3000 miles in, am i flogging this bike?

[Misterprofessionality]

It's come to my attention as i cross the 3000 mile barrier on this little machine that I may be overworking it....

I'm a 220 lb guy, 6 feet tall, and the bike is very comfortable for me, but i'm beginning to worry that i'm not very comfortable for the bike. when i ride this thing it's wide open full throttle 100% of the time. every ride is an extended top speed run, sometimes for 30 or 40 miles. The same is true for my wife's Super Cub (which is faster). I've even bbeen known to go full tuck and try to get another 5mph out of it, which is fun. Depending on headwind i've seen this bike top out at 62mph, or 49mph. What i'm asking the group (and those of you who know way more about mechanical things than me), is am i destroying this bike? runnig at its absolute maximum capacity all the time can't be good for it, at least that's my instinct.

 

[SneakyDingo]

Probably working it hard mechanically, but it's overengineered so it's probably ok and nothing is particularly expensive on this bike even if you are killing it with love. The best person to answer this is probably @m in sc.

I strongly suspect you should keep a close eye on the oil levels though.

 

[oldskool]

It's a well built machine. Like all machines it will wear and eventually fail. How long depends on the load it works under and maintenance. Will blow up next week flogging her hard....probably not. Will she last as long as if you rode her at /1/2 to 3/4 throttle most of the time with WOT once in a while....no of course not. There are no free lunches.

 

[Misterprofessionality]

I change and check the oil frequently...more frequently than i need to according to the manual since the oil quantity is so small it's no big deal. no sparkly oil....yet....

I'm aware parts are cheap but i really really really don't want to be cracking open a motor for any reason. I certainly don't possess the tools or skill or aptitude for that so it would have to go to a shop, and going to a shop is going to cost more than it's worth to own the bike. This is why i'm asking. If i'm floggin the piss out of this bike, I might be better off letting it go than continuing to destroy it.

 

[dmonkey]

Riding at WOT most of the time tends to result in more oil consumption. Consider running a colder heat range spark plug recommended in the owner's manual for high speed riding (NGK CPR7EA-9 or DENSO U22EPR9) depending on how your spark plugs look. How have your auto clutch adjustments gone, have you needed to adjust it many times ahead of schedule? Beating the snot out of this bike tends to consume the centrifugal clutch quicker, it's probably one of the weakest links on this bike, but still has a long life. 3k miles is nothing, this bike's platform is designed exactly for low maintenance and abuse as a commuter. Just keep an eye on consumables and the inspection items listed in the owner's manual, if you notice that something is off that's when you can respond to it. I wouldn't sweat it until then. Keep in mind that at some point it will need more involved maintenance, you can study up in advance on what parts/tools you need to consider if you want to DIY things like the valve adjustments, or if you want to be entirely hands off and find someone local to work on it, or haul it to a dealer. It's a simple enough bike that any reputable 3rd party powersports or motorcycle mechanic should be able to work on it for you, doesn't have to be a dealer, that's for you to decide.

 

[Misterprofessionality]

I'm not familiar with the adjustments needed for an autoclutch. I haven't had to do anything like that yet or noticed any change in the operation of the autoclutch. What would it feel like if it needed adjustment?

 

[SneakyDingo]

I'm not familiar with the adjustments needed for an autoclutch. I haven't had to do anything like that yet or noticed any change in the operation of the autoclutch. What would it feel like if it needed adjustment?

Difficult or nearly impossible shifting compared to when you first got it, or lots of missed shifts. I detailed the service here. By 3000 mi you likely would have adjusted it once. Mine took a few hundred miles to settle in but has been pretty much static since then.

 

[Misterprofessionality]

interesting!! i have not noticed any change at all in how the bike shifts. i've always been pretty impressed with how it just slaps the gears in so reliably in fact. this is under my typically heavy-handed operation, engine braking, rev matching, and all that. as of fnow it never misses a gear and doesn't seem to fight me on shifts. is the adjustment something that can be carried out from outside the bike or is this a job for a shop?

 

[SneakyDingo]

interesting!! i have not noticed any change at all in how the bike shifts. i've always been pretty impressed with how it just slaps the gears in so reliably in fact. this is under my typically heavy-handed operation, engine braking, rev matching, and all that. as of fnow it never misses a gear and doesn't seem to fight me on shifts. is the adjustment something that can be carried out from outside the bike or is this a job for a shop?

If you take it to a shop, they will likely do it for free. It's probably the easiest adjustment to do. It takes 1 minute, a flathead screwdriver and a 14mm spanner, although I recommend a ring spanner over an open wrench (I just have more success with that). Loosen the lock nut, all the way to the right until you feel slight resistance (like it's gently bottoming out), all the way to the left (same resistance), 1/8 turn to the right, and tighten the locknut. Takes about 1 minute, usually takes me longer to get my tools out.

EDIT: video:

 

[dmonkey]

A different question that might be worth asking yourself since you mention not being very comfortable for the bike, is are YOU happy with the bike? Is it meeting your needs and wants from a motorcycle or would you prefer something with different ergonomics, power, maintenance schedule, and that isn't at wide open throttle for so much of your regular riding? Is it important for you to keep up with your wife on the Super Cub?
That's a question only you can answer, and it's different than if the bike can handle your flogging.

 

[m in sc]

the redline on these is low compared to what it can take, or what other models w a similar motor use, so dotn worry about it. its fine. there are guys with 40k on stock motors in groms that flog the hell out of them , stock, day in day out.

just keep an eye on the oil level as mentioned. it'll be fine.

 

[Misterprofessionality]

well i can pretty much fix the super cub issue by changing the sprockets to match hers. i've already been considering this. that's not such a big deal. i'm just worried about how much stress i'm putting on the bike. It's a great machine and I love it, but I don't love it enough to constantly pay for the repairs that would be necessary if i'm destroying the motor by overworking it. that's what i'm saying. My concern is that I would rather trade it in before i destroy it so A) its not worthless and B) it can belong to somebody who will not destroy it. However, If my fears are unfounded and the bike is fine, then I'm happy to keep riding it in the way that I have. it's such a great getaround bike.

 

[G19Tony]

I'll be running mine WFO for 3300 miles on the Scooter Cannonball in June. I'll let you know if it grenades. If it does, I'm putting a Busa engine in it.

 

[oldskool]

I'll be running mine WFO for 3300 miles on the Scooter Cannonball in June. I'll let you know if it grenades. If it does, I'm putting a Busa engine in it.

If you're going to do it this might fit

Powertrains Detail

www.rotax.com

 

[Cpd419]

I still have to wind it pretty hard to go from first to second. It will not shift at low rpm’s. Only from first to second though. Even after a clutch adjustment.