Power Commander FIXES '06 throttle response!

[jjsC6]

This thread is going to be a bit lengthy, so I'll organize it by sections. The history is that I bought my 06 two years ago in May, and now have 21,000 miles on it. That inlcudes 300+ rides almost every Saturday, an eight day - 2900 mile trip to the Smokey Mtns 18 months ago, and an eight day - 3,800 mile trip to the Rockies last summer. I absolutely love the bike except for two common problems, and they are both pretty annoying. First is the vibration and stiff throttle that causes right-hand fatigue. The second is the throttle response off idle. This is a well known and documented problem that makes riding in on twisty roads a challenge because when you drop down a couple of gears going into a corner, then go to roll back into the throttle, there is a hesitation, then a sudden "jerk" of acceleration. I personally know of two people who sold their 2006 FJR specifically because of this issue. Here are all the fixes I've done, and the results (to address both problems above). By the way, all of these "fixes" are the result of what I have read on this forum, so I'm not implying all these are new ideas. But I know that a lot of people (like myself) like to see as much response as possible from people who have tried these modifications.

Remove center throttle spring

Almost right after I got the bike, I removed the center return spring on the throttle bodies. It's a wee bit intimidating to do this, because if you have to reverse the process, it would be a serious pain in the ***. My advice? Just do it. It made of world of difference in the throttle stiffness and my hand did not fatique nearly as much (although it still does some due to vibration).

Throttle Lock

I installed a "Vista Cruise" throttle lock before my first trip. This allows me to live with the problem of hand fatique from the vibration in the throttle. On long rides, this is a simple way to let go of the throttle for a few minutes and relax my hand. The Vista Cruise is not nearly as clean and neat as a Throttlemeister, but they work great and are simple to engage and disengage.

Barbarian Mod

Along with the off idle response problem, the bike also had a lean surge that was noticable expecially in lower gears cruising at steady throttle. This would be like riding through your neighborhood. I had hoped the Barbarian mod would help both the surge and off idle problem, so I performed this before my trip to the Smokeys (wanted to be smoooooth on the Dragon!). It fixed the surge, but did not help the off idle problem at all. Worth doing, but its not going to make or break how happy you are with the bike.

G2 throttle

To help with the throttle response off idle, next up was the G2 throttle barrel. This made a very noticable difference immediately. It did not fix the hesitation then jerkiness off dead idle, but it did help make the throttle much easier to modulate smoothly at lower throttle movements. I highly recommend this mod.

New ECU (High altitude fix)

I didn't notice it much in the Smokeys, but on my trip to the Rockies I was very aware of how poorly the bike ran in higher altitudes. Imagine my delight when shortly after the trip I see that Yamaha is issuing a TSB to replace the ECU. I jumped on that right away (MAYBE it would even fix the off idle problem that by now is really pissing me off). I had the ECU replaced in November. I have not ridden in the high altitude yet, but it made no other changes in the bike except the lean surge was back. I re-did the Barbarian mod and it was back to exactly how it was before the new ECU. I assume the new ECU will fix the altitude problem, but it did nothing else.

Power Commander

I have become so frustated with the off idle problem that I have been toying with either buying an 08 FJR (if I can assure the problem is fixed) or a Kawasaki C14. But I really love my FJR - more than any other bike I've owned. So I decided to try a Power Commander. I have read reviews of it on this forum, and the folks that put them on 06 & 07 didn't seem very unified that it fixed the problem - so I was skeptical. But I really wanted to pull out all the stops. So the other day I put on a Power Commander with the base map that comes with it. In all fairness, I also bought a throttle body synch tool and synched them at the same time. I KNOW, how do I know whether the synch or the Power Commander made the difference? Sorry, but thats what I did. The bottom line is that I rode 350 miles yesterday, and there is no doubt that the off idle problem is FIXED!!! I do not believe the throttle body synch was a factor, because only one cylinder was off, and not by much. So I am quite sure its the Power Commander that made all the difference.

