I'm really enjoying your channel even though I don't have a Honda. I'm a DRZ guy but I can recognize quality content and I hope your channel grows! Keep it coming!
Great show, and great info. I’m 65 years old and have the 21 450RL. As you’ve said many times, the RL as delivered is difficult to love, or even like. When I bought mine Vortex was the only ECU available and was easy to get. When I bought my Vortex I also bought the two way map switch. I see the value in the other ECUs, but being old, and an average rider at best, I like simple! I picked a preloaded map based on my riding locations and style, which is easy to challenging trail riding, including BDR trails fully loaded. The Vortex took away the light switch throttle response, eliminated the low RPM stalling/flame outs, took away the corked up unhappy feel that the bike had (helped by a full Yoshi exhaust and air box mod), and made the bike 95% more enjoyable. I programmed the switch to have one setting for street use, and the other for trail riding, I.e. softens the throttle and power delivery for the tighter trails. In any program the 450RL makes way more power than I will ever need in any situation, and with the Vortex it can tractor it’s way up steep rough trails without stalling out or throwing me off the back! I bought a GasGas ec300 for the tight trails because for me, the Honda is just too heavy for tight trails, but can’t be beat for loading up gear for a 3 day overland ride. The Vortex did everything I needed it to do without adding another 20 programming options that just complicate things, and if I need traction control the Vortex retains the factory Honda traction control option… which I never use! Loving your content and delivery!
@@jeffthornock8671 Appreciate the nice work on the write-up and your clear intention to be helpful to others. If there was more like you OldSchool we would all be way smarter. 😅✌🏻
I know this video is a couple months old and all, but I wanted to tell you that your enthusiasm for the bike helped me decide to buy a CRF450L. I bought a stock 2019 with only 750 miles and I got it for what I believe was a pretty good deal. I just ordered this ECU yesterday morning, mostly because I could get it cheaper than the other two and because of the slow speed characteristics demonstrated in another youtuber's video. I guess I screwed up because I also only ordered the two map toggle switch and asked them to set it up to be able to toggle between maps 4 and 5 (but then I am on a budget and had to go for the cheaper option). I have no plans to change the exhaust because I really like the silence of the stock exhaust and I'm sure my neighbors appreciate that too!
Just ordered one today from taco moto cus of this video, I got a KTM 350 and like to ride hard enduro so that bottom end power is what I’m looking for. Thanks for this vid
That 50 mph issue is a lean surge , needs more fuel in that area, and by the sound of it , might be the reason not revving out if full throttle signs off, when speaking of short power band.
Which exhaust do you recommend with the GET? Got a 22 with get but want to add an exhaust. Thank you for the videos, would have never bought the bike without these videos.
Hi, Curt! Any surprises with the GET? As in, does everything on the stock dash work? Specifically, the fuel used number--is that still functional? I'd like to get the GET for mine, but would like for that feature to work, and for the 12-o'clock minidisplay to still function.
Honestly, all the exhausts are good, even the stock one I would go with the cheapest or the best looking If I had to say whicj is best I would say the Graves
@@tomr8276 definitely more fuel consumption with the GET installed. As far as the fuel used number, I'll have to explore that, not sure. I've always just waited for the low fuel light to turn on🤦
the stock pipe on the 450RL is actually quite good its just heavy The AiM works good in stock form but you do get a few more ponies with the Graves exhaust
Have you tested get with stock exhaust? In all videos say as best but after this and talking about mid range difference im now leaning this way. Im planning to keep stock exhaust unless find a good deal on a used one as for my riding and ability I can't justify full cost.
Yes I have and it works good Honestly the Honda stock exhaust is pretty good its just heavy but I ran it in stock for a while to test it and its awesome
@@BornAGoon will do. dropping bike of at my mechanics Sunday. been waiting a long time for this and I will know like you immediately what the differences are. Stay tuned
Great videos BTW! Quick question. As an older rider, I don't need massive power, I don't race, and I don't live near a desert. Which ECU is best for slower, tighter trails, and not stalling?
