6th gen Pwr Cmmdr worth it?

I have an '07 and do not like the fueling. I love the bike otherwise (am selling my 2000 VFR in favor of this). However, the fueling sucks. Abrupt on/off transition, a couple of flat spots and hesitations and fairly abrupt VTEC transition (I like the bike both above and below VTEC, but not the transition). The bike has a stock exhaust I plan to keep but am putting on a K&N filter. Is the PowerCommander worth the expense and will it smooth out my complaints?

Thanks and ride safe.

Mark
Never Give Up!

 

I feel the exact same way about my '07

What I want to know is whether or not a Power Commander will make any significant difference without having to change the stock pipes, headers, or O2 sensors.

Regards,
Rollin

 

From what I’ve heard a Power Commander will smooth things out, especially if you get a custom map. There are a few things you can try if you don’t want to drop the coin right away. Eliminating the O2 sensors has worked for some people. My bike was fairly abrupt off idle so I turned my idle up to 1300 RPM and that helped quite a bit. I also took most of the slack out of the throttle cable. I hope you guys can get it dialed in where you like it.

Action

 

Just rode an '05 on Sunday with pipes and PCIII. Mine ('03) has pipes and the 02's tricked with the 30 ohm resistors (search on this one). In my opinion, I wouldn't buy one based on my experience. Don't get me wrong, it was definitely smoother but not enough to make me spend $250+ for it. That's a set of tires or a track day and a half!!! If I could find a cheap used one, then I would probably do it.

I can't speak stock for stock though sorry.

 

If you're staying with the stock exhaust and cans and only going with a K&N air filter it's not worth the money to get a PCIII. Get the O2 Sensor Eliminators and you'll be happy. They only cost $30 for a pair.

 

The fuelling on my bike (07 ) was crap when I got it brand new,and I fitted Leo Vinces, because I dont like the look of the standard exhaust, which incidentally weighs heaps,about 9Kg, no change in the throttling, so I bought a PC3 and the 02 eliminators and now have it running perfectly with no flat spots and smooth on/off throttling, as it should be.
All the throttling issues, particularly the flat spots and surging, are caused by lean spots in the fuel map, probably to pass emmission standards, and the beauty of the PC3 is it allows you to adjust them out. Otherwise you have no control.
There are plenty of maps available, and you can play and experiment till your hearts content.
I agree that you shouldnt have to, the bike should be perfect from new, but it isnt and if youve spent whatever on a new bike, a PC3 is inexpensive in comparison.
For me, the snatchy throttling drove me nuts, now the bike is much nicer to ride.

I had an 02 model some years ago, and I dont recall the throttling being as bad as this one was. Honda must have tweaked the fuelling to pass euro standards.

 

Funny, my '06 doesn't suffer greatly as far as throttle response. I traded in my '07 Ducati ST3 because that bike had what dogman describes to a 'T'. That bike was down-right dangerous and unpredictable. It surged like you wouldn't believe at steady speeds. I had to keep the revs up doing even slow corners because the throttle was jumpy and unpredictable.

Not so with my '06 VTR. It's a very light surge at steady speeds. Nothing annoying. my throttle response is spot-on and smooth. Yes, there is a noticeable flat spot at about 4-5krpm. Nothing I can't live with. A PCIII does afford you the ability to smooth it out throughout the entire rev range.

Problem these days is the ICU on all bikes are set and non-adjustable, hence the market for things such as the PCIII thrive.

Now you have new bikes coming out with switchable drive modes. In other words you flip a switch on the handlebar and choose from touring mode to sport mode. but again, you are at the mercy of the EPA, and now TWO set mappings that may both be crap! I wonder how a Power Commander is going to deal with THAT?!

As far as what Action was talking about... I believe the proper idle speed is just about where you have it at 1300rpm... It shouldn't be below 1100rpm. Hell, even when I cold start mine on warm days it stays above that.