PC V or Mastertune?
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Canada
PC V or Mastertune?
Hey fellas 
I'm getting a set of Bassanis for my Street Bob! Now I need to choose a tuner.
I have a S/E Stage 1 air filter on my bike already; should I get the PC V or the TTS Mastertune?
Thanks!
I'm getting a set of Bassanis for my Street Bob! Now I need to choose a tuner.
I have a S/E Stage 1 air filter on my bike already; should I get the PC V or the TTS Mastertune?
Thanks!
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,489
Likes: 23
From: East of Tulsa
PCV or TTS
It appears that u have already narrowed it down to two choices so I will not offer other ideas.
After reading many threads on tuners I decided to go with TTS. I decided mostly on the ease of use that many on the site have reported. I bought a refurd notebook on ebay for $150 and can change the tune anytime I change intake or fuel.
After reading many threads on tuners I decided to go with TTS. I decided mostly on the ease of use that many on the site have reported. I bought a refurd notebook on ebay for $150 and can change the tune anytime I change intake or fuel.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 4
Depends on what you are looking for as there is no right system for everyone. PCVs work, are inexpensive to dyno, have canned maps based on dyno results for similar bikes but you need to install permanent hardware on the bike, its an extra box on the bike to fail, and it disables the ECU closed loop (cripples its adaptability). Lots of happy customers, a few not so happy.
The TTS tuning kit has more sophisticated tools, has more features (most useful some not so for the street), you program the ECU instead of adding hardware and, with a few hours sweat equity, you have a custom tuned map for your individual bike. Closed loop operation is retained if you chose, a good feature as gas quality gets more and more inconsistent (closed loop bikes adapt to varying fuel quality). You typically get a better street tune (not necessarily more power) and better mpg tuning with TTS. But you need a reliable laptop and ride with it to do the tune. The TTS kit may be used on one bike where the PCV can be moved from one to another when you trade off your bikes.
Both can be considered plug and play and simple to use when you use canned maps. TTS may be $100 more costly.
You have a late model O2 equipped bike so I think you should get the TTS kit, as you won't be sorry later.
No one system is perfect, life is full of compromise.
The TTS tuning kit has more sophisticated tools, has more features (most useful some not so for the street), you program the ECU instead of adding hardware and, with a few hours sweat equity, you have a custom tuned map for your individual bike. Closed loop operation is retained if you chose, a good feature as gas quality gets more and more inconsistent (closed loop bikes adapt to varying fuel quality). You typically get a better street tune (not necessarily more power) and better mpg tuning with TTS. But you need a reliable laptop and ride with it to do the tune. The TTS kit may be used on one bike where the PCV can be moved from one to another when you trade off your bikes.
Both can be considered plug and play and simple to use when you use canned maps. TTS may be $100 more costly.
You have a late model O2 equipped bike so I think you should get the TTS kit, as you won't be sorry later.
No one system is perfect, life is full of compromise.
Last edited by ColdCase; Aug 25, 2010 at 07:17 AM.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,483
Likes: 39
From: Passaic County, NJ
Which one you buy depends on your computer / motorcycle literacy. If you're comfortable hooking your laptop (if you own one) to your bike then going for a tuning ride with the laptop in a saddlebag recording data then go for the TTS.
If noyt then get the pcV and make an appt to get your bike dyno tuned.
If noyt then get the pcV and make an appt to get your bike dyno tuned.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 282
Likes: 1
From: Raleigh, N. Carolina (Via Brighton, England)
I like the look of the TTS mastertune.
Couple of questions come to mind though:
Is the TTS as good as getting a tune done at your average dealership?
Looks like TTS will only let you use the unit on 1 or 2 bikes. So, if I trade my bike in next year im shafted? On the other hand, if I sell the bike privately I suppose I can give the TTS software to the new owner?
Couple of questions come to mind though:
Is the TTS as good as getting a tune done at your average dealership?
Looks like TTS will only let you use the unit on 1 or 2 bikes. So, if I trade my bike in next year im shafted? On the other hand, if I sell the bike privately I suppose I can give the TTS software to the new owner?
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,483
Likes: 39
From: Passaic County, NJ
I like the look of the TTS mastertune.
Couple of questions come to mind though:
Is the TTS as good as getting a tune done at your average dealership?
Looks like TTS will only let you use the unit on 1 or 2 bikes. So, if I trade my bike in next year im shafted? On the other hand, if I sell the bike privately I suppose I can give the TTS software to the new owner?
Couple of questions come to mind though:
Is the TTS as good as getting a tune done at your average dealership?
Looks like TTS will only let you use the unit on 1 or 2 bikes. So, if I trade my bike in next year im shafted? On the other hand, if I sell the bike privately I suppose I can give the TTS software to the new owner?
2) Once installed, TTS Mastertune vin-locks to that bike forever. it cannot be transferred to another bike.
3) The average dealership would have to have training on the TTS Mastertune software. Don't lock yourself to get your dyno-tuning done at the dealer as they may not be the best at that.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 4
1) Is the TTS as good as getting a tune done at your average dealership?
2).Looks like TTS will only let you use the unit on 1 or 2 bikes. So, if I trade my bike in next year im shafted? On the other hand, if I sell the bike privately I suppose I can give the TTS software to the new owner?
2).Looks like TTS will only let you use the unit on 1 or 2 bikes. So, if I trade my bike in next year im shafted? On the other hand, if I sell the bike privately I suppose I can give the TTS software to the new owner?
1) From reading these boards, the average dealer's tech will not do better than you and a TTS for the street and a stock or stage 1 bike, and often does a worse driveability tune. They may or may not make more peak power/torque as WOT power is easy to tune. Its the on the street performance thats more difficult and time consuming. They would likely use a SESPT which has similar transfer constrains as the TTS. You can afford to spend more time fine tuning if you do it yourself. A competent tuner will nearly always do a better job, but probability not enough to be felt by your butt dyno unless you have a problem bike. Bar stool racing, dyno sheets, and bragging rights may be better.
2) You can use the TTS kit to read and record sensor and fault code data on as many bikes as you want. It will only program one. The TTS may increase the resale value of the bike in a private sale. TTS is not licensed to an individual so ownership can be freely transferred, its licensed for one (or optionally two) ECUs.
BTW, many pro tuners use the TTS kit to save time. They use Vtune to quickly calibrate most of the AFR and double check it with the dyno sensors. They then use the dyno to set the AFR in areas Vtune doesn't directly measure (like WOT) based on the dyno sensors. To finish they will tweak the timing based on their knowledge and experience with your type of bike and riding style. Its going to be hard to beat a competent tuner that takes his time by simply using a TTS kit, but you can say that about any tuning product. It seems like the TTS kit gets you closer to ideal street than other products that cost less than $1000. Many product will make near peak power for probably less money and also liven up the bike in general and there are many happy customers. Nothing wrong with using them.
Last edited by ColdCase; Aug 25, 2010 at 09:59 AM.
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