Hey man! I got my FMF exhaust maybe a month ago and it really needs a different ecu, which one would you prefer with the FMF exhaust powercore 4 and Megabomb header? Also I can not find them anywhere, where did you get those black frame plastic covers?
I’d like to see some real dyno numbers since the butt dyno can be fooled by throttle sensitivity etc. need a dyno to see how and where the power gains are realized, and where the penalty is paid. All that tq increase in the bottom half of the rpm range is great in some situations and tolally detrimental in others.
My Aim should be here Monday, today is Sunday. I watched both your vids on this subject 3-4 times. I can’t wait to plug it in and go rip. It’s raining for 3 days here in Orting WA and it will be a sloppy shitty mud hole but I can’t wait. The jerky throttle is ridiculous and hope this fixes it. I love my RL and I appreciate your in-depth vlog on the ECU shoot out. I am a lil wary of the GET as far as it taking some life of the motor in the long run, and feel the AIM is a better choice for this all season rider. I ride all year rain or shine. Do they make a AIM for a Tenere 700? Does anyone know? Thanks Mr Goon for your hard work it made my decision easy🇺🇸
I still would like to know how "future proof" the AIM is compared to the GET. Is the company behind GET also responsive and "forwards driven" like AIM?
I have had the ecu in for about a year now. I have upped the fueling to level 5 for all rpm ranges, didn't notice much of a difference. Do you have any suggestions for optimal preformance with this ecu? I have a 22 crf450rl with full yoshi exhaust and twinair filter with open airbox. Insane power down low but would love to have more in the mid range
I upped high fueling to 4 on map 1 and it works the best for me where I live in the Southwest. Have you put the airbox cover back on and tried it? Do you have any other modes like removal of the emissions? That is the AiM though very strong down low but drops off top That is why I prefer the GET because its broad Good news is an update is coming soon and I'm hoping to test it in the next month and do an update
Did you have any issues with power delivery? I reset the tps and messed with the fuel trims but I still have a slight power delivery issue under full throttle
No you do not need the switch but it helps The power in some modes is so well-balanced and confidence-inspiring that the TC makes a huge difference especially AiM enduro map 2 its damn near perfect for trails
Doubt it. Street legal emissions are what’s causing most the problems with the factory ECU. But… what they don’t know can’t hurt them, as long as you don’t have to pass emissions testing in your city.
For the cost I'd rather get a KTM. Once you factor in the ECU.. you're looking at KTM prices. Why modify the Honda if they do not do it right from the factory?. Seems it would be smarter to just avoid the latest model. Stick with what works.
I thought the same Mike. My riding partner has a KTM 500. I bought my 450L used for a lot cheaper than new. It came w a JD Tuner. I was not enamored but it at all. Then I thought - the Vortex will fix all - invest in that. I did. It was much better but still short of the KTM by a good chunk when we’d swap back and forth. I was definitely left wanting. But then I switched my rear sprocket out to a 49 tooth. Wow. Big difference in power delivery and feel. Felt way more torquey. THEN I switched to the 7 map on the Vortex from map 6. That sealed it for me. I actually like it as much as the ktm now. It’s all about setting it up to fit your riding style. If I had do it all over I’d still get the Honda. But maybe I’d get the GET instead :)
Unfortunately the modern KTMs are just as corked up to meet emissions regulations. Check out the ktm dual sport forums and you’ll see they’re doing the same exact thing. So in reality you’ll be spending more on a stock ktm just spend more to buy a ecu anyways. Twitchy throttle, flameouts, overheating etc… all the same complaints.
True the KTM requires an ecu also, but you start out 50 lbs less weight , and the stock muffler is fixable. But at the end of the day its 510 cc verses 499CC
The only way Honda will learn is not to instantly repair the bike yourself at your own cost. Sounds like the flame out and twitchy throttle is a defect .Maybe could have had Honda recall then and buy a vortex under warranty. Then they wouldn't ship out obsolete bikes in the future.
You’re missing the point. Honda has to use ecu’s that are emissions compliant. The Vortex, AiM and Athena are not emission compliant. That’s why they work, and the OEM ecu doesn’t.
