power commander
 

Is it worth fitting a power commander to my stock 738 BP ? If so is it a case of just buying it and plugging it in or does it need to also be dyno'd ?

Hi flanagaj, i've no personal experiance of power commanders, but i've been considering one myself. I've been told by my local ducati shop that a chip (eprom) is better (as good!?!) but a hell of alot cheaper! though it 'll probably need setting up!
A power commander can be set up using downloaded maps. But i was also told buy a different place that its best to do a dyno run to get it perfect, cos no two bikes are the same. they also told me that a power commander is loads better than a chip!!
What do ya do??

Hopefully someone with the knoledge will help us!! i also have a 748bp!
I've had the baffles taken out of my cans, i'm sure you'll be advised to get some open pipes before you get ya bike chipped!!

Supergray, Have you removed the baffles from your stock cans ? If so, they must be very loud.

You should have a read of my thread about 749 with Power Commander 3, just recently fitted.

PC3 fitted to 749

Bottom line is I had it set up on a dyno and it wasn't very good. Subsequent tweaking on the dyno didn't help it. Ended up using the map supplied for the asymetric Termi and it seems fine on the limited test I did today. The advantages I found of the PC3 over the Ducati ECU that came with the Termi was that it the throttle seems now much more responsive. Small changes in throttle position can be felt so it feels much better to ride. Might be wrong, or wishful thinking on my part, but that is how it seems.

You ought to check that there is a map to suit your bike/exhaust though otherwise setting up on a dyno will be the only option.

Ducati maps

Yeah i have, though i would say that they aren't as loud as a set of race pipes! maybe the bloke left some in? all i do know is that he has put an open pipe right through the silencers to meet up with the main pipe, its plenty loud enough when humming along, yet when pulled up it ticks over quite quietly. and the old bill asume they're standard cos of the markings!
I've also had the pipes polished and i think they look cool!

I might take a picture of me bike to show you, but i've no idea how to put it on here!?!

Yes please, I'd like to see the polished cans. I naughtily fitted a single line plate above the cans today, with the indis on either side of the plate. I know I risking a fine but it does look cool. Polished cans would make it look even better.

To add an attachment just click the browse button next to the attachment label when posting / replying

:(my bikes at the garage again head stock trouble so no photo for a while. soon as i can i'll stick one up!

Are all the maps free downloads? I know it's easy to download but do you have to pay for an unlock key?

Am I going blind or is there no map for a 2002 900ss? Why would that be?

It may be because Ducati changed the ecu that year and noone has got round to giving a map to dynojet.
It doesnt mean that noone has a map tho - contact pdq developments (the importer) if you need advice.

The maps on the site are all free.
You run the software supplied with the power commander on your pc, open the map file, and download it to the power commander over usb.

If you have a stock bike, you will probably still get an improvement (using the 'stock' map !) - the std maps in the ecu's are not 'optimum', they just get the bike through the emissions and noise regs, and will run a poor mixture all over the place.
What you will get is smoother throttle response in the low and mid range, and possibly better fuel consumption.

If you have non-std kit, a dyno run will usually be best to sort out the fuelling.

Phil_H - It looks like you're the man with the Power Commander answers!

The geek in me is attracted to the idea of being able to "tinker" with the electronic injection on my bike. Downloading a map and changing settings on the bike via my laptop is appealing. (God, I'm sad).

Because I'm not fully versed in how Power Commander works etc. my questions might be a bit redundant. But, are there different maps for different "activities"? So let's say I want one map for commuting, one map for touring, one map for trackdays. Is this the sort of thing you can do? Or is it just one map for your setup/kit?

Nah - I just got here first !


LOL
I guess its a possibility, but I wouldnt bother myself - if I want better fuel consumption I just pootle along gently !
The idea behind any downloadable system is to get your engine fuelling more efficiently, which'll mean better performance, smoother response and better fuel consumption when you pootle ;)
What I've got out of it is a much better mid-range, but some people just want more power :devil:

[Edited on 27-10-2005 by phil_h]

PHil_h, you are right that the standard ECU map will be all over the place to get the bike through emissions and noise. I was told that most bikes have a richer mixture set at 5.5k revs because a rich mixture deepens the exhaust note and that is the point that the noise test is done. The whole thing is a load of compromises.