Two simple things to consider, mate. 1. Will it void your factory warranty? If you still have a factory mechanical warranty, it probably will. This simply means waiting till it expires if you don't wanna roll those dice. JUST ASK YOUR DEALER! Tuning isn't a taboo, and asking about it shouldn't be, either. Its just a rule manufacturers use to avoid things getting messy with customers and shady, incompetent "tuners" who don't know what they're doing messing things up. 2. Find a TRUSTED local tuner. This simply means asking around your local bike community. Word of mouth and street reputation will quicky tell you who's been around for years without garnering a bad rep. In terms of the question whether or not you SHOULD do it, if my first two points are both okay, then the only further reason you shouldn't is if you couldn't afford it 😅The gist of tuning a barely modified factory bike is that they are mass produced with a generic, all around, emissions orientated tune. Slight, within-tolerance-yet-not-peeerfect differences in compression, spark plug gap, fuel injector spray pattern/flow rate, fuel pressure and air flow meter calibration, etc, means that the numbers the factory throw into your factory computer as it rolls down the line are never actually tailored to YOUR literal bike, just what the factory is aiming to make 10,000 of. Anyway, it is absolutely normal and common to ask your tuner for a simple "clean up" of your fuel map, without specifically aiming for top end power gains. In fact, this is super common both on bikes and even commercial vehicles, at least here in New Zealand. Tell your tuner your desires exactly as you articulated them in this video, and any decent tuner on the planet wont bat an eye. All they will do "differently" than they otherwise may have, is not significantly change your air/fuel targets or ignition timing chasing peak horsepower like they would for the last guy who had him tune a track bike 😀 This form of mild tuning is so often EVERYTHING to a bike and the way it feels to ride, and that is almost entirely thanks to emissions regulations. The targets are soo tight these days, that the regulations will have a bike down on power and with an often dangerously-choppy throttle, even if it only saves 2% on emissions overall. In terms of fuel economy and engine longevity, an appropriate, quality tune is precisely what you want to achieve BOTH of those things. A tuner will naturally maximize torque all across the rev range, which, with your riding habits remaining the same, should innately save on gas as your bike will literally run more efficiently, ignoring bullshit compromises for the sake of tiny, often arbitrary changes in emissions. To answer your thoughts on the conditions inside a dyno room and the associated differences in air pressure/engine temps ect, the simple answer is, thats aaaaaaaall accounted for in the very tune you are purchasing, using all the factory sensors that make the factory tune work in the same varied conditions. The bike knows, every moment under all engine conditions, precisely how much air it is taking in, whether its sitting in a dyno room, rolling down a freeway, doing a stationary burnout, or climbing a mountain at altitude with thin air. Your tuner takes all of that into account while tuning, its literally half of the job, and its what your bikes computers are designed to do 😁 One final point. "Tune" is a bit of a generic term. Don't picture the process of tuning as being the same as someone tuning a completely bespoke, custom built racing engine from scratch with a host of aftermarket parts like we so often see here on UA-cam. When a guy like you with a bike like yours goes for a "tune", it can be like a wee break for a tuner, as they would NEVER wipe your factory tune and start from scratch. They'll set up your bike, make a base run or two, and pretty much do truly minor little tweaks to your FACTORY tune to gloss over the emissions crap and tighten up parameters left loose by the mass-producing factory. So think of it more like getting a haircut than a full hair transplant, haha 😅
Thanks for taking the time to write this in-depth reply! Super useful and very informative. You answered all my questions including another I'd been thinking of, and that is... What happens if you get your bike tuned at sea level, but you commonly ride at higher altitudes. Well done! 😁 Re warranty, I did ask Glenn from Indian Motorcycle Australia about mods and the effect on warranties and it's not an automatic disqualification if you modify. They assess on a case-by-case basis, and they work to resolve whether the warranty claim is a result of the modifications made or a fault of the motorcycle. So that's good to know. My warranty runs out in June, I'll wait til then before I do anything. Thanks again Arekingi, you're a legend!
