New emission standards - what is it doing to my bike?
About a year ago, the big thing in the motorcycle news was the tighter emission standards for 2017. There were a lot of speculations but nobody really knew to which degree it would affect our bikes.
It was clear that the petrol fueled engines would have to run even leaner than earlier, and motorcycle engines with virtually no flywheel weight would still have to meet the same requirements as the heavier car engines. So the motorcycle manufacturers would once again face a much bigger challenge than the car industry.
There is no doubt that the motorcycle manufacturers R&D departments have been working overtime, and that they are using every trick in the book to make the 2017 bikes run reasonably well.
The leaner mixture will make the engines run hotter, but most modern water-cooled engines can survive the new leaner requirements and have an acceptable operating lifespan with few or no mechanical changes.
A few engine types have been equipped with titanium exhaust valves, and we will most likely see more bikes being changed this way in the future. The exhaust valves are by far the components that are under the highest thermal stress, and they have a very hard time with the lean mixture.
There is no doubt that we will experience more damaged exhaust valves and valve seats on high mile motorcycles than we have seen before.
Top end power on the lean burn engines are more or less the same as on previous models – at least in the brochure (The customers will not be happy if a new bike has less power than the old model).
But the manufacturers have been remarkably quiet on the fact that the leaner mixture is reducing low-end power, torque and rideability.
Take a look at the chart below where power and torque curves are displayed for a 2016 and a 2017 BMW R1200GS. The mechanical setup on the two bikes is identical, so the difference in output is closely connected to the programming of the fuel Injection.
Bottom line is that compared to the older models, the 2017 motorcycle will:
- Have a higher combustion temperature and a higher degree of thermal stress
- Have reduced power and torque at low to medium RPM.
As mentioned earlier, a lot has been done on the bikes (especially on the electronic side) to minimize the negative effects of the lean air/fuel mixture. But despite all the technology, the only way to release the full potential of the engine is to add a bit more fuel.
Bottom line is that the new bikes need the BoosterPlug fuel injection optimization more than ever, and the feedback we have received from riders with 2017 motorcycle models and BoosterPlug fitted is possibly even better than usual.
This smacks of advertorial. What does Donford Motorrad have to say about the effect of a booster plug on the warranty?
Does a booster plug un-do the changes made in fuel mixtures to meet EU regulations?
Would ceramic coating of exhausts draw more heat away from the cylinder heads and assist in reducing heat stress whilst still keeping within emissions rules?
Hi Charles. Yes, I received this information from the manufacturers of BoosterPlug, but the effects of lean mixtures are real. My other bike is a Honda 125 Estorm, and although it does not have the power of the bigger bike I am amazed at how smooth the carb throttle is compared to the new EFI bikes. I speak to riders from all brands daily on overcoming the symptoms of lean mixtures.
In over 8 years there have not been warranty issues with any brand. Some other brand dealerships are fitting BoosterPlugs on customers bikes in their workshops for clients.
Something like BoosterPlug will increase the life of the engine as it makes the engine run cooler, protects valves, smoothens out the engine and prevents pinging. It does that by adjusting the value of the AIT (air intake temperature) sensor just when needed, under acceleration, deceleration and idle. The AIT sensor modifies the mixture all the time in open loop in any way, so no harm can be done. Fitting an aftermarket exhaust exuberates poor mixtures - fortunately something like a BoosterPlug brings balance to the force.
Does a booster plug un-do the changes made in fuel mixtures to meet EU regulations?
Would ceramic coating of exhausts draw more heat away from the cylinder heads and assist in reducing heat stress whilst still keeping within emissions rules?
Unlike PowerCommander and others, BoosterPlug does not touch the standard fuel map. It also does not interfere with O2/lambda sensor operation (constant rpm and tps after +- 2 seconds) when cruising, and in the upper part of the rpm range.
It is one of the few mods that will not trigger the 2016+ anti-tampering light on the dash.
It only modifies the IAT (intake air temperature) sensor values. The IAT sensor measures ambient air temperature and makes the fuel richer when colder and leaner when hot, but still too lean (14,4-7:1 instead of the optimal 13,6:1 where the motor is happy). The IAT sensor is only effective when the O2 sensor is not able to adjust the mixture. BoosterPlug increases the mixture by 6% to 13,6:1 (over a wide range of -30°C to +50°C) under acceleration, deceleration and at idle, in the lower half of the rpm range only. As soon as the Lambda sensor has a chance to take over, it does as you are most probably cruising, but by then the BoosterPlug has done its work. It will only interfere when needed - in open loop, and then move to the background until called on.
Fuel cools down the combustion process. The leaner the mixture, the hotter the combustion. No doubt something like ceramic header pipes will help - manufacturers are using every trick in the book - but it still does not make combustion itself cooler, which takes its toll on components like valves and human legs. If only that heat could be effectively converted to energy...☺
FYI.....A few weeks ago I fitted a booster plug to my 2008 1200 GSA which has a Complete Leo Vince system on it.(no cat.)
Bike feels smoother at low revs and has removed the hesitation when going from a closed throttle to open. Less popping (backfiring) when running against compression.
Generally the bike is better behaved at low revs, especially in traffic.
That is my Tickey's worth.
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