TLZone Forums banner

How to pick the right Power Commander

699 Views 2 Replies 2 Participants Last post by  bretto_40
I'm looking at getting a PC for my TLR, either II or III, the extra features in the III aren't essential, so I'm happy either way.

But what I am confused about is why does each PC advertised always come with a compatible list? I guess the question is not why, but what makes it restricted to that list?

Is it just that the wiring harness included is for a certain range of makes and models, but the PC itself and its firmware/software is identical to the next? Or it something in the firmware/software or electronics within the actual PC itself that is the limiting factor?

If it's just the wiring harness, is it not reasonable to get any PC and re-wire the harness? The advantage of doing that is you're not then restricted to TL compatible models, and therefore could find some good deals on second hand PCs originally made for other bikes.

Tell me if I'm barking up the wrong tree here.
1 - 3 of 3 Posts
I'm looking at getting a PC for my TLR, either II or III, the extra features in the III aren't essential, so I'm happy either way.

But what I am confused about is why does each PC advertised always come with a compatible list? I guess the question is not why, but what makes it restricted to that list?
Based on what little I know of them, the architecture of both the software and hardware are different in the PC2 and PC3. The maps are not interchangable.

The PC3 is superior for these reasons IMO.
  1. The connectivity is via a USB port and not a 9-pin serial port (which most new computers no longer support).
  2. It can be used with only one fuel table (maybe not optimized, but still tweakable). It has the options of an individual table per cylinder.
  3. The PC3 fuel table changes are more straight forward than the two or three tables in the PC2 software. Easier to visualize and alter.
  4. The PC3 is newer technology - likely to be supported longer.


Is it just that the wiring harness included is for a certain range of makes and models, but the PC itself and its firmware/software is identical to the next? Or it something in the firmware/software or electronics within the actual PC itself that is the limiting factor?

....
.....
My guess is - at a minimum, the firmware and software are different from bike model to bike model (be it PC2 or PC3).

Even if the wiring harness connectors could be swapped, what would you use as a guide? How would you know the pinout of the new connector relative to the PC? There would be more reverse engineering required than it is worth.

Simply buy the proper model, plug it in and use it.
See less See more
  • Like
Reactions: 1
Thanks for the response six5.

Makes a lot of sense and I'm happy with that. Happy to just buy the correct PC as this now confirms for me that it is not at all trivial to swap components, even as a hack.

Cheers again.
1 - 3 of 3 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top