Tuning a bike engine is all about unleashing its full potential and taking your riding experience to the next level. Done right, it can boost performance, enhance acceleration, and make your throttle response buttery smooth. You can even tweak it for better fuel efficiency or give it a custom sound that turns heads wherever you ride. It’s about making your bike truly yours, perfectly tailored to your style and needs. But let’s be real-tuning isn’t without its downsides. Push the engine too hard, and you’ll increase wear and tear, and it might cost you your warranty. High-performance parts and professional tuning don’t come cheap, and if done poorly, it could hurt reliability or even damage your engine. Plus, some mods might run afoul of local laws or environmental standards, so you need to tread carefully. If you’re a daily rider, mild tuning is the way to go for that sweet balance of performance and reliability. But if you’re chasing adrenaline on the track, aggressive tuning is worth the risk-just make sure it’s handled by a pro and backed up with proper maintenance. At the end of the day, tuning is about making your bike an extension of yourself. Ride hard, but ride smart! As always ❤ you
I asked AI the question about ram air, which is more extreme than what you've mentioned about air filter changes but does give some insight into modification of air intake and this was the response: Yes, ram air can affect the tuning of a motorcycle, especially when the bike reaches higher speeds. Here’s how it works and why it impacts tuning: What is Ram Air? Ram air is a system that forces more air into the engine as the motorcycle moves faster. It takes advantage of the forward motion of the bike to increase the air pressure at the intake, which forces more air into the engine's combustion chambers. How Ram Air Affects Tuning: Increased Air Intake: As the bike accelerates and speed increases, the ram air system delivers more air to the engine. This additional air can increase the air-fuel ratio (more oxygen for combustion), which requires adjustments to the fuel delivery system for optimal performance. Effect on Engine Performance: At higher speeds, the increase in air pressure can provide a noticeable boost in engine power, particularly at higher RPMs. However, this also means the bike's fuel mapping (or carburetor jetting, in older bikes) needs to be adjusted to ensure that the added air is matched with the correct amount of fuel. Impact on Tuning: Fuel Management: To properly tune for ram air, the fuel system (EFI or carburetors) must be adjusted so the extra air doesn't result in a lean condition (too little fuel for the added air), which can cause engine knocking or damage. Power Gains at High Speeds: Ram air primarily benefits the motorcycle at high speeds. For motorcycles with ram air systems, power tends to increase as speed increases, making tuning more focused on the high-speed range. Airflow Considerations: The intake design and airflow dynamics become crucial. The ram air system's design, including intake positioning and ducting, needs to be optimized for maximum air efficiency without causing turbulence, which could negatively affect performance. Compression and Timing Adjustments: More air at high speeds can also affect the engine’s compression ratio. Advanced tuners might adjust the ignition timing to accommodate the changes in air density and pressure, maximizing combustion efficiency. Overall Effect: In short, yes, ram air changes the tuning on a motorcycle. It requires adjustments to the fuel map, air-fuel ratio, and possibly ignition timing to handle the increased air intake at higher speeds. Without proper tuning, the engine may not perform optimally, and it could even suffer from issues like detonation.
Yes it was a question about ram air which can use air filter along with the air pressure. Your case of possible slight increase in air pressure would not be the exact same situation, just trying to get a little insight into what changes happen with more air pressure. Let the experts chime in now.
A high flow air filter also flows more dirt. And yes i know they oil them, guess what though they clog up so not so high air flow again. Stick with paper and change often if you want longevity. If sticking with lambas they will copensate for altitude, as well as airflow, also a tuning consideration. Also the exhaust valve, if fitted needs to be opened permanently. All imho but one thing is true, youll wish youd done it earlier because there are so many advantages.
Hi Paul, a good tune can cope with these small variations-the lambda sensor in the exhaust will trim the fuel map just like it does with the stock tune.😊
Very good question! One would think that the additional ram air flow at speed would tend to make the mixture a bit leaner. But, I would hope that the tuner (the electronics and the person) would take that into account) and/or that the bike’s ECU would compensate. It would be great to find out for sure from the experts.
looking at the specs - the motor has a fairly high comp ratio and 3 cams ;;; but two valves , so = an engine tuner would have to know if these give enough air flow or you need head work ; otherwise there would be little gained by just cams or filter = unless you like throwing money ;; also this is a long stroke motor - so best suited to low end grunt like you say , as piston speed is higher than short stroke - meaning more stress at high revs , i strongly advise you see one done first , as spending money on flash bits means nothing , a motor is only as good as the weakest part , that's why a full build is best , there are plenty of people out telling you just chuck a filter or cam through the garage door and it will go to the moon and back on 1 tank and 0 to 60 in a second ,, this is bollucks ,
Get a air cleaner element and a high pressure air hose, say 110 psi, and blow that air trough the air cleaner with an air gun. See how little comes through compared to if you blew that air straight onto your hand? The air filter diverts the air through layers. Wind will never affect your air filtered bike.
Air filters are not designed to flow high pressure, they are designed to flow high volume at low pressure. High pressure and low volume is not a meaningful way to measure air filters.
I'm no expert on tunes. I did read an article that suggested the downsides. There's a reason the manufacturers make the bikes run on the lean side. Just saying
Two simple things to consider, mate.
1. Will it void your factory warranty? If you still have a factory mechanical warranty, it probably will. This simply means waiting till it expires if you don't wanna roll those dice. JUST ASK YOUR DEALER! Tuning isn't a taboo, and asking about it shouldn't be, either. Its just a rule manufacturers use to avoid things getting messy with customers and shady, incompetent "tuners" who don't know what they're doing messing things up.
