Beetle Map v7II thoughts after install

[Error]

Last night I finally flashed my bike with a Beetle map, a few thoughts for those looking into it.

Bike is a V7ii (North American). Currently running Agostini cans (No cats) DB killers in, removed EVAP system, K&N filter (which beetle says specifically NOT to do). I bought the V7ii No cats, w/DB killers map from Beetles site.

I had some issues reading the factory map, and had to try 3 laptops before it worked correctly. Still not sure why that is, but I'm going to leave it alone for now. It’s for sure an issue on the laptop side. Something about it pairing with the LonElec cords. I reached out to both Lon Elec and Beetle about this before I found a laptop that worked for me. LonElec gave me one or two things to try.

As far as the remap goes, I am stunned at how much smoother the low throttle control is. It’s an issue from factory for sure, but I never thought it was as bad as some people make it out to be so I wasn’t sure what to expect after installing the Beetle map. I honestly cannot believe how much better it is.

I generally thought of the low speed throttle on the bike as part of its “personality”. It kept me a bit on my toes and was something to manage when needed. Part of the experience of riding the bike.
After the remap, I realize how much it was influencing the way the bike handled in cornering. Now that the throttle input is steady, corner entry and exit is far smoother. 3K to 4K RPM is now rock steady and can be used without second guessing. Often with this bike I would find myself wanting to keep it above 4500 RPM in corners so that the throttle felt a little more steady. Because of that I would often be in a lower gear than necessary, or second guess my gear on entry. That’s no longer an issue, and it creates a more confident cornering machine.

There are a couple of things I am scratching my head about. First of which is the vibration. My bike absolutely vibrates more now. More fuel = Bigger explosion = more vibration? Maybe, I’m not sure. Sounds like a silly explanation, but it’s all I can think of.

The sound has changed as well, which was to be expected a bit, but I’m surprised that I think its actually louder. That may be in my head though.

Last thing is back to throttle. The throttle feels “heavier” for lack of a better explanation. Part of my brain relates it to timing and feeling like it’s very slightly off if it was a car. Im pretty sure that’s not actually the case, and it’s just how the bike feels now. It also feels like it doesn’t pick up as fast, but I believe that’s just a “feeling’ again, and that what’s actually happening is now that the throttle is smooth, I’m missing the jerky punch I would get going on and off the throttle on the factory map.

As others here have said, highly recommend doing this. The clean up of the throttle absolutely transforms how this bike feels, and makes for a much more predictable response from the engine and has made for a much more enjoyable machine for cornering, at least for me.

Keep in mind I have only had some limited time on the bike. I may update if things change. I’m going to try and run a A/F gauge at some point just to see what’s going on. It would be interesting to see.

[guzzisteve]

I have installed a whole bunch of his maps, not much else out there but GT and his setup. You could get something from EU but then you don't quite get full info on it OR the composer.

The thing with puter could be wrong port, try plugging cables in all 3 or 4 ports for usb. Enjoy the tune. He can also fix funny spots if you have any.

[Error]

I have installed a whole bunch of his maps, not much else out there but GT and his setup. You could get something from EU but then you don't quite get full info on it OR the composer.

The thing with puter could be wrong port, try plugging cables in all 3 or 4 ports for usb. Enjoy the tune. He can also fix funny spots if you have any.

My garage laptop is a bit older, but still seems to work with most things so I was surprised it wouldn't work here. For now, I got it sorted so I'm not going to worry about it.

I've only gotten one real good ride in, so still getting used to the changes. It would be really interesting to get the bike on a dyno to look at the curve.

[jrt]

I agree with you regarding the improvement in ridability.  I put a Beetle map on my daughter's V7ii (like yours) and it went from a decent rider to a really fun bike.  I want to take it from her.  Well.... sometimes, I do.  If you ever see a guy riding a hot pink V7ii.  That's me.

What kind of seat do you have on there?

[guzzisteve]

You can see the curve if you open map in TunerPro, 3D block is as good as it gets. There is other graphs too if you like that technical.

[Error]

You can see the curve if you open map in TunerPro, 3D block is as good as it gets. There is other graphs too if you like that technical.

I haven't started looking at Tuner Pro, but I will soon. Not that I have a great idea of what I'm looking at, but I have some friends that might be able to offer some insight as well.

Thanks!

