Making the 2013 Spyder RT-S "Perfect"

[stewartj239]

It was 41 degrees today and I got sick of waiting for spring, so I took the Spyder out for the “maiden” voyage. I was able to cover 32 miles, had a maximum speed of 72 MPH and varied the throttle so that I had light and hard acceleration points. Here is a list of my observations:

1. There is a very noticeable power gain in gears 2, 3 & 4. This is great because that is where the meat of the power is anyway and where I spend most of my time. I did not really notice any significant gains with 5[SUP]th[/SUP] gear, so in my mind, that is still just the overdrive gear and I usually don’t get into it unless I’m doing at least 65 MPH.
2. The Elka suspension was noticeable immediately starting out. The best way to explain it is that the Spyder does not wander like how it used to and the bike feels very firm and planted on the road. It does that while still giving a very comfortable ride. I did get into a few of my corners and the nanny only kicked in once which is far less than before. The Elkas help considerably with the nanny, but does not eliminate it.
3. The FI mapping provided by the PCV and AutoTune was flawless. The bike has never run this “clean” before. There were no stutters or skips anywhere. No backfiring either. Also, the throttle was much more responsive to input. If you gave it gas, it took it. Considering that the base map I put in the PCV does not exactly match my changes and that the AutoTune does have some tuning to do, I was more than pleased with the performance. It exceeded my expectations.
4. The ISCI hand brake is awesome. It takes some getting used to as far as how much pressure to apply to get the stopping power you need, but that took all of about 15 minutes to get down. The whole time out, I never used the brake pedal and I’m sure I never will again.
5. The noise produced by the cat removal and Akrapovic is far less than I was anticipating. When you are heavy on the throttle, it definitely is much louder, but at cruising speeds, it is very tolerable and not much louder than stock. It now has a very healthy growl to it.

Luckily, it was a great outing - except for the cold. There were no check engine lights thrown and I was also worried about seeing the dreaded limp mode screen, but the ride was uneventful and everything ran absolutely perfect. I think in some future posts, I’ll show the process for committing the AutoTune changes to the base map. Here are a few pictures of the bike all buttoned up before I took it out.

 

[Ramjet]

Great report thanks I am waiting for my Viritka intake panels to come back from the hydro-graphics place have my headers wrapped Y-pipe installed Elka shocks should be here next week, the tank is insulted and Kewl metal air box installed and the plastic monstrosity removed from the engine compartment, belt tensionor is on order and should ship Monday. Then the machine goes to the dealer for the service bulletin and the new MAP then I will run it awhile and see how things feel and run if they are acceptable I will skip the PC installation. If I am not satisfied then I will do the PC next winter along with the rest of my body panels. We will have close to 60 today that is coming your way stewert.:yes:

No work this weekend on my Spyder this weekend was dedicated to the Russian Ural with sidecar and getting it ready for the riding season....to own a Ural is too love working on them but one of the most fun bikes I have ever owned we just love it. Like working on an old International tractor.......

 

[stewartj239]

I am waiting for my Viritka intake panels to come back from the hydro-graphics place have my headers wrapped Y-pipe installed Elka shocks should be here next week, the tank is insulted and Kewl metal air box installed and the plastic monstrosity removed from the engine compartment, belt tensionor is on order and should ship Monday.

It sounds like you're making great progress too. I am looking forward to seeing what your perceptions are regarding your changes. Once I get more time on mine, I hope to fine tune my initial observations. I want to do some more experimenting with the engine to see how broad the power gains are and to really push the Elkas.

Then the machine goes to the dealer for the service bulletin and the new MAP then I will run it awhile and see how things feel and run if they are acceptable I will skip the PC installation.

Since mine ran so great yesterday, I am now thinking about NOT doing the service bulletin with the ECM update. I am torn at the moment.

We will have close to 60 today that is coming your way stewert.:yes:

Tuesday is the day that they're calling for that. I hope that will be the first day that I can take the Spyder to work and back.

 

[stewartj239]

I have 2 more observations from yesterday:

1. The belt tensioner seems to be working since I did not experience the usual vibrations between 55 and 65 MPH.
2. Once I parked the Spyder in the garage following the ride, there was indeed NO smell of gasoline. The evap canister removal works beyond a doubt. It is simple to perform and pretty much of no expense at all.

