Tuning and modding » ECU Handheld Flash

I noticed that there are several companies like Brentuning offering a flash tuner for the 1250. Has anyone here used one and if so what were the results? Thanks

Sorry, I dont have any direct experience to relate but I'm also curious about the Bren Tuning option and the possible results. Since there is not many RS's sold compared to GS's it would probably be best to try and check a GS forum, or MOA forum, ADV Rider forum etc, to see how people rate it. Think thats what I'm going to try anyway.

I did have the ECU flashed from a mail order service on my last bike, an Aprilia Tuono and that made an incredible difference, not more HP but better fueling all over, a bit more torque in the midrange and smoother engine braking at closed throttle. I've fitted an Arrow can to my RS and it would be nice to see what gains and drivability improvements are possible. Probably lost a little torque down low so it would be nice to get that back, and a bit more???

Do you happen to know which other companies besides Bren Tuning that offer a flash? If I take the leap I'll post up my impressions.

Cheers

Have a look at Rapid Bike Smart add on to the ECU. Their graph shows a good torque gain at low rpm.

I know several folks who ride K1600's that have done the Bren Tune (both send in ECU and now with handheld option) and have had VERY positive results. On the K16's, in 2017, they had to change the fuel mapping and power delivery to meet new Euro-spec emission regulations. While this affected top end a touch, it significantly negatively impacted low-mid end performance. Guys with < 2017 bikes that "upgraded" quickly wished they didn't. Some said it felt like it was constantly in rain mode. Bren Tune fixed all that. And beyond forum talk, a good friend of mine I ride with regularly who had a 2015 bike and then got a 2017/18 bike, immediately felt the difference between the two and was about to sell his later model. He took a chance on the Bren Tune when they came out with the handheld units and texted me the instant he got home, saying it was even better than his 2015 now; a radically different [better] bike, which he still has.

So, I've checked out Bren Tune for the reasons above. Namely, I figure the motor in my 2020 could crank out more since it's > 2017 with latest emissions specs. But since there was a never a version of this motor prior, I don't know what I'm missing.

However, since they've only done a tune for the GS 1250, I haven't thought any more seriously about it. I know the core motor is the same, but I doubt the mappings are and I'm 99% sure the gear ratios are different. I don't *know* that the ECU's are different, but I'd be leery of flashing my RS with a GS program to be sure. If Bren Tune releases a product for the RS or I could ride my RS to them for the cause, I'd consider it. But until then, I'm likely to wait.

Very interested in this thread.
I also reflashed my 2019 RSV4RR Aprilia with a Gabro flash and it runs so much nicer in the lower rpm’s in first gear as opposed to the factory settings. In fact all thru the rpm ranges it run much smoother

I’ll keep watching to see if anyone come up with a tried and true mapping for the RS. Mine is a 719 edition with the Akra from the factory and it runs so lean. I actually find it annoying the popping when letting off the throttle and between shifts if not using the quick shift at higher rpm’s.

Thanks fellows

I too have been looking at the Brentune, and while on their website, I found an excellent before and after video. You have to search the R 1250 GS to find it, but well worth your time to watch.

But wouldn't a BMW software update negate the changed software or am I behind the times?

As I understand it, when you download the new tune to the bike, you also store the stock tune in the handheld. It can then swapped back before you go to the dealer.

I am pretty interested in the Brentune for my RS. Just looks like too much fun to miss out on. Is anyone else interested in getting it, maybe they would give a quantity discount. Never hurts to ask.

Personally I would not use any kind of reflashing tool that did not allow to backup and restore whatever is on there already.
You can't usually do this when you upgrade your phone/tablet/computer, but that's a different proposition. With those it's an official upgrade from the original hardware supplier.

That is the beauty of the Brentune. It automatically downloads and stores the stock tune for later use.

So curiosity just got the better of me and I called BrenTune. I spoke to Chris who said the 1250's are all similar enough that the GS product will work with the RS. Concerned about gearing differences as well as others, he explained the process: buy the handheld, download the stock tune from 'my' bike and email it to them. They then ask me 25 questions and create a custom tune for my bike that they then email me back for upload to my bike via handheld. and wa-la. handheld does retain copy of stock tune.

I have a birthday coming up, so hmmm 🤔

and a note: he did mention it requires a windows computer. as I'm on a Mac, I asked about running parallels (works with my GS 911) and he said he's heard from customers that Parallels on a Mac will work. my take there is 99% chance, but won't swear to it until I or someone I know tries it.

Zitat von backRoadS im Beitrag #12

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So curiosity just got the better of me and I called BrenTune. I spoke to Chris who said the 1250's are all similar enough that the GS product will work with the RS. Concerned about gearing differences as well as others, he explained the process: buy the handheld, download the stock tune from 'my' bike and email it to them. They then ask me 25 questions and create a custom tune for my bike that they then email me back for upload to my bike via handheld. and wa-la. handheld does retain copy of stock tune.

I have a birthday coming up, so hmmm 🤔

and a note: he did mention it requires a windows computer. as I'm on a Mac, I asked about running parallels (works with my GS 911) and he said he's heard from customers that Parallels on a Mac will work. my take there is 99% chance, but won't swear to it until I or someone I know tries it.

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@Magellan44 thanks for the reply. I did not ask explicitly about the cat or header swap, nor did he bring it up, but BT’s website is pretty clear on the stage 1 r1250gs page that the exhaust valve Robs a lot of power- and essentially say the dyno charts they have there are on a bike with de-cat headers. Or at least that’s how I’ve read it.

That’s great to hear on your RSV. I can’t say I hate the RS throttling, but I’m starting to feel like it is definitely sub optimal. Like not as good as it could be. And my trusted friend who did BT on his K1600GT is not easily impressed.

I found on eBay some black widow de-cat exhaust headers for RS in UK that appear to be $330 usd shipped to my side of the pond.

If I’m going to do it, I’m probably going to go full crazy: stage 2 BT w high flow intake stacks and the de-cat headers. I already have a DominatoR slip on.

backRoads
Keep us abreast of the build if you would. I’m very interested in you research and results.
Watching the BT videos left me with a positive outlook for the RS. Before this thread I wasn’t sure if there was a flash for them.

Thanks
M