BOOSTER PLUG INSTALLATION AND REVIEW: HOW TO GET MORE PERFORMANCE OUT OF YOUR KAWASAKI VULCAN S 650

[@alangriff1]

Yours is the third installation I've watched and I'm sold...It's a huge improvement!

[@themotorcyclegene]

Thanks. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the way your bike performs after you install it.

[@ACT0080]

Just installed the booster plug! Awesome improvement!

[@themotorcyclegene]

Awesome! Glad to hear that. I have only ever heard one person say they did not notice a difference. For me the difference was immediately apparent.

[@joaquinelectric1]

Hi where can I buy it ? I have 2017 Kawasaki Vulcan s 650

[@douglasradowick508]

Hey Gene, I watched this video presentation many months ago. Rewatching it now was a smart move for me. I am considering the 650 Vulcan S for my fist Motorcycle and I've heard that the bike decelerates fast and hard! Finding the booster plug to lessen the problem is a major score! Thanks! Doug🏍️👍⭐⭐⭐

[@themotorcyclegene]

I am glad the video helped and I wish you luck on you r new bike.

[@BobbiWorley-rs1zz]

Your videos are always helpful. Is there anyway that you could tell me which way the two fuel lines on the left side of the tank get connected? I think one is a fuel return and a vent maybe? My tank is marked with a blue dot but neither hose is marked. One of the hoses runs down through the bike and out by the kickstand, should it be connected to the port on the tank with the blue dot or the other port? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I was hoping I could see it in your video but you didn't go that far with the tank removal

[@kyles5836]

Thanks for the guides Gene. Super helpful, made me feel more confident in doing these maintenance tasks myself. So true on the twitchy throttle! This was my first motorcycle so I thought maybe it was just me, but yeah touchy throttle and also when warming engine up it can bog if I rev too quickly (however once I switched to Non-Ethanol gas that was reduced problem). Thanks!

[@themotorcyclegene]

I am glad it helped. Ride safe and thanks for watching. If you haven't done so already I would appreciate it if you would subscribe.

[@paulieboscobyrne7548]

Great video I just got a 2015 Vulcan as my first bike thanks for the tips

[@themotorcyclegene]

It’s a great bike. How long have you been riding? Thanks for watching and commenting. If you haven’t done so already I’d appreciate it if you’d subscribe.

[@izzojoseph2]

This is a great video. I subbed!

[@Bnnycali]

Any idea if these still work on the 2024's? I have a 2024 Vulcan 650 S Cafe and would love to install this but I think I read these no longer work on the new models?

[@themotorcyclegene]

I honestly have no idea whether or not this will work with a 2024 model. I put the Booster Plug on a 2016 model and it worked fine, but I have no way of knowing whether or not it will work on a 2024 model.

[@izzojoseph2]

I like my engine braking, but mine isn’t as violent as yours apparently was. does it add power overall? Or just increase control at slow speeds

[@rtroiani]

I’m going to do this on my Vulcan. I put one on my Triumph Bonneville T100 and there was a noticeable improvement in twitchy throttle.

[@themotorcyclegene]

I felt a difference but I have had people tell me they have put theirs on dyno before and after and lost power after installing a Booster Plug. The twitchy throttle was definitely gone though.

[@rtroiani]

@@themotorcyclegene I think it has performance to spare, so fine with trading that for the twitchy throttle. Did you notice any gas mileage difference?

[@themotorcyclegene]

@@rtroiani if there was a change in fuel consumption it was so negligible that I didn’t notice it.

[@planetwally]

Did you feel any performance improvements of any kind? I have been debating the booster plug for my z650, will likely pull the trigger on it and install in the spring

[@themotorcyclegene]

There was a noticeable improvement in performance, and if I had it to do over, I would have installed the Booster Plug immediately after purchasing the bike.

[@themotorcyclegene]

@@johnbowers4023 I’ve put a few thousand miles on my bike since installing the booster plug, and I’ve had no issues and I’m still extremely pleased with how it makes the bike perform.

