Description
This ECU flash not only corrects the issues in the stock ECU base map that are partially to blame for the hesitations, it includes a host of other improvements and is by far the single easiest and most dramatic performance improvement you can make for your R3.
While this ECU flash definitely opens up extra top end power which is undeniable in the dyno charts below, the bigger improvement is actually in the midrange where you feel it driving off the corner. The bike revs considerably faster, with increased torque, as well as the increased top end horsepower. We’ve seen gains so far of 0.5-3 HP across the entire power band over a custom tuned piggyback fuel controller system, and similar increase in torque. I will try to upload a dyno chart showing RPMs vs. time to show how much faster the bike builds power compared to the stock ECU, but for now, here’s a couple before and after dyno reports.
Here’s my personal bike with full M4 exhaust, BMC filter, and 415 chain. The before line is with the stock ECU and Bazzaz fuel controller custom tuned, the after line is with the Bazzaz disabled running only the flashed ECU:
Here’s fellow racer Ari Henning’s bike with a full Yoshimura exhaust. The before line is with the stock ECU and a PCV with fuel and ignition timing custom tuned, the after line is with the PCV removed from the bike running only the flashed ECU:
We now have our Flash available for bikes with a stock airbox, or modified airbox and our Superbike Velocity Stack setup! Check out the impressive power curve attainable with our Superbike Velocity stack setup and ECU Flash:
Here’s another bike with a supersport built motor, bored throttle bodies, and the airbox cover removed, full M4 exhaust, and MWR race air filter. The before line is with the stock ECU and a PCV with fuel and ignition timing custom tuned, the after line is with the flashed ECU and the PCV retuned to match the flashed ECU’s performance improvements:
Here are the changes:
-Remapped fuel delivery that is optimized for a high flow air filter and several different full exhaust systems (be sure to specify which exhaust system you have when ordering). We also tested this flashed ECU with a completely stock bike and no other changes and gained similar improvements across the board, including a dramatic increase in horsepower and much faster acceleration.
-Remapped fuel injector timing
-Remapped ignition timing
-Raised rev limiter to 13,000 (this is critical for racing, as you can now shift above 12k and land in the middle of the power band of the next gear)
-Increased idle speed
-Reduced engine braking
-Disabled the OEM algorithm linking ignition timing to coolant temperature
-Disabled the OEM Air Injection System
-Disabled the OEM closed loop O2 sensor system
-Disabled the OEM injector deceleration cut
And yes, you read that correctly, whether you have a bone stock bike, slipon exhaust, or a full race exhaust, you no longer need a Power Commander, Bazzaz, or other piggyback fuel controller once we flash your stock ECU. You still may want to fine tune your bike with a piggyback fuel controller, since every bike is slightly different, but it isn’t necessary. Installing a flashed ECU also could not be easier. Unplug the stock ECU, and plug in the flashed ECU. That’s it! Just be careful with the connector on the stock ECU, it has a special locking connector, so don’t force it.
Sean (verified owner) –
I’m not gonna lie, I was a bit skeptical about buying this but I just could not stand the jerkiness the bike would get at times, especially at very slow speeds. So I decided to give this flashed ecu a shot, mainly because it was a plug and play unit, eliminating the need to tune the bike myself. Once I replaced the old ecu with this flashed ecu, I was so suprised as to what a difference it made. The bike runs super smooth now, especially at slower speeds, the rpms seem to climb a little faster (thus accelerates a little faster). and it revs higher than before (13,500 rpm as opposed to 12,500 rpm with the stock ecu). This ecu is fanstastic and is well worth the money. Just keep in mind that the engine braking is a bit reduced as a result, which really isn’t a good or bad thing to me but just something worth mentioning. I was expecting a decrease in enginge braking so this was no suprise to me. Overall, a fanstastic product and I would recomend this to anyone who owns an R3. Will definetly do bussiness with them again in the forseeable future.
Douglas –
I was also skeptical of how much of a difference this was going to make. I own a 2016 R3 with an M4 Street Slayer 3/4 exhaust with the emission block off plate installed. I was debating on whether or not to buy a Bazazz with the self tuning unit but it’s a lot of time and money to invest for just a few extra HP. Jesse suggested I try his ECU first since it’s based on the M4 Street Slayer full exhaust and if I wasn’t happy I could send it back and order the fuel controller instead. I installed the smog block off plates to stop the backfiring and ran it with the stock ECU for about a week.
Once I received the new ECU I plugged it in and man what a difference it’s made. First off, the bike’s exhaust note just sounds healthier now. Even with the back firing gone it just didn’t sound quite right and back pressure was definitely low. Bike sounds like a bad ass now. Here’s a quick run down of the most noticeable things about his ECU.
Engine braking is reduced I’d guess about 40% from stock. I’m a big proponent for downshifting and using gears and exhaust to help brake but the YZF-R3’s engine braking was too heavy IMO. At times you could easily down shift from too high an RPM and the back wheel would kick out a little bit if you didn’t match the revs exactly. This is perfect now to me.
Raised redline from 11.5k to 12.5k RPM+. This helps because you shift and end up landing higher in the RPM range in the power band on your next gear. I don’t race but I imagine this is a huge advantage.
Removed the OEM Air Injection System, OEM closed loop O2 sensor system, OEM injector deceleration cut. I removed the emissions system from my bike so this disables the rest on the software side.
Better mid range power and all around improved throttle response.
Overall A+
Edward Auguis –
Im from the philippines and was looking on the net to reflash my ecu. Upon reading the description of Norton Fab i’ve decided to give it a go. I add Jesse Norton on facebook and messenger,there we communicate often. I unlpug my ecu and send to US and let Jesse do the reflash. Jesse did reflash and send it back to me.