@@westonjd I just bought a 2022 RL and even though the throttle is extremely sensitive, I have not experienced any flame out’s. And, being a ‘return to motorcycles beginner’ after 30 years, I expected this may be a big issue for me but hasn’t so far.
I'm really enjoying your channel even though I don't have a Honda. I'm a DRZ guy but I can recognize quality content and I hope your channel grows! Keep it coming!
I appreciate that!
Great show, and great info. I’m 65 years old and have the 21 450RL. As you’ve said many times, the RL as delivered is difficult to love, or even like. When I bought mine Vortex was the only ECU available and was easy to get. When I bought my Vortex I also bought the two way map switch. I see the value in the other ECUs, but being old, and an average rider at best, I like simple! I picked a preloaded map based on my riding locations and style, which is easy to challenging trail riding, including BDR trails fully loaded.
The Vortex took away the light switch throttle response, eliminated the low RPM stalling/flame outs, took away the corked up unhappy feel that the bike had (helped by a full Yoshi exhaust and air box mod), and made the bike 95% more enjoyable. I programmed the switch to have one setting for street use, and the other for trail riding, I.e. softens the throttle and power delivery for the tighter trails. In any program the 450RL makes way more power than I will ever need in any situation, and with the Vortex it can tractor it’s way up steep rough trails without stalling out or throwing me off the back! I bought a GasGas ec300 for the tight trails because for me, the Honda is just too heavy for tight trails, but can’t be beat for loading up gear for a 3 day overland ride.
The Vortex did everything I needed it to do without adding another 20 programming options that just complicate things, and if I need traction control the Vortex retains the factory Honda traction control option… which I never use!
Loving your content and delivery!
Keep rocking pops. 😂
@@billyarsenault1970 pops? How dare you! I’m a yungun at heart… still trying to convince my body! 👍
@@jeffthornock8671 Appreciate the nice work on the write-up and your clear intention to be helpful to others.
If there was more like you OldSchool we would all be way smarter. 😅✌🏻
I know this video is a couple months old and all, but I wanted to tell you that your enthusiasm for the bike helped me decide to buy a CRF450L. I bought a stock 2019 with only 750 miles and I got it for what I believe was a pretty good deal. I just ordered this ECU yesterday morning, mostly because I could get it cheaper than the other two and because of the slow speed characteristics demonstrated in another youtuber's video. I guess I screwed up because I also only ordered the two map toggle switch and asked them to set it up to be able to toggle between maps 4 and 5 (but then I am on a budget and had to go for the cheaper option). I have no plans to change the exhaust because I really like the silence of the stock exhaust and I'm sure my neighbors appreciate that too!
Good work You will love this bike
Great content! I can't say how much grateful I am to learn with you GOON! 😁😁
Happy to hear that!
Just ordered one today from taco moto cus of this video, I got a KTM 350 and like to ride hard enduro so that bottom end power is what I’m looking for. Thanks for this vid
Very nice Let me know how it works
@@BornAGoon just rode it a couple days ago, I used map 3 the hard enduro map and it is sweet
That 50 mph issue is a lean surge , needs more fuel in that area, and by the sound of it , might be the reason not revving out if full throttle signs off, when speaking of short power band.
Amazing work dude!
Thank you
I purchased the aim and graves slip on for my 2022 450rl ... amazing transformation....map2 👍🏻
Awesome it’s a different bike
Dude, your bike runs REALLY good. Awesome setup you have done on it.
Thank you
Awesome upload. Any recommendations on what heat shield to use for the Graves muffler? Thanks
you can use the stock heat shied if you get a larger hose clamp
Which exhaust do you recommend with the GET? Got a 22 with get but want to add an exhaust. Thank you for the videos, would have never bought the bike without these videos.
Hi, Curt! Any surprises with the GET? As in, does everything on the stock dash work? Specifically, the fuel used number--is that still functional? I'd like to get the GET for mine, but would like for that feature to work, and for the 12-o'clock minidisplay to still function.
