RGV150 mods so far. Any more ideas please

**puppydog** · 21st April 2009, 13:12

Hi. I have tried asking this question around a couple of times now but up to now nobody has been able to help me. I have a 99 RGV150 that I am going to be riding for the next 6 months. I just wanted to know if anyone has any tuning advice for this model.
I don’t want to spend a fortune doing this because I don’t have a fortune. I just want simple ideas to try, half because I would like a little more power (who wouldn’t) and half because I enjoy trying things.
Before any one says “don’t bother just wait 6 months” or “sell it and get a better bike” I do appreciate that and I realise that the power gains will be minimal (if any) but you are missing the point, I want this bike, it is going to be my hobby.

So far…
I have just cut the muffler into 3 and removed 5cm from the middle and 1 baffle, I also drilled 3 x 13mm holes in the remaining baffle and re-welded.
I have cut a hole it the side of the air box and covered with mesh to let a little more air in.
Would you recommend the mods that I have done?
What about re-jetting? What size should I go for?
What else would you recommend?
It defiantly goes a lot better but it still feels like it wants to give a bit more.
Thanks in advance for any help

**tigertim20** · 21st April 2009, 13:31

there is an existing thread on this somewhere, Ill try find ya a link.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=97476

Ill tell ya what I would do if I were you, obviously you are after a project bike right? instead of pouring (wasting) money on the RGV, save some money and buy a project bike, like a cbr 250, or a 400, fuck even a thou if you relly want, but keep this at home, and work on it, hell strip it down as far as you are comfortable with, then rebuild and modify as you go, that way, by the time you are ready to ride a bigger bike, you have one you have worked on for ages, and can do some REAL mods too it. very rewarding to rebuild a bike and then ride it, I promise its worth it!
That way you have your little 150 to cruise around on in the meantime, you dont waste your money on the 150, and after all your money is spent, you have a bigger, better, nicer modified bike that you can ride. and best of all you did it yourself. that would be my advice.

**Harvd** · 21st April 2009, 17:12

Originally Posted by tigertim20

there is an existing thread on this somewhere, Ill try find ya a link.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=97476

Ill tell ya what I would do if I were you, obviously you are after a project bike right? instead of pouring (wasting) money on the RGV, save some money and buy a project bike, like a cbr 250, or a 400, fuck even a thou if you relly want, but keep this at home, and work on it, hell strip it down as far as you are comfortable with, then rebuild and modify as you go, that way, by the time you are ready to ride a bigger bike, you have one you have worked on for ages, and can do some REAL mods too it. very rewarding to rebuild a bike and then ride it, I promise its worth it!
That way you have your little 150 to cruise around on in the meantime, you dont waste your money on the 150, and after all your money is spent, you have a bigger, better, nicer modified bike that you can ride. and best of all you did it yourself. that would be my advice.

hmmm i like this idea too not that i was going to waste money on my bandit but yea a project bike would be funner for when i can get my full

i go with TT20 advice

**jaymzw** · 21st April 2009, 20:02

Sorry,

but whats wrong with this thread here

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=97476

that you already started, isn't everything you said in it exactly the same?

**puppydog** · 21st April 2009, 22:48

Similar yes but not the same. The last post was more of an intro really. I just want some tuning tips. Not” buy a different bike tips” or just “leave it as it is tips”. So far I have not received 1 tuning tip for this bike! So I will keep on asking and up dating. I have asked about exhaust and filter but I was only told to get a new bike so I shortened the pipe opened the air box and its going so much better right through the rev range. I have asked about rejetting but have been told to get a new bike. So I joined a site in the UK and they have given me some awesome tips about how to set up the jet, so I’m going to do that this weekend. Someone in NZ must know about this bike and how to get the most out of them.
1. Im keeping this bike
2. I love this bike
3. I am going to do little things to it (so far exhaust & air box total $30)
4. I would love some tips and advice ABOUT TUNING THIS BIKE.
I appreciate every comment I get, and I am addicted to KB. Thanks

**Blatman** · 22nd April 2009, 01:24

Cool mod for a 150: bolt or weld a bloody big galvanised chain to it then toss it in the ocean and - voila! - great mooring for the boat!

**SixPackBack** · 22nd April 2009, 07:21

Originally Posted by puppydog

Similar yes but not the same. The last post was more of an intro really. I just want some tuning tips. Not” buy a different bike tips” or just “leave it as it is tips”. So far I have not received 1 tuning tip for this bike! So I will keep on asking and up dating. I have asked about exhaust and filter but I was only told to get a new bike so I shortened the pipe opened the air box and its going so much better right through the rev range. I have asked about rejetting but have been told to get a new bike. So I joined a site in the UK and they have given me some awesome tips about how to set up the jet, so I’m going to do that this weekend. Someone in NZ must know about this bike and how to get the most out of them.
1. Im keeping this bike
2. I love this bike
3. I am going to do little things to it (so far exhaust & air box total $30)
4. I would love some tips and advice ABOUT TUNING THIS BIKE.
I appreciate every comment I get, and I am addicted to KB. Thanks

The reason you are recieving no tuning tips on getting any more power out of your rgv150 is simple. You stand a good chance of breaking something, its a two smoker don't fuck with it.

