Booster Plug

[dewi sant]

You don't need a reason a buy an Akropovic, other than they look and sound fabulous

http://www.oldgitbiker.pwp.blueyonder.c ... Page_1.htm .....Scroll down the page about 2/3rds

Dewi

[bmr66]

I had a booster plug on my '05 R1200GS and am a BELIEVER in the device. Unfortunately, it went with the bike when I sold it.

Now, I have an '07 R1200R and want to install a booster plug, but here's the rub...the bike came with Ztechnic no-cat headers, Ztechnic slip-on, and a PowerCommander III to make all work well without the cats. It does work well for the most part, but has hesitations and poor throttle response at low rpm, kinda like a before-and-after of a stock system before installing booster plug.

Here's my question...Will a booster plug help on a non-cat system controlled by a PC III? If so, how do you think it will install?

Thanks.

[mogu83]

Offhand I would think - Don't do it. Seems like the Power Commander would be programed to do basicly the same thing as the Booster Plug but more refined.
A call to the Power Commander people or an E-mail will most likely get you a more informed answer. I'm sure their aware of the Booster Plug and how it would affect their unit.

[Woland]

Absolutely don't do it, a powercommader is a much more able and sophisticated to for adjusting fuel/air mix than a booster plug.

[bmr66]

Thanks....Seems unanimous!

[KMalo]

I had a booster plug on my '05 R1200GS and am a BELIEVER in the device. Unfortunately, it went with the bike when I sold it.

Now, I have an '07 R1200R and want to install a booster plug, but here's the rub...the bike came with Ztechnic no-cat headers, Ztechnic slip-on, and a PowerCommander III to make all work well without the cats. It does work well for the most part, but has hesitations and poor throttle response at low rpm, kinda like a before-and-after of a stock system before installing booster plug.

Here's my question...Will a booster plug help on a non-cat system controlled by a PC III? If so, how do you think it will install?

Thanks.

I think what you need is a trip to a tuning center for a custom Power Commander map.

Chuck

[SF_Hooligan]

Bumping this thread with another plug for the Booster Plug. Finally got around to installing the BP I got in the group buy a few months back, and I'm thrilled with the results. My bike (2011 R1200R Classic, about 5k on it) is absolutely smooth, dare I say perfect in the low RPMs now - absolutely lovely. For the naysayers, this is definitely not an imagined result as a result of outgoing cash - the bike is buttery smooth off idle. Fabulous!

I'd almost believe it revs just a hair faster now as well, but that could be imagination. I'm still 100% stoked with the result.

[angellr]

Bumping this thread with another plug for the Booster Plug. Finally got around to installing the BP I got in the group buy a few months back, and I'm thrilled with the results. My bike (2011 R1200R Classic, about 5k on it) is absolutely smooth, dare I say perfect in the low RPMs now - absolutely lovely. For the naysayers, this is definitely not an imagined result as a result of outgoing cash - the bike is buttery smooth off idle. Fabulous!

I'd almost believe it revs just a hair faster now as well, but that could be imagination. I'm still 100% stoked with the result.

My exact feelings as well! Best $120 ever spent on a farkle!

[EricM]

I was another booster plug skeptic. Four of us with R1200R's chipped in for ONE booster plug, and two hours of our mechanics time. We gave him the booster plug, and our motorcycles for 30 minutes. We came back and the plug had been installed on one of the four bikes (we did not know which one). We went out for a twenty minute ride. THREE of the four claimed that they believed the plug had been installed on their bike. Guess what? The one who said he was sure that the plug was not installed on his bike was the one that actually had it!! We repeated the test three more times (so each of us could experience the booster plug), and each time, at least two riders swore that they had the booster plug. Only on one of the four rides was the rider correct when he said he had the booster plug installed (and on that ride, two others said they thought that they had it too)

After running this test, I do believe that the booster plug fans are suffering from the placebo effect. I think that the above is as close to definitive as you can get without something far more scientific.

A for the four of us, we kept the booster plug, but none of us installed it on our bike; we aren't believers. It's on the shelf. If anyone wants it, PM me an offer.

[SF_Hooligan]

My exact feelings as well! Best $120 ever spent on a farkle!

Exactly, especially considering how pricey a lot of the Wunderlich/Touratech/whatever is, much of it with limited functionality. Definitely a great value.

I was another booster plug skeptic. Four of us with R1200R's chipped in for ONE booster plug, and two hours of our mechanics time. We gave him the booster plug, and our motorcycles for 30 minutes. We came back and the plug had been installed on one of the four bikes (we did not know which one). We went out for a twenty minute ride. THREE of the four claimed that they believed the plug had been installed on their bike. Guess what? The one who said he was sure that the plug was not installed on his bike was the one that actually had it!! We repeated the test three more times (so each of us could experience the booster plug), and each time, at least two riders swore that they had the booster plug. Only on one of the four rides was the rider correct when he said he had the booster plug installed (and on that ride, two others said they thought that they had it too)

After running this test, I do believe that the booster plug fans are suffering from the placebo effect. I think that the above is as close to definitive as you can get without something far more scientific.

