Booster Plug for T120.

My evaluation of the “Booster Plug” fitted to my 2016 Triumph Bonneville T120.

[@Willy-qd9qu]

Hi Andy, Arnaud there from France. I just bought a used 2020 T120 with only 3000 miles and fitted a Booster Plug + High flow air filter. The X pipe is waiting to be installed for the moment. I can confirm that there is already a huge difference. Smoother at low RPM, the engine is much more stronger at mid and high RPM. In the sixth gear, it still pulls strongly, it was not the case without the BP. Thank you for the honest reviews and hope I will cross your road one day.

[@peakbiker]

Hi Arnaud, Good to hear from you. I hope that you get as much enjoyment from riding your T120 as I do from mine. You will be amazed when you fit the X pipe, the extra acceleration and free revving of the engine is great. When you fit it, please remember to let the bike tick over until the radiator fan kicks in and then take it for a gentle run so that the ECU can adjust itself. Regards Andy

[@timvrfpv]

I install the Booster Plug on my Triumph 800XC about a year after I bought the bike(in 2013). With the increase in power, it feels like a larger engine. Gone is the low rpm jerking ! I can accelerate from idle in 6th gear (about 20 mph) smoothly. Obviously, it's not fast at that speed, but it's wonderful that I do not have to downshift another 1 or 2 gears on slow turns anymore. Last summer I installed one on my 06 Road King and notice an improvement in power. Not as much as on the Tiger, but definitely better. Hope to someday own a T120, so I'm glad to hear the Booster Plug works well on that bike.

[@ralphy123456789]

I’ve had BP’s on 4 bikes now and they’ve made a noticeable improvement to all of them.

[@Ron-ec4pf]

Just got mine as well because of this video and you feel the difference immediately, thanks

[@peakbiker]

Hi Ron, I'm happy to hear that you've noticed an improvement. It's so easy to convince yourself that a mod has made a difference. Your the third person to contact me to confirm that I wasn't dreaming. Regards Andy

[@philipd4863]

Hi Andy , I am really pleased that you are happy with the booster plug . I hope you enjoy many miles of safe riding and I look forward to watching your videos of the excellent Triumph T120 that we both love to ride . Best Wishes , Phil D .

[@alandmorley]

Ay up Andy just fitted my booster plug (10 mins) to my black t100 2017 and rode to Horncastle and back to derby (156 miles) today 21st may 2018, it helps with low speed throttle control and the MPG was over 80.thanks for the chat the other day up on long stone edge. Hope to see you again. Cheers Alan

[@peakbiker]

Hi Alan, Good to hear from you. Does the bike feel less deadly in traffic? Regards Andy

[@alandmorley]

Yes better in traffic and as you said Andy going round the small islands , but the nice thing is you don't have to pay Triumph prices to sort it out very pleased.

[@hopgood007]

Great video Andy - the bike looks and sounds lovely after all your mods!

[@scottj8791]

My 2017 T120 is stock except for the Booster Plug. All I can say is "it works". Snatchy eliminated, bike love increased.

[@DEeMONsworld]

BPs do exactly what they say they do, nothing more nothing less. They enrich the fuel mix by 6% in the open loop fuel circuit. The closed loop circuit is unaffected. The temperature sensor does nothing more than maintain that 6% through all ambient outside temp ranges. This just makes it consistent in cold or hot weather conditions. Fuel consumption is unaffected because most of the time you are running in closed loop, controlled by the pre determined ECU map. This is at idle, and at steady cruise. The BP only works in Open loop when you are starting out, accelerating and frequently changing throttle positions as in city traffic. Some bikes benefit from it some do not. I have had 2, It worked wonders on my first bike, which is why I bought one for my Triumph, the experience was much different, there was an over rich condition and a decrease in performance. Much depends on which model bike you have and how you ride, but the booster plug on many recent bikes do little but make you run rich in open loop. having a decat, and open intake (snorkel removal) may lean out your bike a little, but as your dyno guy said you were well within safe operating range.