Honestly, all the exhausts are good, even the stock one I would go with the cheapest or the best looking If I had to say whicj is best I would say the Graves
@@tomr8276 definitely more fuel consumption with the GET installed. As far as the fuel used number, I'll have to explore that, not sure. I've always just waited for the low fuel light to turn on🤦
Can't wait for the exhaust shootout! My biggest question is how it runs with the stock exhaust and AIM cpu compared to with aftermarket exhausts.
the stock pipe on the 450RL is actually quite good its just heavy The AiM works good in stock form but you do get a few more ponies with the Graves exhaust
@@BornAGoon slip on or full
Have you tested get with stock exhaust? In all videos say as best but after this and talking about mid range difference im now leaning this way. Im planning to keep stock exhaust unless find a good deal on a used one as for my riding and ability I can't justify full cost.
Yes I have and it works good Honestly the Honda stock exhaust is pretty good its just heavy but I ran it in stock for a while to test it and its awesome
Ride RED ! - Dealers Every-Place -Lots to think bout ridin all Over !! THANX 4 ya vids
Nice installing mine with the Graves this weekend
Let me know how it goes Earl
@@BornAGoon will do. dropping bike of at my mechanics Sunday. been waiting a long time for this and I will know like you immediately what the differences are. Stay tuned
Great info!! After the new ecu is installed will it pass inspection?
no they are for " competition use " Take your stock one to the inspection lol
Got mine today love it. Also gets rid of speed govenor lol
Nice keep me posted
Great videos BTW! Quick question. As an older rider, I don't need massive power, I don't race, and I don't live near a desert. Which ECU is best for slower, tighter trails, and not stalling?
The Athena GET in my opinion with the Taco Moto maps
Hey man! I got my FMF exhaust maybe a month ago and it really needs a different ecu, which one would you prefer with the FMF exhaust powercore 4 and Megabomb header? Also I can not find them anywhere, where did you get those black frame plastic covers?
I would go with the Athena GET ECU from Taco moto The frame covers are Polisport they were like 30 dollars
@@BornAGoon Thank you so much! Your channel is so much help.
You need to be very careful when changing the exhaust without changing the ECU at the same time! Don’t want to go lean and burn up that great engine!
Some people have more butt on their Dyno than others... I'm gonna need a drag race test to clear things up. 😂
Has anyone seen a dyno chart from either the AIM or the Athena?
Exactly !!!! B.A.G & John T. Young apparently do not have a dynamometer service convenient to their garages. Oh well.
I’d like to see some real dyno numbers since the butt dyno can be fooled by throttle sensitivity etc. need a dyno to see how and where the power gains are realized, and where the penalty is paid. All that tq increase in the bottom half of the rpm range is great in some situations and tolally detrimental in others.
My Aim should be here Monday, today is Sunday. I watched both your vids on this subject 3-4 times. I can’t wait to plug it in and go rip. It’s raining for 3 days here in Orting WA and it will be a sloppy shitty mud hole but I can’t wait. The jerky throttle is ridiculous and hope this fixes it. I love my RL and I appreciate your in-depth vlog on the ECU shoot out. I am a lil wary of the GET as far as it taking some life of the motor in the long run, and feel the AIM is a better choice for this all season rider. I ride all year rain or shine. Do they make a AIM for a Tenere 700? Does anyone know? Thanks Mr Goon for your hard work it made my decision easy🇺🇸
You will be very surprised with the AiM Whole different bike Ive never heard anything about the GET and motor life
When I bought my 2019 WR 450F, its GYTR ECU was less than $300.
Well the WR doesnt have the ECU issues of the Honda because the WR450 isnt street legal in all states
I still would like to know how "future proof" the AIM is compared to the GET. Is the company behind GET also responsive and "forwards driven" like AIM?
GET is responsive and forwards driven too maybe not so much as AiM but the GET is a high-class unit
Hello i got a question will you recommend clutch weight with that ecu?
I have had the ecu in for about a year now. I have upped the fueling to level 5 for all rpm ranges, didn't notice much of a difference. Do you have any suggestions for optimal preformance with this ecu? I have a 22 crf450rl with full yoshi exhaust and twinair filter with open airbox. Insane power down low but would love to have more in the mid range
I upped high fueling to 4 on map 1 and it works the best for me where I live in the Southwest. Have you put the airbox cover back on and tried it? Do you have any other modes like removal of the emissions? That is the AiM though very strong down low but drops off top That is why I prefer the GET because its broad Good news is an update is coming soon and I'm hoping to test it in the next month and do an update
What brand of frame guard do you have on your bike??
