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#Post#: 156--------------------------------------------------
Vortex ECU
By: seabeegt Date: January 31, 2014, 12:59 pm
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Hey there peeps. This little write up is aimed at those with EFI
woes. I've had my 08 690E for about a year now I suppose and
have had my fair share of ups and downs with her. Ups: loads of
fun... Downs: EFI was severely problematic. When I bought the
bike I was talking to the previous owner and he was telling me
how she was a hard starter and this and that. Said he had the
tach module/computer display replaced cuz the dealer said it
went bad. We fired up the bike and she'd idle fer like two
seconds and fall flat. It would take up to four to five of these
quick sessions for her to maintain idle. So I was thinking about
backing outta the deal cuz this seemed to be a major problem.
However, I knew a buddy of mine back home would have my back so
I went for it. Fast forward a couple of months and ya, she's
still starting hard but I started noticing how temperature
affected the situation. I was stationed out in the Mojavi
Deseret for that period of time so the temp would vary greatly
with both time of year and time of day. When I bought the bike,
its miserable during the day and still fairly hot at night: she
was fussy as all hell. Wintet comes rolling around and the story
starts changing for the better. When the temp would drop below
about 60 degs she'd fire up without hesitation, and idle very
strong. Hmmm... I realized the bike wasn't retarded, it was
confused. Had to dig a bit on other forums and pick a few
brains, but me and my buddy came to a logical conclusion. The
intake + exhaust system had been modified but the bike hadn't
been remapped. So I ended up moving from the Mojavi over here to
Va Beach, but had to go to school in Oxnard, CA en route for a
few months first. So when I was down in Oxnard, the bike ran so
much better cuz of the colder, moister air. However, it warmed
up a tad in the summer and she started giving me that same ol'
babymama drama about starting up. Huh, wouldn't u know. The
computer couldn't compensate for the temperature change. So
began the search for a solution. First I took it to a dealer
down in Anaheim... not a major mistake, but a mistake
nonetheless. I figure most dealers just don't have the
experience level with 690s cuz there are so few and far between.
So when I got it back from the dealer, it would only take two
tries for it to fire up properly. However I did notice more
backfiring when I would ride it for longer distances. Something
was still awrt. So then I started looking into the whole TuneECU
thing. Read some forums and what not. I own a Mac, and their
software doesn't convert I guess. Plus, trying to download crap
off the internet and hoping it doesn't blow up ur motor seemed
like a weekend @ Vegas: an eventual loss.... even though u think
ur winning. Now I say this as my opinion, cuz I read of a few
Brits who got their game together, and appear to be very
successful @ what their doing... cheers mates. Me on the on the
other hand... ya, I'll bow out and let a reputable company take
that weight off my shoulders. So I then start looking into the
Power Commander and the Vortex. PC couldn't guarantee that my
bike year would work, and when I started asking some more
detailed questions about the unit, the chick on the phone didnt
have a clue. Guess what: PASS. Next I called vortex and talked
to their rep for a bit. Apparently their way of working out a
solution to a bikes breathing woes is to get ahold of a bike and
then try all sorts of different intake/exhaust configurations on
it, dyno it and then write up some maps. Sounded fairly logical
to me. Now price wise, it was twice as expensive as the PC, BUT.
... it was its own unit. Not some piggy-back BS. And this one
came with ten maps tuned to the settings that u describe to the
dealer. As well, the ignition unit has three additional dials to
tune each map at idle, mid and main jet. So I dropped $700 and
gambled. When I got it, the installation was pretty easy. Plug
in the new unit in place of two older units, then ya gotta mess
with the throttle body and adjust the idle set screw. Not a huge
deal. Fired her up and... wow. That was the bike I'd been
missing this whole time. She purred at idle and straight up
roared at higher rpms. Riding it now is a dream come true. I've
used about six of the ten maps that came with it. Had to adjust
a bit as lower temps came to my area. Couldn't be happier
though. Im now a very satisfied owner of a 690E.
#Post#: 157--------------------------------------------------
Re: Vortex ECU
By: Rusty Shovel Date: January 31, 2014, 4:17 pm
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[quote author=seabeegt link=topic=63.msg156#msg156
date=1391194759]
I knew a buddy of mine back home would have my back so I went
for it. [/quote]
We should all have buddies like that!