[@stonecold2653]

Re your old post above is a booster better than a power commander? you seem to know your stuff...cheers

[@DEeMONsworld]

@@stonecold2653 better is determined by your goal, and pocketbook, the PC is a comprehensive package that requires Dyno tuning to be most effective.boostetplug is a quick fix, and just makes your bike run more Rich hence smoother.

[@stonecold2653]

@@DEeMONsworld thanks for the info

[@tomtardif4387]

I put a booster plug on my Interceptor 650 Royal Enfield they recommend you put the sensor someplace where it doesn't get warm he want it to be cooler area. Like I put mine underneath the seat away from the engine seems to work much better there. The reason being they wanted to go up in front of the bike is to keep the sensor cool you want some place where it's going to get some air flow that's not coming off the engine. Something you can try if you want just a suggestion. Putting it in the air box is just going to give the same reading as the original sensor. I will be installing a booster plug on my Bonneville T120 that I just purchased a week ago and I'll be putting on some Joe Vance stainless steel slip ons. Safe riding and prayers to all in England for your recent loss and hoping the pandemic ends soon! 😊

[@paulongley2033]

Hi Andy peak biker I have a 2017 t 100 and have fitted a buster plug to my bike. And you are right ,a great improvement with the x pipe and a k&n air filter . Will also upgrade the exhaust next . Regards Paul

[@peakbiker]

Hi Paul, I'm glad to hear that the booster plug works on the T100. I met a another T100 owner today, a guy named Alan who recognised my bike whilst I was sunning myself on Longstone Edge in the Peak District. We spent a good couple of hours talking and Alan's going to try a booster plug on his bike. So, it sounds as if he won't be wasting his money! Thanks for taking the time to get in touch. Regards Andy

[@dudders7168]

I was under the impression that the bikes ecu would learn that the air sensor is not working and compensate for this thus neutralising the BP benefit🤷🏼‍♂️

[@peakbiker]

Hi, As far as I am aware the unit doesn’t stop the sensor working. It adjusts the signal from it to fool the ecu to make it think the ambient temperature is lower than it actually is and therefore enrich the mixture. The bike is tuned to run lean at low speeds and this alters the mixture to nearer normal and smoother running. Regards Andy

[@volt7cooltangs701]

Worked well on my Thruxton 1200 too. No brainer.

[@terryhaught9976]

Glad to hear the booster plug worked for your t120 Andy! I've got a 2014 t100 , don't think they make one for that model, and it needs it in the worst way!

[@peakbiker]

Hi Terry, They make a unit to fit the air cooled efi T100. Regards Andy

[@terryhaught9976]

Thanks Andy I'll dig a little deeper!

[@benb2058]

Hey I have a dl1000 and your video came up due to my previous research on the booster plug just want to say to all, they are amazing for the price if you are considering it just get it you'll be glad you did you'll be wondering how you rode the bike with the herky-jerky throttle before I previously thought fuel injection was the worst thing that happened to a motorcycle the booster plug has certainly given me some hope. Forget about the power commander unless you want to throw $500 in the fire or you're planning to go to the racetrack

[@tsmgguy]

Love your videos, thanks! A booster plug just fools the ECU into delivering too much fuel, muddying up throttle response and lowering fuel economy. I'm not gonna pay good money to do that. Throttle "snatch" is due to the T120's power, coupled with its precise throttle. I just start the riding day in rain mode. All of the power is there; it's just delivered a bit more gradually so there's no snatch. I've done this as habit since my T120 was new The bike defaults to road mode on subsequent starts, but for some reason there's no throttle sensitivity. When these WC 1200 engines came out a couple of mechanics made comments along the lines of "These things run way too lean, and it's for emissions compliance", but that's complete bullsh*t. The only time they run lean is on over-run, where they're not allowed to emit unburned fuel, and other than that they run at stoich (cruising and idle) or richer when accelerating. Honestly, let's try and quash this misguided rumor so people don't feel the need to buy snake-oil solutions like BoosterPlug. All the BoosterPlug does is fool the ECU into making it run too rich during acceleration. If you don't like the snappiness at low RPM you could also put it in rain mode, because that snappiness is because the torque is too high for your liking and it responds too quickly. In rain mode the throttle curve is flattened so it's simply less sensitive to movement. It's great that the BoosterPlug fixes someone's problem, but it's not fixing any bike related problem

