AllanB

12 minutes ago, Kwasaki said:

Well in that case just the bike as it is IMHO.

My original gripe was the lousy torque band and that is the only problem I am considering.

There is no perfect bike, but I bought a CRF and it looks good, it fits me, with the my cheapo seat mod it is quite comfortable, it fits on my truck and most importantly, it handles crappy roads like a dream and means I don't fall off when I hit a pothole/drain/dog/fallen tree/drunk/another fallen biker.

3 hours ago, Rdrokit said:

Wish someone would go down to this place and check it out and see if it is for real. Maybe it's like the US where they use to do a Loss-leader. Have only one at that price and when you get there they tell you it's already been sold and try to get you to buy one at the regular price.

I am not saying there isn't a catch, but this practice is not unusual. Clearing out obselete factory stock is very important and these bikes don't cost much to produce, so they are likely still making a profit on an end of line product.

You have to feel for the dealers though, unless they get looked after which they should do it they want to seel the new ones. So we may see a drop locally if this is the case. Hold on to your quids!!

1 hour ago, Farangwithaplan said:

As I said, total airflow is not always the most important thing in regard to an airbox. Reread my post. All engine manufacturers balance a fine line between power and legislation for noise and emissions. Why keep the airbox at all if removing air restriction is the only factor? You could just have an open air filter with a shroud over it to protect it from weather?

 

If you don't agree with lighting the mass of moving parts then you are disagreeing with physics - not me. But yes a smaller sprocket will lower change the gearing and is a common option. But power output will not change and you still have the heavier parts to turn to get movement.

 

a 13 tooth front is getting a very tight radius and might be fine for the CRF, but I would go to a larger sprocket at the rear. Chain will last longer and so will the polyurethane chain guide on the from top of the swing arm near the front sprocket. Ratios are easy to work out. What is front and back standard teeth?

I think you should re-read my reply:-

1. I have already screwed up Hondas good work by changing the exhaust characteristics, so whatever I do now is experimental. Plus the legislators have lead Honda away from the ideal power/torque figures, in terms of their noise and immisions specs. If my fiddling alters these slightly I don't care.

2. I didn't say lightening parts made no difference, I said it would make little difference to the torque on this bike. Indeed increasing flywheel weight for example, can have a positive effect on torque, so this is no simple equation and IMO, the idea is not economically viable.

3. You are correct about increasing the driven sprocket as it reduces component wear, however going 13t is the way to start, for the following reasons. 1. It is cheaper, as it employes the same chain. 2. It is easier, as the rear wheel doesn't have to be removed. 3. It can easily reversed if it doesn't work. 4. When the chain does wear out and the new ratios are proven to work, you can upgrade everything then, which is correct practice.

60,000 baht for a 400...wow, that's less than £1400.

5 hours ago, See Will said:

No doubt mate,

 

the vibrations are there and making the mirrors not much of a use. I had once a dyna glide and she behaved the same way but somehow that is for me the culture behind it.

Every motion is one ignition and beside hearing it also to feel it is for me as a mechanic a language for itself that tells you the engine runs round. 

My wife said its tickling her tud and so RE got a new nickname: "Bollywood Vibrator" 

It might be for some people annoying but it fits the design and style of the bike. 

Max speed is btw only 120 Km/h which making the mirrors looking like a silver plate..

The RE 500cc likes about 90-95 Km/h but with 55 of age its just fast enough for me. I had the choice for a Honda Forza or the Royal Enfield and personally made the right decision. 

More bang for the buck.. 

 

My wife said its tickling her tud and so RE got a new nickname: "Bollywood Vibrator" ..R.E. karmasutra poition, never thought of that. As for the choice between a Forza and and RE, no contest, the Forza is aaggghhhh.

If it is good at 90-95kph that would suit my riding in Thailand too and I really do like the thump, thump.

5 minutes ago, Kwasaki said:

Oh dear you really don't get it but I would say you really do not want to.

You say "Exactly it would be a waste of time two up and luggage on a 250." Don't quite undestand that, I rode VN on a 100cc well used Wave and plenty of guys out there are riding the range on a 125, why is 250cc not enough.

My issue is with nothing more than the poor torque band, I am not looking to win the Dakar.

4 hours ago, Farangwithaplan said:

I don't want to sound like a downer but removing the snorkel of the air box infeed rarely if ever improves performance on a bike built in the last 25 years. The reason why is because of fluid or air dynamics. A bigger hole does not necessarily mean more air to the inlet valves or better mixture of air and fuel.

 

Those little snorkels are engineered in wind tunnels or wind chambers to maximise the pressure and swirl and probably 20 other things, to give the optimal flow (with cost and location and size of airbox restraints).

 

People get the emotion of more power from hearing the louder intake noise I guess. I used to and probably still do, but many hours on many different bikes have taught me I was tricked by my own senses.