2. Find a TRUSTED local tuner. This simply means asking around your local bike community. Word of mouth and street reputation will quicky tell you who's been around for years without garnering a bad rep.
In terms of the question whether or not you SHOULD do it, if my first two points are both okay, then the only further reason you shouldn't is if you couldn't afford it 😅The gist of tuning a barely modified factory bike is that they are mass produced with a generic, all around, emissions orientated tune. Slight, within-tolerance-yet-not-peeerfect differences in compression, spark plug gap, fuel injector spray pattern/flow rate, fuel pressure and air flow meter calibration, etc, means that the numbers the factory throw into your factory computer as it rolls down the line are never actually tailored to YOUR literal bike, just what the factory is aiming to make 10,000 of.
Anyway, it is absolutely normal and common to ask your tuner for a simple "clean up" of your fuel map, without specifically aiming for top end power gains. In fact, this is super common both on bikes and even commercial vehicles, at least here in New Zealand. Tell your tuner your desires exactly as you articulated them in this video, and any decent tuner on the planet wont bat an eye. All they will do "differently" than they otherwise may have, is not significantly change your air/fuel targets or ignition timing chasing peak horsepower like they would for the last guy who had him tune a track bike 😀 This form of mild tuning is so often EVERYTHING to a bike and the way it feels to ride, and that is almost entirely thanks to emissions regulations. The targets are soo tight these days, that the regulations will have a bike down on power and with an often dangerously-choppy throttle, even if it only saves 2% on emissions overall. In terms of fuel economy and engine longevity, an appropriate, quality tune is precisely what you want to achieve BOTH of those things. A tuner will naturally maximize torque all across the rev range, which, with your riding habits remaining the same, should innately save on gas as your bike will literally run more efficiently, ignoring bullshit compromises for the sake of tiny, often arbitrary changes in emissions.
To answer your thoughts on the conditions inside a dyno room and the associated differences in air pressure/engine temps ect, the simple answer is, thats aaaaaaaall accounted for in the very tune you are purchasing, using all the factory sensors that make the factory tune work in the same varied conditions. The bike knows, every moment under all engine conditions, precisely how much air it is taking in, whether its sitting in a dyno room, rolling down a freeway, doing a stationary burnout, or climbing a mountain at altitude with thin air. Your tuner takes all of that into account while tuning, its literally half of the job, and its what your bikes computers are designed to do 😁
One final point. "Tune" is a bit of a generic term. Don't picture the process of tuning as being the same as someone tuning a completely bespoke, custom built racing engine from scratch with a host of aftermarket parts like we so often see here on UA-cam. When a guy like you with a bike like yours goes for a "tune", it can be like a wee break for a tuner, as they would NEVER wipe your factory tune and start from scratch. They'll set up your bike, make a base run or two, and pretty much do truly minor little tweaks to your FACTORY tune to gloss over the emissions crap and tighten up parameters left loose by the mass-producing factory. So think of it more like getting a haircut than a full hair transplant, haha 😅
Thanks for taking the time to write this in-depth reply! Super useful and very informative. You answered all my questions including another I'd been thinking of, and that is... What happens if you get your bike tuned at sea level, but you commonly ride at higher altitudes. Well done! 😁
Re warranty, I did ask Glenn from Indian Motorcycle Australia about mods and the effect on warranties and it's not an automatic disqualification if you modify. They assess on a case-by-case basis, and they work to resolve whether the warranty claim is a result of the modifications made or a fault of the motorcycle. So that's good to know.
My warranty runs out in June, I'll wait til then before I do anything.
Thanks again Arekingi, you're a legend!
Tuning a bike engine is all about unleashing its full potential and taking your riding experience to the next level. Done right, it can boost performance, enhance acceleration, and make your throttle response buttery smooth. You can even tweak it for better fuel efficiency or give it a custom sound that turns heads wherever you ride. It’s about making your bike truly yours, perfectly tailored to your style and needs.
But let’s be real-tuning isn’t without its downsides. Push the engine too hard, and you’ll increase wear and tear, and it might cost you your warranty. High-performance parts and professional tuning don’t come cheap, and if done poorly, it could hurt reliability or even damage your engine. Plus, some mods might run afoul of local laws or environmental standards, so you need to tread carefully.
If you’re a daily rider, mild tuning is the way to go for that sweet balance of performance and reliability. But if you’re chasing adrenaline on the track, aggressive tuning is worth the risk-just make sure it’s handled by a pro and backed up with proper maintenance. At the end of the day, tuning is about making your bike an extension of yourself. Ride hard, but ride smart!
As always ❤ you
I asked AI the question about ram air, which is more extreme than what you've mentioned about air filter changes but does give some insight into modification of air intake and this was the response:
Yes, ram air can affect the tuning of a motorcycle, especially when the bike reaches higher speeds. Here’s how it works and why it impacts tuning:
What is Ram Air?