Like I said, I love this bike. Along with a couple of other mods (Garmin 2720, louder horns, and heated grips), this is now almost a perfect bike for me. If only they would offer a factory cruise control!!!

I hope this helps, and I'm sure that others who have done the same mods will jump on this thread and confirm whether they had the same results.

 

[Ari Rankum]

This thread is going to be a bit lengthy, so I'll organize it by sections. I hope this helps, and I'm sure that others who have done the same mods will jump on this thread and confirm whether they had the same results.

Thanks for the detailed post. I've done all the mods on my 06 except for the Power Commander, and I'm still bugged about the "snap" as I try to roll the throttle back on.

There were three of us with 06s at a Total Control Advanced Riding Clinic. The instructor, who happened to be using the slower '05 as his mount, was scolding us for not being smooth on the throttle, for being ham fisted. There just wasn't any telling him that Yamaha had borked the fuel injection between 05 and 06.

I've been avoiding the Power Commander specifically because of the "next, disconnect the O2 sensor" part of the installation instructions. I like sensors, especially ones used for several important feedback loops. Somehow, it's tough for me to feel that disconnecting the O2 sensor can be a good thing.

....sure would like a smooth throttle response, though.

 

[ionbeam]

I've been avoiding the Power Commander specifically because of the "next, disconnect the O2 sensor" part of the installation instructions. I like sensors, especially ones used for several important feedback loops. Somehow, it's tough for me to feel that disconnecting the O2 sensor can be a good thing.

There are some applications where the O2 sensor is vital. Most modern automotive systems depend on a wide-band O2 sensor to supply the prime value in the FI equation. If you make any modifications that require the removal of the O2 sensor you have to install O2 'sims' that simulate the O2 sensor or the car won't run well at all.

The FJR is not like this. The FJR runs off of FI/spark maps all the time. Under a narrow range of operational conditions the O2 sensor will provide input that the ECU will use makes very small FI trim changes. The Gen II FSM doesn't go into the FI system to the same depth as the Gen I FSM. Per the Gen I FSM: In accordance with the signals from the O2 sensor, the ECU applies minute corrections to the basic injection duration, determines the subsequent injection volume, and provides instructions to the injectors. The above processes are repeated in order to maintain the mixture at the stoichiometric ratio. The basic FI/spark map already has the base FI shot within the stoichiometric window, the O2 only provides a minute change.

 

[Motorad]

jjSC6,

So glad you posted your results. I recently posted my frustrations about the off idle issue. I have released the spring and installed the G2, and have the new ecu. Everything about my bike is great except the off idle surge. Now I am definitely getting either a Power commander or the Techlusion TFI Kit from Dobeck Performance. Based on your report I'm leaning toward the PC because I know it's a "for sure" fix. Thanks again.

Motorad

 

[jjsC6]

jjSC6,So glad you posted your results. I recently posted my frustrations about the off idle issue. I have released the spring and installed the G2, and have the new ecu. Everything about my bike is great except the off idle surge. Now I am definitely getting either a Power commander or the Techlusion TFI Kit from Dobeck Performance. Based on your report I'm leaning toward the PC because I know it's a "for sure" fix. Thanks again.

Motorad

Your welcome. I have to admit that I was very skeptical that it would fix the problem. I'm glad I finally invested in it. I told my wife last night that I spend $300 on the motorcycle and she would be glad I did. I told her it saved us several thousand for a new motorcycle.

 

[Motorad]

jjSC6,So glad you posted your results. I recently posted my frustrations about the off idle issue. I have released the spring and installed the G2, and have the new ecu. Everything about my bike is great except the off idle surge. Now I am definitely getting either a Power commander or the Techlusion TFI Kit from Dobeck Performance. Based on your report I'm leaning toward the PC because I know it's a "for sure" fix. Thanks again.

