ECU flashing vs third party ECU

[Alan.l]

we have a suzuki gsx r600 K6 engine with original ECU (denso)
after reading and searching different forums, i've come to the understanding that the original ECU can be reflashed.
my basic question is, what are the reasons why i'd get a third party ECU over just flashing the current ECU?
any advantages software wise, between third party and flashing tools, mapping tools?

[Racer-X]

With a third party ecu like a motec you can do what ever you want when ever you want. There really aren't any limits.

If you are on a tight budget you can make the stock ecu work but you won't have as good of a tune and you are limited in the settings you can adjust.

[B Lewis @ PE Engine Management]

Re-flashing ECUs will generally cost you about $450 per re-flash unless you are planning to do it yourself. If you don't do it yourself, I am not sure how you would get a good tune for a restricted FSAE engine. Most of the guys that provide reflashing services have a standard set of tunes that they use based on a known engine configuration. I would be surprised if anyone out there has a developed map for reflashing an FSAE engine.

With a stand-alone system you get many more features to do whatever you want including things that the stock system cannot do (data logging, 2-step rev limits, drive different actuators, traction control, etc). You can also tune real time which allows you to see the effect of changes made to the tune instantly.

With the low cost of stand-alone systems, there aren't many advantages to using a reflash.