some of the details may be off by 2% but that is how it happen as I recall it. Hope that helps someone out there. It is a great product but All S10s are not the same. Italy and Canada apparently are.