 

If the bike has the torque, gearing changes can help. The other thing to do on low capacity bikes is to lower the reciprocating mass. IE: make anything that spins lighter and it will make a difference. Try for lighter gauge chain. I don't know what the CRF runs but if it is a 420 chain, change out to a 410 as long as the tensile strength is okay. That will mean a lighter chain, thinner and therefore lighter sprockets, too.

 

Then go to anodized aluminium sprockets. They won't last as long as steelies but with the change in gearing and the lighter components, there will be change. Finally, find a lighter wheels.

 

The cost of cams, oversized piston kit, fueling module is a fair bit of coin for not a lot of return. But then again, so are wheels generally. But if it is a hobby, do the lot and enjoy it.

I am working on the assumption that if I "gut" the exhaust I have already screwed up Honda's good work and am trying to even things up in terms of input versus output AFRs. Removing the snorkel has a potential airflow increase of around 25%, given that the filter element is not restrictive. Plus Honda are also under instruction from legeslators when they design their engines. Good old Al Gore. 

I think your point of lightening the drive train will do little to improve torque, but have heard that the new 13t gearing works. This is a brand new bike and it is not in my remit to start stripping it down to modify.

I like many things about the Enfield, especially the low-tech, fix with a knife and fork, but one thing I could never live with, the vibration over 50mph that I hear so much about. I need to do 70mph on my European bike, I rode my mate's '79 Bonny at that speed and that was really nice.

My 400cc Honda Shadow has a bit of vibration, which is just tollerable, any more would drive me nuts.

I started one up in Udon Thani earlier this year, got straight back in my truck. A Thai friend of mine has one now and will have a go, see if I am wrong.

Saw a Youtube video of a dealer explaining why REs cost 3 times the amount in NZ...mmmm.

I like the idea of gutting the stock exhaust, I am sure it is government restricted and if I cock it up I can easy get an aftermarket box, or even get a stock box traded in. I am also told that the airflow in can be increased merely by removing the snorkel, so another reversible decision. Then a 13t sprocket, also non damaging, which I will start with.

Then there are the costs, these mods are cheap and if they work will make me a happy bunny.

So now I am left with remapping and since the ECU is monitoring air flow isn't there an automatic adjustment element here?

I really don't want to changing bikes again, especially in Thailand which is not the easiest place to buy and sell. Out of the frying pan, etc. I have two homes to run so my cash is spread quite thin and I am by nature a cheap Charlie. 

4 hours ago, Gnasher328 said:

The best thing I did was have the original exhaust 'gutted'. It was 1000Bht, sounded good, not too loud, doesn't get a second look from plod or border guards abut it made an unbelievable difference to the low end torque. The gap between 1st and 2nd is no longer a problem off road and whereas previous rides up the 118 to Chiang Rai had seen the need to drop down as low as 3rd gear now I can do them in 5th &6th .The top end is as good as a previous 'sports' exhaust which killed the low end torque and sounded vile and embarrassing.

Then did the CBR 300 upgrade which made the same difference again but was obviously a lot more expensive. Well worth it all, now for solo touring I really don't need a bigger bike, now had the CRF over five years;-)

Sounds like the answer for me, do you have any other details, what was the 1000 baht for, did a company do this for you?

A better engine note wouldn't be a bad thing either, the CRF is bit dull, the Lifan sounded a lot better and got better with age.

3 hours ago, kelboy said:

Last year me on my cb500x  and kawasaki 650 versys went down to the Malaysian border with no power problems between us .next month we are going to Esaan me on cb500x and kawasaki on his crf 250 and still no power problems between us. Normally we ride about 120km if you go much faster than that your asking for trouble. And yes some times we do go faster. So what  ever bike you have just enjoy it.we both have a rack on the  back for a small bag and that's all we need. 

If I enjoyed highway riding at all in Thailand I would have bought a CB500X, it's a great bike. I have a 400cc Shadow for that and it has plenty of power, ample torque two up. It would probably even fit on the back of the pickup, but is very cumbersome.

The CRF is not that far away for being FFP, so I will look at a few other forums, try to improve things. We did the MHSL earlier this year and it was just a bit lacking, we weren't carrying much. My (heavy) mate and his Mrs were on a Forza and that was okay and he was carrying the kitchen sink.

Will try to learn about this remapping malarcky.

17 hours ago, thaiguzzi said:

Trade it in for a Bill Blue KLX 350...

Nice but not available.

CB500 an extra 30kg.......

Is EJK available in Thailand, or is it a USA import?

3 hours ago, Kwasaki said:

I'd say get bigger bike unless your in no hurry.

Is your bike pre upgrade 2017/2018 model.

I'm happy enough with mine as it is with Honda's latest upgrades.

