Power commander III

Chat for Falco Owners.

Moderators: Aladinsaneuk, MartDude, D-Rider, Moderators

Message
Author
wayofthedarkhand

Power commander III

#1 Post by wayofthedarkhand » Mon Jun 04, 2012 3:53 pm

Why do the RSV and Falco power commanders have different part numbers?

I thought the Falco had pretty much the same engine (albeit slightly detuned), and same electronics.

User avatar
D-Rider
Admin
Admin
Posts: 15560
Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2007 1:09 pm
Location: Coventry

#2 Post by D-Rider » Mon Jun 04, 2012 4:08 pm

They are exactly the same hardware but they come loaded with a different map.

You can buy either and then load it with any map of your choice.

NB we are talking Gen 1 Mille and 2-oh-no - not the Gen 2 bikes that use a completely different engine management system - the latter bikes' powercommanders are not compatible

BTW the Falco Engine was not detuned but after a couple of years of production, the Mille got bigger valve heads and slightly different cams - but these mods were not carried over on to the Falco
“Scientists investigate that which already is. Engineers create that which has never been.”
-- Albert Einstein

wayofthedarkhand

#3 Post by wayofthedarkhand » Mon Jun 04, 2012 4:13 pm

Yeah gen 1.

Cool.

Don't have the cash yet, but noticed that the Falco PCIII's are few and far between 2nd hand. The Mille ones are easy to get hold of and cheaper.

wayno
SuperBike Racer
SuperBike Racer
Posts: 904
Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2010 1:55 pm
Location: Buckinghamshire

#4 Post by wayno » Mon Jul 02, 2012 9:17 am

Which year of RSV will have the same PCIII as the Falco?

A mate of mine will be selling his RSV power commander soon so I'd like to get first dibs if it's compatible.

Also does anyone know if it's true that the early RSV chip is the same as the arrow one? I might try to get my hands on that too if he'll let me as he has a different chip in there at the minute.
Pass me a hammer, a spanner and a cuppa

User avatar
Aladinsaneuk
Aprilia Admin
Posts: 9503
Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2007 10:37 pm
Location: Webfoot territory

#5 Post by Aladinsaneuk » Mon Jul 02, 2012 9:36 am

gen 1 was produced officially till 2003 - BUT some were registered in 2004...Gen 1 Tuono's were produced until later - same parts....

the key thing to aid identification is the swing arm - the banana shape is gen 1, the more angular one is gen 2

and re chips....

if you are going for a PC then i personally would not bother with an arrow chip or clone - go for a gabro or if you can find one a renegade


Let's face it, you wouldn't go to a nurse to get good advice on a problem with a Falco - you'd choose an Engineer or a mechanic...


wayno
SuperBike Racer
SuperBike Racer
Posts: 904
Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2010 1:55 pm
Location: Buckinghamshire

#6 Post by wayno » Mon Jul 02, 2012 9:46 am

I was planning on getting a gabro one at some point, but not until I have done airbox and exhaust mods. I only asked about the chip as he has one and I can hopefully get that and the PCIII for uber cheap.

I'll definitely have the PCIII, he's got one of the early factory or RSVR (or whatever they called them back then, ohlins forks, lightweight wheels etc from 2001), but thought I'd give the chip a try too, anyone tried one with a standard Falco?
Pass me a hammer, a spanner and a cuppa

User avatar
Aladinsaneuk
Aprilia Admin
Posts: 9503
Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2007 10:37 pm
Location: Webfoot territory

#7 Post by Aladinsaneuk » Mon Jul 02, 2012 11:25 am

Yes

Many moons ago I ran a copy of the arrow chip with open Blue flame falco exhausts and an evo air kit

The chip ran fine but I did not notice any, if at all, performance difference

Would I do it again if that was an option - no, I do not think it is worth it


Let's face it, you wouldn't go to a nurse to get good advice on a problem with a Falco - you'd choose an Engineer or a mechanic...


wayno
SuperBike Racer
SuperBike Racer
Posts: 904
Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2010 1:55 pm
Location: Buckinghamshire

#8 Post by wayno » Mon Jul 02, 2012 1:04 pm

Cool, I shall get a hold of the PC and leave the chip then. Anyone know a good source for getting maps for the Falco, mine is derestricted, but running standard cans and airbox at the minute.

