I had my 6,000 mile maintenace done this past weekend on my Brutale and had them install Michelin Pilot Powers and the Power Commander III. I'm elated with both.

The Michelins are wonderfully sticky. I rode for hours today through the twisties and the bike has never felt so sure-footed. My old Pilot Sport rear tire was down to cord at 5,600 miles but the front had plenty of life left. I went ahead and replaced both anyway and couldn't be happier. These tires are certainly confidence inspiring as I took corners several mph higher than I had before. No doubt they will make a terrific track tire as well.

The Power Commander III was programmed for the Brutale before Ferracci mailed it off to me. The smooth power delivery at all rpm is readily apparant after just a few minutes of riding. My Brutale used to lurch a bit a low rpm but is very consistent and smooth now. I don't know about any horse power increase as I have not had it dynoed but it does seem a bit quicker. Too early to tell if I gained any miles per gallon but I certainly am hopeful. Will get back to anyone interested after a couple of tanks full. I am considering having the PCIII fine tuned but both the Ferracci people and the guys at the dealership thought it would be a waste of money. Thoughts?

Both items are major upgrades to stock and I couldn't more highly recommend them.

-- Tom Solimine (Tsolimine@amph.com), December 12, 2004

Answers

Tom,

With the F4 the engines varied so much that you couldn't get a preprogrammed ignition curve when I baught mine. As the Brutale engine is the same I realy can't understand why either Ferracci or your dealer think it's a waste of money. Powercomander themselves would suggest it was a good idea on ANY bike let alone one known to be so variable in it's build. Any yes I love the feel of the Pilot Powers too, although I only got a cople of hundred miles in before they started salting the roads and play ended for this year.

-- Mark M (m.magenis@btinternet.com), December 13, 2004.

i was wondering what profile you got the front tire in for the pilot powers? they don't make a 120/65 do they?

-- Frederick Marsh (fmarsh@qssgroupinc.com), December 13, 2004.

Two responses. 1.) I just got off the phone with the DynoJet people and I asked if they recommend fine tuning the PCIII on a dyno. The guy basically told me that if the Brutale is running smoothly using one of the three pre-set settings that there is not much to gain having it hooked up to a computer and dyno. That I'd really just be chasing tenths of a horse in terms of power. As mine is currently running smoother than ever at all rpms, I don't think its worth it to me to spend an additional $275 to gain maybe one horse.

2.) As for the Pilot Powers, yes they do make a 120-65 for the front. The people at the internet site I bought from originally told me none was made yet, but the next day, there it was on their site.

-- Tom Solimine (Tsolimine@amph.com), December 13, 2004.

I went for the 70 front, not much clearance for my carbon front guard so had to oval the mounting holes a touch to ease my demons. I havnt worried about the possable wheel/radiator interface some people have talked of in the past, as many folks have managed to drop the yolks down the forks without suffering this problem.

-- Mark M (m.magenis@btinternet.com), December 13, 2004.

2.) As for the Pilot Powers, yes they do make a 120-65 for the front. The people at the internet site I bought from originally told me none was made yet, but the next day, there it was on their site.

what site was this?

-- Frederick Marsh (fmarsh@qssgroupinc.com), December 13, 2004.

Discount Motorcycle Tire

http://www.dmtaonline.com

-- Tom Solimine (Tsolimine@amph.com), December 13, 2004.