[@peakbiker]

Hi, Whatever the booster plug does, it certainly makes the bike respond better at low speed. As for whether the engines are set up to run lean or not, I’m no expert but I had my bike checked on a dyno prior to fitting a booster plug and the graphs clearly show the fuel/air mixture to be lean up to 5300 revs, then running rich the rest of the way. I have fitted a Power Commander and now the engine is set up to run as near to the optimal ratio as possible. Regards Andy

[@dmshanks1]

Nice review. I'll be installing one on my 2014 Street Triple just as soon as it arrives from Denmark. A lovely bike, but has a really "snatchy" Throttle, pretty much at any speed, due in part I'm sure, to the Two Brothers slip on exhaust I'm using (really sounds awesome), and the lean mixture that most modern bikes use for emissions control. I have high hopes :)

[@peakbiker]

Hi Dave, I hope it's as successful on the triple as it is on the twin. Regards Andy

[@greysea4841]

You might want to retire that booster plug and consider remapping your T120 with the appropriate tune for your Market using Tune ECU. Low speed surging, popping, hard engine breaking have been eliminated.

[@BobC777]

I hope that providing a link to the manufacturer does not violate any KZbin rules! www.boosterplug.com/shop/boosterplug-triumph-bonneville-499p.html

[@peakbiker]

Hi, Thanks for posting the link, it didn't cross my mind to provide a web address for anyone interested. Regards Andy

[@TheKat00m]

Glad to hear this mate ... can you put a link up or tell us what one you got please. Thanks

[@peakbiker]

Hi, Take a look here: www.boosterplug.com/shop/boosterplug-triumph-bonneville-499p.html Regards Andy

[@wildhogget69]

Great video would love to decat my T100 but worried they would detect it at the emissions check here in Spain

[@homebizrockstars]

Dan Everitt I’m in Spain too Dan. I don’t think you’ll pass the ITV with a decat X pipe. I have put one on mine but will change it back to stock for the ITV. The ITV is the only time they will check the emissions. It’s only a 30 min job to switch them and it’s only every 2 years. Go for it it you’ll be happy with it

[@freddoon4454]

LOOK INTO THE "AIR INTAKE MOD." AND BETTER AIR FILTER !

[@CyrilHelnwein]

I decatted my 2018 T120 and also put on some vance & hines pipes. The bike is running lean now and there is obviously less back pressure and engine breaking (the revs take a few seconds to come down to normal when I flick the throttle). My Triumph dealer recommends I remap the bike to avoid engine damage or overheating (as it's not getting enough fuel now). So I was looking into the Power Commander V but they are so expensive and then I have to fork out even more to get someone to customise the map. This booster plug seems like a much cheaper and easier alternative, from what I understand from your video! Is basically does the same thing a Power Commander would do?

[@peakbiker]

Hi Cyril, Not long after I fitted the decat unit and Toga silencers, I took the bike to be checked on a dyno. Here's the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKG8o6FmjN9nrsk It seems that the bike runs lean from new to meet the Euro 4 emissions standard. The guys that dyno tested the bike told me that fitting a Power Commander wouldn't help to improve much other than slow running. The booster plug appears to be a cheap fix for the slow running issues. Some people swear by them and others aren't impressed. When you fitted the decat unit, did you start the engine and let it idle until the fan cut in and then take it for a steady run? My dealer recommended to do this to enable the ECU to learn the new setup. Regards Andy