A for the four of us, we kept the booster plug, but none of us installed it on our bike; we aren't believers. It's on the shelf. If anyone wants it, PM me an offer.

Interesting test. However, it also introduces other "perception" factors, as folks are guessing what's on their bike. I can state categorically (having a background as a lifelong gearhead and someone who generally installs and understands his own stuff) that there's a significant difference in smoothness. I rode the bike before, and after, and have a couple days on it now. I know exactly how the bike would behave in various situations around town, and it's not like that any more. Not sure it's any faster, and I don't care. But it's fixed the low rev stumble the bike had and that makes me happy to have spent the $120-ish on it.

[Shakey]

I've followed this thread with some interest because of a self inflicted problem.

I wouldn't have said my 2011 R had a snatchy throttle at low revs until I fitted Grip Puppies to improve the situation with the arthritis I suffer in my hands. Increasing the diameter of the grip effectively increased the leverage on the throttle and the effect became more noticeable.
I also realised that the reason I wasn't noticing any snatchy behaviour was that I was compensating for it with snappy gear changes and faster acceleration than I would otherwise have done. Whilst this lead to a huge grin on my face, it also nearly got me into trouble on a couple of occasions (out-riding my ability).

Could it be that a Booster plug would address both these issues? - softer throttle response at low revs could be just what I need.

Well, to cut a long story short, many here have said that It's the best money spent on a farkle for this bike but I'm afraid I would have to disagree........ It's the best farkle I have ever bought for any of my bikes by a country mile!

Low speed control is silky smooth now and with less engine braking I can think about setting up for bends in the same way I did with my FJR so all in all I'm absolutely delighted with this easy to fit gadget

UK owners can buy them for £99 from Sport-touring.com an they are worth every penny

[BLAIR1200R]

I’ve been watching this thread for awhile now like many others. I almost jumped in on the group buy because the symptoms described were exactly the things that I noticed… not that they were really bugging me, but I just noticed them. But this caught my eye –

Low speed control is silky smooth now and with less engine braking I can think about setting up for bends ...

I posted months ago that downshifting really slows the bike down… more than any bike I’ve ever owned… almost to the point that I don’t really need to use brakes (commuting that is... not sporting around on the weekend). So, you’re saying the BP smoothes this out and I could actually downshift without clamping my knees into the tank?

[Shakey]

So, you’re saying the BP smoothes this out and I could actually downshift without clamping my knees into the tank?

Yes! engine braking is nowhere near as "exciting" as it used to be

[dewi sant]

That's one of the things I like about big twins - their engine braking. My son comes out with periodically for rides on his VFR800, he's often commented that I never seem to brake, and he's nearly run up the back of me several times when he follows. I now give the brake lights a little flash when I slow for bends etc - just to give him a fighting chance

I'm not sure the Boosterplug has made a monumental diffrence to the effectiveness of the engine braking but it's definitley smoothed it out a bit. When I shut the throttle off now it's less like switch that cuts the power - it's far more civilised. No doubt about it, the Boosterplug does work despite what the doubters say

D

[deilenberger]

That's one of the things I like about big twins - their engine braking. My son comes out with periodically for rides on his VFR800, he's often commented that I never seem to brake, and he's nearly run up the back of me several times when he follows. I now give the brake lights a little flash when I slow for bends etc - just to give him a fighting chance

I have the same problem. I lost one side bag due to a rider running in the back of me, and a few people who follow me have commented that I never seem to use the brakes. So.. I've also gotten in the habit of flashing the brake light when I'm about to slow down setting up for a turn, or coming to a stop. I can almost come to a complete stop brakeless.. just need to use the brake to knock the last 5mph off..

I really like that, but.. it can cause trouble if you accidently do a two gear downshift. BTDT and the rear end lost traction came around on me and then hooked up. It was "exciting" as it tried to high-side me. I muscled it so it stayed upright, and I ended up in a very gentle ditch (grass lined) on the opposite side of the road. Bike was undamaged, I was undamaged except for the undies. Luckily it was in Nova Scotia on the Lighthouse Trail during the week and there was no oncoming traffic. Took about 4 of us to walk it back out of the ditch.

I'm not sure the Boosterplug has made a monumental diffrence to the effectiveness of the engine braking but it's definitley smoothed it out a bit. When I shut the throttle off now it's less like switch that cuts the power - it's far more civilised. No doubt about it, the Boosterplug does work despite what the doubters say

D

So who was it who had one they tried on 4 bikes? Want to loan it to me to evaluate (if it's the same EricM that I know from NJ, I could always meet you at VanSant or someplace..)

