Sparky59
The Guy With The Most Toys Wins!
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2017
- Messages
- 1,386
- Location
- Downers Grove,Il.
- Ride
- 2008 R3T, 2018R3R,2015 X 1954 & 1958 Cushman Eagle
You know how to keep an old man in Suspense? 
A1A Rider
Go big and go broke
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2024
- Messages
- 328
- Ride
- Rocket 3 Storm GT 2025
While uploading the vid to youtube, let me tell you of my experience of riding ECU written bike.
First, let me tell you, I am not professional in any way and probably could be deemed as unreliable narrator. This is my 2nd bike, what do I know? I mean, I didn't even know how to use a manual transmission before this bike. If you are keeping track, yes, I learned how to use the clutch on a 2.5L bike, well, so far successfully.
The only real test I did was let the bike go in 1st and 2nd gear without clutch. In 1st gear it was able on a flat road push itself without dying at 10mph. Just a bit it struggled but did not die. I didn't add gas, I didn't brake, didn't press clutch, just let it run by itself in a straight line. My previous ECU would lose speed and would start to buckle. In 2nd gear it was more peppy and ran happy at 13mph without dying. I think it is more of a scientific test, the map allows the bike maintain the speed by itself due to more fuel.
Another test I was thinking is running in 1st gear over the manufacturer set RPMs, as this ECU allows, but I had a full tank of 87 octane and for safety, I want to wait till I'll get 93, not to damage the engine. So, that is coming.
Overall, below, these are my impressions that are more visceral than scientific (sport map, road abs):
Let me first explain my conditions under the test. I went out like 4pm Friday and traffic was just still. Everywhere. I think the whole North (of USA) + all of Canada moved to South Florida. We have a huge cold front coming start of a week, and many Northern states already freezing, feels like suddenly everyone is here. If you are not in S. Florida, well, maybe you can work a bit harder, you know.
Anyway, I don't think I was able to go above like 4th gear today, traffic. Hot, 78F, and traffic.
Ok, let me get to the visceral impressions. I feel like it fixed most of the 1st gear, I had to use it A LOT today. It is like asthma kid was cured. Felt like it can be smoother and sound better, and even usable above 25mph, before it was just engine breaking too much as 30+mph, feels like 1st gear is more together now. 2nd gear, when I was on a quiet street, there was a new sound, like the diesel whistle. It was just something new audibly.
The whole experience seemed like the bike was more together, less vibration maybe, less asthmatic sounds. Bike was happier, judging from the overall sound, lacking harsher sounds..??
I did do a small stretch on a highway, I liked it, somehow felt less vibration in the handlebars. But then again traffic..
Is it worth $800? That is a question that only you can answer. While riding, I called a friend who was short of $150 to install new tires on his old bike. And here I am throwing $800 on ECU fix. Worth is so subjective.
Yes, it makes the bike feel a bit more together, at least audibly. I am not a racer to notice speed improvements, yet I did notice a bit of more power suddenly from adding throttle, that took me by surprise (1 year of Rocket ownership as of now). So, for me, easy come, easy go. $800 is like a day's wage.
First, let me tell you, I am not professional in any way and probably could be deemed as unreliable narrator. This is my 2nd bike, what do I know? I mean, I didn't even know how to use a manual transmission before this bike. If you are keeping track, yes, I learned how to use the clutch on a 2.5L bike, well, so far successfully.
The only real test I did was let the bike go in 1st and 2nd gear without clutch. In 1st gear it was able on a flat road push itself without dying at 10mph. Just a bit it struggled but did not die. I didn't add gas, I didn't brake, didn't press clutch, just let it run by itself in a straight line. My previous ECU would lose speed and would start to buckle. In 2nd gear it was more peppy and ran happy at 13mph without dying. I think it is more of a scientific test, the map allows the bike maintain the speed by itself due to more fuel.
Another test I was thinking is running in 1st gear over the manufacturer set RPMs, as this ECU allows, but I had a full tank of 87 octane and for safety, I want to wait till I'll get 93, not to damage the engine. So, that is coming.
Overall, below, these are my impressions that are more visceral than scientific (sport map, road abs):
Let me first explain my conditions under the test. I went out like 4pm Friday and traffic was just still. Everywhere. I think the whole North (of USA) + all of Canada moved to South Florida. We have a huge cold front coming start of a week, and many Northern states already freezing, feels like suddenly everyone is here. If you are not in S. Florida, well, maybe you can work a bit harder, you know.
Anyway, I don't think I was able to go above like 4th gear today, traffic. Hot, 78F, and traffic.
Ok, let me get to the visceral impressions. I feel like it fixed most of the 1st gear, I had to use it A LOT today. It is like asthma kid was cured. Felt like it can be smoother and sound better, and even usable above 25mph, before it was just engine breaking too much as 30+mph, feels like 1st gear is more together now. 2nd gear, when I was on a quiet street, there was a new sound, like the diesel whistle. It was just something new audibly.