[@themotorcyclegene]

@Excesv I don’t have anything bad to say about the Vulcan S, but I love it a lot more since installing the Booster Plug. Thanks for watching.

[@themotorcyclegene]

@Excesv thank you much, I appreciate it.

[@ACT0080]

Nice video! I just ordered the plug for mine.

[@themotorcyclegene]

That is awesome, Adam, and thanks for commenting. I am sure you will notice the difference immediately. If you have any questions about the install I'll do my best to help. Also, if you haven't already, I'd appreciate it if you would consider subscribing. Ride safe.

[@ACT0080]

Subscribed

[@joaquinelectric1]

From where I can buy it ?

[@BlueSkiesVinny]

How are the long term effects? I've read on forums that the booster plug is only a temp. fix as the ECU will readjust fuelling to meet factory fuel ratio. Thanks

[@themotorcyclegene]

I honestly can't say what the long term effects are as I sold the bike and got an Indian Roadmaster about six months after I made this video. I didn't notice any deleterious effects while I rode it though.

[@phnx4life]

How about Versys 650 2023 or 2024? Anybody know if the plug is available for newer models?

[@themotorcyclegene]

I have no idea if the plug is available for newer models but on the website it lists the plug for 2017 through 2020 Versys models.

[@luismendez1040]

Thanks for the video. I got the same bike, same year too. I was wondering if your bike vibrates a lot at higher gear like 4th or higher and lower speeds? Mine vibrates a lot between 2800 and 4000 rpm. Thanks

[@themotorcyclegene]

Yes, the vibration is noticeable at higher rpm but not to the point where it is uncomfortable. It is especially noticeable on the interstate where the speed limit is higher such as 75mph.

[@josippet218]

Thanks a lot for the video! May the booster plug be installed if the engine is still under warranty?

[@themotorcyclegene]

Josip, thanks for watching. I’m not sure if installing the Booster Plug will adversely effect the warranty, but I’d suggest either waiting until after the warranty expires, or uninstall before taking the bike in for dealer service. You could ask the dealer ahead of time about the warranty and go from there. If y haven’t already, please consider subscribing to my channel.

[@RussSchampers]

If my primary interest is more power would you still recommend it? I have a 2017 z650 and it's touchy in first but it also doesn't bother me. I'd be buying purely from the perspective of wanting to get a few more smiles per gallon.

[@themotorcyclegene]

I am not sure if it effected the fuel consumption, but there was a noticeable difference in twitchiness at low speed, and there was also a noticeable difference in power, though I am not sure how much the power gain was since I never put it on a dyno, either before or after the installation.

[@oOHoltbyOo]

where did u get the booster from? i get a 24 vulcan and looking to improve it

[@themotorcyclegene]

I bought mine directly from Booster Plug.

[@robbiepace6965]

How much power does this plug in add to over all horse power?

[@themotorcyclegene]

There is a noticeable improvement, but I was unable to find any specific numbers. This is what the manufacturer says: Improving the fuel injection on your Kawasaki 650 Vulcan S is easy and efficient with the proven BoosterPlug solution. The BoosterPlug is the best modification to solve the common fuel injection problems on your bike - without the high cost and the complicated programming of a Power Commander. The BoosterPlug modification requires no programming or advanced mechanical work, and it's easy and fast to install. Plug and play. A true plug and play solution that will make your bike so much better: - Fix the snatchy throttle response problem - Improved acceleration - No more low speed surging problems - Powerful idle and no more stalling - Aftermarket exhaust backfire reduced or eliminated

[@l6j8b32]

Was the mpg affected after installation?

[@dsiz9421]

6%

[@themotorcyclegene]

I didn't notice any difference in fuel consumption but that doesn't necessarily mean there wasn't a difference.

[@motherlover505]

What was the booster plug that you used?

