OBDScan - Black Friday Sale

[Lightcycle]

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If anyone is shopping around for OBD tools to reset service lights, program keys, turn on/off options in the ECU, OBDStar is having a Black Friday sale.

Depending on the model, 25-35% off.

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www.obdstarstore.com

Just picked up a Ducati scan tool for $470 tax-in including shipping. Comes with all the cables. Normally it's around $750 pre-tax.

 

[Relax]

I've never understood these dedicated scanning tools. Are these really just for tech-averse people who don't want to load an app on their tablet?

 

[Lightcycle]

I've never understood these dedicated scanning tools. Are these really just for tech-averse people who don't want to load an app on their tablet?

Depends on your make, model and year. These tools aren't universal.

The functionality on the scan tools are bike-specific and require custom code if you want to access or program a recent model-year bike. As a result, the custom code is provided on a subscription basis if you are in the habit of always upgrading to a newer model often. If you only want your current model supported, no need to buy a subscription.

There was a scan tool that ran on Android which was able to read Ducatis. It was a widely used app about 10 years ago, however that company is no longer updating their support list, so if you have a Duc that's newer than about 8 years old, that tool won't work.

Other companies like GS911 make BMW scan SW that runs standalone or on Windows PCs. They do a good job updating their support list to read current MY Beemers.

AFAIK OBDStar is one of the few that is doing active support for newer bikes of all makes and they do not make an app version of the tablet. Might be an anti-piracy move. They are the only ones I know of that support newer Ducatis.

Are you aware of an Android app that will work with a '24 DesertX? I'm all ears.

 

[Relax]

OK, if it's the only one that supports your ECU, then you have no choice. But I was thinking of the case where JPDiag or TuneECU supports your ECU - is there is any additional functionality in one of these all-in-one proprietary tablets that you don't get in JPDiag or TuneECU when loaded on your laptop/tablet/phone. At least with a tablet you can still use it for other stuff after you sell the bike.

 

[Lightcycle]

The tools have evolved to more than just uploading a map for a tune.

Today, all sorts of things are managed by the ECU. The current batch of OBD scanners can change and enable things like heated grips and auxiliary lights in the menu system of your bike's computer. It's to add or delete coded keys that will be accepted by the bike's RF ignition immobilizer. It's to remove service reminder lights and to reset dates. All things that require a trip to a dealer to access and set/reset.

As each new generation of motorcycles become more and more computerized, the SW that reads OBD information has to be updated to be aware of how to deal with this new functionality and where and how the information is stored in the bike's ECU, as well as provide a user front-end interface to access and modify this information.

There are no standards or universal settings for this as of yet, which is why there are such specific tools for each manufacturer and bike and model year. Just another way the dealerships lock you into servicing your bike at their shop - because even if you do your own oil change, you need their computer to reset the service light...

If a SW version of these OBD tools exists, I always opt for that over a HW-only solution. I have a OBD2 plug that interfaces with MotoScan app on my phone for BMW bikes. But as I mentioned, every manufacturer and model now has new and customized fields where they store new information and functionality and unfortunately, sometimes the only compatible OBD SW can only be purchased on HW-only solutions like OBDStar single-purpose tablets. Not optimal, I agree.

If these companies like MotoScan and OBDStar ever stop updating their support, the apps and tablets will be useless for newer vehicles.

Case in point:

But I was thinking of the case where JPDiag or TuneECU supports your ECU.

You mentioned TuneECU. This is their current support list:

https://tuneecu.fr/docs/_en/Basic_guide.html

Notice anything? There are virtually no bikes after a certain vintage. This is the Ducati support list:

Ducati
749, 848, 999, 1098, 1198
Hypermotard 1100 (not Evo)
Monster 620, 695, S2R 800 & 1000, S4R
Multistrada 620, 1000, 1100
Streetfighter 848 & 1098
Sport 1000 & GT 1000
ST3 & ST4

Seems like the company stopped support and development somewhere around 2011, around the time the 1198 morphed into the Panigale.

BMW support?

BMW
G450X

Because GS911 was already a thing, they didn't even bother and basically conceded that market fairly early on to the 1250lb gorilla in the room.

Similarly, JPDiag is not a Ducati-specific tool, it's actually a Magnetti-Marelli programming tool. Great for flashing bikes like 999s and early Diavels, but Ducati has now transitioned to Bosch and other ECU manufacturers instead of MM. So no support for anything past 2010-ish, depending on the model.

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