Race Dynamics Powertronic V2.0 product review, first report

What’s it like to ride?

First ride - you’d be hard pressed to tell the difference. Then as you find your favourite stretch of road, you find that you are carrying way more speed into corners, without any effort and without even realising it. To broaden the appeal of the Powertronic unit, RD is now offering it with two preset maps. One is a Performance map and the other a Highway Map. Both differ in their approach, but have two things in common. Firstly, there’s an added smoothness to the motor. Secondly, the motor feels crisper. I have never thought of the 390 engine as dull, but after switching between stock and other two maps, you start to notice some holes, well dips, in throttle response.

The Performance map, as you would expect, offers more power and more revs. Think of it as a map for slashing lap times because, over a stock Duke, it really will. The rev limiter now cuts in at around 12000rpm and it doesn’t feel forced or desperate. Power doesn’t drop off at 10000rpm, instead, peak power is made somewhere around 11000rpm. Power also seems more lower down in the rev range and the overall power delivery feels very linear. You start to feel this is how the stock bike should be! The beauty of this state of tune is the way the power builds and leaps into the final 3000rpm, making the experience feel richer but, very natural. It gives the 390 engine a fluidity that’s very welcome. The importance of this on a RC grows manifold especially if you are a track rider.

With the Highway map, the focus is on usable power. There is a perceptible difference in the response available in the mid-range. My gut actually says there’s more response here in the mid-range than with the Performance map. Clearly though, the Highway map doesn’t have the mad rush at the top end that’s seen on the Performance map. This is a very sensible balance given its intended usage. The Highway map would make great sense for city use too. RaceDynamics claims that for the same pace, Powertronic V2 ends up delivering better fuel efficiency when compared to stock. We’ll be sure to test that claim as it could prove to be a valuable aspect for riders who use their Dukes for touring.