WHY so many try for more XJ POWER?

So often a new pod, rejet, exhaust or other mod topic is started trying to get more power out of our XJs. My question is WHY?

BESIDES "more power grunt grunt" why?

To many dirty and improperly adjusted carbs?
To many wanna-be crotch rocket owners ?
To many saw a modded bike on TV or in person (ie bobbered/chopped)
To many muscle car fans/owners who want to add every HP possible?

I can't figure it out personally. Even without perfect carbs my ride has alot of power to spare!

I have 50? Lbs added from my fairing, saddlebags, trunk,brackets and everything in them (tools, supplies, poor weather gear). On top of that my wife and I combined are nearly 450lbs. I have zero problems starting, accelerting or cruising upto 75mph.

Again I don't understand the NEED for more power. Tim Allen manly desire OK, but not need...

Fyi I'm not trying to rag on or flame anyone. I'm just confused by the efforts.

P.s. this excludes visual mod projects, bobbers and choppers that usually want one exhaust or pods for looks.

 

Different strokes for different folks.

 

Howdy Bob, I think that it's due to ones perception, with all except the KZ 1300, I felt that my bikes were under powered. But my R90s topped out at 125 mph, and though I can't be sure, due to a speedo that maxed at 85, I think both of my past XJ's went well over a 100. A lot has to do with our 30+ year old technology because some of today's bike are pushing 200 HP.

 

I guess I'm pretty satisfied with my XJ's power right now. But in general... Faster stronger better, no? 20 hp used to be a ton for any vehicle. I'm sure the first 40 hp vehicles seemed 'scary'. I remember reading there used to be some bogus math that was widely accepted that said you couldn't travel more than 60mph, the human body couldn't take it.

We just adjust and desensitize.

And yeah, a little macho in there makes you want to have the fastest motorcycle around. Also, it's fun to improve something you own, to mod your vehicle to make it faster--whether that's bring a 130hp bike to 140hp, or getting your 4hp gokart to pull an extra 5mph faster than it used to.

Personally, I've been on 450 2 strokes, and that much power is just terrifying. You just pull back the throttle and duck down and hold on for dear life--there's no finesse at that kind of power. Granted, that was a dirtbike, but just moving at that speed...

I feel pretty happy with the XJ's power. Enough to make me hold on tight and feel the lurch backwards, not enough to terrify me.

 

Not many people on here seem to doing any power mods at all.

My goal is 20% power increase in the MID range, and 20% decrease in fuel consumption.

 

Good luck to you. Do you have the means to measure the output?

 

0-60+ in a city block is fast enough for me. Of course there's always nitrous oxide. Saw an XJ last year with a bottle attached to the frame, seems like a waste to me. If I want more speed I'll buy a bigger bike.

 

I have just dynoed the old engine prior to pulling it out.
That will be my baseline.

 

Some people want to go fast, some want to look good. I could care less about how my bike looks (as evidenced by how my bike looks), but I like it to be quick.

I don't care enough to do more than make sure everything mechanical is as close to factory spec as possible given my time, money and skills, but some people do.

I'm happy those people exist since without them we'd be rolling along in covered wagons drawn by one horse. Oh wait, some guy had to think walking was too slow and invented the wagon and hitch... I guess we'd all be walking without him.

 

To each his own I guess.
Personally, I don't think I can do much better than the Yamaha engineers.


Maz

 

I just had an insight on another factor in the equation. I like to push the vehicle occasionally. On a hayabusa, I could almost never feel like I wasn't just driving gently with the bike without being flat out stupid, except 0-75 from a tollbooth. The XJ outside, however, while I've never gotten it close to top speed, I've done at least 90 on it, pushed it hard, and had fun once or so. And that's pretty close to top end, that's not far down from the redline in fifth. (Actually, how does the "128mph" number get between the 5500k I run at 60 and 9500k? Is the acceleration really that insane up there in those numbers, to cover half its speed capabilities in half of one gear? I mean, yes, it is, but I don't have a speedometer, so past 80~, I just don't have any bearings. I can't help but wonder what a sixth gear would feel like on this bike.)

As an aside, I also couldn't care less about my bike's appearance. I mean, pretty bikes are nice, but I kind of like that mine looks its vintage.

 

When I got my XJ, I thought there was some added power to be unlocked, because of strict emissions laws, & it drove me crazy until I got every last pony my Seca had to offer. It took me years, and this great site, to learn I was wrong. There might be some untapped potential still, but for such a small gain its not worth the time and money. My old 750 is still plenty fast enough to get into serious trouble, but Im older now, & hopefully just a little wiser.

 

I agree with Bob. I have posted this before

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPsVP2S1 ... znaZcxaWU=

It is an '89 XJ600 with a claimed 72bhp. The thing is that even this old bike is hitting top speed in just a few seconds.

The only time I ever felt my 600 was underpowered was when an Audi TT driver decided he had to race me! I was happy to let him get away.

 

Its almost as productive to start a post QQing about why people want more power as it is to QQ about why your bike doesnt run right with pods/jets.

I mean,

Why not? Does it really bother you that much? If you dont like the posts, then dont reply to them, and just let the other VAST MAJORITY of people here come in and tell you your pods/jetting/piping is wrong.

Rickcomatic started a post about how to make pods work. 30% of the posts are people who appreciate his thoughts, and 70% are people who wanna bitch about them.

I suppose the real question I want to ask isnt, why people want more power. Its why does anyone care if someone else has a bike that doesnt run like yours does?

Doesnt anyone remember the 90s show Home Improvement? I think the show was pretty accurate as to how the portray men LOVING to tinker.

HOHOHOHOHO.

-Kaya

 

Can't wait to see the results of your project! Please keep us updated!

