Hitchcocks Forum

Off the subject of plugs, my Bullet 500 EFI has completed 1,800km over the last two months and aside from accidentally topping up with diesel, it runs well. My dealer fitted an 18 tooth sprocket 3 weeks ago and the bike pulls it pretty well. My max speed so far was 113km/h, but not wishing to push my luck further on a road with an 80km limit, I backed off quickly. I now have to buy a Vignette, to take the bike on an autobahn here, to see if it has anything left.
I was wondering if any other EFI owners have tried the Power Commander from our hosts and could share their experience and answer a couple of questions.
1)With the standard exhaust, does the Power Commander give much improvement
2)Can the rider adjust the mapping, thus to suit a retrofit shorter silencer or a Goldie type
2)With the O2 sensor removed, how does it manage to maintain correct exhaust emissions

Seems quite a lot of money, but could be worth it, if it really delivers.

(BTW - anyone tried iridium on an EFI - oops, there I go.)

Cheers

What country is it where you have to buy a Vignette to take the bike on an autobahn ? Switzerland?

Switzerland it is. The old Bullet did not justify 4O Chf per year, as it was too slow. Also annoying is you can have two bikes on one number plate, but you have to buy a vignette for both and it costs the same as for a car. If I put the disc on the top box, it is not legal as it has to be permanently fixed to a non transferable item. Swiss think of everything

Cheers

Trevorch, with an 18 tooth sprocket (I assume it is an Electra or B5 EFI which started with 17 teeth) your EFI will easily get up to at least 80 mph (128 kph?). However, it doubt it will still meet Euro emission standards (I assume Swiss standards are similar?)with a Power Commander and the O2 sensor removed. In the UK this doesn't matter as strangely you can't sell/buy a new bike unless it meets Euro standards, but bikes here never have their emissions checked and there is no legal requirement to keep within the Euro limits.

Thanks Rog - yes a B5. At the moment I cannot believe it will reach 70, let alone 80 mph, but anyway still running in. My speed is accurate as I am using a carefully calibrated velo unit. Do you have a power Commander installed?
Cheers

No I don't have a Power Commander fitted and the bike is standard - no mods whatsoever and just run-in. A couple of times today I overtook slower vehicles at 80mph on the motorway without any problems and the bike/engine coped fine.

Rog

Hi Rog. Its been raining steadily for the last two days and will be like it for the rest of the week, so she stays in the garage. What are you riding? How many km is run in for you? My engine is loosening up nicely, but I think minimum 3,000 before I will push it any harder. The valve gear seems very noisy but I don't know wether it is the rockers, cams or what. Hydraulic tappets may not require adjustment, but they do not seem the reduce the rattle compared to my 2007 bike. Still waiting to hear if anyone has installed a power commander.
Cheers Trevor

Hi Trevor, my bike is a B5 like yours. I took it very steadily for the first 600 miles, pretty much as recommended in the handbook, and of course the oil was changed at 300 miles as stipulated in the maintenance schedule. Since then I've given it a bit more 'stick' with very brief spells up to 80 mph as I've said previously. I can't argue with you taking it steady until 3000 kM (the second service)but I do wonder if RE are being a bit cautious with their recommendations for running-in when the engine is made with modern CNC machinery etc.

Hi Rog. Actually most of my running up to 1,200km was around 75 to 80km/h, but being very gentle with throttle and using lower gears on hilly parts. Oil changed and filter at 500 and 1,300km. Since then have pushed briefly to 100 and last time to 113km/h (62 and 70mph reps.). I am now quite sure it will achieve 75 to 80 mph, if my nerve holds. Standard long silencer still makes a very rich exhaust note. Still surprised no one has owned up to having a Power Commander yet.

Cheers