elitesoldier357

I am going to put out some basic information that I talked to Dave from Rexxer today about their ECU flash. This is a highly beneficial modification that you can use on your bike to boost performance that even any piggyback fuel module such as Bazzaz cannot. I am not an expert on ECU’s I only know the basics but I talked with Dave over the phone about the advantages and costs of doing an ECU flash to the bike as opposed to a fuel module. Any further input from the members on the forum that may be able to tell a little more on the specifics of how this works are more than welcome to put out the information and if there are any specific questions contact him by email: david@rexxer.com

Why use an ECU flash over a piggyback? The ECU flash uses all the existing sensors in your bike to tune your fueling in real time without delays in signals. When using this ECU flash you need to disconnect the O2 sensors and exhaust valve. If you live in a country or state in which you need to leave these in due to emission/DB requirements you can simply plug them back in. The ECU flash uses the same information that your bike currently uses from sensors, pressure readings, temperature, etc. It simply adjusts and removes some of the limitations, such as the torque limiter, that you would normally have. It gives it a fuel map and is able to serve the same purpose as a PowercommanderV with Autotune, but is more efficient because it uses the bike data that is constantly being sent to your ECU and can richen or lean the fuel mixture as you would change altitude, barometric pressure, temperature, humidity… but with no signal lag. Also it tunes the fuel in EVERY gear, and not just one gear like a piggyback. You can also flash your bike again if you get an exhaust system in the future, it can benefit stock bikes and bikes with exhausts. Also, another important note is if you have any more map updates for your system DO NOT have your dealer upload them, they are optional and you can choose not to receive them, the Rexxer flash already fixes the fueling issues as you can tell.

So in reality the Rexxer ECU flash serves the same purpose as a piggyback fuel module, but with even more capabilities than a piggyback. It removes parameters making the bike more driveable without effecting DTC, ABS or other functions, while giving you more HP throughout all the ranges of the bike and throughout every gear. All you do is go to the Rexxer website and download the flash for your exhaust that you are using. If you have to have your bike serviced all you have to do is flash it back to normal, this is done by hooking up to the diagnostic cable in your passenger seat, then you can reload your ECU flash after services are done. Dealer cannot detect that anything has been done to the bike. I am not a seller of Rexxer or represent them in anyway, I am simply passing on the good word. You need to buy the user kit to be able to flash it yourself… FYI. The two options are:

$300 to flash. Pull ECU off, send it to Rexxer in Virginia, they flash and send it back.
$599 for Rexxer user device. You can flash the bike yourself. Gives you tool, two maps, and includes cables and software.

The following dyno chart follows the Ducati specifications for dynoing a bike, including disconnecting the rear wheel speed sensor. Done without ram air:

Attached Files

New Compressed (zipped) Folder.zip (63.0 KB, 56 views)

elitesoldier357

Could not upload the PDF file, that is why it is in a zipped folder. Open the folder, then open the pdf file inside. There is the dyno chart.

Gains shown are:
Stock- 179.39 HP and 90.73 Ft/Lbs Torque
Rexxer Flash- 183.74 HP and 93.15 Ft/Lbs Torque

A 5 HP gain from an ECU flash is almost as much of a gain as the Full Termi System for less than 1/5 the price.

rm4two

Not seeing much of a difference, particularly below 7k rpms.

Trauma

Yes, he successfully duplicated Ducati's flash - good work!

elitesoldier357

Remember, this is a BONESTOCK bike. You aren't going to see the gains from the other gears. Not to mention Ducati isn't going to remove those parameters. If Ducati's map was so great, why did it have more peak HP without the upmap? Ducati has a disconnect with the company they hire that do the fueling with the bike, the engineers that design the engine do not talk to the company that does the mapping. Hence why their headers on the full system need to be reengineered. Still not convinced?

The full or slip on system is going to give you the most power from your bike, adding an ECU flash such as this will give you the most from your electronics. There is almost a 5 HP gain from stock to the flash. The Rapidbike Race module ($300 more) is only just over a 3 HP gain from the pipes. See Dyno charts below: First is the full system with no module, second is the full system with rapidbike module. Plus the rapidbike module won't adjust your fueling in real time. Its gives you a basic map. Not bashing on Austin Racing, I may be buying their pipes. But remember this map will not adjust to pressure, temp, altitude, etc. and it will have signal lag.