The whole experience seemed like the bike was more together, less vibration maybe, less asthmatic sounds. Bike was happier, judging from the overall sound, lacking harsher sounds..??
I did do a small stretch on a highway, I liked it, somehow felt less vibration in the handlebars. But then again traffic..
Is it worth $800? That is a question that only you can answer. While riding, I called a friend who was short of $150 to install new tires on his old bike. And here I am throwing $800 on ECU fix. Worth is so subjective.
Yes, it makes the bike feel a bit more together, at least audibly. I am not a racer to notice speed improvements, yet I did notice a bit of more power suddenly from adding throttle, that took me by surprise (1 year of Rocket ownership as of now). So, for me, easy come, easy go. $800 is like a day's wage.
mo8414
Supercharged
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2025
- Messages
- 226
- Ride
- 2025 Triumph Rocket 3 Storm GT
Great writeup for a first impression with tons of traffic everywhere. Im sure with time you will get a much better feel for the differences. I think this will be my next purchase for my bike when I get my profit sharing from work next month. I know exactly what you mean about the first couple gears just don't feel good. Thanks for posting and taking the time to share the process with us all.
A1A Rider
Go big and go broke
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2024
- Messages
- 328
- Ride
- Rocket 3 Storm GT 2025
Still adjusting to the changes.
I think for me, the way I ride, I find the biggest improvements in 1 & 2nd gear., I am not a racer but a cruiser.
I find myself using 2ng gear more. Before I was more in 3rd.
I am less afraid to stall the bike on 1&2 gears, so feels like at those gears I don't have to micromanage the clutch all that much when riding kinda slow for that gear. Before I'd be feathering the clutch at that point, now I am more sure that I'd be able to add throttle in time, if the engine will start lugging. At the end of the gear, feels like now it has more fuel, more potential power, less chances of a stall.
Overall, I feel like I have less fear of dropping the bike as in 1st the power feels like cleaned and available without a complaint from a bike. So, when turning on very slow speeds with handlebars turned a lot, I feel like I can add more CLEAN power easy. Before it felt like bike was not breathing right, now smoother and the delivery gives this confidence, the power will come without an excuse, if I would turn the throttle.
Been on the highway, still feels like this bike needs a 7th gear. But I didn't push it to the max, I don't do high speeds often, and I am sure I am not the best rider to judge its top end performance, so I didn't push too hard.
Still didn't rev the crap out of it yet. As new ECU should have added more RPMs. Still adjusting to the power.
I think I am content.
I think for me, the way I ride, I find the biggest improvements in 1 & 2nd gear., I am not a racer but a cruiser.
I find myself using 2ng gear more. Before I was more in 3rd.
I am less afraid to stall the bike on 1&2 gears, so feels like at those gears I don't have to micromanage the clutch all that much when riding kinda slow for that gear. Before I'd be feathering the clutch at that point, now I am more sure that I'd be able to add throttle in time, if the engine will start lugging. At the end of the gear, feels like now it has more fuel, more potential power, less chances of a stall.
Overall, I feel like I have less fear of dropping the bike as in 1st the power feels like cleaned and available without a complaint from a bike. So, when turning on very slow speeds with handlebars turned a lot, I feel like I can add more CLEAN power easy. Before it felt like bike was not breathing right, now smoother and the delivery gives this confidence, the power will come without an excuse, if I would turn the throttle.
Been on the highway, still feels like this bike needs a 7th gear. But I didn't push it to the max, I don't do high speeds often, and I am sure I am not the best rider to judge its top end performance, so I didn't push too hard.
Still didn't rev the crap out of it yet. As new ECU should have added more RPMs. Still adjusting to the power.
I think I am content.
Last edited:
zenbiker
Zenbiker
I have the BT MOTO update on my 2021 R3. First of all I want to reassure all here that there are NO functional interruptions in any of the electronic functions in the bike and no change in the throttle response and no noticeable throttle differences.
Also...there is really no perceptible change in power delivery until 4000 rpm. Then there is certainly far more ooomph!
But, in the "normal" riding situations, you will never notice any change from stock!
If you do the change, USE IT!!
I hardly ever get into the RPM range in which this upgrade shines but I love the performance is there whenever I want to turn it on!
zenbiker
Zenbiker
mo8414
Supercharged
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2025
- Messages
- 226
- Ride
- 2025 Triumph Rocket 3 Storm GT
Yea you can also see that in the dyno grapgh they show. It will help when racing cars I'm sure. Next upgeade will be a quick shifter then ill be done hopefully. Have been thinking about getting the t rex crash bars but I'm still on the fence about them.
hossman
.040 Over
Quickshifter is the best mod period. It works flawlessly!
