Hey everyone! I’m Jared Burham, and I’m back writing for Hijinks again. Aaron graciously asked me back to contribute, so I’ll be sharing articles on Saturdays, hopefully on a regular basis. I’ll be all over the map with tech-related content, but a lot of it will include how technology is shaping automotive engineering, and how it’s a very integral part of the cars we drive and the motorcycles we ride everyday.
I want to start off with a segment I’ll have every once in a while called ‘Cool Auto Tech’, in which I’ll share with you some technology that’s used in the automotive world that’s just plain awesome! Today, we have the Power Commander Dynojet Quick Shifter. As for a little background, a Power Commander computer module is an aftermarket piggy-back engine control system that is used on modern sport bikes to tune how the engine performs. In short, when installed, the computer takes readings from multiple sensors and adjusts mainly the ignition timing (when the spark fires the cylinders), and the mixture of fuel and air that enters the engine. These parameters, when tuned correctly, can greatly increase the amount of power an engine will produce. There are several accessories that the makers of the Power Commander offer to modify how the rider controls the bike, and one of them is the Dynojet Quick Shifter sensor. Please read on:
The idea behind the system is to allow the rider to perform full-throttle clutchless up shifts, without having to let off the throttle. If you’ve ever ridden a motorcycle, most of them have a constant-mesh transmission, which can be shifted without using a clutch by simply pulling up on the shifter and blipping the throttle, which will slide it up into the next gear. This type of shifting, while quicker than using the clutch, still has a slight power lag because of the throttle blip. While not an issue in normal driving conditions, this can loose time on a racetrack. That’s where the Quick Shifter comes in.
The way it works is this: the sensor is placed above the shift lever with a rod connecting the two. The sensor plugs directly into the Power Commander module and becomes a part of the system. While riding, when the rider simply pulls up on the shifter to gear change, the sensor detects the pressure applied and tells the Power Commander to quickly unload the transmission by momentarily cutting the fuel and or ignition, allowing the shift to take place. This quick blip that the computer creates is quicker than the human hand rolling off the throttle and back on, so crucial time is saved.
The sensor can be fully adjusted by connecting a laptop to the Power Commander, and parameters such as the “kill time” and the minimum RPM can be set. This allows normal operation of the bike below a certain engine speed, say 10,000rpm, so that unless under full-throttle, the sensor doesn’t become operational.
This type of system shows just how much a modern vehicle is becoming more of a fully automated robot, controlled by a user with sensors and modules, rather than levers and cables. Because of the programmability of computers, the limit on what is possible with machines is becoming ever higher.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.