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Bren Tuners: Let us hear what you think!

  • <i class="fa--xf fal fa-check "><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" role="img" aria-hidden="true" ><use href="/data/local/icons/light.svg?v=1789222567#check"></use></svg></i> Discussion starter Discussion starter Adrian R
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Here in the UK, the Bren Tune is a bit pricey for me. I have had many bikes reflashed in the past for a fraction of the cost, but the R18 is still not an option as far as I can see.
Has anyone found a flasher in the UK? :oops:
 
RazMan said:
Here in the UK, the Bren Tune is a bit pricey for me. I have had many bikes reflashed in the past for a fraction of the cost, but the R18 is still not an option as far as I can see.
Has anyone found a flasher in the UK? :oops:
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no need to.
Mod exhaust as you see fit, or not. Ditto de intake and side plates. De ECU will adjust, autotune, because of the wide band O2 sensors.
 
The R18 has to run lean to squeeze it into the Euro5 specs - you can feel that when you ride. Most of the tunes I have had simply smooth out the dips in the torque curve, making rideability a much more pleasant experience. I am not looking for more power - just a smoother ride with a nicer sound.
 
RazMan said:
The R18 has to run lean to squeeze it into the Euro5 specs - you can feel that when you ride. Most of the tunes I have had simply smooth out the dips in the torque curve, making rideability a much more pleasant experience. I am not looking for more power - just a smoother ride with a nicer sound.
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Then your 'choice' is Brentune or take it as it is. Sound improves with the flap actuator delete.
 
RazMan said:
Here in the UK, the Bren Tune is a bit pricey for me. I have had many bikes reflashed in the past for a fraction of the cost, but the R18 is still not an option as far as I can see.
Has anyone found a flasher in the UK? :oops:
Click to expand...
I would not use a local tuner. There is a well known tuner not far from me and I was going to go with them but after talking to him I realised no one in Australia see's enough of these bikes to really understand them (far different here to the Harely scene for example). So I waited for a 20% off on the BT tune.... cost is less of an issue if the bike is a genuine keeper (say your keeping it for 10 years, would I pay 50 more per year for a tune that didn't annoy me in some way? Yes for me)

When thinking suspension or tune I remind myself how little I paid for the bike (relatively) and just get the good stuff once I really have thought it through.

I still can't make sense of how initially the tune didn't feel night and day, but when riding it with the tune removed to get the reverse recall done I absouloutely hated riding it in stock form, weird.
 
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Noelpolar said:
I still can't make sense of how initially the tune didn't feel night and day, but when riding it with the tune removed to get the reverse recall done I absouloutely hated riding it in stock form, weird.
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You know, I'm of the same thought (albeit I still have not removed the tune). I can't say there's much of a difference and in fact I think the DNA Stage 2 air filter was more noticeable than the tune itself (I did the tune first, ran bike with stock air filter, then did the DNA).

Having said that, I've noticed that effect with cars where you notice the change more going BACK to stock.

My next service (oil change) is in November so I'll go back to stock then and see if I too notice that performance reduction.
 
LBV said:
You know, I'm of the same thought (albeit I still have not removed the tune). I can't say there's much of a difference and in fact I think the DNA Stage 2 air filter was more noticeable than the tune itself (I did the tune first, ran bike with stock air filter, then did the DNA).

Having said that, I've noticed that effect with cars where you notice the change more going BACK to stock.

My next service (oil change) is in November so I'll go back to stock then and see if I too notice that performance reduction.
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Depends on what you define as performance. The Brentune does not noticeably increase hp. It addresses the wáy the power is delivered.
The admission restrictions are thé bottle neck for the horses. Addressing thát you will most definitely notice in the amoúnt op power delivered.

The ECU will adjust, autotune to any such modifications and keep the engine running within stock fuel/air parameters. RS reported a 25% power/torque increase using the stock program.
The Brentune addresses those parameters and this reproves the running of the stock engine. After intake modfications the ECU may autotune to the Brentune parameters.
 
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I have the Brentune on my R18b. It definitely improves horsepower quite noticeably. The tune removes the factory limitations in the ecu timing that occurs as the rpm increases which cause a noticeable flattening out at higher rpm. The fuel mixture is enrichened as well which gives a nice low speed rush when accelerating. In addition the speed limiter is removed. The downside is quite a dramatic reduction in fuel economy. The best miles per gallon (us) I could achieve with the Brentune was about 32-35 mpg. I loved the way the bike ran with the tune but found the fuel mileage a big concern. I talked to Brentune about this and they made a custom tune for me which removed the limitations but also allowed better fuel economy when running on the highway. The new tune though better than than stock still livens up the throttle response but may not quite have the overall increase as the original Brentune program. The fuel economy has improved with the new tune and now is back to normal when traveling.
 