 

Based on XJ - derived parts and technology, the displacement can approach 1,000 CC's using the "400" pistons and the "892" crank.

Add the "TURBO" parts and some custom fuel injection, which has been done already, on this site,

Theoretically, it gets close to 180 Horsepower in a 550 pound bike, which should red-line at 140 MPH in the quarter mile in ten seconds.

That's if you can keep a clutch together.

And you won't get there messin with PODS on a 650.

 

Besides the "more power moto", I was trying to figure out why people thought our bikes were underpowered. I don't hate PODs I just don't have them.

With a few exceptions and lots of money our bikes will never be ninjas. So I was wondering why people tried so hard considering how powerful our bikes already are...

Maybe I'm just content never owning a different bike.

P.S. I get bored at 2am and like to post. Some times I just sounds like QQ'ing

 

I'm more than satisfied with my bikes power, as others have said, it has quite enough to get me in trouble.

On the ninja comment -

EVERYONE has loved my bike. They think its classic, badass, and more than anything, its a motorcycle, and everyone realizes that nobody starts out riding a 2012 bmw

but the longer i own it, the less i ever want to "upgrade"

after everything is updated and gone through, my xj is going to be reliable, safe, fast, and better than everything - paid off.

But anyway, in regards to the ninjas, this little punk pulled up next to me at a stop light on a ninja 250. he looked over and scoffed at me and started revving his weedwhacker enjine. i just sat there, cool and collected, scanned around for cops, and when the light turned green, i burned his ass. I cleared the intersection before he even got his dumbass moving.


punks.

 

^+1

 

I did not intend to single anyone out. I reread my post as you quoted me, and I sound like an asshole. Not intended. I more meant to address the issue in which this site has..... An elitist attitude to it, and others ideas many times get shot down from the opinions of the majority.

I always see the same people talk about Cafe racers on this site. I was under the impression that one of the most major mods on a typical cafe is to mod the carbs and exhaust.

Am I missing something here?

-Kaya

 

Apples and Oranges.

250 with no weight vs a heavy 650.

I cant even accelerate my cbr that fastwithout the front wheel picking up. I cant even comprehend what riding a 250 must be like....

FYI my CBR will ride laps around my XJ. Straight off the line, it would be close until the end of first gear.

I do enjoy it though. I actually prefer kids with daddy's muscle car. They think they are unstoppable.

-Kaya

 

Fintip, once you get around 6k rpm, you're getting into the power band where all *&^% breaks loose. The maximX is even more powerful up there.....we call that the "X factor". The engineers knew what they were doing when they developed the XJ engines. Once you start getting into the powerbands on these bikes, it feels sort of like a turbo effect but with a turbo. Now, if you HAVE a turbo......well--it's a whole 'nother ballgame!

Dave

 

its always nice to get more power out of a bike and prefering the Kwaka gpz's its easy to get more power . I originally got my XJ with the intention of tinkering . I was looking for the ugliest looking bike but with a reasonable engine so I could transform it into something I liked over the winter .

A cheap Seca 750 fitted the bill . I am always greatful of the Japanese designer to make bikes but they are making bikes to suit 1000's of people and not making a bike for me .

Pods arent allways put on to increase performance . In my case they are there for the look and the sound , When jetted properly I may get a few more BHP but I doubt I would notice it , Yet the growl I get from opening the throttle feels better than any bhp gain .

 

I agree. While not a super defined intake howl on motorcycles.(The noise comes from the CAI piping) There IS absolutely a sound that can be heard. I love imports, and the intake howl plays its part in my love.


-Kaya

 

my buddy has a SRX600 that has FCR's on , hes just had some stainless bellmouths put on them and the induction noise is just amazing

 

Metal_Bob, let me ask you this, why did you put all those LED's on your bike?
same thing only different

 

Just curious... What are the "400" pistons & "892" crank ? :?
Is there a thread or link about them?
Ta 8)

 

Ask and you shall receive.

 

Thanks Kaya
Being in Oz I have an 892 motor or 2 floating around , I think I'll be looking into that.
Thanks Heaps

 

Going for more power doesn't necessarily mean a person feels his bike is underpowered....it just means he wants more power.

My preference is nitrous....leave the motor basically stock and add 36 hp - 45hp at the flick of an arming switch.

But that's just what I like, it's not for everyone. People are different.

 

Funny thing about NOS. A stock motor is certainly not designed to take the stresses. It will eventually hole a piston. May as well shot the 100 shot, hole the pistons, then rebuilt with the race ready forged pistons that are designed to take the NOS stress, or any other forms of non-natural aspiration. Cheap power is awesome, but generally one keeps indulging until the real cost of the magic in a bottle reveals itself.

Not knocking NOS here, love the stuff...just had that irresistible little toggle switch bite me in the behind more than once. If I am going for more power, the only way to start is to beef up the bottom end, then tweak all you want.

 

Couple reasons why I personally want more power, The #1 reason beyond all others is to see if I can make more power somehow. I know these bikes have plenty but, it is just a siren calling, if I can, I want to. Another reason is to really stick it to the people who think that Yamahas are a joke. I truly love my 750, I want to excrete as much potential that it has that may have been held back by laws or whatever reason during their design. That's about it. But, everybody is different.

 

i am currently building a 81 550 ( yes it's a Bobber) and i want it to perform at its best, it's a fun bike to ride, but i know there are more ponies in there and it's butt ass ugly . thats why i am modding this one. and after heavily modding the rest of the bike and adding an air ride set up, it might not look like an ugly duckling anymore.

 

World's Fastest XJ550

If you lust for speed, look thru this guy's posts. 14,000 RPM from an XJ !! 8O

 

Cool! thanx man. thats a good read.