[@ashwinoashwin]

Hi. It looks like you have upgraded your brakes to the 4 pot brembo system. Did you get the bolt on upgrade? I am looking at it for my t 100 as if feel the stock doesn't have enough power for a bike of this weight

[@peakbiker]

Hi Ashwin, Yes, I have fitted the 4 pot brembo calipers and 340mm discs supplied by Free Spirits. They are certainly an improvement. Regards Andy

[@Tenerisius]

I drive a bmw gs 1200 2004 everyday in the city. I've never had a snachines problem in with my bike. (only when i use a wrong gear ;-) Remember, that the first release of this bike, was at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games when the bike was accompanying the Olympic flame around the world for more than 40.000 km with 5-10 kmh with first and second gear for almost a year. I'm wondering also if it is good for a bike to eliminate the mechanical breaking. I heard about the Boosterplug, first time, in my research for a powercomander, because i'd like to add a little more power and to adjust the ECU mapping better for my K&N air filter and my Acrapovic exaust, to my bike. I try to unerstand the comparation among the two devices. I thing they are two different devices for different purposes. I feel they try not only to fool the ECU unit with this compare, but as aswell. This is my fist, early, conclusion. If i'm wrong, i'm pleased to hear other opinions. My "reasearch" is still open :-)

[@peakbiker]

Hi, I spent some time trying to decide whether to fit a Booster Plug or not. The Power Commander and the Booster Plug are two completely different devices. I wasn't trying to increase the BHP of the engine, simply to make it smoother running. The Power Commander is an all singing, all dancing piece of kit that costs 5 times the price of a Booster Plug and allows you to make changes to the mapping to get the best possible performance from the engine. I had my bike Dyno tested after I had made numerous modifications to the exhaust system and was advised that I would be wasting my money fitting a Power Commander. In comparison, the Booster Plug is a cheap fix that appears to work fine by enriching the fuel to the engine. It all boils down to what you are trying to achieve, more power or just a smoother throttle response. Regards Andy

[@Tenerisius]

@@peakbiker if the price of a power commander is an issue, there is possible now to find a dynojet power commander 3 for 150€. The other issue for me is that I don't like when someone trying to sell something, and mislead the customers with wrong compariton. The power commander can do also what the booster plug does, if somebody wants to, plus much more other things that the booster plug is unable to do. Anyway thanks, it was helpful to discuss about it. I know now in which side should I go further with my research about it. ;-)

[@chrisbolton2500]

Nice video fella. I've de-catted my Thruxton R. Usual improvements, response, noise etc. To be fair I've never suffered from throttle snatch. The reason I'm considering a booster plug, I now have a 'popping' in the exhaust on over run. All seals were replaced when I did the job, and everything is battend down as Triumph recommend. So I'm pretty sure there's no leak. Do you have any information as to whether the booster plug can assist in this area?

[@peakbiker]

Hi Chris, I've pinched this from the Booster Plug website. A true Plug and Play solution that will make your bike so much better: - Improved and softer throttle response when rolling the throttle on-off. - Enrichment of Air/Fuel mixture when you open the throttle will improve acceleration. - Remove the Jerky low speed running that is typical for modern lean burn engines. - Stronger and more reliable Idle. - Reduced Puffing in your aftermarket exhaust on engine braking. If you want more info, look here: www.boosterplug.com/shop/boosterplug-triumph-thruxton-501p.html My bike doesn't pop and fart any more when the throttles shut off, so I expect it could sort your problem. Regards Andy

[@chrisbolton2500]

Cheers Andy. And would you believe, they don't make one for my bike as yet......! Ho-Hum. Something to bear in mind.

[@peakbiker]

Hi Chris, It says in the small print right at the bottom of information page that the 1200 Thruxton Booster Plug fits all the Thruxtons including the Thruxton R. Regards Andy

[@chrisbolton2500]

These tired old eyes......you've done your bit for 'care in the community' there matey. I'll give them a coat of looking at.