Attached Images

	AustinRacing Full System Stock Upmap.jpg (68.8 KB, 45 views)
	AustinRacing Full System with Rapidbike.jpg (75.3 KB, 44 views)

Attached Files

New Compressed (zipped) Folder.zip (63.0 KB, 2 views)

rm4two

I don't think anyone is claiming the stock map is great? Personally, for a bike that clearly needs some work in the tuning dept, I was expecting more. By more I mean, better fueling and throttle response not HP. In looking at the torque graph it's almost identical, However, it does look like they were able to smooth things out just a touch from 3-5k? I'm sure greater improvements can be had once and performance AF and exhaust are added. However, the whole sending the ECU out to be flashed deal is a bit...... concerning for me.

elitesoldier357

Dave's words, "Improvements are less heat, unrestricted torque limiter, remove lean surge under 4k, better drivability for sure and more power at peak which most complaints are not the topend anyway but the drivability." If you want to talk to him about specifics I would suggest emailing or calling him.

rm4two

Just an FYI,

I contacted Rexxer back in Sept when I first saw the flash update on the Motowheels site. Matt Walker replied back. The exchange is below;

"Hello, I have a few questions about this remap. First, will this flash void my Ducati warranty? Second, if I have to bring the bike to the dealer for any work will I have to send you my ECU first to have it re-flashed back to stock? Lastly, If the remap is lost (short of sending the ECU back to you guys again) is there any way to get it back?"

"It’s really up to our dealer if they want to void your warranty. The map shouldn't ever get lost, there is not real way of doing that. I can’t send you the map because they re all part of my system here. You can send your ECU back to us to have it reverted back to its original state anytime.

Matt Walker"

kope999R

i think i'll go for the full rapidbike racing module...
don't want to get in an argument over warrenty...

grtz

Koen

ScrapperX

Since this was done without RAM AIR will the bike run lean when RAM Air is applied when riding? Probably not since the o2 sensor is disconnected. Other than that the increases look very good and the fuel/air mixture looks pretty good.

Will he be making a map for the Full Termi System?

elitesoldier357

Read my first post again. With the tool you can flash it back and reload it with your own computer. They supply plug ins and cables and map updates can be found on their site to download. I talked with the president of Rexxer, David. I

If you send them your ECU they flash it and send it back. That's what your thinking of. The other option is the "do it yourself method" stated above. Costs $300 more but you can upload maps from your own home

ScrapperX

I think the bike would run a lot smoother down low and through out with increase in power above 7K (by Ducati's design) but I would like to see the dyno chart with smoothing set to zero to confirm the engine smoothness.

elitesoldier357

No. Because it uses your existing sensors to map it, acting the same as an autotune would on a power commander.

ScrapperX

That is what I thought but he said the O2 has to be disconnected so I was wondering how the bike would know how much air it's burning? Unless it uses the airspeed sensor or maybe its in the tables of the map he created?

Trauma

So if want the capability of getting the bike worked on under warranty, you would have to pay the 600. You won't want to keep sending the ECU in every time need work done. With RB or others, you still have to remove them, as I am sure they would void warranty as well.

Thank God there are all these options, Rexx, RB, Jazz, PCV (did I miss one?), because the bike runs like sh_t, has hardly any power, I mean geeze, it performs like it is only running on 2 cylinders most, if not all, of the time...

rm4two

No need. I hear what you're saying and I read it the first time. The DIY flash doesn't really help because 1) I don't have a dyno and that's truly the only way to properly tune the bike and 2) I don't tune for a living. So in essence all I would be doing is uploading maps provided by someone else. I've tried other DIY tuners in the past and in the end I just ended up taking the bike to a professional, which is what I should have done in the first place. Listen, I'm not trying to say this service or product is crap, I'm just saying it's limited in it's effectiveness and may or may not void your warranty. In order for Rexxer or any other Tuner to provide a proper tune/flash for YOUR bike they'll need a dyno and YOUR bike. One without the other will only get you a decent baseline start with. You'll still need tuning done. In which case why spend the $300 or $600 bucks? Why not just bring your bike to a pro from the get go and have them do it? $600 will get you a decent amount of tuning time and the end result will the best possible tune for your bike.

elitesoldier357

I will ask him about the O2 sensors again. I am not an expert on this so I am not sure but he said to disconnect them and the exhaust valve as well.

