Power Commander V fix for 2000-2001 VFRs

Dynojet now provides a patch that enables Power Commander V [PCV] to work with 2000-2001 5th gen VFRs! It's true! At least Dynojet says it's true. Dynojet is the company that manufactures Power Commander and has provided the file along with instructions for downloading it to a PCV. We haven't put it to the test yet, but are eagerly looking forward to doing so.


Some may recall that a number of owners of 2000-2001 5th gen VFRs have tried Power Commander V on their motorcycles and found that with PCV, their engines ran very poorly, exhibiting rough, erratic power output and misfires. 1998-1999 VFRs seem impervious and are able to use PCV with no problems. Now, in theory at least, there is a theoretical solution that allows owners of 2000-2001 VFRs to use a PCV.


Last week Jozef Tomasovich helped connect us with Dusty Schaller at Dynojet [Some might recall that Jozef is the dyno tech at Attack Performance where we did all the dyno testing/tuning of the new performance headers]. Dusty is the product manager of Power Commander and sent the attached file along with these instructions:

"You need to update the PCV to this datafile [the file attached below]. The only way to do this currently is with Power Core software using Dyno control. Open Dyno control and go to Support – Send data file.

To get Power core go here - https://www.dynojet.com/downloads/power-vision-3/ Scroll down to Software"

Here is the file:

B16-005.02.ddat 134.02 kB · 0 downloads


If anyone gets a chance to try this before we run it on our 2001 5 gen test bike, please post your procedure and results here as soon as possible.

 

Update: the software Dusty's instructions refer to is intended to act as interface between a technician and a Dynojet dyno, but I tested it out: the program was free to download and came in a 123.88mb zip file. Power Core version 2.1.1 loaded easily onto my PC and included four applications for operating and using a dyno for tuning. The Dyno Control app within the Power Core suite opened and under the support tab, the app was indeed ready to 'send data file', but I don't have a Power Commander V here to test the procedure.

So the software and process are available, free, and viable, but we'll need someone with a 2000-2001 5th gen that has a PCV installed to verify that the patch file actually saves the day.

 

I have a VFR800 FiX, which was first registered in February 2000.

Is this the model you are referring to, as I am considering having a Power Commander installed.

I believe my bike is an earlier 1999 model registered in early 2000 as it still has the handlebar mounted manual choke lever, which is one of the easily identifiable changes on the later Pre-VTec models was an automatic choke and removal of the manual lever. If so then is this patch also suitable for my model?

Is it worth also fitingthe 'Autotune' unit with the lambda sensors in the exhaust?

BTW, has anyone tried using any similar products? There's another ECU tuning box called Rapidbike which seems similar. It;s distributed in the UK by www.performanceparts-ltd.com

 

Hi J800VFR - I’m not familiar with the FiX models of VFR, but I can tell you that the Power Commander V (PCV) is known to cause very poor engine operation on the 2000-2001 model year VFR800F bikes. These are the 5th gens that have O2 sensors in their exhaust headers. If yours is a 1999 model year, it is probably of the vintage that can use a PCV without the patch, but don’t quote me on that.

Autotune is a nice feature - it adjusts fueling for an air/fuel ratio (AFR) selected by you; rich, lean, or somewhere in between. It is an approximation of a dyno tune where a technician makes fueling changes to your motorcycle while running it on a dynamometer. Autotune continually senses AFR and makes adjustments while at the same time storing those adjustments in a map of sorts. It learns fueling settings for different rpm, speed, and throttle positions across whatever range of those parameters you ride. Once you are happy with the way your bike is running with autotune engages, you can save that map, or discard it and start over.

 

Hi,

As clarification, outside of the USA we don't normally refer to the VFR's as Gen4,,5,6 etc. We use the Honda model designations.

Incidentally, it was also only in the US that the VFR was named "Interceptor".

The FiW was the first version of the VFR800, which came out in 1998. The FiX was a year later but with very little difference (mainly in a new range of colours, including Yellow).

The FiY was the 2000 model, and the most obvious difference was a small change to the PGM F1 injection and the removal of the manual choke lever from the left handlebar. This is (I believe) the issue with fitting the Dynojet PCV to this later pPre-Vtec model.

The next major change was in 2002 with the first version of the Vtec models (what you would probably call a Gen 6), with a completely new engine where the gear driven cams were also replaced by 'standard' cam chain valve timing.

I hope that provides clarification.

 

That’s all very good info to add to one’s knowledge base. Thanks