Motorad

Your welcome. I have to admit that I was very skeptical that it would fix the problem. I'm glad I finally invested in it. I told my wife last night that I spend $300 on the motorcycle and she would be glad I did. I told her it saved us several thousand for a new motorcycle.

jjsC6,

I ordered a power commander today from Bike Effects. I hope it fixes mine as good as it fixed yours.

Motorad

 

[jjsC6]

jjSC6,So glad you posted your results. I recently posted my frustrations about the off idle issue. I have released the spring and installed the G2, and have the new ecu. Everything about my bike is great except the off idle surge. Now I am definitely getting either a Power commander or the Techlusion TFI Kit from Dobeck Performance. Based on your report I'm leaning toward the PC because I know it's a "for sure" fix. Thanks again.

Motorad

Your welcome. I have to admit that I was very skeptical that it would fix the problem. I'm glad I finally invested in it. I told my wife last night that I spend $300 on the motorcycle and she would be glad I did. I told her it saved us several thousand for a new motorcycle.

jjsC6,

I ordered a power commander today from Bike Effects. I hope it fixes mine as good as it fixed yours.

Motorad

Let us know.

BTW, one other thing I suggest that has been posted on this forum - make sure your idle is set to about 1,100 rpm.

 

[painman]

I have an 06 as well. Have done all the mods you described (including setting the idle at 1000 rpm), except the Barbarian Jumper mod nor the Power Commander. I did notice early on that there was a slight glitz at low speed off throttle but I did the G2 mod and installed a set of Grip Puppies at the same time and the problem was eliminated. So I don't know if it was the G2 or the Grip Puppies or a combination of both? And after the ECU was replaced I noticed no difference and have not been to altitude yet to see if that problem was eliminated. Good luck with solving your issue. PM. <>< :dntknw:

 

[jjsC6]

I have an 06 as well. Have done all the mods you described (including setting the idle at 1000 rpm), except the Barbarian Jumper mod nor the Power Commander. I did notice early on that there was a slight glitz at low speed off throttle but I did the G2 mod and installed a set of Grip Puppies at the same time and the problem was eliminated. So I don't know if it was the G2 or the Grip Puppies or a combination of both? And after the ECU was replaced I noticed no difference and have not been to altitude yet to see if that problem was eliminated. Good luck with solving your issue. PM. <>< :dntknw:

Your problem must not have been as severe as mine. I had the G2 and Grip Puppies on as well. The grip puppies didn't help the throttle response or the vibration, and I didn't like them so I took them off.

 

[Motorad]

jjSC6,So glad you posted your results. I recently posted my frustrations about the off idle issue. I have released the spring and installed the G2, and have the new ecu. Everything about my bike is great except the off idle surge. Now I am definitely getting either a Power commander or the Techlusion TFI Kit from Dobeck Performance. Based on your report I'm leaning toward the PC because I know it's a "for sure" fix. Thanks again.

Motorad

Your welcome. I have to admit that I was very skeptical that it would fix the problem. I'm glad I finally invested in it. I told my wife last night that I spend $300 on the motorcycle and she would be glad I did. I told her it saved us several thousand for a new motorcycle.

jjsC6,

I ordered a power commander today from Bike Effects. I hope it fixes mine as good as it fixed yours.

Motorad

Let us know.

BTW, one other thing I suggest that has been posted on this forum - make sure your idle is set to about 1,100 rpm.

jjsC6

I Installed my new power commander today and WOW am I happy. The off idle throttle response is so much smoother. Everything about the bike is better. Shifting is way more natural and doesn't take the concentrated effort it used to. Coming back on the gas at high rpms is easy and natural now. I am really lovin this bike!

 

[Shadow]

The 08 throttle tube has a different cam profile so you can do away with the G2.

Off idle problem, have seen a couple of posts saying it is still there.

 

[dcarver]

Very interesting thread for me..

I have a well used 06, +50k, G2 tube, stock throttle springs, and new ECU. New ECU has not been 'bumped' +7. Sometimes I struggle with the really low speed, 2nd to 1st gear back to 2nd gear corner, and exiting smoothly. Most of the difficulty is with 1st gear not fully engaging.. and wanting to 'pop' into neutral, but that's a different topic..