Also, when you buy the user flash equipment, you DO NOT remove the ECU on the bike. You are simply plugging it into the Diagnostic cable under your passenger seat where your tool kit is. Far as I know it is as easy as uploading and removing files on your computer, just like when you took your bike to the dealer for the November fuel map update, that's what they did. Took 2 minutes. So if you go to have your bike serviced, hook your computer up, and flash it back to normal. You don't have to keep paying for it.

There are two ways to flash, send it to them, they send it back. Better off if you want it that way permanently. Or do it yourself with your computer. Its just like doing a firmware update. You don't have to go in and adjust anything. Just download and upload.

elitesoldier357

Again, if you guys have questions about the ECU flash contact him:

david@rexxer.com

elitesoldier357

A lot of people have been wondering about ECU flashes and this is the basic information. I would urge you to talk to him or one of his representatives directly if you want to know more. Otherwise, for the Panigale this is one of the few, if not the only, option to flashing your ECU and being able to still keep it under warranty by having the ability to flash back to normal.

elitesoldier357

Update:

Just got off the phone with David. We covered some of the questions you guys have asked and that I was wondering as well. Some very good news.

The ECU flash is a "Dual Map" and it does not use the O2 sensors to run the map, however, you may plug them in and they won't run as well as unplugged. The main reason he did this is for states and countries that need to pass emissions tests, you plug the O2 sensor back in and it will pass emission test. It WILL NOT lean out the fuel mixture. These uploads are ready to go with no further testing, you apply for the ECU flash and you receive a map depending on whether you send your ECU to him or buy the User or Pro unit. These maps are based upon the type of riding you do (track, street, drag, touring, etc.)

Warranty: Talk to your dealer, but David develops maps for Ducati. He knows almost every dealer manager in the United States. Ask your dealer first and refer to him, but they should not have a problem with having him flash your ECU because he develops these maps for multiple manufacturers and mainly Ducati, so you can have it flashed and still keep it under warranty. Refer to David and your warranty should not void.

David Lilliard
Redline Motorsports
Yorktown, VA
Rexxer U.S.A. President

Tuning: You DO NOT need to dyno this ECU flash after upload. The values you will gain from having further testing will only gain you roughly 0.05% fuel gain which you won't even feel. Power will be spot on when you upload it, they have done tests to confirm this. The ECU flash will affect your drivability of the bike which a fuel module cannot tune, the region below 4k rpm (it will bring back some of that low end torque the previous Ducati's had) and it will still gain top end power over fuel modules while relaying signals without signal lag.

Options:

Straight Flash ($300)- Send the ECU in, fill out an online form and tell him what map you would like based upon your riding, he sends it back and you re-install.

User Module ($600)- You get 2 free maps, one right away and if you get an exhaust down the road you can order another and he will send you another map. These modules are serialized and recognize only the bike you are flashing. You can flash a map on or off the bike (just like installing and deleting files) as many times as you want, no need to pay for the map again. It is saved to the user device or to your computer and as long as you don't delete it it will be there. If your dealer doesn't allow the ECU flash, this is a good device to have of course. It will reset to zero in case you want the bike serviced and you can reload the map after service.

Pro Module ($1,700)- same concept of function as the user module. But this one can be used on multiple bikes. It does not lockout if you use it on another bike, it will allow other serial numbers to be flashed. He has maps for any year, make, model bike. So if others want to get a map, lets say you decide to flash their bike, email Dave, he sends you back a map through "credits" you buy ($120 for one credit, $75 each for 30 credit bundle) and you flash his bike, the module pays for itself over time.

Additional Maps- if you need more maps for the user module it is only about $100-$120 per map. Not very expensive at all.

I'm sure you guys will have more questions and I hope I have covered most of the important ones. This doesn't use the old style "dyno and flash" these maps are preloaded and if you decide to change headers... he can send you a map for it. Very simple to use. Very beneficial over fuel modules for tuning and cost. Affects drivability and peak power. Won't void your warranty.

Rexxer ECU Tuning, tune ups for European sports bikes and scooters in Yorktown, VA, a short drive away for customers in Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Richmond