Quick review on the YEC reflash service from Yamaha-Racing.
I race an 08 R6. Previously I Was running a Bazzaz Z-Fi TC + QS. Only using the fuel mapping and the QS. Not using TC.
I contacted him via this forum and asked some standard questions. In less than a day he responded with a link to a FAQ that answered basically anything you might want to know about the product and transaction.
There are two options:
1) Pay $X and send your ECU to him and he will reflash YOUR ECU and send it back to you
2) Pay $X and a $250 deposit, he will immediately send you an already reflashed ECU he has on hand, and you send yours to him. When he receives yours, he refunds your $250 deposit.
He is in Italy, so I was concerned about the turn around time for option #1 and my first race practice weekend was coming up fast.
I chose #2 since I needed it quickly. I ordered it on Feb 24 and it arrived at my house on March 1. I couldn't believe how fast it was able to get to me in the US from Italy. I sent my ECU out to him using his instructions on March 28.
The ECU came with a detailed installation instruction sheet, a CD and a USB cable for programming.
It took me less than an hour to install the unit in my bike using the stock wire harnesses.
On the CD is the Yamaha FI software to program a KIT ECU, along with multiple manuals and related documentation. There is also a base map that he includes based presumably on his bike and preferences.
The firmware on the flashed ECU is the YEC KIT firmware.
Think of it like this: You can run Windows on a Dell or an IBM. The outside box of the computer may be different but its still Windows running inside.
I took my bike to my race tuner who tuned created a maps directly on the ECU for VP U4-E and Pump gas. He understood what the ECU was, and used the same method and YEC software to program it on the dyno as he would a normal Kit ECU.
I modified various settings on the ECU for my personal taste:
1: Idle speed
2: Throttle response (1:1) throttle
3: Engine Braking curve
My goal was to completely remove the Bazzaz and use the ECU directly for fuel mapping and QS. I use wrist TC. I replaced the Bazzaz QS switch with a Cordona, and wired it using the instructions provided by Yamaha-Racing. Works perfectly.
I also wired a map select switch using the instructions provided.
He let me know that my ECU arrived to him on April 12. It took quite a bit longer for mine to get to him than his to me. Don't know why, maybe a customs hangup or something. In any case, he took some time to test it and make sure it was OK, and refunded my deposit on April 23. This is the only part of the transaction that could have been quicker, but I don'e know what the delay was in him getting my ECU so I can not fault him for that.
I am EXTREMELY happy with this. It gives you all the features you find on the expensive KIT ECU. It is a great advantage in my racing to people that are running stock ECUs with all the limits that are in place on the stick unit.
When others are at wide open throttle, their butterflies are only at 70% in some cases. If I have my throttle wide open, the butterflies are wide open, and I'm passing them.
Yamaha-Racing has been very responsive and helpful through email to even my dumbest questions.
Highly recommend it and Yamaha-Racing. Unless you race with me. Then don't do it - keep your crappy limited stock ECU please