[Error]

I agree with you regarding the improvement in ridability.  I put a Beetle map on my daughter's V7ii (like yours) and it went from a decent rider to a really fun bike.  I want to take it from her.  Well.... sometimes, I do.  If you ever see a guy riding a hot pink V7ii.  That's me.

What kind of seat do you have on there?

Seat is from the 2010 Cafe Classic / Solo rider seat option from the accessories catalog. Same as the V7i/ii racer seat design, slightly different material. I actually think the Racer version is a bit nicer.

Pics of the Hot pink V7 immediately.

[jrt]

Sure! By the way- you already know this, but...that ain't me. I need a lot more makeup to look that good.

[Error]

Thats a lot of pink! The ears are great touch!

[jrt]

Yeah, she had a vision for what she wanted...and she wanted pink.  And ears. 

[Frenchfrog]

Just a quote from the original post
" K&N filter (which beetle says specifically NOT to do)."
there must be a specific reason for this 

[Bulldog9]

I have a Beetle Map on all my CARC bikes and the Stornello

I think the most dramatic improvement was the Stornello (V7ii).
The map took care of that dip in power/torque at the 3k mark, and flipped it
to a bump in output. I had gotten used to the dip at that point and 
muscle memory had me giving it a bit more throttle at that point.

I remember the first time I went for a ride with the map that the front end
almost came up at that point. *YES I said almost 

On the CARC bikes, the GRiSO benefited most by slowing down the off idle
Throttle response. This eliminated the snatchy off idle response.
And as expected the Beetle map improved fueling smoothness and power across the rev range.

One final thought, with a Beetle map the mid to low range feels
"Thumpier" as if the power and charge is fatter... This more character
and vibration at low to mid. I like it....

[Error]

Just a quote from the original post
" K&N filter (which beetle says specifically NOT to do)."
there must be a specific reason for this 

It was in the box when I bought the bike. Eventually I’ll try a paper style filter like OEM just to see, but for now it is what it is.

[Kev m]

It was in the box when I bought the bike. Eventually I’ll try a paper style filter like OEM just to see, but for now it is what it is.

The reason Marc (Beetle) and many mechanics on this site avoid K&N filters is because they either don't filter as well (risking ring/bore wear) or they restrict airflow (as they actually filter best when clogged).

[Vagrant]

If I remember right, the stock filter is -$15. It takes five to ten minutes to change them out. If the dealer is too far away order on line from the Prescott Az dealer. Get 2 oil and 1 air it's about $8. to ship and he is usually cheaper than anybody.

[Frenchfrog]

It was in the box when I bought the bike. Eventually I’ll try a paper style filter like OEM just to see, but for now it is what it is.

I'd imagine that Beetle's map will not be right with those filters hence the specific warning.

[Error]

Lots of thoughts here on the K&N I see. Feel like I may have hit a nerve lol.

My take: I have had them in plenty of airboxes for cars, some with engines I have taken apart. I have never run into anything internally that I could possibly say came from the K&N filter letting more contaminants by. I'm not too concerned about that end of it. I probably would be more so if I lived in an area with lots of dry sand in the air or dirt road riding, but that's not really where I am.

I'm guessing (and this is a total guess) Beetles take is two fold. First its unnecessary. Its not giving you any more performance. Second as noted by Kev M its possible that its letting "more" air by and leaning out the fuel maps. As the ECU is now not looking at the O2 sensor, it cant dump more fuel when there is more O2 present. That would be my guess anyway.

Ill get around to swapping it, but the bikes low throttle is night an day to what it was before, I'm not expecting it to get any better. Once I do swap it I'm happy to report if I'm wrong though.

The thing I'm working on now is swapping the Plug caps and wires. i thought I was just going to grab an NGK part number and order, boy was I wrong on that front lol. Lots of reading here on that subject. I'm sure I'll have questions in another thread coming up.

Thanks for everyone's thoughts.

[Tom H]

NGK plug caps have gone the way of the Dodo. Unless you find old stock at a pretty penny, china knock offs are about all there is. The knock offs seem OK.

Tom

[Error]

NGK plug caps have gone the way of the Dodo. Unless you find old stock at a pretty penny, china knock offs are about all there is. The knock offs seem OK.

Tom

This is what I'm finding.

I've never made my own wire sets before, but I think thats the plan here if i can put it all together. Otherwise Ill just pony up for the MG set. Id rather not though.

Once I get into some reading on it, Ill put it in a new thread.