Power Commander Pros and Cons

SnakeFace · Post by **SnakeFace** » Wed Oct 05, 2011 8:58 pm

This looks like the right forum to ask about the pros and cons of a Power Commander 5. I'm somewhat disappointed with the performance of my Ninja 2011 ABS with a low top end speed of 245 klm and the fuel consumption when riding under normal conditions. I have made one modification by putting on two after market exhausts but I'm not thinking that they make much (if any) improvements to the overall performance of the bike. To this end I'm considering throwing in a Power Commander 5 with auto tune and hope that will hit the mark but I could just be spending money on the wrong stuff. I ask the question to the forum, will a PC5 with auto tune improve the performance? For those kind enough to respond, I'd like to know your thoughts on both advantages and disadvantages of these systems.

Lurch · Post by **Lurch** » Wed Oct 05, 2011 9:21 pm

I have a PC-V fitted to my M109r (and a PC-III fitted to the Zed, which is essential untested at this stage).
From a power perspective I gained roughly 15% HP and a very healthy dollop of Torque. This was with both exhausts and intakes done.
NB; if you are going to go to the expense of a PC-V, at least drop in a good K&N air filter or something.
However the big surprise wasn't the power or torque increase, it was the extra smoothness through the entire rev range I got. The power delivery is now like silk.
Yet I didn't get the Autotune. I picked up my PC-V 2nd hand, and didnt get one with it. I simply got the whole thing properly dyno tuned here in Canberra (Brett at MotoGarage). He also mentioned to me that he has seen *very* mixed results from Autotunes and a lot depended on how the bike was ridden (he unfortunately didnt go into specifics).
Even minus the Autotune I am very, very happy with my PC-V.
Hope this helps.

oldman · Post by **oldman** » Wed Oct 05, 2011 10:55 pm

I am not familiar with how the autotune gets it's values on how to set the air/fuel ratio. I would assume it is a preset value that with the information from the lamda sensor adjusts the ratio to a preset level. This is not always an ideal situation as with maximum acceleration the air/fuel ratio is much richer than on a cruise down the highway. Of course only having experience with the PCIII as Dynojet does not make an application for my 2004 zed I really don't know. It does however seem that a dyno tune would be better because of the variable uses of your new moto. Jim Beam is the drink of Buda.

stetto · Post by **stetto** » Thu Oct 06, 2011 6:02 am

Taller gearing would fix both those issues at a fraction of the cost, it won't b as punchy though

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SnakeFace · Post by **SnakeFace** » Thu Oct 06, 2011 2:18 pm

"Lurch"]Thanks for your thoughts, I know the M's love a K&N with Power Commander as i had an 08 for 30,000k before moving to something else. Back on the topic, would I need the ports done on the Ninja if I decided to go that wayl?

SnakeFace · Post by **SnakeFace** » Thu Oct 06, 2011 2:20 pm

SnakeFace wrote:"Lurch"]Thanks for your thoughts, I know the M's love a K&N with Power Commander as i had an 08 for 30,000k before moving to something else. Back on the topic, would I need the ports done on the Ninja if I decided to go that wayl?

I'm thinking you are right but I ride a little to work through the week and love kicken ass at the lights.

tim · Post by **tim** » Thu Oct 06, 2011 2:46 pm

My understanding is a full exhaust system with a pc5 or equivalent needed for substantial gains on modern bikes, certainly was worth it for me! The tuning/map you use makes a huge difference to the throttle response.

This top speed thing - why do you want more than 245?

born green · Post by **born green** » Thu Oct 06, 2011 3:02 pm

Cause tim 245 just aint fast enough!! believe me.
Dont kno about the pc5, but i had a chat to john(owner) at mornington kawasaki a while ago, he fitted one to his zx10 race bike, and maped it, didnt like it and refitted a pc3, i think with any pc, the best u can get is a custom map, my 07 zx10 went from 149 stock to 174.6 with custom map, pipercross race filter, and custom made exhaust.
dont kno if that helps!! but all the best which ever way u go. just talk to as many people in the kno as u can, and sort thru the info u get.

Blurr · Post by **Blurr** » Thu Oct 06, 2011 5:02 pm

Power commanders are initially going to give you more HP with just a slip on, no matter PC3 or PC5 and auto tune.

It will smooth out your power delivery ( any flat spots) and maytbe increase fuel eff. If you do get a HP increase that is an added bonus but it will be only 1-3 hp at best.

Full systems however are a different kettle of fish. Never heard of a bike gaining 30+ hp from just a slip on, filter and PC but hey you always learn something new.

As for autotune most dyno mapping/tuning centres will bag them as it is doing them out of work

born green · Post by **born green** » Thu Oct 06, 2011 5:35 pm

Its not a slip on, mark harris from madazz made the system, and i do have the before and after charts, thats what he gained??

born green · Post by **born green** » Thu Oct 06, 2011 5:36 pm

O and it was only 24 hp not 30plus

Blurr · Post by **Blurr** » Thu Oct 06, 2011 5:49 pm

settle mate, my mistake, I did mean full sys not slip on.

I said that I never heard of it, didnt say it didnt happen.

Geez some people are so touchy these days. I didnt even use a smart arse emoticon or anything this time

born green · Post by **born green** » Thu Oct 06, 2011 6:24 pm

NO prob blurr, like a bit of spirited banter!!!
Not upset at all, people kno when i am, trust me.
im allways happy to back my mouth up, and if i ever work out how post pics ect up i would!!! dont kno how to use these goddam things!!!

SnakeFace · Post by **SnakeFace** » Fri Oct 07, 2011 9:52 pm

Thank's all for the replys, i'm starting to regret fitting the two accro slipons in place of a single full system. Anyone interested in a set of pipes?

I'll keep my options open at this stage, maybe the next bike!

Once again thank's

stetto · Post by **stetto** » Fri Oct 07, 2011 10:44 pm

Unless u r goin to track it, i wouldn't bother with a full system. The gains over a slipon r usually in the top half of the rev range, how often r u there on a roadie?
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