Want an electronic genie with a screwdriver? Well, you just found one.
First the basics. DynoJet Research Corp. leads one of the pioneering efforts to make a user-friendly electronic device, which can help everyone with what the factory has been faced with by the EPA's stern hand. Secondly, DynoJet being the early innovators of the dynamometer "tuning machine", have strived to figure out a way to "link" today's newer injected bikes to the dyno, and "talk" to it in real-time. Well, they've more then succeeded.
I want to emphasize a few major points up front. The Power Commander III is NOT a self-learning piece of equipment that you plug in, and enjoy the most optimum results. That said, what it will do when used with a "map" of similar modifications to your bike (i.e. downloaded from PowerCommander.com), is give you the groundwork for one of the best upgrades you can EVER do to your bike. Everyone reading this should agree that no two bikes are alike, and expecting any piece of hardware (or software) to adapt instantly would be a little foolish. Correct...? Good.
Now, most seriousness aside... saying that DynoJet's latest PCIII is a groundbreaking component in the world of E.F.I. tuning, might just be a HUGE understatement. What the PCIII is meant to do (in the hands of an authorized Tuning Link Center) is to create an electronic "correction" to your bike's air/fuel ratio reading. No matter what you've done in terms of bolt-on, ripped-off, drilled-through, swapped-out "performance" modifications, Tuning Link and the PCIII can perfect it.
Essentially what should be done with EVERY bike once the PCIII is plugged in, is to take it directly to your local approved Tuning Link Center. Let them wheel it on the machine and work their magic. Literally. What you'll be rewarded with in the end, is simply the best throttle response you've EVER experienced. Period.
How's this done? Their machine utilizes an O2 sensor placed temporarily in your tail-pipe, that sends a reading to the dyno's computer, which samples the mixture at graduated throttle settings (throughout the entire rev range, from idle to redline), then simultaneously writes the corrected figures to the PCIII. In short...it's that simple.
If you really don't think you should have to do this, well you don't exactly. As mentioned above, using a map from a very similar bike, with very similar modifications will get you into the ballpark. While it won't be "perfect" by doing it this way, it will provide you with an increased throttle response that WILL put a big smile on your face.
Now one other misconception to talk about... the PCIII is NOT a "dial-in" horsepower/torque box. As mentioned above, It is a air/fuel ratio correction device. With the "engine as an air pump" theory, the objective of the PCIII is to aim the air/fuel ratio at the desired target, throughout the entire rev range. The BIG added bonus is that by correcting these air/fuel numbers, you'll almost always will see a gain in those numbers everyone is seemingly so focused on these days. Really, those numbers are irrelevant. Drive-ability/throttle response is the ultimate goal.
How sensitive is the program you ask? Extremely. Any little revision/change that you do to your bike technically would require another trip to the Tuning Link Center. Your bike, with the PCIII can be as sensitive to anything as minute as a clean air filter to a dirty one, new mufflers to slightly aged ones, etc., etc. Of course, you don't have to be overly concerned about this, but you do need to be very aware of it. Don't panic though... just make sure your keep your bike is the best state of tune as possible, which is key to begin your PC adventure.
Why the rant? DynoJet typically fields calls with customers saying things like, "well I only took the airbox off, and put separate filters on, and now it doesn't run right". SO, based on what you now know, you understand why now, correct?
Also to note: the PCIII can ONLY work within the parameters of the stock E.C.U. If the E.C.U. and injectors were set-up maximized (100%) with your stock engine, the PCIII cannot deliver 101+%. So, engine modifications are limited to what the E.C.U./fuel injectors are capable of.
Hey, but what about those three buttons on the front? Well, it's sort of DynoJet's tomfoolery for the home user. Those buttons can effectively can richen/lean the mixture, but do so as an overlay. Each position of the bar graph represents a 2% change, which is grouped into three equally divided (your bike's) rpm ranges: Low, Mid, and High as it states on the face of the PC. While this does not alter the stored map, it can be fun to tinker... then you can always easily 'zero' them out, or reset them using the PCIII software.
SO, with all of that mumble jumble said, on to the part I'm sure all of you were expecting to read from the beginning...
Upon my first ride once on my PCIII equipped/mapped Jackal was nothing short of astonishing in the throttle response/crispness department. Where as the stock bike would stumble upon whacking the throttle to its stop, the PCIII optimized bike snaps upon the most minimal throttle input. The motor seems to want to rev quicker then you can twist the throttle. It is that good.
Downside? While most Guzzisti have been reporting gains in fuel mileage, you may possibly suffer a loss of a few mpg's on some stock bikes... Herein lies the PCIII's biggest benefit, you can actually have your Tuning Link Center build you a mileage map to take care of this too. The PCIII's versatility is endless. I say do yourself, and your bike a favor. Go ahead and bolt on all those goodies on you've been wanting to. Then grab a PCIII, and head to your local Tuning Link Center. You'll truly enjoy the ride. I am.
The latest PCIIIusb technology allows individual cylinder mapping (one stored map per injector/cylinder - must be done on a Tuning Link dyno) which offers the finest throttle body "electronic synch" ever for your bike. Also included with the PCIIIusb is the "Accellerator Pump" (free) software enabling option.
Ready to try one? Go HERE.
Questions / comments? Fire away to me at:
Todd<at>GuzziTech.com
Certified Power Commander Technician