I want my TRX to go faster

[stevepeanut]

I have just come back from the TT and have been out a lot on the bike riding the local roads. I am wanting the bike to have a bit more power, in places the bike was just not quick enough for me.

Mine has been on the dyno and its showing 79bhp and running slightly rich, I was told a K&N should lean the bike off a touch. I am not wanting mad power, something like 100 bhp with lowered gearing I think would be perfect.

First up, is this possible?

Second, what sort of money would I need to spend?

Third, has anyone got a basic tuning guide? power gains with rough prices

I am at a point of trying to decide wether to sell the bike or keep it any modify to how I want it. I love the ride position, the light weight, the sound and the drive of the engine. Things I don't like are the brakes are a not the best, the engine could do with a bit more power, and the suspension could be better. If I can get the power up a bit, I would then want to get a high spec shock, Ohlins or similar, then put a decent front end on, maybe R1. But I don't want to spend all the money on the suspension if I can't get a bit more power from the bike. Any tuning advice would be greatly appreciated.

[trixynut]

Pleanty of info on here about tuning to 100bhp.

basic menu is:

set of freeflowing cans: add 3 or 4 bhp. cost £150

FCR 41 carbs plus foam filters: add 10+ bhp bolted on out the box. cost £750 to £900

big bore headers come next: akra if you can get them, or better are Projection Components ones (username kayla on this site). cost £350ish?

After that, its into the engine we go: trick Kent cams, head work, overbore to 878 and JE pistons. big money for that last 10bhp to get the magic 100!

Search site for the specs on bikes that were owned by honkdawillydahonk and phuk72. Both got about 100bhp

or.....

If you like the riding position, handling and sound but need more power, get an SV1000 or a SL Falco

[Yoozy]

Plus 100 for the Falco. Keep the Trx as is and get a Falco, derestrict it and fly baby fly AND absolutely bullet proof. You'll get a crackin bird for what the upgrades on the Trx will cost.

[trixynut]

Steve,

check this thread for Petes spec....

http://www.trx850.com/phpBB_forum/viewt ... spec#p4991

To get to 90bhp gonna cost a grand.

To get to 100bhp gonna cost you another £1500 minimum.

Your bikes worth £1500 so all in, a 100bhp TRX will owe you £4000 at least.

If you're not committed to the TRX, if its not in your blood and under your skin, you can get some tasty alternatives for that sort of money.........

dave

[phuk72]

Think very long and very hard about tuning your TRX. You WILL spend lots of money and still only end up with 100bhp. And don't even think about it if you can't do the work yourself!

For less than half of what you will need to spend, you can buy a VTR1000, Falco, old Mille etc etc.

But if you want to, this is a conservative breakdown of costs:

Big bore exhaust + can = £500
FCRs = £500
Big bore kit = £500
Cams = £200
Gas flowing / porting = £250
Oil / gaskets / misc parts = £250
Dyno time = £100

So that's nearly 2.5 grand straight away.

And then you are going to realise that your existing suspension is shite and can't handle the power (although in reality suspension should be everyone's first port of call if they want to go faster it never is) so you will need a new rear shock and front end overhaul. Say another £500

[misterdimwiddy]

I agree with the previous comments.

Bought my TRX for £1500 6 years ago.

Have spent about £2-2.5k on engine and chassis mods and it has been worth every penny but lots of work. No labour costs there either.

It's a much better bike than stock but the chassis mods combined with more power is what makes it all worthwhile. If you like being the underdog and enjoy the strengths of the TRX (agility, braking, high corner speed and the ease with which you can ride em fast) over straight line speed, you will not be disappointed. 140-150mph is enough for me. Otherwise spend £4k on an 05 ZX10R.

An alternative approach is to buy one with some mods already done. They come up now and then on the forum at sensible money. Only disadvantage is that you have not built it your self.

