Ducati DesertX Forum banner

A tale of ECU tuning the DX

11K views 10 replies 5 participants last post by  exocet  
#1 · (Edited)
When I purchased my DX in mid 2023, I had the Uni foam air filter + decat with OEM muffler fitted pre-delivery. The bike ran ok, but likely would be better with fixing the AFR's. I then added a full SC-Project decat + muffler and it was then in need of some sort of engine fueling change to suit the hardware.

BT-Moto flash:
I first purchased the DIY flash tune from BT-Moto. With this I had multiple issue with various dah warning lights (ABS, DTC etc) and stalling. After multiple versions of maps in an attempt to fix these, BT-Moto claimed it was due to the Australian spec ECU. Perhaps their flash is fine for US spec DX's, but I didn't want to be their test bike. They accepted a return for a refund.

Rapid Bike EVO:
Secondly I tried the Rapid Bike EVO piggy back system. Much has been said on the RB EVO in various other threads. For me there was the frustration of instructions, fitment and stability. Installation and fitment aside, as I managed to work around those issues, the RB EVO caused many issues. Bike kept stalling on cold starts. I worked with RB techs to resolve, but none of their config changes really worked. In short their solution was to keep raising the rev limit of where the RB started to work, which was 3000 rpm. To me this made no sense as the unit needs to activate below 3000 rpm. RB supplied me with a by-pass plug for the harness, which essentially allows the bike to run with the RB harness, but no RB control unit for testing. Problems with stalling and rough erratic idle still persisted. RB started suggesting the fault lay with my bike, likely O2 sensors, yet using a scan tool showed no such errors. I uninstalled the entire RB unit. Bike ran fine in OE format with stable idle, albeit a bit lean with pops and bangs, but clearly nothing wrong with my O2 sensors.

All up annoyed with RB and lack of acknowledgement of their issues. In summary I found the RB a very poor product in terms of support, fit, function. After research, I don't believe they do much testing and their 'maps' are very generic. Operation of RB unit is a very rudimentary fueling solution. As I ride in remote areas, I really didn't want an unreliable hardware solution, and cases have been report of the harnesses getting wet and creating engine check lights.

RB wouldn't accept a return or refund. From my experience, stay away from Rapid Bike!

Ducati Termi full exhaust + flash:
I priced up a full Termi exhaust and flash, but given I already had a full SC-Project system, I couldn't justify the cost.

Shift-Tech LWS flash:
After some conversations with Shift-Tech, they assured me their flash tune was custom calibrated by LWS for my particular hardware and would be set-and-forget. Shift-Tech themselves are great company to deal with to date. LWS does development of in-house tunes in Florida for Dealers and Racing Competition.
I installed their DIY flash a few days ago and it it literally perfect. Zero dash or CEL errors, and install was straight forward. Idle is strong and stable, loud pops and bangs on shifting are gone and more of a burble and crackle, throttle response is instant, smooth and linear. It's almost like a different bike for me now. Early days, but I'm impressed.
 
#2 ·
I went through something similar with my slip-on exhaust. Maybe, I'm wrong but it seems like slip on exhausts need to be ran with some type of tuner for the Desert X. Long story short, since I only had the slip-on exhaust and not the mid-pipe, I decided to buy the full exhaust system. It was pricey, but I found it online for $2300 and after selling my slip-on exhaust. It came out to $2,000, LOL. My main concern is my extended warranty since these newer bikes can be connected to Ducati service equipment that read everything you have done to the bike and potentially Ducati rejecting a warranty claim. By the way, I follow your Youtube channel! :)
 
#4 ·
The RB Evo and the Genius are both Dimsport products and good to read that you have found a solution that works for you.

One of the biggest advantages I would think in going for the Genius UpMap flash option is probably that you have the ability to retain and reinstall the original map.
Even if under the belief that you have an understanding with your dealer the Global Scan is part of the service process. That process will also result in reinstalling the current stock Ducati DDX map while recording the ‘errors’. With a back to stock map you can always reflash the ECU. Maybe a quick reflash back to the stock map before any dealer visit would be smart.

I am sure that warranty has nuances from location to location and dealer to dealer but the norms are that your entire warranty could not be made void for removing your DeCat - only the parts directly affected by the exhaust system.

