A little more power out of my first bike please!

[puppydog]

Basically I’m just a newbie rider enjoying his first bike but greedily wanting just a little more power.

The story so far….
I joined KB just a couple of weeks ago when I decided to get my first bike. I had a long list of bikes that I was watching on TradeMe (all of which were old dogs as I have a tiny budget to work with) and after a few forum questions to help me choose, I decided to go for a smaller but slightly newer bike. After 2 weeks of checking TradeMe every few minutes 24hrs a day I spotted the bike for me. It was an 99 RGV150 2-smoker for $850. It was in Wellington (just a short 6 hour drive away!!) So I shot down and brought my new pride and joy.
It had not been used for 12 months and the rego was on hold but is was in mint condition, so I headed off with a sizable amount of trepidation to a wof centre on my way back to Wairoa. It flew through the wof with flying colours and my journey toward the nirvana that is a full bike licence, had begun. I rode part of the way home and loved every second of it. It is only 150cc I know, but it is actually quite nippy when it wants to be.

Anyway, This is going to be my ride for the next 6 months. When I get my provisional I want to upgrade to a ZXR250. Until then I was hoping to extract just a few extra hp from my ride. Just to see what it was like, I removed the muffler and went for I blast and what a difference that made. It turned it into a rocket (for me anyway). It was way to noisy obviously so I had to put it back on, but the feeling of that extra power was quite intoxicating and I want more!!

Now I know that I should just get a more powerful bike, but that is just not an option for me at the moment.
I am not very mechanically minded but I will give anything a go.
Budget is still a huge issue, so cheap, preferably DIY ideas for more power would be appreciated.

[sil3nt]

Your bike has around the same power output as the brand new ninja 250's and it weighs a bit less so i doubt your bike is all that slow. Although it probably needs a good tune.

I would think (but do not know) that anything that will give you more HP would likely kill the little 2stroke quite quickly.

[Slyer]

I would just live with it. It's only a $850 bike. :bleh:

[Laxi]

if you've been riding for "a few weeks" then I would seriously have to think the bike can out handle you, maybe a bit slow on a straight but thats all

[speights_bud]

Just to clarify you are Riding the RGV150 which is the air cooled version?

The RG150 is the water-cooled version which is a touch faster and other such things

[AllanB]

Live with it and keep it tidy. It will be worth more that way when you sell it.

[Winston001]

The excitement of owning your first bike is intoxicating. I can understand you gaining confidence and now wanting a bit more power. Its a natural thought.

Personally I suggest leaving it alone because the bike sounds fine already. Instead get used to riding it. Motorcycling is a skill and it takes a long time to develop. I'll say without embarrassment that after 25 years on and off, I'm still learning.

You can scare yourself on a 50cc if you really try. A 150 has plenty of potential for fun.

[puppydog]

Thank you for all your comments they make perfect sense. But alas you can’t talk sense to the senseless. Or possibly riding my bike without the muffler has damaged my hearing because I still want more power despite all your good advice.
If I have learnt anything it my 2 day biking history, it is that power is fun but more power is more fun. Any mod’s I do to plum (Sorry but I’ve named it!!!) will not turn it into a deadly speed racer. I just want to do few small DIY jobs to pep it up a little. I love coffee but a coffee with a drop of whisky is even better.

Since I have seen the power that can be gained from removing the muffler Im thinking of changing it for something I can find on TM. Because of the small budget I was wondering if I could use a second hand muffler off a different Bike?
Someone told my to re-jet it, is this a good Idea? If so what size?
Will a different air filter make any difference or is the standard one ok?
Should I fit a 500hp shot of Nitro to it?
Ok maybe not the last one but there must be some things I can do, even if you think I probably shouldn’t do them.

And yes it is an RGV150 air cooled S model.

[Gubb]

I vaguely recall that it was a very bad idea to run a 2 smoker without a muffler.

Believe it or not, I have been wrong in the past though.

[sil3nt]

PM Chaos Rider (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/member.php?u=21329) he can get an extra 16 HP out of an engine no worries. Hes going to ride for Hyosung in the 250cc GP series (the one that supports MotoGP) so you know hes serious business.

Read this thread http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=88319

I can actually see you two becoming best friends.

