| Author | Message | ||
     Yamafreak |
Hi All Just installed my Comfort kit yesterday on my 08XT. Fun little 2 hour job!I will be going into the shop next week for some warranty work and I was going to get the reflash. Some say I should think before the reflash, it can not be unflashed if I don't like it. So what are the pro's and con's. The fan running at shutdown is no big deal for me. I have not heard it run when I am riding but it has been in the 30's and 40's. I have not rode in the summer yet(have only had the bike for a month) so what do you all think? flash or no flash?   | ||
| Mikef5000 |
I've been against it. I DON'T like the changes it does to the fan operations....... But...... I've heard from a couple different sources that the bikes run noticeably smoother, and feel more powerful when hot (not so much heat soak). So I think I'm going to do it. | ||
| Jphish |
Whether it is nobler in mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune...or a fan that runs most the time. The comfort kit by itself reduced fan run time at shut down by half - and most the time, except over 75*, it doesnt come on at all. So I gotta belive the kit significantly cools the rear cyl. The only other thing about reflash (as I understand it) is, it's forever. No going back if you dont like the change. I cant believe fan life is enhanced by running all the time while in motion. But...it is just personal preference and don't think either way is a huge problem - just a minor annoyance. Good luck in what ever path you choose. j | ||
| Motorbike |
I installed my comfort kit on my 08XT also but do not plan to do the re-flash. I asked the service manager at my dealership and he said the people that have had the re-flash done now wish they had not. He said the bikes seem to lose power and run poorly after the re-flash. That is enough to make me wait at least until I get a chance to ride the bike this spring. Also, they charge to do the re-flash. I thought some of you had this done for free? I am not willing to pay someone to screw up my bike. | ||
| Paralegalpete |
I had the re flash done, among a number of other items, new plugs, k&n air filter I've so far only ridden in cold temps but the bike has never run better. smooth throughout the power band with lots of gitup. Of course this is pure seat of the pants feel, no proof. The fan hasn't come on yet but of course I'm riding in near freezing temps. | ||
| Motorbike |
Pete, that's what is so confusing to me. Some people have had real good results with the re-flash, as yourself, others have not. I don't understand why my dealer did not recommend the re-flash, even though he could make money by doing so. I will wait to see how it works this spring and summer and will decide then. I just bought the XT in November and have only ridden it 330 miles in cold weather. To be quite honest, the heat on the right side felt good and at the time, I wished I could heat up the left side also! | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
I wouldn't get it just because it means a longer time to warm up and we all know what problems come from cold engines and trans. Consider also that with the comfort kit the fan hardly if ever comes on anyway, which means it is cooling fine without the fan on. Having the fan come on at shutdown is just the engines way of telling the rider, "Thanks, I needed that". Moot point for my rocking 06' though. Do what you want but realize it may be hard reversing that flash once you do it and regret it. I think some folks here might tell you how great it is just because THEY did it, misery loves company. | ||
| Fordrox |
So I shall assume that the Flash utility that the dealer uses to flash the ECU has no way to back-up the current flash prior to re-flash? thats just seems like a piss-pore program, every flash utility i have ever seen for a computer allows you to back-up the current information prior to the flash, allowing you to revert if necessary. I would gladly supply the dealer with a thumb drive to save my factory settings on before a re-flash. I purchased a comfort also and intend on installing it within a few weeks, and was considering the re-flash when I take it in for service. | ||
| Motorbike |
I too was told by my dealer that the re-flash is permanent and cannot be re-done. With that in mind, I also can assume that if the ECM is replaced for any reason, the new one will need to be flashed because it is blank when new. The dealer will only be able to flash it with the latest comfort kit flash? Am I correct? | ||
| Itileman |
No problems with the reflash. Bike (09 XT) runs great, no power loss. Fan runs some while riding, cuts out at idle rpms. No regrets, except that I miss the heat riding at 40* | ||
| Jphish |
Independent of the Flash, I think EVERYONE agrees the 'kit' is a significant improvement by itself. The Flash is a trade off. Seems about 50/50 pros/cons. I'd try it if it wasn't irrevokable. But unless they could reverse the surgery I'll just leave it where it is...Im ok with what I got now. | ||
| Hangetsu |
If there's no real improvement in performance or cooling, I would prefer not to do the reflash. I have no issue with the fan running at shutdown. I'm usually walking away from the bike anyway. Why should I care. What does bug me is that subtle, but annoying whine of the fan when it does come on in flight, especially when I'm putzing slowly through town. | ||
| Nobuell |
I installed the comfort kit as soon as it was available but did not re-flash. I put quite a few mile on it and I do not ever remember the fan going on when riding. I like the fan to run at shut down, as originally designed to minimize heat soaking the motor and oil. At this point, I will not have the re-flash performed. | ||
| Froggy |
That isn't possible, being that the difference between the comfort kit reflash and the one without the kit is just the fan strategy. Everything else in the ECMs programming is unchanged.
That is not true. Warmup time is unchanged, the fan will not come on when it is cold.
