Good evening all, I’m considering getting my bike mapped so doing what I usually do and check out reviews and Youtube videos! I have watched umpteen now and all that I have watched have had bikes de-catted with a can on and generally make 181bhp at the back wheel with the exception to this one. This makes 186bhp and the only difference between this and the rest is that it still has the cat on. So I wondered, why do we de-cat and what are all the benefits? Obviously weight saving but is this all?? https://youtu.be/QTGe7aZOgTo
They put an emissions sensor in the exhaust for the mixture setting, with the cat in it will not read right so you generally have to take it out, I am no expert so there may be other ways, do you have an o2 port before the cat
Yikes, the stock blade hasn't got enough power for you?! I'd thought about a remap a while ago and then thought about how it might impact future resale value, potential insurance issues and then when my electronic-related woes started I was pleased I'd left it as stock. Not saying you shouldn't do it of course, everyone has their own ways of making their bike feel like their own. Just for me, I think there's more than enough power to get me out of (and into) trouble. Interested to see what people say about the cat thing though, as I don't get it either - I'd assumed it was an airflow from the exhaust thing - less restricted path for the exhaust gases to escape = better engine performance. Might be totally wrong though, and I thought the cat was required to meet emission standards imposed upon us by our glorious law-makers!
Going to get my 2007 re-mapped this year as decat, o2 eliminator, yoshi end can and pipercross air filters. Could go power commander and custom map which would give wider adjustability and future resale, but am erring more to ecu remap - bit cheaper, includes dyno runs and insurance won't know its there!
Call me a worrier, but I wouldn't trust an insurance company not to do everything it possibly could to avoid paying out. I just wouldn't want to take the risk now I have things that could be taken away from me. When I was younger, didn't own a car or house, I'd have not declared such things to insurance companies (if I'd had them done), but now I just wouldn't want to take the risk. Fair enough risk if no-one else is involved, but if a 3rd party gets serious injured, etc., then that could mean big money pay outs. I have a deep mistrust in insurance companies - they make a profit and pay shareholders handsome dividends for a reason. Guess I've just got old and boring (probably why I've not been invited to any parties over the past year) The other aspect to remapping is whether the components can tolerate the increased power etc., and on an older bike that's been well maintained this wouldn't be such a concern for me. Wouldn't fancy risking it on a £10K+ bike though, unless I didn't mind binning it if it went wrong.
It’s not really about bhp gains for me, I map everything I’ve ever owned, bikes and cars are so restricted to meet standards but you would never appreciate how much if you haven’t had something mapped. The main thing is they sort out the fueling and air flow making them run perfect and silky smooth. It’s a no brainer for me it’s definitely getting done just wondered why the one with the cat had bigger gains.
Family member who works in insurance explained it to me this way.....you might not automatically void your insurance by not declaring all mods but if your undeclared mods would have meant you'd have been refused cover then you would be on a very sticky wicket.
Good point, I’d assumed it was a power gain desire. I still wouldn’t trust doing anything that might be perceived by an insurance company as modifying from the manufacturer spec.
First of all different Dyno’s are likely to give slightly different readings, the important thing is the difference in BHP before and after tuning. Having the o2 sensor after the cat could give a false reading, there can also be a lag in the o2 value after the cat.
I am with icedoc on this. Insurance companies regard it premium hiking mod even if it is for better mpg and running with no power increase. Changing the mapping would mean getting rid of PGMFI honda spent years fine tuning, unless I have a problem with it, I would not change it. Remapping generally invloves removing the feedback look components like the O2 sensor and using a dyno to optimise fuel mixture. With the O2 gone, then the CAT is exposed to rich unburnt fuel with makes it run at higher temps therefore shortening it's life. Normally you either decat or change to an aftermarket exhaust. For me a modern way of modifying the running of the engine is reflashing.
A cat is always going to act as a restriction. Whether that is the limiting factor to releasing more hp I dont know but not having one there has to be a positive when it comes to more power.
Inevitably, legislation will be introduced (as with cars I think!) that at MoT time the bike must have the Cat fitted if it was sold with one
Difficult to implement unless emission test is done on the bike or the tester can tell if one has been removed
Well I guess they will bring emissions tests out too, but then everything is moving electric anyway so then it's academic anyway...
