Crash course on Power Commanders & Dyno Tuning etc

[Macstar]

Mrs K - I was told that modifying my exhaust would void my bike warranty so I thought well if that's the case why then should I pay $75 an hour for a Honda mechanic to still do the recommended servicing when I can get someone cheaper, or do the oil changes and chain tightens myself...?

Dunno what work you got done, but if you're paying $75 an hour for a mechanic it doesn't take long to hit those kinds of figures.

[Trudes]

It was my last warranty service, so wanted a fairly decent one before I start doing all the servicing myself.

I asked two bike shops in Welly, the two that have been recommended to me for their dyno machines, and both quoted me about $900 for the dyno mapping and tune. My hubby had his GSXR dynoed and tuned also, much the same price.

To be honest, I am happy, I have spent money on cosmetic stuff for it and by far the sprocket change, dyno and power commander was the best money I feel I've spent, so I'm happy, and that's all that matters. If you can get as good a job done and be as happy for cheaper, then congratulations to you.

[Jimmy B]

To be honest, I am happy, I have spent money on cosmetic stuff for it and by far the sprocket change, dyno and power commander was the best money I feel I've spent, so I'm happy, and that's all that matters. :

Amen to that Mrs KD

[Dak]

Pretty much as above, even thats on the high side for the service for a Hornet, I'd take $200 off that total price you should of only paid around $700 max, I mean come on, seriously, it's about time bike shops stopped shafting people, with most modern bikes these days what is there to really "service" And if the shop knew what they were doing the PC install should of taken only about 1/2 an hour, my bike took 10 mins. did they give you the dyno sheets afterwards?

[Trudes]

yes.
10 char blah blah

[Kendog]

No offence, but someone's getting shafted, that is a hell of a price to pay.

Pretty much as above, even thats on the high side for the service for a Hornet, I'd take $200 off that total price you should of only paid around $700 max, I mean come on, seriously, it's about time bike shops stopped shafting people, with most modern bikes these days what is there to really "service" And if the shop knew what they were doing the PC install should of taken only about 1/2 an hour, my bike took 10 mins. did they give you the dyno sheets afterwards?

You have to compare apples with apples here. Talk to Craserfromway back about their dyno.

[Trudes]

He's not on KB much these days, Pete from Wellington Motorcycles.

[nallac]

a guy round here has gone to under engine dump pipes kinda like a buell set up,they look so right cleans up the tail/arse section so well, it should come that way from the factory.
Its got a PC install,an tune by AMPS putting put 110hp to the rear wheel.

[Macstar]

Yeah I think that's Tony's bike from NZStreetfighters. I've talked to him about his set up but I think it hangs a little low to the ground for my riding style. Looks good though.

[AllanB]

You can get a powercommander for the Hornet new from the USA for about US@280-320 plus say US$30 shipping is about NZ$400-440 landed to your door. Just make sure you don't get the California one (they have extra smog crap on their models) I was told they are about $700 to buy here.........

Ashburton Honda have a dyno tune thingy and can specifically map for each bike - $300 for the mapping I understand. $300-$400 appears to be the going rate to map in NZ.

You can plug the power commander in yourself, they come pre-mapped for the bike/year with stock pipes and you can download pipe brand specific maps as well.

I had a discussion with my Honda dealer re my pipes - I want to go to a slightly oversize outlet pipe on the stock mufflers - simple and 95% stock - I asked re warranty and got a "hmmmm well.... any modification...". But apparently they will fit a set of aftermarket cans if I order then through them and honour the warranty. That's more of a pipe modification than I was planning to the stockers! Go figure that. I may write to Blue Wing for an opinion.
Suzuki in NZ is great with pipe modifications - they often offer a 'pipe' as standard as part of a summer deal. No warranty issues.

[PeeJay]

Mrs K - I was told that modifying my exhaust would void my bike warranty so I thought well if that's the case why then should I pay $75 an hour for a Honda mechanic to still do the recommended servicing when I can get someone cheaper, or do the oil changes and chain tightens myself...?

Dunno what work you got done, but if you're paying $75 an hour for a mechanic it doesn't take long to hit those kinds of figures.

If your modification can be shown to have caused a failure then no warranty. Otherwise everything is still covered. The bike shops like to say your warranty is void because the manufacturer/importer may refuse their claim. Under NZ legislation the bike shop is responsible to you the purchaser to sort it out. Any difficulty the bike shop has with the importer is their problem.
Same with servicing, provided they are carried out as per the service schedule, and by a competent person, you dont have to pay $75 per hr.
In the event of a dispute you will have to show this so record keeping and a competent mechanic are required.

[Laava]

Hey Mrs KD,

Are you saying that your front sprocket cost $700 or did that include the cost of the PC as well? Henderson MCs quoted me ~ $300 to install and map.

$300 to install and map would be a good price I would have thought PLUS the cost of the PCIII at least $450 from a bike shop if not more. I paid about that direct from the states and installed myself. Not a 5min job. Probably expect an experienced install in 30-45 min.
edit; Reading back I see MrsKD bought a pre-loved unit[I know some people like that!] and assume that was incl in her bill.
Try here for Hornet downloadable maps, prob no sustitute for an experienced Dyno though
http://www.powercommander.com/powerc...mdl=41&yr=2007

[Gremlin]

You can plug the power commander in yourself, they come pre-mapped for the bike/year with stock pipes and you can download pipe brand specific maps as well.

That only works reasonably well if the pipe and mods you have made match a pipe map that is on the site, and you can still have issues when you consider the map was probably american, different fueling, different altitude, temperatures, etc etc.

For me, I had made extra mods, had a pipe no-one on the internet had posted a map for, etc, so a full custom map for me, with and without the baffle, and its been fantastic.