Jeff Ashe, a rider whose advice I trust, said the PC was very beneficial.. initially I dismissed his comment, as I've ridden full tilt 2-stroke 500cc mx bikes competively and have become used to 'the hit'.. Then I read all these posts about how the PC helps soo much..

BTW - is this the new legal, neutred Kali-freakin-ornia PC or the one that works?

 

[Last Chance]

This thread is going to be a bit lengthy, so I'll organize it by sections. I hope this helps, and I'm sure that others who have done the same mods will jump on this thread and confirm whether they had the same results.

Thanks for the detailed post. I've done all the mods on my 06 except for the Power Commander, and I'm still bugged about the "snap" as I try to roll the throttle back on.

There were three of us with 06s at a Total Control Advanced Riding Clinic. The instructor, who happened to be using the slower '05 as his mount, was scolding us for not being smooth on the throttle, for being ham fisted. There just wasn't any telling him that Yamaha had borked the fuel injection between 05 and 06.

I've been avoiding the Power Commander specifically because of the "next, disconnect the O2 sensor" part of the installation instructions. I like sensors, especially ones used for several important feedback loops. Somehow, it's tough for me to feel that disconnecting the O2 sensor can be a good thing.

....sure would like a smooth throttle response, though.

You should have traded bikes with the instructor for a few laps....He might then have become a believer!!

LC

 

[jjsC6]

.....jjsC6

I Installed my new power commander today and WOW am I happy. The off idle throttle response is so much smoother. Everything about the bike is better. Shifting is way more natural and doesn't take the concentrated effort it used to. Coming back on the gas at high rpms is easy and natural now. I am really lovin this bike!

Fantastic!!!

I rode mine 370 miles yesterday, and on some of the best winding roads we have within 100 miles or so of Houston. I've ridden these roads many times. Between the PowerCommander fix, and the new Avon Storm tires, I found myself able to be much more "agressive" and confident in the bike - especially in tight, low speed corners.

I hope you continue to be as happy as I am with mine. I agree with you all the way - "I am really lovin this bike!"

 

[Motorad]

.....jjsC6

I Installed my new power commander today and WOW am I happy. The off idle throttle response is so much smoother. Everything about the bike is better. Shifting is way more natural and doesn't take the concentrated effort it used to. Coming back on the gas at high rpms is easy and natural now. I am really lovin this bike!

Fantastic!!!

I rode mine 370 miles yesterday, and on some of the best winding roads we have within 100 miles or so of Houston. I've ridden these roads many times. Between the PowerCommander fix, and the new Avon Storm tires, I found myself able to be much more "agressive" and confident in the bike - especially in tight, low speed corners.

I hope you continue to be as happy as I am with mine. I agree with you all the way - "I am really lovin this bike!"

jjsC6,

What kind of mpg changes did you notice with the pc3. With the new ecu and before the pc I have been averaging 39mpg. I just burned through a tank since installing the pc and have yet to fill up and check it.

 

[jjsC6]

.....jjsC6

I Installed my new power commander today and WOW am I happy. The off idle throttle response is so much smoother. Everything about the bike is better. Shifting is way more natural and doesn't take the concentrated effort it used to. Coming back on the gas at high rpms is easy and natural now. I am really lovin this bike!

Fantastic!!!

I rode mine 370 miles yesterday, and on some of the best winding roads we have within 100 miles or so of Houston. I've ridden these roads many times. Between the PowerCommander fix, and the new Avon Storm tires, I found myself able to be much more "agressive" and confident in the bike - especially in tight, low speed corners.

I hope you continue to be as happy as I am with mine. I agree with you all the way - "I am really lovin this bike!"

jjsC6,

What kind of mpg changes did you notice with the pc3. With the new ecu and before the pc I have been averaging 39mpg. I just burned through a tank since installing the pc and have yet to fill up and check it.

