Just a brief update on the chip. I contacted John via fb and the chip (two actually) arrived in about 10 days. Initial reactions are that it's excellent. I had a good blast at the weekend across Dartmoor, up to the North Devon coast then back via Exmoor & Tiverton direction. The bike runs more smoothly which means that I don't drop a gear as often to take a bend - and it pulls like a train right through the rev range. Roll-on overtakes are noticeably better as well. As far as the engine - and various reliability concerns on here - it feels less strained than it did before and I think tends to run slightly cooler.
An added bonus is fuel consumption. I don't do a regular commute so it's hard to be scientific but I'd covered 193 miles when I got home an the fuel gauge was on 3 bars - flickering to 2 occasionally. I've ridden locally since and I've still got a steady 2 bars at 210 miles. That's about 20 miles more than I'm used to - at least. I'm off camping with all the gear in a couple of weeks so I'll check again then.
Bike details - for info, nothing other than the chip was changed for the above test.
'96 R1100GS with 103000 mls on the clock. Throttle linkage converted to later twin cable set-up, throttle pot at 385mV, NGK iridium plugs, Q8 10/50 synthetic. Bike has a top box and I weigh in at 95kg.
To conclude: Although I got mine free, I'd say this mod is an absolute bargain for the £59 being asked on eBay. I'd also add that I've done engine diagnostics for a living since 1987. I am trained by Bosch amongst many others, so I do know when an engine is running properly.
Thanks John
An added bonus is fuel consumption. I don't do a regular commute so it's hard to be scientific but I'd covered 193 miles when I got home an the fuel gauge was on 3 bars - flickering to 2 occasionally. I've ridden locally since and I've still got a steady 2 bars at 210 miles. That's about 20 miles more than I'm used to - at least. I'm off camping with all the gear in a couple of weeks so I'll check again then.
Bike details - for info, nothing other than the chip was changed for the above test.
'96 R1100GS with 103000 mls on the clock. Throttle linkage converted to later twin cable set-up, throttle pot at 385mV, NGK iridium plugs, Q8 10/50 synthetic. Bike has a top box and I weigh in at 95kg.
To conclude: Although I got mine free, I'd say this mod is an absolute bargain for the £59 being asked on eBay. I'd also add that I've done engine diagnostics for a living since 1987. I am trained by Bosch amongst many others, so I do know when an engine is running properly.
Thanks John