[bmwk100]

D[/quote]
So who was it who had one they tried on 4 bikes? Want to loan it to me to evaluate (if it's the same EricM that I know from NJ, I could always meet you at VanSant or someplace..)[/quote]
He offered to sell it and I sent him a PM. I received no response so I ordered a new one this week. Look forward to installing it in my bike.

[badbs101]

I would take EricM's comments with a grain of salt. He only has one post and used it to bash a product that several others have enjoyed. "Four of us with R1200Rs" Really? I don't even know 4 folks with R1200GSs let alone the much rarer R1200R. A little suspect but possibly genuine. Just my thoughts. No word on whether he sold the unit he claimed to have for sale either.

I say troll.

[deilenberger]

I would take EricM's comments with a grain of salt. He only has one post and used it to bash a product that several others have enjoyed. "Four of us with R1200Rs" Really? I don't even know 4 folks with R1200GSs let alone the much rarer R1200R. A little suspect but possibly genuine. Just my thoughts. No word on whether he sold the unit he claimed to have for sale either.

I say troll.

Could be... but there are 5 R1200R's in my local club (due in some part to me I guess..) The one post and disappearing does have the feeling of someone with an agenda or grudge.

[lynnboyd]

I have the same problem. I lost one side bag due to a rider running in the back of me, and a few people who follow me have commented that I never seem to use the brakes. So.. I've also gotten in the habit of flashing the brake light when I'm about to slow down setting up for a turn, or coming to a stop. I can almost come to a complete stop brakeless.. just need to use the brake to knock the last 5mph off..

I've had the same problem with people running up on me. I just saw a product in the Whitehorse Gear catalog that sounds like it would take care of that problem - the Stobewise Deceleration Warning Device (http://www.whitehorsegear.com/strobewis ... ing-device). To quote their description, "Strobewise™ uses a small but sophisticated microprocessor to monitor your rate of acceleration 1,000 times per second. If you are slowing down at all, Strobewise™ illuminates its rear-facing high-powered amber LED lamp with flash patterns that are appropriate for your rate of deceleration. For example if you are lazily rolling off the throttle using light engine braking, Strobewise™ will provide a few gentle flashes. If you are braking moderately, the lamp warns other road users to your rear more firmly. Should you be in a full-on quick stop, Strobewise™ will respond with a machine gun stacatto of blazing high-intensity LED flashes."

I think that might be my next farkle. If I didn't need tires in the next month I'd buy one now. Just in case you're wondering, I'm not affiliated with WHG or whoever makes the Strobewise, although I kind of wish I was.

Lynn

[dewi sant]

I have the same problem. I lost one side bag due to a rider running in the back of me, and a few people who follow me have commented that I never seem to use the brakes. So.. I've also gotten in the habit of flashing the brake light when I'm about to slow down setting up for a turn, or coming to a stop. I can almost come to a complete stop brakeless.. just need to use the brake to knock the last 5mph off..

I've had the same problem with people running up on me. I just saw a product in the Whitehorse Gear catalog that sounds like it would take care of that problem - the Stobewise Deceleration Warning Device (http://www.whitehorsegear.com/strobewis ... ing-device). To quote their description, "Strobewise™ uses a small but sophisticated microprocessor to monitor your rate of acceleration 1,000 times per second. If you are slowing down at all, Strobewise™ illuminates its rear-facing high-powered amber LED lamp with flash patterns that are appropriate for your rate of deceleration. For example if you are lazily rolling off the throttle using light engine braking, Strobewise™ will provide a few gentle flashes. If you are braking moderately, the lamp warns other road users to your rear more firmly. Should you be in a full-on quick stop, Strobewise™ will respond with a machine gun stacatto of blazing high-intensity LED flashes."

I think that might be my next farkle. If I didn't need tires in the next month I'd buy one now. Just in case you're wondering, I'm not affiliated with WHG or whoever makes the Strobewise, although I kind of wish I was.

Lynn

Before you buy that, make sure it's compatable with the CANbus wiring of the R1200 - lots of electronic farkels aren't and can cause (sometimes expensive) problems to the bike's electrical system

Going back to the effectiveness of the Boosterplug. Resistor tunng - which is what it is - has been around for quite some time and once you understand the science of it you know it's not a "snake oil" gadget. Granted it has limited uses and varying success but it does work for things like fooling the air temp sensors of our bikes into thinking the ambient temp is lower than it actually is - resulting in slightly more fuel being metered at low throttle openings. It works - fact! The only reason the fuel ratio is so low is to meet modern emmision standards - all the booster plug does it return it to what it should be. BMW should sell them as an aftermarket item, they'd make a fortune.

Dewi