[@bevhales6951]

Hi Andy I've tested a Bobber today and was gutted to find how snatchy the throttle was when at low speed. I've been told that your Boosterplug solution might help on the new Triumph Bonneville Bobber as it's based on the T120 engine? I've checked your link to the site but the Bobber isn't mentioned - I'm just wondering if anyone knows whether it might help cure the problem if I also removed the cat and used the X exhaust ? I'd love to buy the bike but need to feel confident that it won't snatch or surge at lower speeds. Any advice would be very welcome.

[@peakbiker]

Hi Bev, Fitting the X pipe will make a vast improvement to the overall feel of the bike, but the low speed snatchy throttle is still evident. I have just checked booster plug's website and there is a plug listed for the Bobber. Just type in booster plug in google, open their website and click on Triumph. Look under water cooled twins, it's the last one on the top row. Regards Andy

[@bevhales6951]

Peak Biker thanks Andy - I'm trying a second test drive of the std Bobber next week with a few tweaks to the riding position (I'm only 5'2") and if that feels better from a handling and comfort point of view then at least I know there's a solution for the snatchiness that could help with the rest of my concerns. Thanks for your help x

[@Trumphet68]

To fix the snatchie throttle - just remove your O2 exhaust sensors and add O2 dongles. This tricks bike computer thinking throttle is open so no more jerkiness and leanness at low speeds. Less than $50.

[@MB-ho8ns]

are you saying to do this AFTER you remove the cat, or can do from stock?

[@Trumphet68]

Michael Boardman - even from stock makes a difference. I now do away with oxygen sensors straight away. Also 1 less thing to worry about as the always shit themselves anyway.

[@MB-ho8ns]

google search no joy, where do you get O2 dongles?

[@johnnygross4415]

where do you order on of these? Revzilla?

[@peakbiker]

Hi Jonny, You can either order from the manufacturer here: www.boosterplug.com/shop/frontpage.html . Or you can find them on Ebay. Regards Andy

[@arthurmacdonald2739]

Hi, a couple of questions if I may? Did you keep the graph from your dyno run? And so you know if the Booster alters the mixture by the same % throughout the rev range? Thanks

[@peakbiker]

Hi Arthur, Yes, I did keep the print out of the Dyno graph but I haven't had the bike retested since fitting the booster plug so I haven't anything to make a comparison with. Fitting the booster plug has certainly made a positive difference to the low speed running and acceleration and I haven't found any significant difference in fuel consumption. Regards Andy

[@arthurmacdonald2739]

Hi Andy, I would love to see the original graph if at all possible. They can run a little rich at high rpm so if the booster is adding fuel throughout the range it could well be excessively rich at higher rpm. We used to sell something similar from GPR but that was linked to the coil and was adjustable so you could alter the amount of additional fuel at specific rev bands. What it can't do of course is remove fuel if there are rich spots. I have a professional interest so should you decide to re-test I'll meet you at Russ's and slit the bill with you. Regards Arthur

[@peakbiker]

Hi Arthur, I'm off on my holiday tomorrow, so I can't sort anything for a couple of weeks. I'll see what I can sort out when I get back. There's a shot of the dyno print out at the beginning of this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKG8o6FmjN9nrsk. Otherwise I can email you a scanned copy of the printout. Regards Andy

[@jathinv8285]

millage?

[@peakbiker]

Hi, Total Mileage 5054 miles. With Booster Plug fitted 797 miles. Regards Andy

[@freddoon4454]

LOOK INTO "NOLOGY" COILS,AND SPARK PLUG WIRES ! MAKE THE BIKE EVEN STRONGER ! AND BETTER POWER AND TORQUE, BUT ON A SMALLER REAR SPROCKET AND 5th GEAR IS LIKE A OVERDRIVE !

[@patthewoodboy]

Nology is snake oil at best