A little more power out of my first bike please!

**puppydog** · 18th April 2009, 21:25

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** · 18th April 2009, 21:52

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** · 18th April 2009, 21:55

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

**Laxi** · 18th April 2009, 22:06

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** · 18th April 2009, 22:14

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** · 18th April 2009, 22:31

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

**Winston001** · 18th April 2009, 22:31

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** · 18th April 2009, 23:41

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** · 18th April 2009, 23:46

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** · 18th April 2009, 23:47

PM Chaos Rider 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/sh...ad.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** · 19th April 2009, 00:14

Originally Posted by sil3ntwar

PM Chaos Rider 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/sh...ad.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

are we sure this isn't carvers alter ego?

**Winston001** · 19th April 2009, 15:46

Originally Posted by 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......

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

Originally Posted by 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.

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:Me** · 19th April 2009, 18:41

Originally Posted by Winston001

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** · 20th April 2009, 13:10

Ha, you should have got the RG150 my friend

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

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