The "piss-poor" program lets you pick between two flashes, one for with the comfort it, one without. | ||
| Jphish |
So Froggy - is it possible for those that already did, to undo reflash ? Uncertain what you meant by last line. j | ||
| Ratbuell |
No. You cannot "back-flash". And, this is standard "piss poor" practice. We also have a 2005 Dodge Ram turbodiesel. Some Chrysler lawyer, who apparently has NEVER backed up to a trailer, decided that people could back over themselves and die....so they invented a reflash that basically sets off the security alarm (lights flashing, horn honking, small children running away, old folks pointing and shaking their heads) if the vehicle is in any gear other than Park, and you open the door. Back a quad cab, 4x4, 8' bed (with factory tinted windows) up to an empty lowboy bumper-tow trailer without wanting to see where the tongue is. You can't do it hanging out the window of a closed door. Chrysler cannot back-flash it. So...I end run it. Jumper the leads together for the seat belt buckle, under the seat, and it thinks the belt is buckled (I always buckle when in motion, so it's a moot point in my truck). For some reason...that does it. That, and a backup camera mounted just above the hitch  Now, as noted above - the ONLY logic in the ECM that is changed, is fan logic. OEM fan logic references ONLY head temp sensor. Comfort logic references both temp sensor (so it WILL NOT affect warm-up; below the "on" temp there's no fan) AND vehicle speed. The fan blades are a wind block when stopped; running (turning) while the bike is in motion and allowing/helping all that scooped-in air get out under the tail makes a big difference. The "no fan under 8mph" or whatever the speed is was a nod to all the "I hate listening to my fan" complaints. If you're going slow enough to hear it...it won't turn on. The kit is a KIT, and the flash is part of the KIT. It's designed to work TOGETHER. I wish I could get it done on my '06. Got the hardware, wish I could get the software... So Froggy...when do we put the logic stuff for comfort kit into the Uly owners' page? It's not that I'm tired of answering the same question over and over again.... OK. I lied. That's EXACTLY what it is. | ||
| Yamafreak |
So Froggy I got my kit from Williamsport H/D so will my re-flash be free as it is part of the kit? | ||
| Froggy |
You would have to talk to your dealer to discuss that. If they do it for free, great, but don't expect it.
I will do it right now, it gives me another reason to say RTFM when someone asks again | ||
| Ratbuell |
Froggy - Yama - they should do it for you if you ask nicely (but what do I know, I don't work for HDF, Inc anymore lol). Also having the instruction sheet in-hand can't hurt, so everyone is on the same page (no pun intended) and knows what the flash number is, etc. | ||
| Motorbike |
So can I conclude that the people who say their bikes run better or worse after the comfort kit re-flash are just imagining it? As I see it, the re-flash really should not affect engine performance at all and only changes the fan runtime parameters. In stock form, the fan will still run if the temp sensor detects the engine is too hot. With that in mind, I will leave mine stock until I get a chance to ride it on some hot days, and then make a decision. Froggy and Ratbuell, please do not give up on us. Quite a number of us are new to Buell and this website and you guys have a wealth of knowledge on almost any Buell subject. I, for one, really appreciate and thank you for all your advice. Thanks! | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
I've read here that the reflash causes the fan to come on when the bike is over 15 mph. Is that true? Does it do that only after it is warmed up? If it just comes on automatically because of mph then it would affect cooling, if not then I stand corrected. But, I still wouldn't do it since the comfort kit works good without it. | ||
| Jim_williams |
So, Ratbuell, what if I don't want the fan to run at all, EXCEPT when I park my bike in front of a bunch of ladies in front of Starbucks  you know, to get their attention what do I do then? | ||
| 88b |
I had the reflash done, bike seems a little smoother but i just did the 1k service too. I rode it Tuesday night temp was 3C and the fan came on. What i do like is it doesn't run for ten minutes at 11PM after I put it to bed. | ||
| Idaho_buelly |
The reflash still sees a temp,it just doesn't take very much to get it to activate,maybe by the time I get a mile or so..Fan runs above 15mph consistantly after engine has reached the right temp..But it is say 30 deg. out and I notice it coming on probably a mile down the road,so the engine temp must not have to get very high?...There is no difference in performance to me... | ||
| Ratbuell |
Jim_W - sit there and idle for about a minute, then shut the bike off. That should get that fan a-crankin' for the ladies! | ||
| Tootal |
Nothing gets the ladies more than being loud and obnoxious!  | ||
| Jphish |
Loud & obnoxious gets the Ladies\clipart ? UH - What kinda "Ladies" we talkin about ?  Fan also runs on my 955 Tiger, KLR & ST1300 when they get warm - no one comments about that. I don't mind Uly shut down fan - with 'kit' it runs seldom... & doesn't run long if it does kick on. | ||
| Eulysses |
When I reflashed at 1000 mile dealer service the bike was smoother running...lost some carnal grunt. Felt it right away so not just fan sequences. Also, running around here in southern AZ (still have not added comfort kit) the fan shuts down going slow and stopping at lights. Freaks me out! If I shut it off the fan comes on to cool down the head. ?? I feel like shutting the bike down at lights because the fan is off...but was on when I rolled up. If it is a long light...that thing should come on but does not. If I shut it off it comes on. Too weird. I would like to have the orginal 09 flash and install the comfort kit which is very effective in cooling the bike better...and saving leg burns. | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
"If you're going slow enough to hear it...it won't turn on." You can hear it over the stock exhaust  Slightly annoying, but I try to keep in mind that it's functional. |
