After 2 weeks of daily commuting Francois is happy with the AM on his LC. His feedback (verbatim):
4-5-6th gears: definite improvement at lower rpm. The AM made a big difference on older (R1200 Air Cooled) bikes – the newer ones (LC) are more torquey. On rolling on from 2000 rpm there is now no delay or engine laboring. Previously it felt like the engine was struggling, hit a flat spot and had to pull through the flat spot. It felt like the engine was moaning, wanting more petrol and not getting it as ample fuelling was not provided. With the AM the motor pulls right through – from 5250 rpm to the red line. (With the AM) the motor is now quieter, smoother, more happy. Because the LC is already so nippy and torquey one does not feel the effect in lower gears – on the previous bikes (1200 Air Cooled motors) you could feel the effect of the AM immediately. Previously (on the LC), at 140km/h the motor would moan and struggle, now it pulls strong, right through. It feels like the bike is more sorted and happy. All models run lean. More fuel fixes a lot of issues. I would rather ride slightly richer than risking damage to the engine.
AM on a LC?
27 January 2015 - 8:20am
There has been quite a discussion on whether an Accelerator Module would improve the already strong performing R1200GS LC. There was one way to find out. I helped Francois installing the AM4 on a 2013 LC with 35000km. The Accelerator Module interrupts the signal sent from the IAT temperature sensor on the rhs of the air box to tell the ECU that it is 20°C cooler than ambient temperature, improving the air fuel ratio under acceleration only. On 650/8001150/1200 models the richer mixture improves drivability, takes away the on/off throttle feel, adds bottom end rpm usability, torque and a smoother motor, but will it do anything to the LC?
We started stripping the top fuel tank panel, but soon found out that only the black piece of plastic above the rhs cylinder had to removed to get to the IAT sensor plug.
R1200GS LC Tank Cover
BMW R1200GS LC Side cover
R1200GS LC Temp Sensor Plug
27 January 2015 - 8:28am
#1
Installing the AM is really a 10 min plug and play procedure. Unplug the wire, fit the male and female plugs of the Accelerator Module into the corresponding pugs, and you are almost done.
R1200GS LC AM installed
R1200GS LC AM Wires
The Green / Yellow / Grey / Black cables belong to the AM.
The only thing left was to route the copper tip of the Accelerator module to a place where it would get lots of ambient air. We decided to route it to the LHS of the bike as rising heat from the exhaust might affect the temp reading on the rhs. Cable tieing it to the rhs frame under the seat was easiest.
R1200GS LC AM Cable Routing
R1200GS LC AM Cable on LHS
27 January 2015 - 8:32am
#2
We were anxious to see if it works. The LC is so strong already.
Francois drove home the long way. His initial response was:
The AM makes the bike more ride-able, the motor more balanced, with more low rpm power in 4th, 5th and 6th gear.
27 January 2015 - 9:31am
#3
Thanks for the feedback. I am one of these people that is reluctant to test this item as you hear that it is way over price for its purpose.
You say you can feel the difference on a 650. On many occasions I find that the 650 is flattapped but will not reach 140 that easily. A good excample is when we come on the other side of steenbras dam. On that flat road the other riders get some lekker speed yet I battle to get the top end. On many occasions I only get it right when we basically in Grawbouw then the bike acts normally again. It is the same the other way around.
Will this item work for occassions like this.
BTW the bike gets a complete reset on every service. The last service 3 months ago it was given an update. Still the same problem. It does not always happen but for some reason that piece of road it always happens.
27 January 2015 - 10:37am
#4
Hi Leon
A BMW specialist in Jhb keeps on installing these for his clients. "It is the best bang for buck" Miguel says. At R1180 it is small change in BMW parts bin terms☺
I am not sure what is lacking with your 650? A mod will not fix a more fundamental issue, but the AM will add more juice to the mix. Will it improve top speed on your bike? I don't know, but you are welcome to try one for a week and see how it goes. I have had good feedback from other 650 single owners.
Give me a shout.
Roodt
0824405250
27 January 2015 - 11:15am
#5
I'd love to see the before and after reports from Dyno testing and even emission testing - any plans to test? ...as much as I appreciate and respect another persons "feel" I'd be interested in seeing the facts and figures.
Go on you know you want to ;-)
27 January 2015 - 11:15am
#6
How about putting that LC on the Dyno so we can compare with/without AM performance throughout the RPM range?
27 January 2015 - 12:05pm
#7
I am not sure that a dyno test will show off the true benefits of the AM? A dyno test runs a motor through the RPM range at full throttle. The Accelerator Module adjusts the rpm/throttle opening/temperature map to increase the fuel/air ratio from a lean (say 14.2) to richer (say 13.6) mixture. More fuel helps solving many of the modern day maladies e.g. rough motor, relative lack of torque at lower rpm and flat spots because of lean EU regulations. In real life conditions you ride at part throttle openings or suddenly open up the throttle, expecting an immediate response, and this is where the AM does its work best. A dyno test might only reveal output at full throttle fuelling table values, which is a very small part of the picture? I'm not an expert but I have seen it work for many people.
We installed an AM on Gary's 2008? R1200GS with 73000km yesterday. His feedback:
"Im suitable impressed, 3rd gear over 4000 rpm pop the throttle and the front wheel comes up. She’s a lot smoother through the gears, no more pinging or popping on the exhaust. 80Km , open throttle and she takes off in top gear. Cruise is now 120/4000 rpm before was about 4300 rpm…..money well spent. Thanks.."
27 January 2015 - 12:23pm
#8
Thanks for the feedback. I am one of these people that is reluctant to test this item as you hear that it is way over price for its purpose.
You say you can feel the difference on a 650. On many occasions I find that the 650 is flattapped but will not reach 140 that easily. A good excample is when we come on the other side of steenbras dam. On that flat road the other riders get some lekker speed yet I battle to get the top end. On many occasions I only get it right when we basically in Grawbouw then the bike acts normally again. It is the same the other way around.
Will this item work for occassions like this.
BTW the bike gets a complete reset on every service. The last service 3 months ago it was given an update. Still the same problem. It does not always happen but for some reason that piece of road it always happens.
Why don't you lower your sprocket ratio, maybe smaller on the front?
A theoretical top speed is one thing, but it you can never get to it, a lower top speed that you can reach is better, no?
25 August 2016 - 3:26pm
#9
Hi
Is there a easy way to determine whether a 1200 has a AM fitted?
Can it work with a Wonderlich box?
Thanks
25 August 2016 - 4:38pm
#10
Would it improve an old girls performance, the R1200GS (2006) ??
28 August 2016 - 8:13am
#11
Roodt,
Do you have any information/stats on what this fitment has done to the fuel consumption? Not the deciding factor, but it would be interesting to know.
Do I get the AM from you? If so, would you be so kindly do the installation, as my technical abilities are really dangerous!! I ride a 2014 LC, which comes out of warranty 10 September, so I guess the AM can then be fitted thereafter.
zero-ate-two 3788-978
28 August 2016 - 9:21am
#12
"Cruise is now 120/4000 rpm before was about 4300 rpm…..money well spent. Thanks.."
Surely engine R P M is directly related gear selection and wheel size to give you road speed. In this instance I am assuming 6th gear? What am I missing.?
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