ECU upgrade? MAGNUM EVO vs BTMOTO?

[Witsend]

Hi -- I'm a breath away from plunking down the dollars for a sweet used 2021 R18. Looking at ECU upgrades and came on these 2. I've read several good things on the BTMOTO but haven't come across anything on the Magnum? The coupon formally found on here is no longer valid for the BTmoto R18200off --Boo. That might help lean my decision toward the Magnum. Plus it seems like being a plug in hardware, there's a lot less work messing with updating code via a handheld --like if I had to reset it for the servicing.

Anyone have some input/feedback? What kind of top speed comes with the BTMOTO

Also --any suggestions on people's fav 'must have' mods?

And lastly I've read in some YT comments this is not a beginners bike. I'm 2 years into riding and my learner bike (that I intend on keeping) is a Vulcan S.. but I have outgrown it, in part bc it's wonderful for city but no as good for highway and speeds past 60.

(20-26) BMW R18 Stage 1+ Calibration With Handheld Tuner | BT Moto

Maximize your BMW R18's potential with Stage 1+ Performance Calibration. Added power, crisp and direct throttle, from the comfort of your own home. Use BT Moto for an unmatched riding experience.

bt-moto.com

BMW R18 MAGNUM EVO-Tech Motorcycle Performance Chip - Magnum Performance Tuning

Your R18 is starving for more performance? We sell fine quality BMW fuel programmers. FREE shipping. Magnum brand stands alone when performance is what you are after.

www.magnumtuning.com

 

[Rufus]

Think the bikes are electronically limited to 112mph but getting to that would be horrible because of the exposed riding position and anything above that is a bit irrelevant. These are very heavy bikes, 345kg, the R18 is not actually that physically big but they do have cat like balance and once rolling rides well. Two years isn’t long but as long as you don’t ride like an idiot you should be fine. I’ve just read your other post. If you want high speed, power and all of that I’m not sure the R18 is going to be the right bike. There are mods available and if you look through some photos owners have turned out some gorgeous bikes but none of that will have been cheap. In the UK BMW servicing is quite reasonable but in America it’s often described as very expensive (bikes much cheaper to buy but expensive to shop service), over here that’s less so. My bike is bone stock. Maybe some owners with performance mods can chime in to advise you better.

 

[Witsend]

I never go faster than 80 in my car. I think I hit 85 once. Hahha. So I can't imagine myself wanting to go faster than 80 or 90 mph on a motorcycle. Just some stupid thing stuck in my newbie brain that says more "power/faster = better".

 

[Anibal]

I second what Rufus said. Heavy bikes that command a bit of respect. Not built for speed to be honest, they were built to cruise all day long into the sunset however, they are not sluggish, just a big girl that needs to move a lot of mass. The R18 has plenty of grunt and will provide you with a decent forward motion. Switch the riding mode to Rock and she will go fast and grunt like a caged bear that was poked in the arse with a sharp needle.
My advice, leave the engine as it is for a while and get used to her abilities. If after a year or so you still want a bit more, then do your research into different engine modifications, you never know, you may not even pursue the modifications you originally wanted and instead add a bit of cosmetic parts to make it truly yours.

There is plenty of info here regarding engine modifications and their results. Have a read as learning to understand your new machine is part of the fun.

 

[MilwDave]

Hi -- I'm a breath away from plunking down the dollars for a sweet used 2021 R18. Looking at ECU upgrades and came on these 2. I've read several good things on the BTMOTO but haven't come across anything on the Magnum? The coupon formally found on here is no longer valid for the BTmoto R18200off --Boo. That might help lean my decision toward the Magnum. Plus it seems like being a plug in hardware, there's a lot less work messing with updating code via a handheld --like if I had to reset it for the servicing.

Anyone have some input/feedback? What kind of top speed comes with the BTMOTO

Also --any suggestions on people's fav 'must have' mods?

And lastly I've read in some YT comments this is not a beginners bike. I'm 2 years into riding and my learner bike (that I intend on keeping) is a Vulcan S.. but I have outgrown it, in part bc it's wonderful for city but no as good for highway and speeds past 60.

http://[URL]https://bt-moto.com/product/bmw-r18-flash

[/URL]

http://[URL]https://www.magnumtuning.com/en/detail/evo-tech-motorcycle-performance-chip/bmw/r18

[/URL]

That AI generated description for the. Magnum seems a bit suspect. Plus these claims seem dubious.

 

[Witsend]

That AI generated description for the. Magnum seems a bit suspect. Plus these claims seem dubious.

View attachment 15922

Being that there's no email to ask questions.. seems kind of sus so I ditched that idea entirely.

 

[BigJimSlim]

I run the BT tune with the DNA filter mod on my R18B. I’ve got about 2500 miles on this setup and wasn’t totally sure it was worth the $1000+ price tag to get both mods.

I had to take the bike to the shop today for the headlight recall (affects the B and TC only), so I had to undo the tune. Took just ten mins or so to do that. I ride in Rock 95% of the time. Riding the bike today, it was noticeably less “beefy” I guess is how I’ll describe it. It felt more like lean beef, a sirloin maybe, as opposed to a nice marbled ribeye with the tune loaded. Just seems more responsive and ready with the tune.

Now, this could all be my mind seeking differences, but the BT tune does seem to turn that Rock mode into Rock+. It’s not a staggering difference, but a welcome one nonetheless.

No clue about magnum, but I’d trust a company with a proven track record that’ll respond to emails within a day before anyone else. BT cost a load, but I’d buy it again.

If you get the bike, ride it as-is for a while. BT will run a Black Friday sale in November that saves 10 or 15%. That’s when I got mine last year. Retail is for suckers.

 

[Witsend]

Excellent!! Thanks for the tip