Switchable Power Modes

Electronics aren't my strength but I figured out that I could wire a DPDT (Double Pole Double Throw) switch to change modes between the normal restricted mode and the hacked de-restricted mode. Why bother with a switch? Dutchgixxer has de-restricted his VFR1200 and reports that he considered changing it back to stock because the torque was so responsive in 1st and 2nd gear. His bike wanted to wheelie and spin if he wasn't cautious with the throttle. Also, the inaccurate gear position sensor could get annoying in the de-restricted mode. I figured a switch would be nice if I changed my mind, that way I wouldn't have to go back in and keep changing it back and forth.

I decided to place the switch under the seat. This way it can't be switched on the fly... I will have to stop the bike, take the key out of the ignition and unlock the seat to access the switch. I don't want it to be changed on the fly because if it were changed in 1st or 2nd gear on the fly, the interruption in the signal could cause a fault, thereby triggering an engine light which in itself doesn't have any negative effects but it's annoying to clear the trouble code.

The first thing I would need to do is repair the wiring that I hacked up near the harness. I kept it tidy with shrink-sleeve insulation and wire ties.

 The gear position sensor sits on the end of the shift drum, right next to the shifter spindle. I removed the
shifter linkage and the plastic side cover to gain easier access.

On the inside of the frame spar there is a connector for the GPS. The connector needs to be released from its clip. The group of wires with the woven insulation goes directly into the GPS>.

I spliced 2 lengths of wire into the 3rd gear wire on the ECU side. I would run them up the inside of the frame and under the tank to the battery area.

This is the DPDT ON-ON switch that I picked up from Radio Shack. There are 6 poles. I ran the 1st and 2nd gear wires on the GPS side to the middle poles. The 2 3rd-gear wires ran to the outer poles on one side, and the 1st and 2nd gear wires on the ECU side ran to the other 2 outside poles. Now when the switch goes toward the 3rd gear side, the 1st and 2nd gear wires will be shorted to the 3rd gear wire therefore the ECU will receive a 3rd gear signal when the bike is in 1st or 2nd. When the switch is in the other position, the bike runs normally.

This is the plug coming from the GPS. The first and second gear wires are cut and the opposite ends run to opposite poles on the switch.

This is my crude schematic. You can see that when the switch is on the left side, the ECU (on the right) can only receive a 3rd gear signal.

I drilled a little hole in one of the baffles under my seat to mount the switch. I sealed the 6 terminals up with a blob of silicone and taped it up tightly. The 6 wires were tidied up with some wire ties. When this switch is in the "up" position the first 2 gears are de-restricted.

Here is my switch:

I threw on a helmet and rode the naked VFR up and down my street a few times, stopping in between to switch "modes". The result is exactly what I expected... In the de-restriced mode the hesitation before 5500RPM is gone. Instead, the torque rushes full-on from idle. It's drastically more responsive. It makes the natural restriced mode feel sluggish.