Bayou Tuned – How To Tune a Motorcycle For Humidity

Woolich is Designed Specifically for Racetrack Performance

Woolich Racing is the top choice for professional motorcycle racers. Our ECU flashing allows you to tune with more precision across more engine systems. Woolich Racing’s precision tuning, especially tuning that removes limiters and adjusts air-fuel ratios, is designed for track use only. We recommend you seek advice about emissions and other applicable local laws before removing the speed limiter and adjusting your air-fuel ratio if you intend to ride on the street. 

Humidity is a Big Problem for Bike Engines

Too much water vapor in the air messes with your motorcycle’s Air-Fuel Ratio. For optimal performance, your engine needs the right balance of air and fuel. If you’re riding a track in the humid south, all that extra water in the air throws the ratio out. And that’s bad news for your bike’s combustion – aka the power centre. Here’s exactly what you need to know to get peak performance from your bike.

The Sultry South

Peak throttle response, power and a smooth ride all depend on the right Air to Fuel Ratio (AFR).  By default, your bike’s AFR is probably 14.7 parts air to 1 part fuel.  That’s the usual default OEM setting. And that’s perfect – if you’re riding a track at standard US altitude, at standard US temperature, and standard US humidity. But, here in the South, we don’t do standard. Once the humidity goes up, there are water droplets where there should be air for burning. And that’s bad news for your ride. 

But It’s Not Just the Southeastern States

Sure, it’s humid in Louisiana, Florida and Mississippi, but the most humid state in the US may surprise you. Alaska peaks at 74% humidity. The Midwest also gets steamy. Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin also make the top 10 list of most humid states in the USA. So, while we all know it’s sweaty down south in summer, humidity could be messing with your bike anywhere in the States. FEMA warns that temperature increases in the hurricane zone are changing. The “moist” zone is increasing every year.

How High Humidity Messes With Your AFR

When water droplets displace some of the oxygen particles in the air, there’s less oxygen available to combust in your engine. Fewer oxygen particles mixed with the same amount of fuel makes your bike run “rich” – too much fuel for the amount of air. Your engine doesn’t burn off all the fuel, and this causes it to get bogged down in water droplets.

Signs That Humidity is Trashing Your Bike’s Performance

• Power loss – your bike can’t burn fuel efficiently, so it never reaches full power.
• Sluggish throttle response – lack of power makes it harder for your bike to respond.
• Fuel costs – your bike is wasting fuel. 
• Sudden “jutters” – your bike is defaulting to factory settings trying to deal with the air-fuel ratio problems.

But I Have A Fuel-Injected Bike?

It’s true that fuel injection systems are better at handling humidity than carburettors. The computer controlling your fuel injection comes with its own problems, and it’s not just humidity. Tuning your bike for high altitude has the same issues. Your bike’s computer factory settings control a lot of what happens when you ride. You’re not really in control of your bike if you leave the factory settings in place. Your bike was built to pass emissions laws, so it uses the factory settings to meet the legal requirements of selling your bike to you. It means that when the fuel is burning inefficiently, your bike makes its own adjustments as best it can. Learn more about open and closed loop fuel management in motorcycles.

So, How Do You Fix It?

You start with regular maintenance.

• Regular sensor servicing. Your bike’s sensors do a hard job and are prone to wearing out.
• Seasonal dyno tuning. Get your bike on the dyno at least twice a year.
• Install O2 Sensor Modulators. Be careful; these can create a whole new layer of problems.  See Open and Closed Fuel Loop Issues.

Then You Take Control Of Your Bike’s Performance

Woolich ECU Flashing gives you the highest level of control over your bike’s performance because it undoes the manufacturer’s “brainwashing.” Your bike, your location, your ride style, your altitude, the climate – Woolich ECU Flashing gives you total control to tune your bike to its limit.  

How Does Woolich ECU Flashing Fix Your Problems?

ECU Flashing removes manufacturer settings that limit speed and power and force your bike to prioritise emissions criteria over responsiveness. Woolich ECU Flashing gives you precision control over every element of your engine’s performance. Rather than adding extra layers of “piggybacked” modification that can cause new performance issues, Woolich makes changes in the brain of your bike. That’s why so many world champions choose Woolich Racing ECU Flashing. If you’re living in a humid state, Woolich ECU Flashing could change the way your bike handles every day.

Just Visiting A Humid Location? How To Get Peak Performance On Your Next Ride

Woolich Racing’s Autotune function adjusts your engine performance in real-time. So if you don’t live in Louisianna but you’re doing the Folsom Bogalusa Loop or the Pie Run this summer, Autotune lets you temporarily adjust to high humidity in real-time. Taking Highway 90 cross country?  Autotune will help you get optimal performance out of your bike in sultry Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana – but adjust in real-time as you make your way through dryer Texas.  Optimal performance, zero issues. Because there’s nothing worse than bike problems on the ride of a lifetime. 

Learn More about Woolich Racing Autotune

How to get Woolich Racing ECU Flashing