[@themotorcyclegene]

I got it directly from the manufacturer. Here’s the link www.boosterplug.com/shop/boosterplug-kawasaki-403p.html

[@motherlover505]

@@themotorcyclegene More expensive than what thought. Thank you for the link and another great video :)

[@jlee2010sk]

What is the difference before and after installation of the Booster plug? worth it?

[@themotorcyclegene]

The biggest difference is it cuts the engine braking down by approximately 70% and it makes the power band more linear, which makes the bike more enjoyable to ride and makes the throttle not so twitchy. There is also a slight increase in power. Overall I would say it is absolutely worth it to install a booster plug.

[@gasman6922]

Yup, I found the same on my 2019

[@jlee2010sk]

@@themotorcyclegene thank you

[@jlee2010sk]

@@gasman6922 thank you

[@Larrs]

What mirrors are those

[@themotorcyclegene]

AS far as I know they are the stock mirrors and they were on there when I purchased the bike from a dealership.

[@paxonearth]

I just installed this in my 2015 Vulcan S, and took it out for 6 or 7 easy miles. Unfortunately, I could feel no discernible improvement in either the twitchy throttle or engine braking. 2nd gear's twitchy throttle is especially bad.

[@themotorcyclegene]

I’m surprised to hear that. It was a drastic change to my bike. Is your bike regulated? Some Vulcan S models were regulated from the factory because they were destined for Europe and Europe has restricted licensing tiers. I don’t have a video on how to deregulate a Vulcan, but there are a lot of good ones out there.

[@paxonearth]

@@themotorcyclegene I'm in Oklahoma , and I bought it here, so I'm doubting that it was regulated. But who knows? I bought it used, so I guess anything is possible. How would I know if it has been regulated?

[@BlogadileDundee]

@@paxonearth 2015 vulcan S owner from Oklahoma as well - same experience tbh; installed the booster plug but still pretty twitchy. Although watching the video I have my sensor on the bar instead of closer to the triple tree, so going to reroute that and see if makes any difference.

[@paxonearth]

@@BlogadileDundee Hey, Okie. Let me know if you find the magic spot for the plug that might make a difference. I will say that I hadn't ridden my bike in probably 3 months, due mostly to the heat, so I took it out about a week ago in cool weather, and I had a great ride. I didn't notice any throttle issues at all. Maybe I'm just getting used to it? Or maybe I'm becoming more skilled. Not sure.

[@BlogadileDundee]

@@paxonearth just rerouted it actually - going to test it out later and will let you know. I have been the same it sat way too long and i just now started riding again, feeling pretty rusty.

[@gokucanfly4593]

This work for 2023?

[@themotorcyclegene]

It should work for a 2023

[@maskyy5316]

My 2019 Vulcan S doesn't have this issue at low speed. They may have improved it.

[@themotorcyclegene]

That is possible. Did you buy your bike new or used?

[@maskyy5316]

@@themotorcyclegene bought it new

[@themotorcyclegene]

Then Kawasaki probably fixed it. The reason I asked is if you got it used there would be the possibility of the previous owner installing something that fixed it. Have fun and ride safe.

[@angellomesa8019]

I have a 2018 and never had any issues. Or maybe I just got used to it. I have over 3,000 miles on my bike. I am going to add a delkevic exhaust

[@gasman6922]

You guys are probably used to it. I installed it on my 19 and there is a marked improvement

[@Timeus]

Beautiful bike, thanx for the video. Just installed on my orange café. Hope to see yours on the road :sunglasses:

[@themotorcyclegene]

Thanks. I love the orange color, but got a good deal on the bike so I didn’t care if it’s green. What part of the world are you in?

[@Timeus]

@@themotorcyclegene I was a sucker for the color on mines 😂 South Florida here

[@AxSxKxONE]

The biggest thing that pisses me off about this bike is they use the same engine that in the ninja but they didn’t put the same gears - I have a 17 650s by the way

[@themotorcyclegene]

I think they were trying to make it feel more like a cruiser than a sport bike, but you are right, it is definitely not geared like the Ninja, and it is heavier as well.

