HELP - ECU reflash, Arrow header and South Africa vs. US model

[Blue Star]

Hi guys,


I am currently using a slip on muffler for my 2011 XT1200Z which was imported in Japan from South Africa. I plan to install Arrow header and then reflash the ECU.

First thing is to get the Arrow headers installed. Yesterday I called Revzilla to check about the availability of Arrow header (which they have) however the technician informed me that the header pipe they were selling were for US spec motorcycles and he wasn't sure if it will work with a South African spec motorcycle or not.

Can anyone here comment on whether there are material differences in the ST's between SA and USA to the point the Arrow header would be different ? I would expect some difference in air filter etc due to local environment and emission rules etc. But would that warrant a different header design ?

As you can see, I am trying to confirm if I can place the order with Revzilla. Arrow header is available here in Japan as well but significantly expensive compared to what I can get it for from US.

Appreciate if you can help clarify above and thanks in advance!

Cheers
BS

 

[Glenn C]

Hi Blue Star,

I own a 2010 Australian model. As far as I am aware the South African and Aus models are identical.

Several owners here in Aus have successfully fitted Arrow headers without any problems. I believe these headers effectively remove the catalytic converter though, so the bike may no longer comply with local regs for emissions etc.

Cheers
Glenn

 

[Blue Star]

Thanks for the prompt response Glen. Yes I understand cat will be gone if I switch to arrow header but I think thats manageable. Where did you/other buy the arrow header in Australia from ? In past I have shipped items from Australia to japan....

 

[Rasher]

You will probably find the bike develops a surge at just off idle - around 2,000 rpm on a steady throttle it will lurch back and forth.

Most flashes will not fix this even if you tell them your setup, I started of with an ECU-U Flash "for my spec" bike and the surge remained. I have now found someone in the UK who could sort this out.

I know others have fixed it using a Power Commander plus O2 Optimisers / Auto-tune, but it gets expensive when you add up the cost of Flash + Power Commander + Autotune.

IMO worth the effort if you plan on keeping the bike as it will have a lot more top end, and a significant boost to the mid-range, part throttle response should also be greatly improved with O2 optimisers.

Others here will know a lot more about the Power Commander setup.

 

[Glenn C]

Thanks for the prompt response Glen. Yes I understand cat will be gone if I switch to arrow header but I think thats manageable. Where did you/other buy the arrow header in Australia from ? In past I have shipped items from Australia to japan....

I still have the OEM headers so I can't say where the Aussies source them from. I DO know however that buying locally is generally more expensive than buying from the US (including freight!) on most things except tyres.

So I'd recommend trying the US before Aus.

Cheers
Glenn

 

[cosmic]

I have now found someone in the UK who could sort this out.

Sort it out how? Any more info?

I'm about to buy those Arrow headers, as I smashed oem ones and they do cost a fortune compared to Arrow ones.

I'm not looking for more power, but I don't want it to be jerky either.
I do have a Akrapovic slip on.

 

[Rasher]

Sort it out how? Any more info?

The bike was re-mapped on a dyno, he did a few runs and took measurements and then flashed in some changes and repeated - for about 4-5 hours.

It did take him a bit of fiddling to totally eliminate the surge, I cannot tell you how he did it, or why ECU-Unleashed cannot so this, and why you cannot tune out this issue with a Flashtune Harness, but to date all other vendors have said to add a Power Commander.

Regardless of if you want more power the headers will give a lot more, your Akro can probably added 2-3, and the headers will increase this by another 5-6 BHP, so you will be about 8-10BHP up on stock when your finished, a good dyno setup would probably add another couple of BHP, but more importantly will make it run far better on part throttle.

According to my dyno guy the bikes run very rich, even with the Arrow headers on mine the map has a lot of fuel removed at the top end on WOT, but the part throttle fuelling is going to be quite poor if you do not get it setup properly.

I am sure someone here can help with dynojet info if you go down that route.

 

[cosmic]

Thanks Rasher. I don't know... I don't have flashed ECU and i don't plan to spend money power wise.
Arrow headers were basically a cheap fix, cause the oem ones cost three times more. Will see... Thanks again.