On this occasion in "Talks with Constructors," we are going to talk about a topic that, for us motorcycle enthusiasts, is very important: performance and modifications to improve it.
I think we have all gotten on a motorcycle for the first time and we feel that sense of speed, as well as the excitement in the corners or when braking. Over time we began to get to know our motorcycle better and we began to love more of it.
From that feeling arises the need to modify our machines so that they do their job better. Within performance modifications there is a whole universe of possibilities, every corner of the bike is a canvas on which it can be improved. To expand a bit on the subject and open the conversation from the perspective of the builder, we have contacted John Pfeiffer, one of the motorcycle modifiers in Colombia that focuses more on the performance of their projects.
As for the simplest idea of the performance that generally is to want to make the motorcycle go faster and one of the points of the motorcycle that receives the most attention in this regard is the engine. A simple recipe, an engine works with a pair of elements of easy alteration, air, and gasoline, with more gasoline and more air a bigger “boom” is produced.
On this occasion in "Talks with Constructors," we are going to talk about a topic that, for us motorcycle enthusiasts, is very important: performance and modifications to improve it.
I think we have all gotten on a motorcycle for the first time and we feel that sense of speed, as well as the excitement in the corners or when braking. Over time we began to get to know our motorcycle better and we began to love more of it.
From that feeling arises the need to modify our machines so that they do their job better. Within performance modifications there is a whole universe of possibilities, every corner of the bike is a canvas on which it can be improved. To expand a bit on the subject and open the conversation from the perspective of the builder, we have contacted John Pfeiffer, one of the motorcycle modifiers in Colombia that focuses more on the performance of their projects.
As for the simplest idea of the performance that generally is to want to make the motorcycle go faster and one of the points of the motorcycle that receives the most attention in this regard is the engine. A simple recipe, an engine works with a pair of elements of easy alteration, air, and gasoline, with more gasoline and more air a bigger “boom” is produced.
Yamaha DT125 repowered and modified by Paddock Performance Shop
This recipe is relatively easy to alter as long as the proper ratios are maintained (close to the perfect gasoline-to-air ratio: 14.7 units of air per 1 unit of gasoline) the result will generally be more power produced. One of the main considerations that John mentions to us when modifying the power of an engine, is how this will also alter other qualities of the same, such as its consumption and its durability. Both are important since an engine that produces more power generally has a higher consumption, and by increasing the power using the original components of the engine, the engine often loses its durability considerably.
Aerodynamics, "like an arrow through the air"
This is where other mods that are normally less popular become interesting. For example, aerodynamics begins to have great weight when looking for a motorcycle to go faster. Giving the bike a more aerodynamic profile (reducing its drag coefficient) makes it possible for the bike to “go through” the air more efficiently and this is directly transmitted in an increase in performance without modifying the engine or its power.
Another modification that often goes unnoticed is related to the tires and traction elements. In the world of competition vehicles, there is usually a consensus that the simplest, most economical modification and with the greatest impact on the performance of a vehicle are its tires.
Tires and compounds
Tires can make a motorcycle totally change its character, by changing the tread or compound we can make it perform better in demanding conditions. I will give an example: In the case of a Scrambler or Tracker motorcycle that is going to be used on uncovered terrain or with soft surfaces such as mud, it is best to have tires that have a soft compound, deep-carved and with good separation between the studs, that allows the wheel to mold itself to the variable surface conditions (having a more flexible compound) or in the case of mud, to have a better “cleaning” between studs, this in simple words translates to a wheel that releases the mud, water or stones from its surface more easily and prevents the wheel from being clogged with mud.
With regard to this, it should be considered that tires designed for an uneven surface will not have optimal behavior in more controlled road conditions (asphalt roads), where this type of tires will have reduced durability and, in general, a more nervous and difficult to predict.
The tires are perhaps the element of a motorcycle that most limits or enables its performance in different conditions or for different disciplines, although of course other modifications come into play here that connect that performance on the ground with the rest of the motorcycle.
Suspensions, heights, and ergonomics
As I mentioned at the beginning in terms of performance, there are endless possibilities, and it is where the elements that determine ergonomics and comfort take on great relevance. Say, a poorly tuned suspension can cause a motorcycle with good tires and a good engine to behave erratically and unpredictably, totally limiting the rider's ability to put engine performance and tires on the ground.
Similarly, the adjustment of the contact points of the motorcycle (rudder, controls, brake pedal and gear lever, etc.) are crucial to obtain the maximum performance of the motorcycle. The position on the motorcycle can improve the aerodynamics of the same, it can also make the transfer of weights on the wheels and suspensions better, this is decisive when cornering, accelerating strongly or even crossing uneven terrain. (Read our article about cafe racer motorcycles)
"To close this short conversation"
Finally, it is important to bear in mind that when the performance of a motorcycle is modified in its different components, both pros and cons are obtained. Normally performance modifications tend to be somewhat one-way and the conditions of use of the motorcycle must be taken into account.
When the motorcycle transcends simple everyday use and is taken further, it becomes a specialized tool that, as its name implies, is best made to perform a specific task by engaging its skills in others. (Learn about the design process of a modified motorcycle)
The performance of the motorcycle is a balance of different elements and like a good recipe to cook a dish, there is a contribution of each of its ingredients and the integration between them is key.
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