**koba** · 22nd April 2009, 07:38

Originally Posted by Blatman

Cool mod for a 150: bolt or weld a bloody big galvanised chain to it then toss it in the ocean and - voila! - great mooring for the boat!

Yeah yeah, I'm sure he has heard it all before, no need to be a dick about it.

Originally Posted by SixPackBack

The reason you are recieving no tuning tips on getting any more power out of your rgv150 is simple. You stand a good chance of breaking something, its a two smoker don't fuck with it.

I dissagree. Most people probably don't know or can't be arsed.
Its easier to put down.
It is the cheapest way of fucking with a bike.

Puppydog, have you heard of bucket racing?

I think the closest outfit to you is in Hastings.

Do some research, there is a forum for it on here and a website here

There is a wealth of knowledge amongst bucket racers about modifying similar bikes.
You can use the RGV but it would need to be sleeved down to 125cc to be legal and capable of gaining points.

The idea of modifying a 250 or 400 multicylinder four stroke is an ambitious one and chances are you would really get anywhere on a realistic budget.

A wee 2stroke single is the best place to learn how to make a bike go better, they are simple, very improvable and cheap as chips. You are likley to learn more bout tuning engines on this type of bike than somthing more expensive and complicated.

There have been many books written on the subject and I sugest you start there to familiarise yourself with the basic concepts and so you are in a better position to understand brain pickings from others.

Check out this to get you started.

Once you have read them you should understand this:

My suggestion would to be to first get it going as it should standard by making sure the squish is set correctly and the ports are all clean and well matching. Jetting and timing, as you mention, are also important.

Oh and on the don't fuck with it you may break it theme...
Yes you may but it will be worth it and if you have to break a bike, break one of these.

**puppydog** · 22nd April 2009, 11:40

I don’t believe it!! A sensible, helpful answer!!!
Thanks so much for your advice Koba. I’m glad you get the point of what I’m trying to do. This is a cheap fun bike that will be my learning bike. By the time 6 months come around it may be dead but I hope that I would have learned a lot about tuning and setups that will stand me in good stead for the next one.

**The Pastor** · 22nd April 2009, 13:09

i don't know about 2T tuning, but i'd suggest playing with the carbs if you've done the exhaust + airbox. Could be quite expensive, to do it properly you need a dyno - i did mine by trail and error, its running pretty sweet now but took a few months.

I'd see about boring it out if your not wanting to race it in the bucket class.

**jaymzw** · 22nd April 2009, 13:36

Originally Posted by puppydog

Similar yes but not the same. The last post was more of an intro really. I just want some tuning tips. Not” buy a different bike tips” or just “leave it as it is tips”.

My bad!

Reading skills fail me yet again

**EJK** · 22nd April 2009, 13:40

I heard 2 stroke bikes are very sensitive to baffles and carbs. Sorry but I would put the baffle back if I were you.

**puppydog** · 22nd April 2009, 13:52

I have been given some excellent advice about how to select a jet and then set it for perfect fuelling all through the rev range.
Now I have altered the exhaust and air box dynamics the bike is sooooo much better to ride but is running a little lean, especially between 7’500 & 10’000rpm. I’m going to go up 2 jet sizes and set it reasonably high and then tune it from there.

**The Pastor** · 22nd April 2009, 14:06

Originally Posted by puppydog

I have been given some excellent advice about how to select a jet and then set it for perfect fuelling all through the rev range.
Now I have altered the exhaust and air box dynamics the bike is sooooo much better to ride but is running a little lean, especially between 7’500 & 10’000rpm. I’m going to go up 2 jet sizes and set it reasonably high and then tune it from there.

wered u get that info?

**Sully60** · 22nd April 2009, 14:27

Originally Posted by tigertim20

there is an existing thread on this somewhere, Ill try find ya a link.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=97476

That way you have your little 150 to cruise around on in the meantime, you dont waste your money on the 150, and after all your money is spent, you have a bigger, better, nicer modified bike that you can ride. and best of all you did it yourself. that would be my advice.

Originally Posted by Blatman

Cool mod for a 150: bolt or weld a bloody big galvanised chain to it then toss it in the ocean and - voila! - great mooring for the boat!

Originally Posted by SixPackBack

The reason you are recieving no tuning tips on getting any more power out of your rgv150 is simple. You stand a good chance of breaking something, its a two smoker don't fuck with it.

Is this the same New Zealand I grew up in? FFS people this sort of thing should be encouraged not dowsed in disdain.

Think about it for a minute, when all you lot are old and dribbly and need the tricycle undercarriage on your Goldwing serviced who's going to be around to do it? Oh that's right no one because we don't fuck with things

Good on you Puppydog, I liked what you said in your first post unfortunatley most people on KB don't read too good, it not their fault, getting ones opinion across is more important than actual contribution.
I like when people say 'can't' and 'don't' they're the two best motivational words in the english language!

Try searching some Thai sites for ideas on performance accessories too, some stuff is stupid cheap, and even if you can't buy it it might give you ideas for fabricating. I see some .8mm steel being rolled into cones and welded together