Ram air is a system that forces more air into the engine as the motorcycle moves faster. It takes advantage of the forward motion of the bike to increase the air pressure at the intake, which forces more air into the engine's combustion chambers.
How Ram Air Affects Tuning:
Increased Air Intake: As the bike accelerates and speed increases, the ram air system delivers more air to the engine. This additional air can increase the air-fuel ratio (more oxygen for combustion), which requires adjustments to the fuel delivery system for optimal performance.
Effect on Engine Performance: At higher speeds, the increase in air pressure can provide a noticeable boost in engine power, particularly at higher RPMs. However, this also means the bike's fuel mapping (or carburetor jetting, in older bikes) needs to be adjusted to ensure that the added air is matched with the correct amount of fuel.
Impact on Tuning:
Fuel Management: To properly tune for ram air, the fuel system (EFI or carburetors) must be adjusted so the extra air doesn't result in a lean condition (too little fuel for the added air), which can cause engine knocking or damage.
Power Gains at High Speeds: Ram air primarily benefits the motorcycle at high speeds. For motorcycles with ram air systems, power tends to increase as speed increases, making tuning more focused on the high-speed range.
Airflow Considerations: The intake design and airflow dynamics become crucial. The ram air system's design, including intake positioning and ducting, needs to be optimized for maximum air efficiency without causing turbulence, which could negatively affect performance.
Compression and Timing Adjustments: More air at high speeds can also affect the engine’s compression ratio. Advanced tuners might adjust the ignition timing to accommodate the changes in air density and pressure, maximizing combustion efficiency.
Overall Effect:
In short, yes, ram air changes the tuning on a motorcycle. It requires adjustments to the fuel map, air-fuel ratio, and possibly ignition timing to handle the increased air intake at higher speeds. Without proper tuning, the engine may not perform optimally, and it could even suffer from issues like detonation.
Interesting. Thanks for sharing the AI response.
That's true ONLY in a straigh through system without an air filter. You asked AI the wrong question.
Yes it was a question about ram air which can use air filter along with the air pressure. Your case of possible slight increase in air pressure would not be the exact same situation, just trying to get a little insight into what changes happen with more air pressure.
Let the experts chime in now.
Morning Paul, you need another coffee!! Soo close twice, long-gevity 😅.
That's what I'm like with a phone or gopro in my face!
A high flow air filter also flows more dirt. And yes i know they oil them, guess what though they clog up so not so high air flow again. Stick with paper and change often if you want longevity. If sticking with lambas they will copensate for altitude, as well as airflow, also a tuning consideration. Also the exhaust valve, if fitted needs to be opened permanently. All imho but one thing is true, youll wish youd done it earlier because there are so many advantages.
Hi Paul, a good tune can cope with these small variations-the lambda sensor in the exhaust will trim the fuel map just like it does with the stock tune.😊
Ok, good to know!
It’s a valid consideration. I hope you get a satisfactory response.
Check the excellent comment I just pinned Guy, answers all my questions and more!
@ Well. That about covers it.
Very good question! One would think that the additional ram air flow at speed would tend to make the mixture a bit leaner. But, I would hope that the tuner (the electronics and the person) would take that into account) and/or that the bike’s ECU would compensate. It would be great to find out for sure from the experts.
Wind at 110kmh has a Dynamic Pressure of 0.08294 psi.
That's a lot lower than I was expecting
Unfortunately, senior moments only get more frequent. Ask me how I know.
looking at the specs - the motor has a fairly high comp ratio and 3 cams ;;; but two valves , so = an engine tuner would have to know if these give enough air flow or you need head work ; otherwise there would be little gained by just cams or filter = unless you like throwing money ;; also this is a long stroke motor - so best suited to low end grunt like you say , as piston speed is higher than short stroke - meaning more stress at high revs , i strongly advise you see one done first , as spending money on flash bits means nothing , a motor is only as good as the weakest part , that's why a full build is best , there are plenty of people out telling you just chuck a filter or cam through the garage door and it will go to the moon and back on 1 tank and 0 to 60 in a second ,, this is bollucks ,
Get a air cleaner element and a high pressure air hose, say 110 psi, and blow that air trough the air cleaner with an air gun. See how little comes through compared to if you blew that air straight onto your hand? The air filter diverts the air through layers. Wind will never affect your air filtered bike.
Air filters are not designed to flow high pressure, they are designed to flow high volume at low pressure. High pressure and low volume is not a meaningful way to measure air filters.
Ok cool. Cheers Glenn
@@dimadee correct!
I'm no expert on tunes. I did read an article that suggested the downsides. There's a reason the manufacturers make the bikes run on the lean side. Just saying