MCN Fleet: How a laptop makes my ZX-10R even smoother

Updated: 19 September 2016

1 of 5

One of the things I most enjoy about my ZX-10R nowadays is its glassy-smooth power delivery and peachy throttle response. And it keeps on getting better.

When I fitted my Akrapovic exhaust system earlier in the year I also plugged in a Rapid Bike Evo fuel control unit, both from Performance Parts Ltd.

It’s a self-learning system that takes readings from the exhaust lambda sensor, so it can tell how rich or lean the engine is running at any given revs and throttle opening, and make adjustments to suit.

TOP STORIES

The Rapid Bike tells the ECU to blast the engine with the perfect amount of fuel and air all the time, in all conditions (and adjusts to ambient temperature and whether you’ve got the baffle in or not). It doesn’t need setting up on a dyno, either – it’s just plug and play. And it works superbly.

Within 100 miles of installation the Rapid Bike creates itself a new fuel map and keeps on refining it as the miles tick by. But it can only tweak the fuelling so far until it needs a little helping hand.

Rapid Bike provides free downloadable software to recalibrate the fuel map. From there, that’s the base for it to start self-learning again. I’ve plugged the ZX-10R into the laptop three times now and the throttle response and thrust from the engine gets ever smoother. It’s just about perfect now.

Performance Parts say they’ve sold lots of units, not only to riders with aftermarket systems, but to those who’ve just got de-cat link pipes – something that’s going to be even more popular as stifling Euro 4 regulations are imposed on even more new bikes next year.

Looking for the perfect two-wheeled companion? Visit MCN Bikes For Sale website or use MCN’s Bikes For Sale App.

By Michael Neeves

MCN Chief Road Tester - Neevesy’s been an MCN Road Tester since 2002. He’s reviewed everything from mopeds to Rossi’s Yamaha M1, and plenty in between He covers tens of thousands of miles a year on the world’s roads and racetracks in his role with MCN, and when he’s not working he’s still on two wheels, racing both modern and classic superbikes for a variety of teams. To cement his position as one of the most influential motorcycling journalists on the planet, Neevesy spent many years as an Elite Instructor at the Ron Haslam Race School, based at the famous Donington Park race circuit. He regularly presents videos on riding tips and road safety, working alongside the likes of Highways England to deliver a strong and consistent message.