[@martinst-pierre8074]

no increase in power at all not even.2 hp.only richen the a/f mix a bit outside the close loop

[@themotorcyclegene]

I didn't know that at the time I made the video, and I was not going on any anything other than the way it felt.

[@seanholmes8290]

So did they send you this shit for free? I'm guessing they did.

[@themotorcyclegene]

Hell no, I paid full price and they didn’t give me anything to talk about it.

[@antichairman4073]

oh No i hope he doesn t spit fire

[@SquireSCA]

You likely lost performance. Get the ECU flashed. Booster Plug is a poor solution to improper fueling. Moore Mafia just did a Vulcan 650 S on the dyno with a booster plug, and without, and the bike made less power with the booster plug. if you want the bike to run right due to exhaust and mods, you gotta tune it.

[@themotorcyclegene]

Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment. I appreciate what you are saying, but It is a moot point now since I no longer own the bike, but if true than it is definitely a good thing for people to know. I'm not doubting you, I just haven't seen the proof, but it is something I should look into and perhaps do a video on.

[@SquireSCA]

@@themotorcyclegene Yeah, I just see them promoting their product and making lots of claims that aren't true. All it does is dump more fuel across the board. It has no way to know what areas are lean and need fuel, and what areas are already rich and to leave alone. Chris at Moore Mafia just did a video of a Vulcan S on the dyno with a Booster Plug, and the Booster Plug made less power. Hence why it "felt smoother". Looked at dyno charts from Triumphs and other bikes and it was the same result. Little richer down low which made around idle feel smoother, but it lost HP and Tq further up. Yet before they put it on the dyno, they swore the bike made better power... Bu the dyno doesn't lie. Placebo is a powerful drug, as they say.

[@jayryan7473]

@@SquireSCA You must understand what the booster plug does. It's boosting a little more fuel to the engine when you release the throttle so that it eliminates engine braking. Prior to installing the plug 'fuel cut out' would take place which drops the RPMs way down and causes engine braking. Fuel injectors that constantly cut out fuel, then go back to adding fuel, then cutting out again will give you a less than stellar ride experience. To combat the jerkiness you need to feather the clutch. You don't fully understand this concept. When you constantly have to do this-feather a clutch-you will spend more time shifting through all the gears. The booster plug combats this to increase performance. I haven't heard of a single person doing any type of tune that will eliminate the fuel cut out so the booster plug at this time seems to be the best option. And who cares what a dyno tells you? Especially since it's a paltry couple horses. Nobody anywhere will be able to discern a couple horses. Wide open throttle sitting on a dyno tells you absolutely nothing about a ride experience with that horsepower difference. And no dyno has ever given a 0 to 60, or any type of performance results. You're obviously unaware they're purely numbers for NOTHING more than an approximation. Looks like you're the one eating all the placebos.

[@SquireSCA]

@@jayryan7473 Well let's see... I have now owned 32 bikes, and spent literally hundreds of hours in the dyno room tuning them for power and smooth running. I had a 2022 Triumph Speed Twin delivered to my house yesterday, and before I even test rode it, I was opening up the base map in TuneECU, removing the restrictions from the ETV3 table to get rid of the power limiters that are in there, removing the intake snorkel and dB killers, etc... I know what fuel cut is, and most other brands of bikes eliminate it with a flash. The Booster does what you claim, but it also adds fuel where you don;'t need it, and might not want it. The Vulcan 650S is a low powered bike, so its not like the fuel cut is a big deal. Literally, all you are doing is adding a few percent more fuel across the board... On a bike that happens to just be a tiny bit lean, perhaps that helps. As for dyno numbers meaning nothing, are you joking? A number might not be an indicator or smoothness, but it absolutely is a measure of power, and how well the motor is running. That you think it is "just a meaningless number" suggests that you are new to this bike thing.