ECU programming options

MXD
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USA
What is everyone's experience with programming the ECU? I'm trying to decide between sending it off to Tokyo Mods, buying the Kawasaki handheld calibration kit or buying an programmable ECU like GET. Putting price aside, which is the better option? I know Tokyo Mods is the easiest but then I'm stuck with what they give me. I'm a technical guy and have a basic understanding of engine management so I'm not afraid of doing it myself with the other 2 options. Right now, I'm leaning towards the GET ECU since it seems to do everything the other 2 options do with the added benefit of future expansion if I want to add things like a map selector switch. It also seems much more user friendly than the Kawi option.
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JkopMx
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houston, TX, USA
8/19/2016 7:34am
Heard a lot of problems with the GET ecu around here , but we have been strictly running the vortex and you'll be much happier if $ isn't a problem and can afford it , some places just give you the vortex with the 10 pre programmed maps but Matt Jory at proven Moto will actually throw in some of the maps he has designed for that particular bike plus the other ones.

Check him out. my vote is the vortex , then Tokyo mods programming , then the programmer .
MXD
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8/19/2016 7:45am
JkopMx wrote:
Heard a lot of problems with the GET ecu around here , but we have been strictly running the vortex and you'll be much happier if...
Heard a lot of problems with the GET ecu around here , but we have been strictly running the vortex and you'll be much happier if $ isn't a problem and can afford it , some places just give you the vortex with the 10 pre programmed maps but Matt Jory at proven Moto will actually throw in some of the maps he has designed for that particular bike plus the other ones.

Check him out. my vote is the vortex , then Tokyo mods programming , then the programmer .
Thanks for the reply. I haven't done much research on the ECUs. I'll check out the Vortex unit.
CarlinoJoeVideo
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8/19/2016 8:01am
Tokyo mods is great. You could also ask Twisted Development what they can offer. Jamie does lots of bikes for the pros and is amazing at mapping.

I'd also suggest a Vortex ECU. You get 10 maps and the ability to change your low, mid, high settings with just a screwdriver.
WileCyot
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Katy, TX, USA
8/19/2016 9:01am
GET. What year do you have? I have one for sale.

The Shop

MXD
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8/19/2016 9:18am
WileCyot wrote:
GET. What year do you have? I have one for sale.
16 KX450
WileCyot
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8/19/2016 9:32am
I don't believe mine will work. I think it will work with up to 15. I even have the tuning software and adapter cable for it.
MXD
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8/19/2016 9:34am
WileCyot wrote:
I don't believe mine will work. I think it will work with up to 15. I even have the tuning software and adapter cable for it.
How did you like it?
WileCyot
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8/19/2016 9:39am
WileCyot wrote:
I don't believe mine will work. I think it will work with up to 15. I even have the tuning software and adapter cable for it.
MXD wrote:
How did you like it?
It has more features than I'll ever use lol. I'm not at a skill level to genuinely take full advantage of all it has to offer. Hence my selling it. It's dyno tuned for a high comp piston and such but you can get install the maps from GET to get it working for your machine.
MXD
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8/19/2016 1:11pm
I can only find the Vortex unit at a handful of shops in the States. Are they not sold through the big distributors like TR, PU or WPS?

From what I can see, Vortex is the way to go.
WileCyot
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8/19/2016 1:16pm
MXD wrote:
I can only find the Vortex unit at a handful of shops in the States. Are they not sold through the big distributors like TR, PU...
I can only find the Vortex unit at a handful of shops in the States. Are they not sold through the big distributors like TR, PU or WPS?

From what I can see, Vortex is the way to go.
Vortex units are good stuff. Only issue I've seen is a hard to start fc450f when cold. It's ported to hell and back with an exhaust. Stock otherwise and is a nasty bike.
ianhendry46
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Murfreesboro, TN, USA
8/19/2016 9:04pm
Vortex all the way. Unlimited possibilities.
CarlinoJoeVideo
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8/19/2016 9:29pm
MXD wrote:
I can only find the Vortex unit at a handful of shops in the States. Are they not sold through the big distributors like TR, PU...
I can only find the Vortex unit at a handful of shops in the States. Are they not sold through the big distributors like TR, PU or WPS?

From what I can see, Vortex is the way to go.
I think it's a specialty item because the retailer needs to load the custom maps to it.

For example, with Tokyo mods, you give them your bike info, exhaust, fuel, engine mods. Then go from there.
MXD
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8/21/2016 10:58am
MXD wrote:
I can only find the Vortex unit at a handful of shops in the States. Are they not sold through the big distributors like TR, PU...
I can only find the Vortex unit at a handful of shops in the States. Are they not sold through the big distributors like TR, PU or WPS?