Interesting that you should ask that question. My average mpg readout is indicating about the same mileage I was getting before. But it appears I'm not really getting that anymore. I need to fill it up next time I get on it and do the math. But my best guess is that its maybe 10% worse in hard riding, but in easy cruising it might not be that much worse (which makes some sense). I'll probably know this coming weekend when I ride it again.

 

[818Guy]

I've been avoiding the Power Commander specifically because of the "next, disconnect the O2 sensor" part of the installation instructions. I like sensors, especially ones used for several important feedback loops. Somehow, it's tough for me to feel that disconnecting the O2 sensor can be a good thing.

I wonder what it really does (O2 sensor). I say this because I had to take my AE in for another SH__48 code. Bike just stopped moving on me. The first time it happened I did not have the PCIII, second time I did. The dealership said they disconnected the PCIII to see if they could duplicate the issue. They could not duplicate with it disconnected but they couldn't duplicate it connected either. :angry2:

When I picked the bike up I asked if they reconnected the O2 sensor. They didn't even know it was disconnected. I was told they ran it through the computer and didn't get any fault codes. Again this is with the PCIII disconnected as well as the O2 sensor.

Since I had to get under the tank anyway, I just reconnected the PCIII.

Didn't make sense to me (no fault codes) but whatever.

 

[Chris_Johnson]

I have had an '07 AE (they call it an AS in Europe) since last May. The jerkiness when opening the throttle after engine braking into a bend was extremely noticeable, and meant that I had to change the line I took into bends to allow for the way the bike jumped around. I finally bit the bullet and fitted a PCIII about three weeks ago; loading it with the Uselesspickles computed smoothness map.

The difference was immediately apparent. The first thing I have to do when emerging from my drive is a U-turn in the road, and I was astonished at how much easier this was - I hadn't been consciously aware of how tricky the throttle response was before at urban speeds. On the twisties the bike was transformed, and I started to be able to use it with some confidence. I may now be able to take it on club runs, which are at a brisk pace on challenging roads, where previously it was an embarrassment.

The map is not perfect; it is still slightly jumpy when coming off a closed throttle above 7000 rpm, but I suspect most AE owners do not ride it like a sportsbike and would not notice this. I will try a little map trimming in those regions to see if I can remove even this minor remaining niggle.

The PCIII is an excellent investment. Why Yamaha delivered a machine which was so broken in its ECU behaviour is another matter!

Regards

Chris

 

[jjsC6]

I have had an '07 AE (they call it an AS in Europe) since last May. The jerkiness when opening the throttle after engine braking into a bend was extremely noticeable, and meant that I had to change the line I took into bends to allow for the way the bike jumped around. I finally bit the bullet and fitted a PCIII about three weeks ago; loading it with the Uselesspickles computed smoothness map.
The difference was immediately apparent. The first thing I have to do when emerging from my drive is a U-turn in the road, and I was astonished at how much easier this was - I hadn't been consciously aware of how tricky the throttle response was before at urban speeds. On the twisties the bike was transformed, and I started to be able to use it with some confidence. I may now be able to take it on club runs, which are at a brisk pace on challenging roads, where previously it was an embarrassment.

The map is not perfect; it is still slightly jumpy when coming off a closed throttle above 7000 rpm, but I suspect most AE owners do not ride it like a sportsbike and would not notice this. I will try a little map trimming in those regions to see if I can remove even this minor remaining niggle.

The PCIII is an excellent investment. Why Yamaha delivered a machine which was so broken in its ECU behaviour is another matter!

Regards

Chris

That's good to hear, Chris. Funny - I have the same situation - I normally have to do a U-Turn around an esplanade as well right after I leave my street and that is also where I notice a huge difference.

The one comment I'm humored by is that you are rolling back onto the gas from a closed throttle above 7,000 rpm. I'm not sure I've ever done that on my FJR! I've rolled onto it at 7,000 - but not from a fully closed throttle position. Of course, here in the Houston area, we don't have many tight curves either.