O2 sensor eliminator — why?

[mininsx_imp]

I don't think the oxygen sensor heater is meant to "clean" the sensor. The HO2S won't generate a signal until it reaches around 600 degrees F. Almost all sensor heaters only work a short amount of time because once the engine reaches normal operating temperature, the heat of the exhaust is sufficient to maintain 600 F. I'm pretty sure the proper fix for a "sputtering" problem isn't defeating the closed-loop/feedback system, but unless/until my bike sputters, I'll likely never know. Wish me luck.

You are probably correct. I based some of my earlier comments on an actual suggestion that I received from the manufacturer/supplier of the O2 Sensor Eliminator Plugs. He provides the O2 Lambda Sensor block-off screw in most of his kits because he stated that it is safer to remove the sensor if you ever intend to run a closed loop system again at a later time. Whether the preheat circuit helps to "clean" or not was really my interpretation, but he was concerned about the long term damage to the sensor if it is left in place and unused.

The true test will be to see if a sensor that was left in the header still works after using an eliminator plug for a year or more.

You are probably correct. I based some of my earlier comments on an actual suggestion that I received from the manufacturer/supplier of the O2 Sensor Eliminator Plugs. He provides the O2 Lambda Sensor block-off screw in most of his kits because he stated that it is safer to remove the sensor if you ever intend to run a closed loop system again at a later time. Whether the preheat circuit helps to "clean" or not was really my interpretation, but he was concerned about the long term damage to the sensor if it is left in place and unused.

The true test will be to see if a sensor that was left in the header still works after using an eliminator plug for a year or more.
That's a moot point with me, I don't plan on ever hooking the O2 sensor back up.