RazMan said:
Let's face it - we don't get an R18 for its economy :ROFLMAO:
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No argument there but having to fill up again is the more annoying the more often you need to so no, would not at all like more fuel being burned.

That aside, the way I have the intake now and with the exhaust flap actuators deleted I would not pay a single € for a tune up.
 
One of the major things often overlooked in these type of discussions is the significant differences in the users (us) and how we use our R18's.

As my own sample group of 1, I have no thought of economy and mostly ride my bike in a irresponsible fashion (as judged by the fun poilce) Yesterday, fanging in the local hills, I had a small handle bar slap or two whilst traction light blinking, possibly a bit airborn comming off a single lane rural bridge full throttle'ish.... got to love a long wheel base with longish rake to make it all feel so safe. Today I can't wait to go back and try it again.... I enjoy being a grand dad hoon riding like it's the 1950s.... by myself and out of sight off course.

Anyway, noticable more torque with the bt tune on my bike and probally 500 or so rpm more usefull up top if needing to hold a gear for some reason... so 1500 to 5,400rpm.... but most fun 1600 to 4500 in the hills.... so hp as a comparitive measure is mostly silly regarding this bike as it isn't a rever... and no cams etc are available to really start moving the the usable rev range higher to get hp bragging rights.

Fwiw... I average about 43 us mpg or 5.5l/100km on 93/98.... but I don't do any city traffic work.
 
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Noelpolar said:
Try buying a car from a car factory..... same thing.
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:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:

about use totally agree.
I am on old road racer and unfortunately the hard consequences of what seemed a good idea at the time are all too present reminders of the limitations.
Friends say, behind my back of course, that I drive/ride like a maniac but at the same time Í think they are blind; without peripheral vision, not aware of the world around them. I may sometimes enjoy drifting or such but nevvah evvah with anything else about whereas they do not even keep enough safe distance to anything.

Anyway, I ride mostly quite sedately and if I want to rág it, take a Vespa out.
The R18 handles surprisingly well and such but I bought it for cruising about the Andalucian twisties with the idea of adding a learner wheel in the back of my mind.
Before bolting on the chair usually average closer to 15 than 18 km/l and never more. Although economically irrelevant, I do find topping up annoying.
Don´t know what the thirst is now. Also still figuring out the handling.

Concerning powah I had nó caveat with the stock tuning.
Only opened up the intake out of principle: Cannot stánd a good engine being literally throttled. The result is a 'hard rock' mode. Too rough for sidecar use so now have it on 'Roll´. Full power just less taxing for all the hardware.
I am a bit embarrassed to admit that the third wheel x abundant torque means I can safely spin the rear wheel even in second 😇

Bottom line is that as my son observes I am a an adolescent in disguise but have also learned that Í, mý riding/driving, is the only real safety gadget.
The output of the R18 is more than ok for me and I have a canister with extra fuel behind the passenger seat.
 
Petrus said:
:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:

about use totally agree.
I am on old road racer and unfortunately the hard consequences of what seemed a good idea at the time are all too present reminders of the limitations.
Friends say, behind my back of course, that I drive/ride like a maniac but at the same time Í think they are blind; without peripheral vision, not aware of the world around them. I may sometimes enjoy drifting or such but nevvah evvah with anything else about whereas they do not even keep enough safe distance to anything.

Anyway, I ride mostly quite sedately and if I want to rág it, take a Vespa out.
The R18 handles surprisingly well and such but I bought it for cruising about the Andalucian twisties with the idea of adding a learner wheel in the back of my mind.
Before bolting on the chair usually average closer to 15 than 18 km/l and never more. Although economically irrelevant, I do find topping up annoying.
Don´t know what the thirst is now. Also still figuring out the handling.

Concerning powah I had nó caveat with the stock tuning.
Only opened up the intake out of principle: Cannot stánd a good engine being literally throttled. The result is a 'hard rock' mode. Too rough for sidecar use so now have it on 'Roll´. Full power just less taxing for all the hardware.
I am a bit embarrassed to admit that the third wheel x abundant torque means I can safely spin the rear wheel even in second 😇

Bottom line is that as my son observes I am a an adolescent in disguise but have also learned that Í, mý riding/driving, is the only real safety gadget.
The output of the R18 is more than ok for me and I have a canister with extra fuel behind the passenger seat.
Click to expand...
And now a Fire Extinguisher in case you do ‘burn outs’ 🤣🤣🤣
 
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