It's basically just a passcode. [...]After doing some reading on the internet, its seems that other manufacturers have similar security built in. So its not unique to Kawasaki.
Indeed not. Manufacturers are probably *required* to provide at least some security to prevent people from tampering with the ECU in ways that will make its use illegal (pretty much anything that would affect emissions, noise, or fuel efficiency).
The reason Jim had to analyze it, is that it is against the policy of the Forums to engage in copyright infringement. This case isn't quite so clear.... talking about it is one thing, but publicly posting about how to actually circumvent the protections might set up the operators of the Forums in some type of liability situation.