BTW a new muffler which might give you 1 or 2 HP would cost the same as your bike.

[Laxi]

PM Chaos Rider (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/member.php?u=21329) he can get an extra 16 HP out of an engine no worries. Hes going to ride for Hyosung in the 250cc GP series (the one that supports MotoGP) so you know hes serious business.

Read this thread http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=88319

I can actually see you two becoming best friends.

BTW a new muffler which might give you 1 or 2 HP would cost the same as your bike.

stop it! every time I read that thread I piss myself:rofl: are we sure this isn't carvers alter ego?

[Winston001]

Thank you for all your comments they make perfect sense. But alas you can’t talk sense to the senseless. Or possibly riding my bike without the muffler has damaged my hearing because I still want more power despite all your good advice......

Completely understand. I'm sure there are simple tuning tips and mods which will give you a bit more power without harming the bike.


I vaguely recall that it was a very bad idea to run a 2 smoker without a muffler.

Believe it or not, I have been wrong in the past though.

So far as I know you are right. Correct gas flow harmonics are critical for a two-smoke. Change one end of the equation and you affect the other.

Removing the muffler lets the exhaust gases out faster meaning the motor revs quicker but the inlet isn't configured for that.

[MSTRS]

So far as I know you are right. Correct gas flow harmonics are critical for a two-smoke. Change one end of the equation and you affect the other.

Removing the muffler lets the exhaust gases out faster meaning the motor revs quicker but the inlet isn't configured for that.

Quite right. 2 strokes do not operate on the simple gas in/fumes out principle. It is entirely possible that the little muffler (stinger?) on the tail pipe is coked up and just needs a clean out. Needs a gas torch to burn out the crud buildup.

[javawocky]

Ha, you should have got the RG150 my friend :sleep:

Have you looked into decoaking the exaust? Find a mate who as a blow torch - take the exaust off and burn all the carbon deposits out. Will make it run like new. I have heard it can be done with caustic soda as well. I remember once on my old MX bike taking a soft hammer (wood mallet) and carefully banging the exaust and all the carbon falling off in chucks :bash:

Just be glad you didn't get an FXR - test road a badly maintained version this weekend - what a disaster of a bike. Gearing is so low you are in 6th at about 50km/h. Was so glad to step back on my RG WITH the wife on the back and still comfortably keep up with traffic.

Even though mine is not perfectly tuned etc. I am still happy with the power when the taco goes over 8k and the power valve opens up - and had it for 1 1/2 years now for work and back stuff and the occasional ride up to Goat island.

If you are getting a newer ride I reckon you test drive it first - I have been very dissapointed with some of the 250's I have ridden - power wise. Road a Hyosang 250 - was ok torque wise, but was expecting more. the GN250... lets not go there. Also had a GSX250 - 98 ish - Oh man I wanted to cry - power wasn't too bad but the gear box was so close that you didn't hear an engine tone change when changing up and you were revving like crazy at 50km/h.

Been most happy with the RG - only a RGV250 could be better IMO ;)

[NOMIS]

fit a r1 engine.

[Mully]

Any mod’s I do to plum (Sorry but I’ve named it!!!) will not turn it into a deadly speed racer.

So, you're a guy, your username is "puppydog" and you named your bike "plum"?

Good grief.

As for more power, don't worry too much about it. Any monkey can twist a throttle in a straight line (which is all you will want the power for at this stage). Worry about cornering on the thing before you worry about more power (although a clean of the exhaust wouldn't hurt).

[grusomhat]

First off; right on! :headbang:

If you've got the money, get a decent set of tyres if it doesn't already have. The dunlop tt900gp is a wonderful thing and will allow you to have some fun in the twistys. Apparently the Pirreli City Demons are good too ( will know in a few weeks).

The most fun you'll have on the bike is riding a nice windy(sp?) road with someone on a bigger bike. Once you get good, you should keep up no problem.

[YellowDog]

Hey PuppyDog,

A little bit of advice based upon experience for you:

Whatever engine sized bike you get, you will always want more power. I remember getting my first 650 thinking, this has bags of power and I need to be careful. After a couple of weeks, it just wasn't powerful enough.