[quote]Had to dig a bit on other forums and pick a few brains,
but me and my buddy came to a logical conclusion. The intake +
exhaust system had been modified but the bike hadn't been
remapped.[/quote]
Hopefully this forum will make that kind of search a bit easier
in the future! ;D
[quote]I figure most dealers just don't have the experience
level with 690s cuz there are so few and far between.[/quote]
I've heard this from several people. My current dealer had no
idea the 690 offered multiple fuel map settings.
[quote]So I then start looking into the Power Commander and the
Vortex. PC couldn't guarantee that my bike year would work, and
when I started asking some more detailed questions about the
unit, the chick on the phone didnt have a clue. Guess what:
PASS.[/quote]
I had the PCV on my WR250R. I worked out okay, but I was
disappointed that they didn't offer more map choices. Instead,
they suggested I seek custom mapping from one of their dealers.
No thanks. If you sell a product, you should support that
product.
[quote]Next I called vortex and talked to their rep for a bit.
Apparently their way of working out a solution to a bikes
breathing woes is to get ahold of a bike and then try all sorts
of different intake/exhaust configurations on it, dyno it and
then write up some maps. [/quote]
This is what Power Commander should do.
[quote]
Couldn't be happier though. Im now a very satisfied owner of a
690E.
[/quote]
I'm happy things worked out for you. That Vortex unit sure is
expensive, but top of the line gear usually is.
#Post#: 158--------------------------------------------------
Re: Vortex ECU
By: seabeegt Date: January 31, 2014, 6:18 pm
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Ya, top of the line is how I feel about it... otherwise they'd
get a thumbs down!
#Post#: 165--------------------------------------------------
Re: Vortex ECU
By: Tmblwd Date: February 1, 2014, 3:20 pm
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Just went thru this with my 2012 690, had the throttle body go
bad and Ktm replaced it. When I got it back
Would not run below 3k rpm without stalling out, could not stop
without stalling. Brought to my local dealer Motor Bikes
Plus,Portsmouth N.H. , they tied my ECU by computer to Ktm
Austria and Austria remapped the Ecu, ran great on the ride home
no stalling or backfiring, didn't run up speed above 60 mph (it
was 9 deg F out!!!) very happy, dealer admitted my problem
brought them to a new level of expertise.
#Post#: 240--------------------------------------------------
Re: Vortex ECU
By: seabeegt Date: February 8, 2014, 1:30 pm
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I bet they admitted they didn't know what they were doing. They
rarely do so until proven wrong. But hey, that's pretty typical
of shops these days. :-\
#Post#: 244--------------------------------------------------
Re: Vortex ECU
By: Endo Date: February 8, 2014, 2:11 pm
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OoOoOo this is a good thread.................... great info
Seabee. I'll keep my eye on this.
#Post#: 322--------------------------------------------------
Re: Vortex ECU
By: seabeegt Date: February 16, 2014, 11:49 am
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Ya man, ask yer questions if u got any ??? Im here to help, and
drink cheap beer ;D
#Post#: 1181--------------------------------------------------
Re: Vortex ECU
By: Guymcfly Date: June 4, 2014, 7:00 am
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I decided to go down the Vortex road as well. The more I've read
up on the way they bring the 690 alive the more I was
interested.
I got mine a few days back. Install is a piece of cake, the
hardest part being adjustment to the idle.
I want to recheck my TPS voltage because mine is a touch harder
to start than previously. Hot start is great, cold is like it
needs a slight 'get out of bed' prompting.
I set the ecu stock...and took my 1st ride using the first of
the Enduro settings. All I can say is WOW! This bike now
absolutely frickin' hauls! If anything the setting I have it on
might even be a little too wild for me. I'll try a softer
throttle setting tomorrow and see how it rolls.
Other things to say about all this...first the bike sounds
insane! It's developed a wicked bark when it gets a twist of
gas. And secondly, believe me when I say, it feels lighter.
Probably because it's just livelyer, but it now has more 'flick
ability'. As our friend Seebeegt has so aptly put it..."it's
what the bike has been missing the whole time".
#Post#: 1183--------------------------------------------------
Re: Vortex ECU
By: GSP Date: June 4, 2014, 8:17 am
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Wonder if it will work on the 2014?
#Post#: 1190--------------------------------------------------
Re: Vortex ECU
By: Guymcfly Date: June 4, 2014, 10:30 pm
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I believe Vortex do have a module programmed for the 2014 model.
They load maps according to your set up. I.e...air box, can.
From what I was given to understand they have spent many hours
working on the maps for the bike.
The person I have dealt with is Richard Muurling, helpful, and
service orientated. And he really knows what he is doing. Nice
to have a bit of good old fashioned service along with the
product.
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