do i need a power commander on my bike if i put pipes on it

ninja899 · 03-28-2011, 4:55 PM

Hello you lot!

New 2010 owner here. If I stick a Taylormade or a Yoshi end can on my Blade will it be ok or do I need to put a Power Commander on it or anything?

Cheers!

Mr Mass · 03-28-2011, 5:20 PM

I have a 2009 Blade. I was thinking of putting a "slip-on" Akrapovic exhaust on and was advised by number of Honada specialists to put a power commander on...yes even with a "slip-on."
Apparently there are lots of fuel issues to be addressed, mid-range torque etc. The bottom line is; unless your name is Rossi etc don't bother.
NB without the pc, you can actually lose power(slightly) with any sort of non-stanadard exhaust. Remember, Honda spend millions in development.

ninja899 · 03-28-2011, 5:38 PM

Originally Posted by Mr Mass

I have a 2009 Blade. I was thinking of putting a "slip-on" Akrapovic exhaust on and was advised by number of Honada specialists to put a power commander on...yes even with a "slip-on."
Apparently there are lots of fuel issues to be addressed, mid-range torque etc. The bottom line is; unless your name is Rossi etc don't bother.
NB without the pc, you can actually lose power(slightly) with any sort of non-stanadard exhaust. Remember, Honda spend millions in development.

Hmmm, that's what I'd heard. Thanks.

cbr guy · 03-28-2011, 5:44 PM

to answer your question no you will not need one...and it wont "hurt" your bike...BUT you will most likely see no performance gain except possibly a hp or two up top in the RPM range... The first thing i did to my 08 is put a PCV and IRC on it which helped a lot in overall power delivery...the taylormade exhaust is actually gonna DECREASE your power output so unless you only care about looks i would go with the yoshi... the reason for needing fueling changes on our bikes is due to the valves that open and close in the stock exhaust..this changes exhaust pressure and suction waves that hit the cylinder and affect cylinder filling...this is why you see the biggest changes in fueling in PC maps around 4-5-6K rpm because that is when the stock exhaust valve would operate...I ended up putting a FMF slipon on mine and liked the improvement with the PCV and IRC...yoshi will probably offer similar improvements but not that much...Im not sure if you have already got a IRC or Zbomb but that is the best HP/$ ratio on our bikes but you need to have a fuel management system to add the fuel after 10,500rpm...the IRC/zbomb cost about $60 and add up to 7hp which is more than you can expect from a $600 slip on! so yes its a good idea to get a PC because then you can add the zbomb/IRC but you dont need one for a slipon...

ninja899 · 03-28-2011, 6:08 PM

Thanks for the comprehensive reply CBR Guy. I'm not familiar with zbomb or IRCs.

cbr guy · 03-28-2011, 6:27 PM

i didnt even think to ask but if you are in europe..which sussex might be

then the IRC/bomb doesnt apply to you...only US model bikes...which is due to the US gov setting restriction for sound and emmissions which forced honda to restrict output...

ninja899 · 03-28-2011, 6:52 PM

Originally Posted by cbr guy

i didnt even think to ask but if you are in europe..which sussex might be

then the IRC/bomb doesnt apply to you...only US model bikes...which is due to the US gov setting restriction for sound and emmissions which forced honda to restrict output...

Haha. Right. I have heard of them in that context. Im in England.

I should put that in my sig thing.

I wondered why US models were restricted when I was looking at the new ZX-10R. So it's noise. Bizarre! All that space you have with no one in it to upset.

So A Yoshi would be better than the Taylormade?

I have a night in Orlando next month with work and can pick one up with a massive discount compared to here. I just don't want to muck my lovely new bike up. A few BHP and a bit more noise would be good. I can always add a PC later, I've spent shed loads this week!
I do love the stock exhaust, shame there's nothing you can do with it to get the same results.

cbr guy · 03-28-2011, 9:09 PM

you can take out the valve but its kind of a hassle and not really worth the trouble..I love the look of the taylormade but other than that and the sound it does nothing for the bike...possibly drops a few hp...the yoshi will improve exhaust flow slightly and therefore you might see a little improvement in the mid to top rpm range...i believe yoshi sells a heat sheild to cover up the piping also which makes the aftermarket pipe look much better! I had to have a custom carbon fiber heat sheild made for my bike...if your looking for the best of both worlds..power/looks/sounds i would go yoshi...if you dont care about power you could always go with the taylormade..

ninja899 · 03-29-2011, 2:02 AM

The heat shield thing is important to me to keep the lines if the bike. The Yoshi it is then. I'm presuming I lose the cat with the Yoshi? Sorry for the silly questions, I've had Kawasakis for years, so know nothing about the subtleties of Fireblades. Thanks for all your advice!!!

cbr guy · 03-29-2011, 3:27 AM

yes the cat is in the stock muffler so when you switch to a slip on you loose the cat...i think you made a wise choice going with the yoshi!

ninja899 · 03-29-2011, 3:40 AM

Will I have issues with the exhaust valve, lambda sensor and the FI light?

JM1 · 03-29-2011, 8:24 AM

Originally Posted by ninja899

Will I have issues with the exhaust valve, lambda sensor and the FI light?

Exhaust valve - you can just disconnect the cable but leave the servo in place.
Lambda sensor - unscrew the sensor from the OE can. Your new can may have a hole for it, but it'll probably be the wrong size. You can get an O2 sensor eliminator from Dynojet, which works with a Power Commander, or you can just leave it unplugged. Make sure you don't leave the hole in the exhaust can unplugged though

cbr guy · 03-29-2011, 3:40 PM

there is a special aftermarket part you can buy if you want to remove the servo motor...otherwise you can just leave it in like ^^ said...i left mine in and its fine...i think its more about the weight savings than anything else...

Hardcore · 08-13-2011, 10:54 AM

Yes, I bought a used Repsol '09 with a full SS Yoshi R-77 system (carbon end cap model) and it has the Yoshi heat shield and it really looks nice, good fit and finish.
A little aside about heat; the 1000RR makes heat brother. Not so much as to say it is uncomfortable, but if it were a few degrees more I would then say YES, uncomfortable. I do a lot of miles with my feet up on the passenger pegs, laying down on the tank. Even with this R-77 "shorty" way beneath my legs and cruising at 80 mph, the heat comes wafting out of the engine compartment and bakes my right leg. Gonna be nicey-niiice in the wintertime, that's for sure!
The prev owner did not fit a Power Commander and I am wondering if I was doing any damage running lean or whatever with this full system and no air/fuel mgmt correction. Thank you for assuaging my fears somewhat. I would like to hear this from a few others (preferably tuners by trade) but you do sound like you know what you're talking about.
As far as the power with just the Yoshi, it runs very strong in all the rev range. (Well, to be honest I haven't taken it above 9-10K yet because it is overfilled w/oil and I haven't gotten around to draining some off yet. And no, it hasn't burned a drop in 1,500 miles.)

So I'm not thinking about the PC to fix any performance issues, just more to make sure I am not sizzling my valves due to lean mixture or whatever. As far as the PC and IRC, it's funny, I DO want them, even thought I have not yet even run it in the rev range where the IRC will make any difference.

This thing is very fast, just a hair below what I would call vicious. I will drain off the oil soon and start running it to redline once in awhile.