Learn how to enjoy your bike. Skillful cornering is far more fun and when you get good at it, you will be able to out manouevre riders on biger bikes.

Look after yourself and take it easy.

[crash harry]

Hey PuppyDog,
Whatever engine sized bike you get, you will always want more power.
Not quite true - I never wanted more power when I was riding a 'busa. But then, my arms were hurting all the time from being pulled out of their sockets... It's nice to be back on a sedate, sensible bike (R1) these days...

To the OP - I had a similar feeling with my first bike, not enough wick. It never really passes, but you'll learn to live with it. You can have a lot of fun on a 150, just ride to it's strengths - lightness and zippyness. There's really nothing better through town.

And forget about hotting it up. The ultimate hotup for an RGV150 is to sell it and buy an RGV250...

Good on ya for going 2-stroke by the way!

[puppydog]

Things I have now done:
Shortened the exhaust mufler and reduced baffles.
Made big improvements to the air box air flow.
Just about to re-jet as running a little lean up top and then will stand back and think “what next”.
Even though I have not yet done the rejet it is already running 100% better. Well maybe not 100% but defiantly 20% better. Pulls right through the rev range and just wants to go. It didn’t feel like 26.5hp before but it certainly does now.
I like the idea of new tyres as the ones on it have the exact same tread as my nan’s pushbike.
I’m quite heavy for this little bike so can I stiffen the suspension?

[vindy500]

i remember my dad BBQing the exhaust on a bike when i was a kid, guess that has a similar effect as a blowtorch?

[YellowDog]

Not quite true - I never wanted more power when I was riding a 'busa. But then, my arms were hurting all the time from being pulled out of their sockets... It's nice to be back on a sedate, sensible bike (R1) these days...

To the OP - I had a similar feeling with my first bike, not enough wick. It never really passes, but you'll learn to live with it. You can have a lot of fun on a 150, just ride to it's strengths - lightness and zippyness. There's really nothing better through town.

And forget about hotting it up. The ultimate hotup for an RGV150 is to sell it and buy an RGV250...

Good on ya for going 2-stroke by the way!
I stand corrected!

Yes I have test ridden a 1400cc HB.

Faaaaaark - I doubt that I could ever say that such a bike wasn't powerful enough!

[YellowDog]

Things I have now done:
Shortened the exhaust mufler and reduced baffles.
Made big improvements to the air box air flow.
Just about to re-jet as running a little lean up top and then will stand back and think “what next”.
Even though I have not yet done the rejet it is already running 100% better. Well maybe not 100% but defiantly 20% better. Pulls right through the rev range and just wants to go. It didn’t feel like 26.5hp before but it certainly does now.
I like the idea of new tyres as the ones on it have the exact same tread as my nan’s pushbike.
I’m quite heavy for this little bike so can I stiffen the suspension?
Sounds like you have got to know your bike pretty well.

Just a turbo kit required to finnish the job (NOT).

I ride a bike for work that I just a bit too heavy for, so I understand what you are saying.

Put your 150cc of not enough power in the garage for winter and use a push bike for a few months. You may find that your motorcycle performs better by the spring!

[puppydog]

Good advice YellowDog. See new threads “A little more power out of my first PUSHBIKE please!” & “Please don’t laugh at the fat man on his pushbike”
I don’t care how cold or wet it gets I don’t want to get back into my cage. I love my little bike and unless anybody has any new ideas to try, I think I will leave the engine alone………soon! And then start on the tyres and brakes.
Actually someone may be able to help. There appears to be some kind of drum thing on the rear wheel where there should be a disk!!! Does anyone know how to turn it into a disk for not too much $$$$

[MSTRS]

Actually someone may be able to help. There appears to be some kind of drum thing on the rear wheel where there should be a disk!!! Does anyone know how to turn it into a disk for not too much $$$$

Trade up/over to an RG150. You will get a peppier engine and 17' wheels as a bonus

[325rocket]

sorry i didnt read the whole post.
if i could make a suggestion it would be do a (lots of) track day.
first track day i did (taupo) i was getting passed by scooters haha. it was then i figured out that even the most basic (slow) bike was capable of more than i was.
i went through the same thing you are now, i think most of us did / do but the best investment you can make is track days.