 

[stewartj239]

I think you are wise to not get ECM fuel ratio updates. Your current PCV fuel ratio set up sounds perfect for your 2013 RT-S!!
I would like to see the smile on your face when you take your favorite high speed corners much faster with your Elka shocks!!
Enjoy your Spyder RT-S rydes, after all your hard work over the winter!
Jim

Thanks Jim. That is the way I'm leaning right now. If things are going good, then I don't see the need to update it. My main question about it though is whether there are other updates (other than the FI map) bundled in with the ECM update that I could benefit from. I plan to talk to my dealer about it and see if they can tell me exactly what is included with the update.

 

[OldCowboy]

I agree that you probably shouldn't get the ECM update. But as I understand it, that service bulletin also covered waterproofing the fuse boxes. You probably should have that part done.

 

[stewartj239]

I agree that you probably shouldn't get the ECM update. But as I understand it, that service bulletin also covered waterproofing the fuse boxes. You probably should have that part done.

I'll check with the dealer to see if they will do one update as opposed to another and what exactly is included in the ECM update. I'll post back when that happens.

 

[Ramjet]

I have 2 more observations from yesterday:

1. The belt tensioner seems to be working since I did not experience the usual vibrations between 55 and 65 MPH.
2. Once I parked the Spyder in the garage following the ride, there was indeed NO smell of gasoline. The evap canister removal works beyond a doubt. It is simple to perform and pretty much of no expense at all.

Number one makes me happy I just received mine today will install it the end of the week along with the Elka Shocks.

 

[stewartj239]

I went to check the Trim tables on the AutoTune today and much to my surprise, they were both at zero. I then noticed that the Target AFR table values were all zero (see below) as well which means that the AutoTune was being told that it had nothing to adjust for.



I then decided to start over. I got the proper Dyno Jet base map and configured it for the dual channel AutoTune (AT-300). When you do that, it complains because the base map is configured for the single channel AutoTune (AT-200) and if you continue, it clears both of those tables - which is the root cause of the problem.

Once you commit it, it creates a new structure for the map for the AT-300. The other thing I noticed is that the new structure created a separate Fuel table for each cylinder. I think it got messed up because when I configured things over the winter, I did it off the bike without the AutoTune connected and powered. The only thing now left to do was duplicate the values for the Target AFR and Fuel tables from the original base map.



So now, my game plan is to run it and see if the problem is resolved. If anyone is installing the AT-300, I can send you this base map to save you the trouble of having to create it.

 

[MikeP]

What belt tensioner did you go with??? Thx

 

[MikeP]

Got it / did a search

 

[stewartj239]

Got it / did a search

Cool. It is working as advertised.

 

[MikeP]

Any reason SmoothSpyder over Baker / you seem to know your stuff...

 

[MikeP]

[SUP]I will very likely be doing some if not all of the modifications you have done.. I had my bike sold and test drove a new one and quite honestly was NOT that impressed,,, so as it stands I'll be sticking w what I have for this riding season.. Lookin to do the cat delete, air cleaner and belt tensioner soon.. Where did you get your cat delete pipe from?? I know I'm not alone in stating my gratitude for your sharing of ALL this valuable info regarding our machines improvement [/SUP]

 

[stewartj239]

Any reason SmoothSpyder over Baker

Not really. When I did my research, there seemed to be many more people using the Smooth Spyder tensioner and the reviews were very positive.

 

[stewartj239]

[SUP]I had my bike sold and test drove a new one and quite honestly was NOT that impressed,,, so as it stands I'll be sticking w what I have for this riding season..[/SUP]

The 2013 has a bad reputation because of the heat issues which I think is unjustified. Some people had the problems, but the majority did not. I never had any of them with mine and if you did, there are fixes for it.

[SUP]Where did you get your cat delete pipe from??[/SUP]

When I ordered the cat bypass over the winter, I got it from Spyder1Attitude. It was expensive as it cost $450. However, I see that Lamont now offers a cat bypass for the 2013 and I believe it is $100 less, so I'd look to go that route if I was you. If you need links, then let me know.

[SUP]I know I'm not alone in stating my gratitude for your sharing of ALL this valuable info regarding our machines improvement [/SUP]

You are very welcome. My goal with this thread was to share ways to improve the Spyder to make it as good as it can be.

