I'm taking deliver of my 2015 30th Anniversary ZX-14 next week. The bike has a full Brock exhaust and power commander. I'd like to know more about the power commander and if it's a "set it and forget it" type of thing. I've been out of riding for some time and have no experience with the unit. Also, does the install of the Power Commander eliminate the ability to change the factory performance settings on the multi-screen? For the first few weeks at least I'd like to dial the power down until I get used to things (if I ever do). Thanks.

Yes, the Power Commander is a "set it and forget it" type of device. It alters only the fuel injection, and on some Power Commander models can also alter the ignition timing. You alter a "map" that makes these changes. An optional feature available to ADD onto some Power Commanders is a self-tuning module that can recommend changes to enhance the air fuel ratio at different rpm and loading automatically, and the recommended changes can then be made permanent via altering the map to reflect them.

The Power Commander has NO effect on the Kawasaki dashboard settings. You can still select full or reduced power, and can still select the traction control setting.

You should make an effort to find out WHICH specififc model of Power Commander you have, and WHICH specific map was loaded into your Power Commander by the previous owner, as that can let you know what has been done and what has not been done to alter the fuel injection and ignition mapping.

It is important to not make either Power Commander map changes or physical changes (e.g. exhaust, intake)without "matching" them, as you cna do serious engine damage with improper changes.

Jim G

The PC allows you to load and run different fueling maps either by loading a "stock" may or by dyno tune. Download the sw from Dynojet and plug it into the PC (which one is it 3 or 5?) and see what you have. I would then consult with Dynojet, their CS has been very helpful in the past to many forum members.

Don't worry about the power, as long as you can maintain control over your right hand you will be fine. But I would stay away from TC off until you really get used to the bike, TC off and the torque/acceleration on full throttle is assume and brutal. I usually ride around in town at TC level 2 and TC 1 at track days. TC off is some serious power at full throttle.

I'd be surprised that someone that put on a full exhaust and PC also didn't flash the ECU.

Take a look at your ECU sometimes there's a sticker from the programmer on it.

You will be fine on this bike. I was just like you. It had been 25 years since I had ridden a bike and my last one before the 14r was a 1985 Honda 750. I kept it in level 3 for the first few days and then down to level 2 and then down to 1.

* Last updated by: skewedTotheLeft on 4/16/2019 @ 8:55 PM *

On a similar note, I had Ivan flash my '15 Concours and my FJR. I called him about flashing my '18 ZX14 that I just put the ABM handlebar riser kit and the 14" Delkevic slip-ons on. The mufflers aren't the ones with the small holes at the very end; they've got about a 2.5" opening at the rear. Ivan told me that I would have to pull out the "silencers" (baffles) after he flashed the ECU because the mufflers would create too much backpressure with the baffles in. Anyone know whether this is true? The baffles are toward the front of the muffler and they aren't very large.

It's a yes and no kind of answer. Any restriction is causing a 'speed event' to occur sooner. The exhaust out of the end of the pipe is slowing the air down baffle wise. Is it a performance stall? Yes. Could you feel it seat of the pants? Maybe. Would it show up on a dyno run? Yes. Will it hurt the tune, yes kind of, no kind of. Would the baffle in the bike keep the cops from turning their head? Better than being out, yes.

Top fuel engines have a short header so the speed event has almost zero back-pressure as opposed to baffling it. Would it hurt the tune baffle wise? Yes. Would it cut the HP some? Yes. That's more or less what Ivan is saying. So if you want as much HP out of the engine, find what restricts the speed event.

Also, does the install of the Power Commander eliminate the ability to change the factory performance settings on the multi-screen? For the first few weeks at least I'd like to dial the power down until I get used to things (if I ever do). Thanks.

The map in the PC is a grid. Throttle position across the top, rpm vertically on the left. For every throttle position, there is a cross referencing rpm. Each cell in the grid has a number of fuel units that are either added or subtracted to the factory fueling. When you are at X throttle position and Y rpm, the number in that cell dictates how the factory fueling is changed. SO if the gen2 has Low, medium and full power modes, you can still use that. The PC will affect the factory fueling the same for every power mode. Brings up an interesting question----do any of the factory power modes have a lean spot?? I would think that would be most likely in full power mode. If any part of the factory fueling is lean in any of the power modes, you'd be best to stick to full power mode which the map was created for. Doubt it's much of an issue. Never heard of this being a problem but I'd ask Ivan to be sure.

* Last updated by: Rook on 4/18/2019 @ 6:48 AM *

But wouldn't the stock mufflers create a lot more backpressure that the Delkevic mufflers?

Less back pressure, yes, a little more with stock mufflers. Less back pressure = higher flow----a little. A little more flow and a air coming into the motor a little faster because of that. I'm sure the engine will run leaner with slip-ons but not nearly as much as if you were using a turbo or nitrous. You might get a few extra hp with a tune but without, I doubt very much you will be running dangerously lean using slip-ons.

I have never checked my AFR on stock fueling with my full system but I wouldn't expect a super lean condition. Looking at my fuel map, there are no huge changes in fueling to accommodate the full system. I see no +50 or +93. Some 20s, yes. It follows a slip-on would only require ~7, 8, 10 extra units of fuel where the mapping would be leaner. Just a guess of course. Have a look at a DJ map for slip-ons. DJ maps are very rich. If you see any 50s, that would just be the start of a real need to map for engine safety and performance gains.

Think of how many extra units of fuel a 300 hp turbo would require. Perhaps even bigger injectors? Now that would cook the motor without a tune.