| Author | Message | ||
     Thump4fun |
I just got my Erik Buell Racing ECM this past Monday! So when the rain broke and the sun shone Tuesday morning, I swapped it in and the wife and I took a ride. To be honest, I don't notice a huge difference. Maybe my expectations were of something magical happening, but even so there's definitely a change. Here's what I've noticed so far: - Smoother Revs - The slight jerkiness at low RPMs has all but disappeared. The bike is still much happier above 3k RPM (more like 4k), but sub-3K isn't as bad as with the stock. - Smoother Power - The power has smoothed out across the entire band. Like mentioned before by myself and others, with the stock there's this surge of power around 5K. With the Erik Buell Racing, it's smoothed out and the power feels like it's always on hand rather then a sudden surge. - Louder - Interestingly, the bike grumbles a bit louder, something my wife noticed as well over her riding music. I *think* it's because they've lowered the RPM trigger for the EVA to open, so the exhaust now switches over earlier in the RPM band, making the perception of a louder exhaust. Following this train of thought, I would guess that's in order to ensure power is more readily available without having to wait for the EVA to open. - Increased Vibrations - Likely due to the EVA being open on more of the ride, the wife noticed that she has more vibration in her foot pegs. - Idling - The idle is higher at start-up, around 1,400 RPM or so. I've heard this mentioned once or twice before, with the thought that it's to allow the bike to warm-up faster. Once you're going the idle comes down to a normal ~1k at stops. - Faster Responsiveness - The bike seems to respond faster to the throttle. Rather then "Go, go, go, gadget", it's more like "Go Gadget!" :-) That's my take so far, but keep in mind I only rode it 2-up for maybe 90 minutes. If the rain in the newly formed Ohio Valley Rain Forest ever lets up, I'll take it for a more thorough 1-man ride to note changes. Finally, there was a paper that came with the ECM that stated the following changes. - Bank Sensor enabled, but you can unplug it for track days without it throw a CEL error. Of course, if you drop the bike with it unplugged, it won't shut off automatically. - EVA is enabled, but if you disable it manually, rip it out or otherwise use an after-market exhaust without one, it won't throw a CEL error. - Kickstand lockout enabled/disabled - honestly I don't remember and I don't have the sheet in front of me. I don't have a kickstand sensor on mine so I didn't think about it much. What differences have other seen with the Erik Buell Racing ECM? Anyone else run it with the stock exhaust and the EVA operational? | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
Stock exhaust w/ EVA, K&N, E.B.R ECM. I love it. Used to have problems with the bike sputtering and coughing some times at startup. No longer a problem. I really like the fast idle to warm the bike up. To me it behaves like an automatic choke. Definitely smoother power, as for an increase in power I really haven't noticed but also don't care that much. Definitely worth the money, I just wish I could have gotten the old fan logic with mine. | ||
| Tiltcylinder |
I put mine in last year. Couldn't be happier. Stock exhaust, air filter and EVA enabled. Got rid of the slow throttle response at lower rpm's and, more importantly for me, the lean surging that occured at steady throttle openings at highway speed. Seems to have more power on tap throughout the rev range. No loss of mileage as far as I can tell. Throttle response in immediate, no 'waiting'. Runs like it should now, even seems to run cooler (might just be the new fan logic though). | ||
| Andymnelson |
EVA? | ||
| Glitch |
Exhaust Valve Actuator | ||
| Andymnelson |
ah, thanks. dduuuuurrrrr.....  | ||
| Gaza |
Stock withe Erik Buell Racing ecu. Basically all of the above, also noticed the exhaust louder. Got rid of all the little hesitation problems. Very happy with the purchase. | ||
| Thump4fun |
Cool - I'm pretty happy as well, just wasn't entirely sure what to expect. But it seems to match up with other folks experiences, so that's good to know! Can't wait to get it out on my own for a couple hours and play with it some more...as soon as some dry skies appear. grrrrr.... | ||
| Jbolt |
I installed mine a little while ago. (D&D,K&N) Your right on que with your descriptions above. I don't know about being louder though, it's loud anyway with the D&D. I don't use the EVA and still notice more vibration throughout the rpm range. Not sure if it's the ecm or my front isolator is going out. Gets really bad during the higher idle at start up. I had to figure out a new way to mount my lower fairing, damn thing fell off in my driveway while it was warming up. All in all, the smoother response and power delivery is what makes it worth it. | ||
| Thump4fun |
Now THAT'S character -- your bike is literally stripping itself in your driveway from all the shakes!!  | ||
| Noone1569 |
My ECM is at Erik Buell Racing getting tuned right now... I can't wait! | ||
| Ourdee |
I have a switch that opens the exhaust valve. I had not noticed that with the race ECM it doesn't turn on the CEL. Mine must have that programmed into it. I think the higher RPM on cold start is to keep the motor from beating itself up while it is cold, not to heat it up quicker. | ||
| Jbolt |
I'm ok with that for the motor, too bad it's beating the hell out of everything else. This morning I had to tighten the bolts for the mirrors and license plate. | ||
| Mike_jesse |
I gave up on my Erik Buell Racing ecm. The bike ran worse with it on. The ECM was set up for the Drummer. Sent it back for a check and it's the same after getting it back. My stocker works better. | ||
| Blake |
Interesting. Your profile says you have a Jardine muffler. One question, did you perform a proper TPS reset after installing the new ECM? | ||
| Ourdee |