I read do away with the 'catalytic' change ECU for a CBR250 unit but then fueling needs to be remapped.

Spending dosh on expensive upgraded exhausts etc and other kit, much easier to buy bigger cc bike IMO. 

Need a fairy light bike to load onto my truck, not looking for a big incease just a wider torque band if possible. How is the remapping done?

Back in Thailand soon, but before I leave Europe would like to prepare to upgrade my 2017 CRF250, possibly bring some gear with me from the UK.

I am looking to improve the torque band and know there is a lot of kit out there for doing this, so looking a little advice.

We ride 2up + luggage and like to ride mountain roads, so anything that would help that cause.

On 10/5/2018 at 6:14 AM, ktm jeff said:

AllanB. If it's a fueling problem from the factory, decided if your going to change the exhaust, or any other modifications, then have a EJK fueling processor / tuning CDI installed. These, along with a professional rolling road tune, would help many emmision strangled bikes, not just Honda. I'm afraid I can't help you in finding where to take it, I'm in Chiang Mai. 

I think you are right, I don't expect miracles from the 13t sprocket and than I am going to have to do some mods. There is a lot of stuff on Youtube about the EJK kit and maybe I am going to have join the 21st century.

What is the cost of the EJK in Thailand?

On 7/23/2018 at 2:49 PM, thaiguzzi said:

Modern replica of the legendary Ariel 5HT, note oil in nickel plated frame.

 

 

Beautiful 67 Tiger Cub

 

Highly modified pre 65 side valve Norton - stunning.

In 1967 I was 15 and the Tiger Cub was my big dream..and what I was saving up my pennies for, until my mum came out against bikes. I wonder if I would still be alive had that dream come true. That is a nice example.

On 9/16/2018 at 3:08 AM, Issanman said:

 

I am not a big fan of image instead of substance, if you are going to do this it should be 500cc or more. Yamaha started this thing, with the Virago, but at least they gave it 500cc+ as the starter models. I know they made a 250 but that was later when the bike was proven.

A crusier is a great idea but there is no substitute to "kubic inches"...and 270 degrees.

The Chinese are going for western markets, so "come on cookie boy why you no rissen?"

19 hours ago, ktm jeff said:

Pepper9187. Single cylinder engines can vibrate a bit, but Allans is bad all the way up to 4500 rpm. Power wise they are not too bad,  although low rev torque is low. The Kawasaki KLX 250 is a much better,  lighter bike, but still not as smooth as a multi cylinder engine. 

The CRF does have a little vibration, but that band is only about 1000rpm and not a big concern, the real issue appears to be fuelling as when cold (running richer) it runs much better. When it is warmed up the problem manifests itself in the form of "labouring" at anything below 4,500rpm.

Since I switched from the Lifan to Honda I have had to change my riding style. The Honda has to be revved, the Lifan had a lot of low rpm torque. At the other end of the rpm scale the Lifan ran out of puff at around (est) 4,000rpm, at 5,000 the Honda gave you a power punch in the back.

So yes, a 13t sprocket is the first thing when I get back.

I think it is down to modern engine design, my ex-wife bought a Renault Megan 1.4 which allegedly had 75bhp, but you were almost at valve bounce before the power kicked in. I hated that car. I now have a common rail CDTI diesel van which has a nice wide power band from 1500-3000rpm, so gear changing is not constantly on my mind.

I spend half my time looking at the Honda's tacho.

As I have said I wish Lifan would make a simple 350 single....with a conventional gear pattern.

I do feel it is down to engine design, Jap engines have always needed revving..because they could and now climate change regs demand they lean them down to bugga all fuel. The Lifan is an old design...old is better.

....gee I am lost without spellcheck.

Seems he changed his mind 

14 hours ago, papa al said:

Like Cindy Lauper sang:

"Girls just want to have fun."!

What are you incinerating? Are you still doing it standing up, haven't heard lately.

2 hours ago, findlay13 said:

You've just answered your own question.Stick your Vespa or Yamaha or what ever on the back and travel by camper van.

 

The Vespa is a 125 and completely useless in the Alps, Pindus, or even the Pyrenees, especially 2up. The Yamaha is in Thailand... and also a 125, just about made MHSL.

True, he didn't say it was a bad bike but he did say he didn't ride it because it was boring. I think these days there is a fine line between reliable and unreliable, I don't need anything from a bike like this other than 110kph and the feel good factor. My Vespa and Yamaha scooters have very similar figures in terms of performance, but the Vespa is much much more fun, I just love riding it. That's what I want form a bike if I can find it.