[stevepeanut]

It is a tricky one, ironically enough with falcos being mentioned, I did have a falco and the engine went pop so that is the reason I bought the TRX. The main problem with the falco was I was always in pain when I rode it. My right hand and elbow are not good so I can't ride any bike that puts weight on my hands. The falco riding position put weight on my hands and wrists, whereas the TRX doesn't. I had to put a flat bar kit on the falco. What I want is a lot better braking and suspension, and a bit more power. I think the 90bhp option sounds more realistic. The different carb and exhaust system plus dropped gearing would be just what I wanted. I am not bothered about top speed, I just want more acceleration but I don't want to gear it down to the point that the bike is screaming in top gear.

[Kayla]

It is a tricky one, ironically enough with falcos being mentioned, I did have a falco and the engine went pop so that is the reason I bought the TRX. The main problem with the falco was I was always in pain when I rode it. My right hand and elbow are not good so I can't ride any bike that puts weight on my hands. The falco riding position put weight on my hands and wrists, whereas the TRX doesn't. I had to put a flat bar kit on the falco. What I want is a lot better braking and suspension, and a bit more power. I think the 90bhp option sounds more realistic. The different carb and exhaust system plus dropped gearing would be just what I wanted. I am not bothered about top speed, I just want more acceleration but I don't want to gear it down to the point that the bike is screaming in top gear.

You'll probably find that by gearing it down ever so slightly, say a tooth or two extra on the back, the bike will feel like it has more power without sacrificing too much top speed. They're geared too high as standard anyway and a set of chain and sprockets is a very cheap and non-permanent way to change the character of a bike.

[phuk72]

As Kayla has said, you can drop the gearing.

I ran mine at 17 / 42 which equated to 151 @9,200 rpm in top (but a standard bike will not pull anywhere near that)

I personally don't like 16T front sprockets but a 16 / 42 is hilarious

In terms of going faster, the first thing you want to do is sort the suspension (standard ain't that bad and new springs and oil and a few hours in teh garage sorting our sag will make all of teh difference).

Then you want to junk the standard headers - they are very restrictive (big curve at the head) and you are wasting money if you don't change them.

After that, FCRs + pod filters are your best bang for buck - maybe 10bhp.

Still looking at spending a grand though

Oh, and your dyno figures are invariably at the crank figures - not the wheel. I started at 70 at the wheel (or 81 at the crank on an optimistic dyno) with just end cans

[stevepeanut]

Mine was ran up 79bhp at Dynobike in Malton, and I was told that was at the wheel, stock motor with carbon race cans. I think I will definately change the gearing first and see how that goes.

[dandywarhol]

....................or get a Tuono

[Yoozy]

....................or get a Tuono

Amen to that.

[stevepeanut]

I would like a Tuono, always thought they were a good bike, but I am very put off by Aprilias. I paid £2250 for my Falco, and the starter sprag failed and screwed the engine. A few months later I broke the bike out for spares and got less than £1000. When the Falco was working right it was an amazing bike, but it was so tempremental, it was like flipping a coin, heads it will fire up and ride like a dream, tails it will make odd noises and not start, the clocks will change from miles to kilometers.

If my arm and hand werent bad, I would just go and buy a SP1.

[misterdimwiddy]

Recently sold my beautiful SP1 for exactly that reason!

I loved it but the riding position killed me (I'm 50 this year and my old bones can't take such a radical riding position).

I was always way faster on the TRX because I don't have to think about anything other than riding it and I'm not scared of crashing it other than hopefully avoiding damage to myself.

Hence my continuing big spend on the Yam.

If the motor stays together tomorrow I've got £650 waiting to be splashed on a Sigma clutch!

[stevepeanut]

The main thing is I want to keep the bike. I just want to improve it.

I will definately change the gearing and see how it goes. My falco was so much better when I dropped the gearing on that, it made it such a nicer bike to ride. So once thats done I will get a full exhaust system then maybe the better carb if I can afford it, then get some work done on the suspension and brakes.