Mike, If you are not satisfied with the race ecm, get back in touch with eBr. It is hard to find a better group of people to deal with. Be polite and keep at it. Ask them about the jardine and any suggestions to make it all work well. | ||
| Court |
Good suggestion. Something's amiss. Seems odd to have hundreds reported working so well and one not. Drop a note to the tech email on the ebr website Easy fix I'd wager. | ||
| Noone1569 |
Mike: Erik Buell Racing does have a specific tune for Jardines . . that may be the issue. They are customizing one right now for my 05 with Jardine as they don't have a Jardine map for 07 and newer (I think it's 07), but they should next week. | ||
| Wildman4x4nut |
If I plan on adding a Drummer in the future but all I have right now is the K&N can I buy the Erik Buell Racing ECM and run it with the stock exhaust? OR do I have to wait until I can get the exhaust also? | ||
| Noone1569 |
You can get an ebr ecm for your stock pipe right now, then have it reprogrammed if you get a drummer. I think the website says you can get it reprogrammed within a year for really cheap maybe even free. | ||
| Thump4fun |
Wildman - You don't have to wait. Like Noone said, you just get it re-programmed. I spoke with Erik Buell Racing about this same thing as I also run just the K&N right now but am considering a Special Ops in the future. If you change exhausts Erik Buell Racing will happily re-flash your Erik Buell Racing ECM for just $35 ($25 charge + $10 S&H). They didn't indicate that there was any time limitation on doing so. You buy the one built for a stock bike now, and you can get it re-flashed if/when you make additional changes. | ||
| Thump4fun |
Just thought I'd mention that after riding the bike with the new ECM in it for a little bit now, I think I'm going to switch back to my stock ECM for my general use. I do love the more powerful feel that the Erik Buell Racing ECM gives the bike, but...the simple around town drivability just isn't as smooth. What really gets to me are the vibrations the bike now has -- it's just crazy unless you're above 3k. If it wasn't for that I'd definitely keep it in all the time. But the bike is my work transportation all summer long in residential and city traffic, so it's more of a nuisance then anything else. I'll definitely be swapping it back and forth based on where I'm riding. At this point I'm thinking I'll have the stock ECM in it during the week and the Erik Buell Racing ECM swapped in for my weekend riding...unless it's just around town with the lady. | ||
| Boltrider |
Your original post say it's not as bad under 3k compared to stock ecm? | ||
| Trevd |
I've recently installed my Erik Buell Racing ECM, and I love it so far. I haven't noticed any additional vibrations at all... if anything, it runs smoother under 3k than it used to. In fact, in my opinion, around town drive-ability is the major reason for getting the new ECM. Makes low rpm riding and starting out so much smoother. Thump4fun, I'm wondering if your front isolator motor mount is on the way out? | ||
| Mike_jesse |
Mine was set up for the Drummer. Around town it's pretty good. Smooth and pulls away from a stop with little throttle application. Acceleration up onto the freeway with full throttle and it feels like a plug wire fell off. After being sent back and it's still not right, the ECM sits on the shelf. I've had it over a year now. | ||
| Thump4fun |
Bolt - Let me make a distinction between the bike's tendency to jerk around in lower revs and the bike's overall vibrations. Yes, the jerkiness has all but disappeared making revving much smoother. But the vibrations through the entire bike are pretty dramatic. So much so that I can no longer see anything in my mirrors under 3k, and from 3k to redline it's still vibrating enough that images are no longer clearly defined. Who cares on the track, but on the road and especially in group rides it doesn't make me a happy rider. Trevd - I wish I had your experience with the lack of vibrations. I would love to keep the ECM in all the time, because it really does pull smoother & faster, grunts louder and gets rid of the 5k jack-rabbit effect. But I don't think I can stand these vibrations all the time. Like JBolt mentioned above, I'm afraid my bike's gonna start shaking and stripping pieces off itself just idling in the driveway!  I checked my front isolator just recently before the ECM swap and it looked fine to me....and I just walked out to the garage to re-check it and it still looks like new to me, with 14,000 miles on it now. So unless it's fracked up inside without messing up the outside rubber, I don't think that's the issue. | ||
| Thump4fun |
Well, I had to follow up once more on this and say that I gave in and swapped my stock back, and...ugh. After a couple hour ride, I just had to go back to the Erik Buell Racing ECM, vibrations and all. Other then the vibes, it is just so more better then stock. I guess it's a trade off that I can live with. Vroom vroom!! Loving it! | ||
| Trevd |
Thump4fun, I commuted on my Uly this morning (something I'm not able to do usually unfortunately), and payed special attention to the vibrations... there may be a bit more with the new ECM, but not really enough for me to notice it had I not really been looking for it. Once warmed up, at idle I'm pretty sure it vibrates less than it used to, but once underway, maybe a wee bit more. If yours vibrates noticeably more, I'm wondering if there is something wrong with the programming of your ECM. I would think that an email to Erik Buell Racing would be worth it, just to get their opinion. | ||
| Andymnelson |
Many have reported increased vibes with the E.B.R. ecm. My mirrors are now worthless. | ||
| Nate7667 |
Question on the Buell ECM/ECUs I bought a 2003 XB9R back in 2008. It came with a Buell Race muffler and Buell Race ECM/ECU. Im planning on getting a SpecOp pipe soon. Am i going to have to do something with the ECM? Are the ECM being talked about the same as mine. Wasnt sure do to the age of the unit. Thanks Nate |
