Performance ECU for Yamaha YZF-R15: Firepower!

So now that you’ve got your Yamaha R15 and are pretty much done exploiting all its stock potential, it’s obviously time for an upgrade right? But it’s definitely going to be a tough one trying to find a bike that matches the R15’s sharp handling capabilities and then there’s also the added burden of spending a whole lot more over the price you’ll be getting when you trade in your bike. Hold on then, because there is another way and it’s called Race Dynamics! ECU remapping isn’t new technology – power commanders and other chipped ECU devices have been expanding the horizons of engine performance for years now. With fuel injection systems actively replacing carburetion, tiny computer chips that are programmed to deliver more from your engine are the way forward. At Rs 9,999 (MRP), Race Dynamics’ PowertronicRS does exactly that and the best part about it is that it’s as simple as they come – just plug and play!

The unit is compact, fits neatly under the stock seat and works as a standalone ECU for the bike. It even comes with its own warranty and the results are as instant as your morning coffee – not only does it immediately improve the performance from the 150cc liquid-cooled single, but also has enough in it to wake you up every time you accelerate hard.

PowertronicRS comes tuned with five presets which inject different levels of punch to cater to anything from daily riding to full-blown track use. In fact, it even helps bump up fuel economy by 2 kmpl in Mode1, but obviously at a little sacrifice on performance for those lazy rides to the grocery store. Mode2 is as close to stock as possible with a slight increase in torque but if street use is what you plan for then Mode3 is your best friend. With a custom map for optimal initial, mid and top end performance this is the mode you want to be in around town and it elevates the R15 experience to completely new levels. The bike becomes peppier and the 0-100 km/h time drops a whole 2 seconds compared to a stock R15! Now that’s quite a gain, but the real fruits are reaped when you continue accelerating further. Stock R15s would take quite a while to get up to 120 km/h and owing to the 150 cubic centimeter capacity they would die out on up hill climbs. With the PowertronicRS ECU though, 120 km/h hits around 9 seconds quicker and there’s enough spunk left in there to easily take you beyond 140 km/h even if you’re a heavier rider.

All that, and we haven’t even touched upon Modes4 and 5 yet! Both these modes are meant to be used along with a performance air filter and a free-flow exhaust to get the best results, but use it on your stock bike and you will still walk out with a huge smile plastered all across your face. Mode4 gives great low and mid range performance while Mode5 bumps up the top end massively for those track days.

Learning to set the right mode is a slight bit of a task though – with the ignition and kill switch in off, twist open the throttle completely and then turn the ignition key on. After the engine check is done, the yellow engine light will blink five times which means you’re now in Mode5. Gradually release the throttle till the yellow light blinks corresponding to the mode you want to select – three blinks for Mode3, etc. Once the lights stop blinking, your mode is locked and you’re all set to go and have a blast. And even when the ignition is completely turned off and restarted, the system remains in the selected mode. This seems like the easiest way to enhance performance for your R15 and given the price tag it isn’t really too expensive either. So all you Yamaha R15 owners, what are you waiting for!

Get latest updates on
the automobile community

Login Now

Foot note: Stage1Auto is the official distributor for Race Dynamics products in Maharashtra and Gujarat. For inquiries, get in touch with them at yohan@stage1auto.in