With regards to the cost of travel in Europe I have been doing this for 5 years now and a hotel is between 50 and 80 euro/night, an average meal for two about 25 euro, so you are looking at 120-150/day = 1,000 euro a week. In high season it can cost even more and be more difficult too, booking.com we use can be a pig in a poke. Then you have the hassel of finding the hotels, meeting deadlines, traffic and security. With a campervan you are looking at about 50 euro/week for grub, you stop when you want, eat better food and sleep it better locations. The stress of travel is almost completely eliminated and I guess that is why it is so popular. We do around 6 of these trips a year so that saves us 6,000 euro and means we carry everything we need in our 1.2 tonne payload van. Around much of the Mediteranean you can camp with a sea view and in the mountains have the same view as a 200 euro/night hotel. See the sun come up, the mist lift, or the rain pour down, whatever the gods decree.

Trust me Guzzi this is a great way to travel for young and old. 

Will take a look at the Faro bike show see when it is, will be next year when I have a bike. Not sure a 50cc Peugeot Clic would cut the mustard against the Harleys.

We are all different in what we want from a bike, our budget and abilities, the common factor is we all want fun.

On 8/28/2018 at 11:05 AM, ktm jeff said:

Allan , youve had that Honda nearly 6 months now. Have you or the dealer managed to get it running right/smoothly yet. You said it was bad below 4,500 rpm. Has the vibrations improved any. It should have 6 or 7 BHP more than the Lifan , but not the low rev torque , which is what you said you missed. The Honda also weighes a lot more. Sad you sold the Lifan.

The dealers here are a waste of space, my first mod is going to be a 13t front sprocket, give that a try. After that remapping the fuel, as when it is cold it seems to have more torque. I assume that is the rich running boost. I may be wrong but the vibration felt like labouring.

I am very sad I sold the Lifan, but can't keep both, as for "bits falling off" nothing fell off mine, it was great little bike. I wish they would do a 350 single, copy that Aprillia I had. 

1 hour ago, thaiguzzi said:

?????????????

??????????????

Would not a Versys & a Vulcan be equally boring if they are based on the same chassis & engine???

I have never ever understood trailering a motorcycle anywhere, in particular a road legal motorcycle, designed, ya know, for riding on, er tarmac roads. The Americans in particular are really bad for this. They'll buy a $30-40-50k custom Harley, trailer it a 1000 miles thru fantastic scenery & great roads, then unload it and ride the last 20 miles into the annual Sturgis rally. I find it personally, rather sick.

 Don't get me wrong, i fully understand guys 'n gals transporting their off road sports bike on the pick up to their destination, be it motocross, enduro or trials, but a road bike ???

This is the review I am referring to:- 

Having never ridden either of the Kawa bikes I am after other people's opinions. I am in central Portugal, so bikes are few and far between here and my trips to the UK are fleeting. I need a start point and this forum is compact in terms of reference.

Okay trailering a bike, it's about long distances:- 

Thailand (winters). I love riding and travel, but am fearful of riding Thai highways 2up and it's boring, so putting my CRF on my pickup means I can enjoy new backroads, mountains and far flung places without the danger of extended highway travel. As with the Yanks, it's also a comfort thing, driving 600km in one day with aircon and music is easy. Cheating? perhaps, I call it compromise. If you are into doing thousands on kms of high speed riding with your chick on pilion, that's fine, it is not for us.

Portugal (summers) is in the far west of mainland Europe, so if I want to ride the beautiful Alps for instance, it would mean many days hard, all weather travel 2up, carrying a lot of gear and then sleeping in a bloody tent. European hotels are very expensive as is eating out, so tenting in the rain it is and I am just too old for that shit. The campervan is perfect for that, I can cruise to the alps, eating well en-route and sleeping in comfort for free. Typically staying overnight on the side of a beautiful lake, a hearty breakfast, then roll the bike off the trailer and ride these fantastic mountain roads. For me it's perfect and affordable. Riding Greece is planned for next year and that is gruelling expedition distance on a motorcycle, no thanks.

Then there is the question of MOTs, the UK, where I have to buy my vehicles is 3-5 days drive from my home in Portugal, so with a trailer I can put my scooter and bike on the trailer and get all 3 MOTd on one trip and bring extra gear back too from the UK. 

If you want to know why I buy in the UK, two reasons. 1. Choice/price. 2. I ride on an internation biker's licence and that is easy with UK insurance. There is a 3rd reason, I don't speak Portugese and this place is a mountain of red tape. Oh, forget about getting vehicle's registered here.

So just trying to get a few pointers.

I saw a report on the Vulcan S today saying it is really boring and maybe that is reflected in it's lack of popularity. That I can't live with, so I will keep looking, I have a penchant for something British, so will keep an eye on Ebay. I would like a 650, but early Bonnies are kickstart and my legs are not up to it. 

Another bike which just came to mind is the Versys 650, is that a pretty easy/relaxing bike to ride for two up, I know there are a few owners out there?