Derbi Predator Questions
Alan
I've recently bought a Derbi Predator and I was wondering if some
people can help me out with some questions that I have. My scooter
can go about 80 km/hr or ~50 m/h. I thought all scooters sold in
Canada are restricted to 70 km/hr or 43.5 m/h. Do I have a non
restricted model? How do I make it go even faster? :) I have about
300 kms on it right now.
Secondly, my bike seems to have trouble starting or at least it takes
me awhile to get it going. Does the bike need to be on the centre
kickstand? The manual says yes but I've started the bike on the side
kickstand as well. Is this normal? Can I do something to the bike to
have it start a bit better? My brother's got a Yamaha BW and that
thing starts like a charm.
Any recommended mods? Things I should look out for? Maintenance?
Thanks for all the help,
alan
Derek
at 80KPH and tops out around 90KPH. The easiest way to
get a performance increase is to replace the stock exhaust pipe
and variator roller weights. I will be installing a Metrakit tuned
exhaust pipe and 5.5gr weights as soon as the engine is past the
break-in period (at about 1500KM). This should add about
10KPH to the top speed without adversely affecting acceleration.
I will also be installing a Puig Motoplastic Mid High City Touring
windscreen to improve aerodynamics. I got the windscreen a
couple of days ago, but I have been to busy to put it on. By the
end of next season, I will be installing a 70cc cylinder kit along with
upgrades to the carb, clutch, variomatic, drive belt, air filter, and final
drive gears. When all is said and done, I expect 120KPH top speed.
Talk to Ozzie at Cycle Imports if you want performance parts.
http://www.cycleimports.com
As for the trouble you have starting your Predator: be sure to give it a
little
throttle when you hit the starter and let it "warm up" for a few minutes
before zooming off or it WILL stall - side effect of the automatic choke.
I had to adjust the idle speed on mine when I first got it - it was set too
low at the factory. Be sure to check the idle speed when the engine is HOT.
Mine was also difficult to start sometimes when it was brand new, but I have
had no problems of this sort since I passed the 500KM point on the odometer.
BTW - sounds like the kill switch tied in with the side stand is not
working. You
should NOT be able to start the engine with the side stand down. Not a big
deal though.
Later.
Derek in Ontario
2001 Derbi Predator LC
2001 Honda Rebel 250
Alan <alm...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:73fbb81.01090...@posting.google.com...
Gregory Newell
Gregg and the Avenger here, If you havnt already made your move, the Malossi
cylinder kit is much better quality than the MK. IMHO. Better 'skwish band",
better and cleaner ports and all over better machining. My MK unit burned
out at 1800 miles,
wrist pin fried and bits got up in the chamber and destroyed the piston, and
scored the cylinder as well. Total wreck. I get my Malossi parts from
Steve/beltfed at mopedhospital in Key West FL.
All the best,
Gregg
"Derek" <bigde...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:Kk2m7.22669$Z2.2...@nnrp1.uunet.ca...
Derek
I definitely plan on using Malossi for the cylinder job. Seems everyone has
nothing
but praise for their product. The only Metrakit part I am planning on using
is their pipe.
I may do the exhaust before this season is over (about 8 weeks left here in
Canada).
Otherwise, both the exhaust & 70cc kit will be a post-Christmas project.
Thankfully,
I have underground parking in my building so I can do laps to test
everything out.
Later.
Derek.
Gregory Newell <greggs...@home.com> wrote in message
news:Q7hm7.49361$MK5.28...@news1.sttln1.wa.home.com...
Gregory Newell
The first pipe I put on my Atlantis was a MK 'handmade' , very good power,
nice throaty tone,
not too loud, but when in conjunction with a conical air filter, horribly
loud. I switched to the Tecnigas 'Next', then discovered that most of the
offensive noise was coming from the intake side! Put the stock airbox back
on after removing the rubber intake horn and drilling some holes( each hole
increases the noise level) to get better air flow, adjusting the air jet
accordingly to avoid running too lean. The MK pipe is more expensive,
designed to optimize at higher rpms than the Tecnigas, and BTW, the socalled
'carbon fibre ' silencer is an appearance thing only. a waste of money
unless you like the look of coarse weave fiberglass cloth under clear
thermal plastic sleeve
The aluminum sleeve is less costly and does the job just as well. And I
actually like the look better.
cya,gregg.
"Derek" <bigde...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:t2om7.23148$Z2.3...@nnrp1.uunet.ca...
Alan
> end of next season, I will be installing a 70cc cylinder kit along with
> upgrades to the carb, clutch, variomatic, drive belt, air filter, and final
> drive gears. When all is said and done, I expect 120KPH top speed.
>
cost?? Are you doing it yourself? Your dealer? I'm in Ottawa,
Ontario. Where abouts are you in Ontario?
> As for the trouble you have starting your Predator: be sure to give it a
> little
> throttle when you hit the starter and let it "warm up" for a few minutes
> before zooming off or it WILL stall - side effect of the automatic choke.
>
little throttle and it just putt putts away and it takes quite a bit
of letting off the starter, giving it more throttle, even trying to
kick start it before it would start. And it takes about 4 km of
running before it would hold an idle.
> I had to adjust the idle speed on mine when I first got it - it was set too
> low at the factory. Be sure to check the idle speed when the engine is HOT.
>
What's too low? How would I know?
>
> BTW - sounds like the kill switch tied in with the side stand is not
> working. You
> should NOT be able to start the engine with the side stand down. Not a big
> deal though.
>
It doesn't start with the side kickstart on, I meant to say that it
starts even without having to put it on the middle kickstand and
that's contrary to what the manual says. Do you have to have your
bike on the middle stand to start it up?
Thanks for the help Derek
alan
Derek
I am located in Stratford, Ontario. My Dealer (Todd at Buff Cycle) and I
will
be collaborating on the upgrade work. I estimate the total cost of all the
previously
mentioned parts to be in the neighbourhood of $1500.
The Predator does not have to be on the centre stand to start. I think the
European
version does. Hence, the referrence to this in the owners manual.
Try adjusting the idle screw 1/2 a turn clockwise from it's current
position. It sounds
like your idle is set too low AND / OR you are having issues with the
automatic
choke. If increasing the idle speed doesn't improve things, take it to the
dealer and
have the carb and choke checked out. That's what warranties are for.
Keep me posted. Later.
Derek.
Alan <alm...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
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