Did you have any issues with power delivery? I reset the tps and messed with the fuel trims but I still have a slight power delivery issue under full throttle
Yes I have a lurch at highway speeds with the AiM tried everything but can’t iron it out That is why I prefer the GET ECU
Do I need the switch? Why do we want traction control? The bike doesn't come with TC and I've never missed it.
No you do not need the switch but it helps The power in some modes is so well-balanced and confidence-inspiring that the TC makes a huge difference especially AiM enduro map 2 its damn near perfect for trails
Hey which fmf exhaust is that ?? Is that just a slip on??? Does that fmf work with the oem header on the 450rl???????
its the FMF 4 in 1 RCT Titanium blue It is a full exhaust on that bike, but it can be run as a slip-on with the stock pipe
You wanna sell me it please ? Since it doesn’t seem like you need it
I work in the industry I can get you anything for cheap .
@@BornAGoon thanks for the reply . So I can run this exhaust as a slip on with the oem 450rl header?
The stock header pipe on the 450 RL has a smaller diameter.
How does the AIM handle elevation changes? desert to mountains?
it handles it very well
Can a person use the stock CRF450R ECU on the RL?
No it does not fit
Is the bike still street legal when you change ECU ?
Doubt it. Street legal emissions are what’s causing most the problems with the factory ECU. But… what they don’t know can’t hurt them, as long as you don’t have to pass emissions testing in your city.
For the cost I'd rather get a KTM. Once you factor in the ECU.. you're looking at KTM prices. Why modify the Honda if they do not do it right from the factory?. Seems it would be smarter to just avoid the latest model. Stick with what works.
Probably KTMs are better dual sports Unfortunately I couldn't find one when I bought the Honda
You'll end up having to do stuff to KTM also. And the reliability is abysmal
I thought the same Mike. My riding partner has a KTM 500. I bought my 450L used for a lot cheaper than new. It came w a JD Tuner. I was not enamored but it at all. Then I thought - the Vortex will fix all - invest in that. I did. It was much better but still short of the KTM by a good chunk when we’d swap back and forth. I was definitely left wanting. But then I switched my rear sprocket out to a 49 tooth. Wow. Big difference in power delivery and feel. Felt way more torquey. THEN I switched to the 7 map on the Vortex from map 6. That sealed it for me. I actually like it as much as the ktm now. It’s all about setting it up to fit your riding style. If I had do it all over I’d still get the Honda. But maybe I’d get the GET instead :)
Unfortunately the modern KTMs are just as corked up to meet emissions regulations. Check out the ktm dual sport forums and you’ll see they’re doing the same exact thing. So in reality you’ll be spending more on a stock ktm just spend more to buy a ecu anyways. Twitchy throttle, flameouts, overheating etc… all the same complaints.
True the KTM requires an ecu also, but you start out 50 lbs less weight , and the stock muffler is fixable.
But at the end of the day its 510 cc verses 499CC
The only way Honda will learn is not to instantly repair the bike yourself at your own cost. Sounds like the flame out and twitchy throttle is a defect .Maybe could have had Honda recall then and buy a vortex under warranty. Then they wouldn't ship out obsolete bikes in the future.
You’re missing the point. Honda has to use ecu’s that are emissions compliant.
The Vortex, AiM and Athena are not emission compliant. That’s why they work, and the OEM ecu doesn’t.
@@westonjd I just bought a 2022 RL and even though the throttle is extremely sensitive, I have not experienced any flame out’s. And, being a ‘return to motorcycles beginner’ after 30 years, I expected this may be a big issue for me but hasn’t so far.
Most of the flameouts work out after 1000 miles or so. This bike definitely has a noticeable break in period.
buying a new bike that you have to fix is ridiculous...I would rather go for the KTM 500!
Yea it sucks but the EPA has made these singles quirky
Pretty much everyone I know that rides the KTM 500 is changing out the ECUs too, but the weight savings is significant!