In my current location Ducati will not install the EVO map - they will not sell the full TERMI option and even if you import and install the TERMI race pipe yourself and have the MapKey they will not install the Evo map.
I am told that the installation process for the TERMI MapKey on most Ducati models also requires an update to the BBS control unit software.
Ducati state that the BBS control unit requires a dedicated calibration, as it manages the algorithms for traction control (DTC) and wheelie control (DWC).

I am not sure if buying the exclusive version of the RB Evo directly from Dimsport made the difference but as I have stated in other threads, I have experienced no issues with my RB Evo. My harness was long enough, the install was a breeze and the product works flawlessly. I have and carry the Adori Bypass, so I am confident that I can also return the bike to ‘stock’ fueling in less than a minute.

I have not undertaken any deep water crossings but have heard of issues with warning lights appearing even with all stock wiring after even washing. I have not had this issue but certainly in installing the RB Evo I was surprised at the stock wiring connectors for the crankshaft and front o2 sensor both in placement and the quality of the connectors.

I have ridden in various riding modes on and off road and continue to find the RB Evo very effective with my SC Project Rally Raid Muffler and SC Project De-cat link pipe with a DNA air filter running 95 octane fuel.

For me bang for the buck would still be the RB Evo but the exclusive version.
 
#5 ·
The RB Evo and the Genius are both Dimsport products and good to read that you have found a solution that works for you.

One of the biggest advantages I would think in going for the Genius UpMap flash option is probably that you have the ability to retain and reinstall the original map.
Even if under the belief that you have an understanding with your dealer the Global Scan is part of the service process. That process will also result in reinstalling the current stock Ducati DDX map while recording the ‘errors’. With a back to stock map you can always reflash the ECU. Maybe a quick reflash back to the stock map before any dealer visit would be smart.

I am sure that warranty has nuances from location to location and dealer to dealer but the norms are that your entire warranty could not be made void for removing your DeCat - only the parts directly affected by the exhaust system.

In my current location Ducati will not install the EVO map - they will not sell the full TERMI option and even if you import and install the TERMI race pipe yourself and have the MapKey they will not install the Evo map.
I am told that the installation process for the TERMI MapKey on most Ducati models also requires an update to the BBS control unit software.
Ducati state that the BBS control unit requires a dedicated calibration, as it manages the algorithms for traction control (DTC) and wheelie control (DWC).

I am not sure if buying the exclusive version of the RB Evo directly from Dimsport made the difference but as I have stated in other threads, I have experienced no issues with my RB Evo. My harness was long enough, the install was a breeze and the product works flawlessly. I have and carry the Adori Bypass, so I am confident that I can also return the bike to ‘stock’ fueling in less than a minute.

I have not undertaken any deep water crossings but have heard of issues with warning lights appearing even with all stock wiring after even washing. I have not had this issue but certainly in installing the RB Evo I was surprised at the stock wiring connectors for the crankshaft and front o2 sensor both in placement and the quality of the connectors.

I have ridden in various riding modes on and off road and continue to find the RB Evo very effective with my SC Project Rally Raid Muffler and SC Project De-cat link pipe with a DNA air filter running 95 octane fuel.

For me bang for the buck would still be the RB Evo but the exclusive version.
Agreed, many have zero issue with the RB, but more seem to be popping up.

Yes, Dimsport supply the Genius flasher tool, but it simply the hardware mechanism to flash the ECU. Tuners can write their own maps, the Genius is the just the hardware interface. Many car tuners use the Genius and in fact the BT-Moto tune was on Genius too.

The BT-Moto flash changed the BBS module, which was part of the issue as caused ABS and EWC faults. Their instructions actually require pulling the BBS fuses out whilst flashing. Their flash changed the dash to display "EVO" in the ride modes as the Termi flash does.
 
#7 ·
No need to best a dead horse but my evo has been perfect so far. However, as mentioned I was a little surprised and concerned about the location of the connectors at the bottom of the engine. I will be doing some water crossings this summer so I’m going to try and find a way to wrap those sensors. Maybe some wire tubing and electrical tape will do the job.
 
#9 ·
Agreed, majority RB users are satisfied, however small minority are having issues which RB isn't handling very well. As mentioned, I'm not a fan of hardware solutions, so my own fault for going with RB vs flash. At the time I wasn't aware of Shift-Tech, only BT-Moto & Rexxer. After decades of tuning cars and motorcycles, IMO the correct way to tune is a flash, not a piggyback.