Motorcycle maintenance and diagnostics have entered the modern age, and it’s more accessible than ever for the everyday rider. Gone are the days of solely relying on expensive mechanic tools or guesswork when trying to understand your bike’s performance. Thanks to affordable technology like the auper OBD2 scanner, you can now tap directly into your motorcycle’s onboard computer and gain real-time insights into its health and operation right from your Android device.
I recently put a “generic” OBD-II Bluetooth adapter, which we can consider as an auper OBD2 scanner in terms of accessibility and functionality, to the test on my Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) Triumph Bonneville. The results were surprisingly impressive. Connecting wirelessly to my Android tablet, this budget-friendly device, paired with a variety of readily available scanner apps, opened up a wealth of diagnostic information about my motorcycle.
The beauty of this setup lies in its simplicity and cost-effectiveness. My tablet, a Christmas gift from the previous year, simply needed to run Android OS 4.2 or later (mine operates on Lollipop 5.01) and support Bluetooth 3.0 or better. This means a wide array of inexpensive Android phones and tablets already in many households are perfectly compatible.
The auper OBD2 scanner I tested is manufactured by KONNWEI, a company based in Asia, and is available on major online marketplaces for under $20, often with free shipping. It’s designed to support multiple OBD protocols based on the widely recognized ELM327 chipset. Crucially for owners of modern EFI Bonnies, it supports the ISO9141-2 protocol.
Alt: Locating the OBD2 port on a motorcycle, typically found under the seat, allows for easy connection of auper OBD2 scanners for diagnostics.
ISO9141-2 is a European adaptation within the broader OBD-II standard developed by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). It’s fully compliant with the OBD-II framework, ensuring compatibility with a range of diagnostic tools and applications.
The primary characteristic of the ISO9141-2 protocol is its slower data transmission rate of 10.4k baud through the vehicle’s 16-pin diagnostic connector. While newer protocols offer faster rates up to 500k baud, the fundamental communication with scan tools remains consistent across all variants. Whether you are using dedicated diagnostic scan tools, basic DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Code) readers, or user-friendly computer and mobile apps, the OBD protocols function similarly. Bluetooth OBD-II adapters, like the auper OBD2 scanner, simply eliminate the physical cables, offering wireless convenience and streamlined connectivity to your chosen software on a host device.
Connecting an auper OBD2 scanner is straightforward. You plug it into the 16-pin Diagnostic Link Connector (DLC) on your motorcycle – for Bonnies, this is conveniently located under the seat, attached to the wiring loom on top of the rear fender. This connection establishes an interface with the Engine Control Unit (ECU), your bike’s brain. The OBD2 protocol then facilitates the monitoring of Parameter IDs (PIDs) available within the ECU, although at a slower pace compared to newer protocols. The Bonneville’s ECU offers a useful set of PIDs for monitoring around a dozen parameters, including RPM, MPH, Throttle Position Sensor (TPS), Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP), Mass Air Flow (MAF), O2 sensors, ignition timing advance, calculated engine load, and battery voltage. It also provides access to all relevant DTCs for the 865cc parallel-twin engine, crucial for troubleshooting any issues.
The Konnwei auper OBD2 scanner I tested seamlessly supports a range of third-party apps available on the Google Play Store. Among these, OBD Fusion stands out as a particularly excellent and user-friendly option, and it’s available for free. Other compatible apps include DashCommand, Torque Pro, OBD Car Doctor, Piston, and ELM327 Check Version.
Alt: An Android tablet displaying a real-time dashboard from an OBD2 scanner app, showcasing engine parameters like RPM and temperature, enhancing motorcycle diagnostics.
Furthermore, TuneECU, a popular software among motorcycle enthusiasts, also works with the Konnwei auper OBD2 scanner on its Android version. However, it’s important to note that ECU remapping capabilities are primarily reserved for the PC version of TuneECU, which requires a wired OBD2 adapter cable with an FTDI chip for USB serial communication. For tasks like adjusting fuel maps for less restrictive exhausts or loading custom tunes, the PC version of TuneECU remains essential.
While TuneECU’s PC version offers advanced remapping functions, it necessitates a laptop and adapter cable. An auper OBD2 scanner with an Android tablet provides a significantly more portable and convenient solution, especially for quick checks in the garage or even on the roadside.
To further explore the capabilities, I also tested a more premium OBD2 Bluetooth adapter, the OBDLink LX from ScanTool, priced around $50. It works exclusively with its companion Android app, “OBDLink,” also available for free on the Google Play Store.
Interestingly, OBD Fusion and OBDLink apps share remarkable similarities in their Bluetooth compatibility and features. The key distinction is that OBDLink is specifically designed for the OBDLink LX adapter, while OBD Fusion demonstrates broader compatibility, working with most, if not all, OBD2 compliant ELM327-based Bluetooth adapters, including the more affordable, auper OBD2 scanner options. In my experience, both apps rival professional mechanic scan tools that cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars more, offering incredible value for the DIY motorcycle enthusiast.
In conclusion, for a mere $20 or less, an auper OBD2 scanner empowers you with near-professional-grade diagnostic capabilities for your modern Bonneville. As an added bonus, by mounting my 7-inch tablet above my bike’s speedometer and tachometer, I could utilize the virtual dashboard feature in these apps. This allowed me to simultaneously monitor real-time parameters like MPH, RPM, oil temperature, intake air temperature, throttle position, MAP, MAF, engine load, battery voltage, instant and average MPG, and more, all presented in customizable digital or analog gauges – even while riding! It’s a truly cool and insightful way to connect with your machine and understand its inner workings.