From what I can see, Vortex is the way to go.
I think it's a specialty item because the retailer needs to load the custom maps to it. For example, with Tokyo mods, you give them your...
I think it's a specialty item because the retailer needs to load the custom maps to it.

For example, with Tokyo mods, you give them your bike info, exhaust, fuel, engine mods. Then go from there.
If the retailer loads the maps, that makes perfect sense. I was under the impression that the maps were relatively generic and loaded from the factory.
MXD
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8/21/2016 11:38am
On a side note, I tried T4 fuel yesterday for the first time. My bike is 100% stock with the exception of a full Ti FMF system. I've been running 93 pump fuel with the green coupler and it's been running fine. The T4 seemed to give me a little more snap off the bottom. I was told by a reputable tuner that my bike was lean from the factory and running the T4 on a stock map with an exhaust would just make it worse and possibly unrideable. Somehow it was better. I'm on the east coast and the gentleman I spoke to is on the west coast so maybe the humidity makes bikes out here run a little rich and the T4 leaned it out enough to get to the sweet spot? I don't know but it was a noticeable improvement.
mxb2
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Bowie, MD, USA
8/21/2016 2:07pm
MXD wrote:
On a side note, I tried T4 fuel yesterday for the first time. My bike is 100% stock with the exception of a full Ti FMF...
On a side note, I tried T4 fuel yesterday for the first time. My bike is 100% stock with the exception of a full Ti FMF system. I've been running 93 pump fuel with the green coupler and it's been running fine. The T4 seemed to give me a little more snap off the bottom. I was told by a reputable tuner that my bike was lean from the factory and running the T4 on a stock map with an exhaust would just make it worse and possibly unrideable. Somehow it was better. I'm on the east coast and the gentleman I spoke to is on the west coast so maybe the humidity makes bikes out here run a little rich and the T4 leaned it out enough to get to the sweet spot? I don't know but it was a noticeable improvement.
What bike you riding?
MXD
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8/21/2016 6:12pm
MXD wrote:
On a side note, I tried T4 fuel yesterday for the first time. My bike is 100% stock with the exception of a full Ti FMF...
On a side note, I tried T4 fuel yesterday for the first time. My bike is 100% stock with the exception of a full Ti FMF system. I've been running 93 pump fuel with the green coupler and it's been running fine. The T4 seemed to give me a little more snap off the bottom. I was told by a reputable tuner that my bike was lean from the factory and running the T4 on a stock map with an exhaust would just make it worse and possibly unrideable. Somehow it was better. I'm on the east coast and the gentleman I spoke to is on the west coast so maybe the humidity makes bikes out here run a little rich and the T4 leaned it out enough to get to the sweet spot? I don't know but it was a noticeable improvement.
mxb2 wrote:
What bike you riding?
16 KX450
mxb2
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Bowie, MD, USA
8/21/2016 6:45pm
MXD wrote:
On a side note, I tried T4 fuel yesterday for the first time. My bike is 100% stock with the exception of a full Ti FMF...
On a side note, I tried T4 fuel yesterday for the first time. My bike is 100% stock with the exception of a full Ti FMF system. I've been running 93 pump fuel with the green coupler and it's been running fine. The T4 seemed to give me a little more snap off the bottom. I was told by a reputable tuner that my bike was lean from the factory and running the T4 on a stock map with an exhaust would just make it worse and possibly unrideable. Somehow it was better. I'm on the east coast and the gentleman I spoke to is on the west coast so maybe the humidity makes bikes out here run a little rich and the T4 leaned it out enough to get to the sweet spot? I don't know but it was a noticeable improvement.
mxb2 wrote:
What bike you riding?
MXD wrote:
16 KX450
Using a aftermarket pipe and that fuel use the green coupler.a remap will help even more for that pipe and fuel.
Vanilla
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175
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5/16/2012
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NL
8/22/2016 5:37am
I have the same bike. I had my stock ECU remapped twice. Was not satisfied and bought the full GET system. Bike runs a lot better, wasted my money on the remap of the stock ECU.
Also the LC-GPA unit is very nice to have.
I have no experience with the Vortex.
mxb2
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22437
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Bowie, MD, USA
8/22/2016 5:49am
I have a vortex in my crf ,great product. User friendly. If you have the $$ ,get the vortex or GET ,remap is cheaper, but ya cant sell it ,when you sell bike.

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