 

[MikeP]

Is there a link to Lamont's cat bypass ??? I made a pointed effort to ride a 14 back to back w mine and yes it is improved in many ways BUT with the added weight the actual performance was the least of the improvements and I went on a looooong test ride.. I've never had any issues with heat either.. I had an 04 FJR 1300 back in 04 that I put 13,000 mi on in 8 wks / some people complained about the heat on that bike toooo and I never noticed the bike being any hotter than any other bike w Tupperware.. We rode through Death Valley when it was 118 and the bike was fine I'm not saying at all that anyone is exaggerating about the heat on the spyder but I've ridden mine in over 100 deg and not been made uncomfortable by the bikes heat ..

 

[stewartj239]

Is there a link to Lamont's cat bypass ??? I made a pointed effort to ride a 14 back to back w mine and yes it is improved in many ways BUT with the added weight the actual performance was the least of the improvements and I went on a looooong test ride.. I've never had any issues with heat either.. I had an 04 FJR 1300 back in 04 that I put 13,000 mi on in 8 wks / some people complained about the heat on that bike toooo and I never noticed the bike being any hotter than any other bike w Tupperware.. We rode through Death Valley when it was 118 and the bike was fine I'm not saying at all that anyone is exaggerating about the heat on the spyder but I've ridden mine in over 100 deg and not been made uncomfortable by the bikes heat ..

Here is a link to the thread for Lamont's cat bypass:

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...Garage-Product-update&highlight=lamont+bypass

He owns Pitbull Powersports. Here is a link to his website, but I did not see the cat bypass listed yet even though I believe he is selling it. Your best bet is to call.


http://www.pitbullpowersportsinc.com/index.htm

I also agree with your comments regarding the heat. I have ridden street bikes since I was 20 years old and every bike I have ever had throws just as much heat as my 2013 - especially when you get into stop and go traffic. If the first bike that people have ever owned is the Spyder, then they have nothing to compare it to which could be where many of the complaints are coming from.

 

[stewartj239]

I went to check the Trim tables on the AutoTune today and much to my surprise, they were both at zero. I then noticed that the Target AFR table values were all zero (see below) as well which means that the AutoTune was being told that it had nothing to adjust for.

View attachment 85907

I then decided to start over. I got the proper Dyno Jet base map and configured it for the dual channel AutoTune (AT-300). When you do that, it complains because the base map is configured for the single channel AutoTune (AT-200) and if you continue, it clears both of those tables - which is the root cause of the problem.

Once you commit it, it creates a new structure for the map for the AT-300. The other thing I noticed is that the new structure created a separate Fuel table for each cylinder. I think it got messed up because when I configured things over the winter, I did it off the bike without the AutoTune connected and powered. The only thing now left to do was duplicate the values for the Target AFR and Fuel tables from the original base map.

View attachment 85908 View attachment 85909

So now, my game plan is to run it and see if the problem is resolved. If anyone is installing the AT-300, I can send you this base map to save you the trouble of having to create it.

Just quick update on this post. I have confirmed that this is the problem with why the AutoTune was not working. My wife and I went out for a nice ride today and when I got back, I checked the trim tables and they now have adjustments for each cylinder. Seeing that was kind of cool because the values between cylinders were different which verifies that each cylinder is getting a map specific to itself. I am going to give it a couple of hundred miles to let it keep adjusting and then I'll post some screen shots of the trims that were made.

 

[OldCowboy]

Here is a link to the thread for Lamont's cat bypass:

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...Garage-Product-update&highlight=lamont+bypass

He owns Pitbull Powersports. Here is a link to his website, but I did not see the cat bypass listed yet even though I believe he is selling it. Your best bet is to call.


http://www.pitbullpowersportsinc.com/index.htm

I also agree with your comments regarding the heat. I have ridden street bikes since I was 20 years old and every bike I have ever had throws just as much heat as my 2013 - especially when you get into stop and go traffic. If the first bike that people have ever owned is the Spyder, then they have nothing to compare it to which could be where many of the complaints are coming from.

Correction: Lamont DOES NOT own Pitbull Powersports. Len Damouth does. The Lamonster Garage and Pitbull Powersports are in an agreement to support each other.