I installed back and test it. First thing better throttle response(smooth), added mid range, and less engine braking. Overall im very satisfied with this reflash. Now i ordered quickshifter from him so i can play with this thing.
By the way less engine braking on the streets as some say its not safe? Well it depends on how you ride and how you response to situation. You should adjust the riding style that will suit this new reflash. Happy with Norton Fab 10 out 10 rating for me.
Lawrence (verified owner) –
Just wanted to say I installed this ECU along with a BMC race air filter and M4 street slayer exhaust and its definitely made a big very noticeable difference. On Deceleration it doesn’t engine break as much and the power band is a lot smoother and also acceleration is better. Best of all this it’s a plug and play application which is way cheaper than going with a fuel regulator and also a dynotune which is not necessary when you have this ECU especially if your just street riding. MY R3 is way more fun and lively. Also Jesse’s customer service is awesone he answered all my questions promptly and very knowledgeable. Thanks again I highly recommend.
tobincthomas (verified owner) –
I got this ECU flash done on my completely stock 2017 R3 (minus cosmetic mods) and it was beyond my expectations! Throttle is smooth as butter and no longer super jerky at low speeds. Engine braking is now predictable (less harsh). Rev matching is SUPER easy now, before i was often either revving too much or not enough. Now i hit almost every single downshift square on the nose. Lastly, i now actually get thrown back in the seat when flying through the gears. 10/10 mod, I highly recommend it!
Also as a bonus until I get some occasional pops and gurgles when the bike decelerates.
HENRY ocampo RODRIGUEZ (verified owner) –
This ecu flash is awesome , really does transform the bike, best performance mod one can do. Only thing is the turn around time took about a week to get ecu back ,
Jim L (verified owner) –
The ECU flash has really changed my R3. It feels so much smoother and responsive. Really made the bike more enjoyable. I was actually debating on trading the R3 in for something else. But decided to try putting a full exhaust (M4 full system (not street slayer)) and getting this ECU re-flash. Got to say it was money well spent. I like the idea of not using a piggy back system (less wires, and not guessing if I set it up right). I will say I was a tad nervous about the engine braking reduction as I mostly ride on the street. Well after putting 200 miles on the new setup I like the reduction, makes the bike smoother and less jerky and is very predictable. I also feel like pull out from a stop is easier and when you snap the throttle the acceleration really comes on. 100% happy customer. Turnaround time was good considering shipping from east coast to west coast and back.
LARRY B (verified owner) –
SO I GOT MY NORTONS ECU BACK ON MONDAY AND JUST GOT BACK FROM MY 1ST RIDE AFTER INSTALLING AN AKRAPOVIC GP RACING EXHAUST W/ AN OPEN AIR BOX W/ NORTONS VELOCITY STACK PLUS NORTONS ECU..AND HOLY SHIT! LIKE EVERYONE ABOVE SAYS..IT FEELS LIKE A COMPLETELY DIFF BIKE! IT ACCELERATES FASTER AND RIDES MUCH SMOOTHER I HAVNT NOTICED ANY DEAD SPOTS YET CAUSE I HAVNT WENT OVER 70MPH YET BUT IT FEELS FUCKING GREAT! THE ENGINE BREAKING EVEN FEELS SMOOTHER..IT JUST COASTS WHEN YOU LET OFF THE THROTTLE WITH A SLIGHT PULL BACK..THE BIKE FEELS A HELL OF A LOT FASTER..I ORIGINALLY WAS GOING TO BUY TST INDUSTRIES WORX ECU BUT THEYRE CURRENTLY UNABLE TO FLASH ECU’S SO I WENT WITH JESSE’S..THE MAN KNOWS HIS SHIT! AND YOU DEFINETELY FEEL IT IN THE BIKE! IT RIDES WAY BETTER!!! ITS FUCKING AWESOME! IM CURIOUS HOW IT WILL RUN NEXT TO A STOCK NINJA 400..AND WHAT MY TOP SPEED IS NOW..BUT YA ITS WORTH THE MONEY! THANK YOU JESSE! I LOVE THE BIKE NOW!
Travis Olander (verified owner) –
It’s 2023 and the Yamaha R3 still suffers for lack of a proper fuel map, air and fuel that’s too lean, an injector cut-off that’s just stupid, and poor timing. I just got into bikes and bought the R3. But I come from the world of 4-wheeled motorsports and have plenty of experience with dyno tunes and air/fuel mods on fuel injected cars. The first time I took the R3 out, I was surprised by how poorly it ran from the factory. I literally rode a mile trying out 1st, 2nd, and 3rd and then turned around, parked in the garage, took out the ECU and sent it off to Norton.
Norton’s flash is fantastic. It’s easy to squeeze out 1 or 2 extra horsies with a tune. But it’s not a simple thing to completely remap a vehicle and make it feel this great through the full powerband and all the gears. Norton aced it on both these points.
Throttle response is way better: Smoother, more linear, with finer control. Fuel cut-off is no longer a problem, and you won’t find yourself dealing with way too much engine braking. There is no reason this bike should be tuned at the factory to such extremes for the sake of emissions. Bikes are already the most fuel-efficient, “green” gas vehicles on the road. Yamaha took it way too far to get into markets that are too strict.
Even if you’re just riding your R3 as a street cruiser or daily — especially if you’re a beginner rider who’s never ridden or driven a vehicle with a standard gearbox — you should absolutely invest in an ECU tune over any other mod. The R3 runs so poorly on the factory flash that you may, as a new rider, think you’re doing something wrong while you spend 90% of your first miles riding around in 1st and 2nd, learning the ropes (you aren’t doing anything wrong, the factory flash just sucks).