I'd like a good map for this config and also ones for aftermarket cans and airbox mods (probably just a filter swap to K&N for now).
Pass me a hammer, a spanner and a cuppa

User avatar
D-Rider
Admin
Admin
Posts: 15560
Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2007 1:09 pm
Location: Coventry

#9 Post by D-Rider » Mon Jul 02, 2012 1:29 pm

wayno wrote:Which year of RSV will have the same PCIII as the Falco?

A mate of mine will be selling his RSV power commander soon so I'd like to get first dibs if it's compatible.

Also does anyone know if it's true that the early RSV chip is the same as the arrow one? I might try to get my hands on that too if he'll let me as he has a different chip in there at the minute.
All of the RSVs (but not the RSVR and RSVR Factory bikes - second gen)
Gen 1 Tuonos are compatible too.

My understanding (from Olivier - go_modem_go - on AF1) is that the Arrow chip is a clone of the standard Euro spec Falco chip. I guess they may have also done one based on the Euro spec Mille chip. The advantage for the USA bikes is that it enables the CO trim pots.
“Scientists investigate that which already is. Engineers create that which has never been.”
-- Albert Einstein

User avatar
Aladinsaneuk
Aprilia Admin
Posts: 9503
Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2007 10:37 pm
Location: Webfoot territory

#10 Post by Aladinsaneuk » Mon Jul 02, 2012 2:27 pm

The trick to getting falco maps is to look at all the right bikes maps - my current map is based on a German tuono map .... But read the spec as to what the bike has had done and match it up


Let's face it, you wouldn't go to a nurse to get good advice on a problem with a Falco - you'd choose an Engineer or a mechanic...


User avatar
D-Rider
Admin
Admin
Posts: 15560
Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2007 1:09 pm
Location: Coventry

#11 Post by D-Rider » Mon Jul 02, 2012 3:07 pm

Aladinsaneuk wrote:The trick to getting falco maps is to look at all the right bikes maps - my current map is based on a German tuono map .... But read the spec as to what the bike has had done and match it up
Definitely.
For example, don't expect a Falco with a 2:2 exhaust to run well on a chip/map designed for a Mille with a 2:1 system.
“Scientists investigate that which already is. Engineers create that which has never been.”
-- Albert Einstein

wayno
SuperBike Racer
SuperBike Racer
Posts: 904
Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2010 1:55 pm
Location: Buckinghamshire

#12 Post by wayno » Mon Jul 02, 2012 3:18 pm

I had a look on the PC website and saw the list of Falco ones, there are quite a few, but half of them don't mention the disconnected wire or air box mod.

I downloaded them all so I'll have to see which one runs best on the bike at the time.

Once I've done the exhaust and airbox mods I'll just take it to my local dyno centre who are dynojet approved and get them to custom map it to suit.
Pass me a hammer, a spanner and a cuppa

User avatar
Aladinsaneuk
Aprilia Admin
Posts: 9503
Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2007 10:37 pm
Location: Webfoot territory

#13 Post by Aladinsaneuk » Mon Jul 02, 2012 3:46 pm

Go back to the PC site and now download the Mille and tuono maps....

Then sit down and look at the options ;)


Let's face it, you wouldn't go to a nurse to get good advice on a problem with a Falco - you'd choose an Engineer or a mechanic...


wayno
SuperBike Racer
SuperBike Racer
Posts: 904
Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2010 1:55 pm
Location: Buckinghamshire

#14 Post by wayno » Mon Jul 02, 2012 8:40 pm

So I can use the maps from any of the gen 1 bikes? So much choice and so little brain power :)
Pass me a hammer, a spanner and a cuppa

User avatar
Aladinsaneuk
Aprilia Admin
Posts: 9503
Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2007 10:37 pm
Location: Webfoot territory

#15 Post by Aladinsaneuk » Mon Jul 02, 2012 9:31 pm

Broadly speakIng yes

But match the map to what you have


Let's face it, you wouldn't go to a nurse to get good advice on a problem with a Falco - you'd choose an Engineer or a mechanic...


Post Reply