Product Description
***DO NOT SEND YOUR ECU IN WITHOUT RECEIVE CONFIRMATION AND ORDER FORMS FROM BRENTUNING MOTO***
(ALL STAGE 1 FEATURES ARE INCLUDED IN STAGE 2)
The BrenTuning Moto Stage 1 Flash is the single best modification you can do to the motorcycle! After months of testing we have had successfully calibrated our in-house test bike, a 2018 K1600B Grand America. This calibration will work for all B/GA/GT/GTL bikes as the ECU’s are the same with minor differences between them.
WHY IS THIS THE BEST UPGRADE YOU CAN BUY?
The biggest complaints from owners revolved around the pitiful throttle response and of course, the terribly restrictive top speed limiter (GA especially which we found to be around 105MPH). First we baselined the motorcycle in 100% stock ECU form, the motorcycle we used for testing has around 8,000 miles and was well broken in. In stock configuration we found all the talk of poor throttle was spot on, we also found the bike hit the speed limiter in the top of 3rd gear, with 3 more gears to go — frustrating to say the least, especially on a bike of this nature. The power flattened out and the motor was very rich and under-timed.
With or without custom mapping, we all know the BMW K1600 is a wonderful bike that’s amazing for touring! We also know it isn’t perfect. Issues that we’ve verified ourselves and what customers have reported include the following:
- Bad throttle response
- Top speed limiter at 105 MPH (GA)
- Under-timed engine that may feel lazy when power is needed
- Mapping only good for one kind of fuel
WHAT DID WE DO ABOUT THIS?
After months of testing we have had successfully calibrated our in-house test bike, a 2018 K1600B Grand America. This calibration will work for all B/GA/GT/GTL bikes as the ECU’s are the same with minor difference between them. We have also tested our mapping on the road while logging all parameters of the bike to ensure reliability and consistency. So what did we change?
- Improved throttle response! Throttle tables maximized to provide a snappier and more responsive throttle (see below for throttle table details).
- Top speed limiter removed. No more 105 MPH limit. We tested our own K1600 all the way to 170 MPH on our in-house dyno (NOT EVER RECOMMENDED ON THE ROAD).
- HP gains of +18HP with a climbing HP curve from 5000RPM to redline – we did this by modifying the throttle which is stuck at a 75% max opening in factory configuration; with light changes to ignition timing and torque, along with other tables that have proven to work great in the BMW tuning world.
- Ignition advanced with safety in mind – there are multiple ignition maps for the K1600. We have altered these maps to give you maximum power. We also have safety built in. If your bike detects a lower octane fuel or fuel that may be bad out of the pump, our mapping will pull power out of the bike until it gets quality fuel.
- With our handheld tuner we can configure and maximize mapping for any kind of fuel with the ability to go back to your stock mapping if you need to go to the dealer for servicing or warranty issues.
**All riding modes still work as designed and all will have the throttle improvements that we have implemented. Dynamic mode will still be what you want to use for maximum performance and power.**
THROTTLE RESTRICTIONS
As you can see in the software screenshots below, the K1600 ECU is only commanding a fraction of what the engine is capable of outputting. Our flash completely eliminates those restrictions without compromising rideability or the reliability of your motorcycle.
Check out this 3D throttle map overlay for stock vs flashed. The yellow/orange sheet on top represents a flashed motorcycle throttle request in the software. The blue and green under that represent the stock throttle request.
DYNO TESTING
**All in-house testing performed with 93 octane pump gas. Usage of a lower octane will yield smaller power gains.**
Customer Testimonials
Willie Cooper –
I’ll get right to the point: The Bren ECU Flash fixes the 2018 K1600 GT. The bike now feels like it has a legitimate, 160 crank-horse power motor. The throttle still feels like a ride by wire system, but it is now much more confidence inspiring.
The Bren people are professional, knowledgeable, and responsive. My ECU arrived late on a Wednesday and was stamped out of their offices the next day. I have found nothing but glowing references on them and my experience has been exceptional. I also think the price is a steal, especially if you’re suffering with the 2018+ K-bike’s throttle maladies.
I removed the ECU using the video on Bren’s website. The video bike is a K16 B, but it was identical to my 18’ GT. No surprises are good. I installed the ECU using Bren’s instructions and the bike started right up and it idled perfectly around 1K rpm. I waited for about 15-20 minutes without touching the throttle as the bike warmed up. Then I took the bike for an initial test and was cautiously optimistic.
As was stated, my main goal was to fix the bike’s throttle, and that mission can certainly be stamped “ACCOMPLISHED”. The throttle is progressive and without the annoying flat spots of the stock control. Pulling off is easy as pie, like it should be – no more embarrassing stalls. In fact, the bike is significantly more manageable at parking lot speeds. When the throttle is closed, there feels like less engine braking than before but there is still a useful amount to coast up to lights or to decelerate into a turn. I used to get cramps in my throttle hand after just an hour of riding. Today I rode for 3 ½ hours straight with no discomfort at all.
Dynamic mode is positively fun, transforming the big K into a frisky puppy with a nasty growl. Road mode is now properly usable. Rain mode is also now functional – I was always worried more about getting caught out with no power than breaking the rear wheel lose.
The quick-shifter is as smooth as stock but seems a bit clunkier than before. This however is an auditory issue, as the bike does not lurch or object when shifted. In other minor issues, there is a bit of a pop when the throttle is shut off abruptly.
You really start feeling the additional punch at around 4.5 – 5K. You can feel the bike pushing you back into the seat and WOT is impressively more frenetic. Part of the new-found thrill is a new, much louder, snarky intake growl. In fact, the ECU flash has given the bike a decidedly more aggressive, sporty attitude. The power is still smooth and turbine-like, there is just a little more of it.
What Bren has done to clean up the K16 is impressive. Even more impressive is the reasonable cost and quick service. Bren’s Stage 1 flash is a conservative and well targeted flash that delivers the promise of the 2018 K16.
Bob jarrell –
My ride review on my 2018 BMW Grand America, all 2017 and newer k1600 BMW bikes from the factory come with a very lazy throttle response and the GA has a top speed limiter set at 101 mph. So during the holidays I sent my ECU to Cris at Bren Tuning for the stage 1 re-flash for the above noted issues. Shipping to and from Bren Tuning including the re-flash was four days excellent service. Yesterday was a perfect day to ride the West Virginia mountains a 250 mile spirited ride, in either rode or dynamic mode the throttle response is spot on no lag anymore. Shifting is buttery smooth with quick shifter or clutch no clunking as a previous review I read. Didn’t really get to stretch out the top end MPH since we were riding through the mountains but 101 mph limiter is gone 👍 I was curious about fuel mileage after the flash mine is the same 42 mpg spirited riding and 50 mpg riding the speed limit. The bike is tuned perfectly no flat spots just a pleasure to ride. So if anyone is on the fence about this re-flash it is legit. A professional company with great service and knowledge with the performance to back it up. Thank you for your help Bob Jarrell