Power commander

[Bob Dixon]

Has anybody used one? i've got an S4 fogarty with the factory supplied upgraded ECU and the Termis/ air filter combination. Is a Power commander going to give me anything i haven`t already got?
Answers on a post card please.......
Bob :confused:

[jason cursley]

Bob, I bought my Termi's second hand without the chip, so I had to have a pc fitted. The only other mod is an open filter, I now have 128 rear wheel hp, which if I'm honest is a bit too much for my cack handed riding style!

I don't know if a pc is better (more expensive probably) but my power curve is really smooth, it's far better than stock.

Are you having problems? or just looking for more power?

[Bob Dixon]

Hi jason,
That seems like a huge boost of power! I see that you have an S4R, which, if memory serves me well starts out at 113bhp. The Fogarty S4 ends up with 111bhp [I think] when all the factory mods are fitted. The problem [which might be percieved rather than actual] seems to be that the bike feels flat at the top end....it seems to be straining between 6,000 and 8,000. This can be overcome by being really brutal with the throttle and caning it through the lower gears, but if I try to ride smoothly [but briskly] it feels as if its getting breathless after 6,000 rpm.
I must confess that i`ve been a bit late changing my fuel filter, but I can`t see it having such a dynamic effect. The bike is still at a low mileage [3,000] so maybe it needs to loosen up.
Bob

[jason cursley]

Mine too has 3k on the clock. I have no experience with an S4, however I know McMonstro has tried both bikes back to back, maybe worth having a chat with him. I know at the time Mcmonstro said that the S4R had more top end than his S4.

Or, give JHP in Coventry a call, I know it's a few miles from you, however they are really rather good, they maybe able to help. They did the pc and dyno run for me, I am so pleased with the transformation.

If you have a fax number, I can send over a copy of the results if you like.

[gizmo750]

Hi Jason,

I would be most interested in your findings on the Power Commander as I have just got a full Arrows system for my S4R. Any chance of a little look at the results on yours?

Not fitted the system yet as haven't completed the running in period and I'm waiting until I get the first service to get them put on.

Cheers

Guy

[Bob Dixon]

Hi Jason,
Thanks for the tip, I don`t need a copy of the results, I`m happy to take your word for it. I spoke to a pal of mine who is a fuel injection specialist and he confirms that quite dramatic power increases can be obtained by altering fuel maps. Modern engines run so lean because of emmission legislation that there is plenty of scope for improving the power. I would have thought that the modified ECU which came with my Foggy Monster would have been optimised by the factory , but now I have my doubts......
Bob

[Spanner]

Was at Pro Twins at the weekend enquiring about getting more power out of my bike. They seem to think that a Power Commander is only worth bothering with if you have a flat spot in your power band. All a Power Commander will do is override the ECU/fuel injection at certain points in the rev range and squirt in more fuel. An alternative to a Power Commander is something called an FIM. Don't know much about them but Pro Twins recommend them over a Power Commander. They didn't seem to think that this was worth bothering with on a 1000 either, but you may find it is more effective on S4's and S4R's. If your budget won't stretch to a Power Commander or an FIM then go to your nearest Ducati dealer and they will have a box of tricks that they can plug in to your bike and alter the mapping on your fuel injection. I had Pro Twins do this to my bike at the weekend and they richened the fuel mixture across the whole rev range to optimise any advantage that I may have gained by fitting a free flowing air filter and open cans. All I can say is flippin' eck. What a difference it makes. I don't know if there is necessarily any increase in Bhp, but it certainly seems more eager when you give it some berries. Big grin. Good luck and enjoy.

Doug

[Pedro]

The FIM thing is a fully programmable engine management unit typically used on race bikes.

FIM are the manufacturer I think, made in Australia I think too.

Ped

[Bob Dixon]

Many thanks to Doug for the input on this. I think you have answered a question which I`ve been trying to get answered for some time, which is ;can a Ducati dealer alter anything on the fueling/timing. Unfortunately the guy on the service reception desk at my local Ducati dealer is a patronising little **** and you can`t get a straight answer to a straight question. He likes to shroud everything they do in the workshop in an aura of mystery and reckons my bike 'needs setting up' but can`t actually quantify what they are able to do to achieve this. I`ve found his manner to be so tedious that I don`t bother going there anymore and am in the process of gathering information from other sources. I think the thing that finally undermined my confidence was when he told me that removing the back wheel of a Monster was very hard 'unless you are a very good mechanic'. When I asked him what owners do when they need to change a tyre he replied ' Ducati owners don`t tend to tinker with their machines, they bring them to us'....really?
Thanks , Bob

[MotoNik]

Just to throw in my 2p - I've heard a lot of good things about FIM upgrades, and virtually none about Power Commanders. I've got one on my SS and it's ok - slight improvement, but not worth it for the miniscule improvement over stock.

When I can be bothered I'll be getting the FIM thing installed on mine and the power commader will be back on ebay...

Nik

[Spanner]

No probs Bob. Glad I could be of help. The bloke in your local shop sounds like a bit of a nobber to me. Best steering well clear and spending your money elsewhere. My experience of Ducati main dealers is similar to yours. Arrogant, cloud everything in mystery, not interested in you or your money and generally not very nice. The guys at Pro Twins are pretty good really as most of the chaps in the workshop have either raced or been mechanics for race teams at a high level. Trouble for you is they're bleedin' miles from your neck of the woods. I'm sure there is a similar company a bit closer to you. But if you want to ring them and discuss what you are trying to do with your bike they'll probably be able to steer you in the right direction. Their number is 01342 892888. Don't worry I'm not on commission!!

Good Luck,

Doug

[McMONSTRO]

Hi Bob,
I rode the S4R back to back with my S4 at the trackday at Mallory ( In fact I think I was the last one to EVER to complete a ride on it as it was dragged back into the pits shortly afterwards after a highside and written off ) I found it had a bit more grunt right through the revs than mine, which you'd expect from the bigger motor, a great ride, maybe next year Ill call the bank manager?
Ive got the Termi's/DP ecu/open filter on my S4 so I guess the power should be the same as your Foggy?, also put a 2t bigger sprocket on the rear which helped low speed stuff, Ive not noticed any problems at the top end, but I dont often get it flat out in top! Pulls well though!
If you like Ill check the part no on my DP ecu, see if its the same as yours? (Dont get it back till next week, service! )
On the subject of dealers, JHP at Coventry sem V-helpfull, think its Dave Ive spoken to, Jason (S4RRRRRR) will know! I bet I know who your local dealer in the NW is!

Cheers! McMonstro

Ps Jason, got anymore goodies on yours since I last saw you?

[manc skank]

hey Bob! does the guy you are refering to have little pointy sideburns? name of brandon? :D manc duc are not the most helpful of people, try Italsport :D