Improving preformance on Varadero 125

[MadM]

Hello!

I own a Varadero 125 and in the summer I will be able to ride a bike with 25kW of power due to our regulations in Slovenia and I was thinking to boost the preformance on this bike cuz i dont want to change it now but want to have it till i got the license for unlimited power of bikes. So I need your help with what things i can change to get better preformance out of the engine(air filter, exhaust, etc...). And a pic:

Thanks, MadM!

P.S.: Sorry for bad english!

[Zenarchy]

I'm not sure there's much you can do to boost the performance of 125cc 4 stroke bikes like this unfortunately. I know on other bikes a lot of people put bigger jets in, change exhausts, different spark plugs and things, but from what I can gather you're lucky if it adds a couple of extra HP, and might even work against you and result in lower power if things aren't done and measured properly. Another common trick on 125cc bikes is to change the front sproket to one with a couple of extra teeth which may increase the top speed slightly, but if you do this you may need another chain, and you'd lose accelleration doing that (and depending how heavy you are it might not add much if anything to the top speed either). I'm not completely sure about the Varadero but I know this is the case with lots of other bikes.

Whatever you do to it, I don't think it would get anywhere near 25kW of power (the bike as standard will be half that amount I think as they're designed for to be learner legal).

I know with some bikes you can bore them out bigger and put bigger pistons in, but considering how much that'd cost and the trouble and that you'd end up with a bike that is no longer learner legal (so harder to sell), and perhaps harder to insure, it doesn't seem worth it.

If you like the varadero, but want more power, your best option would probably be to sell the bike and buy a transalp and have that restricted to 25kw (25kw is 33bhp isn't it - so there'll be kits available for that which you can probably pick up fairly cheaply second hand). That way you'd have a bike that's very much like the varadero, but gives the full 33bhp, then when your restricted period is up, you'd be able to remove the restrictors and have a full power bike without needing to buy another one.

Not sure if the laws are the same in Slovenia but that's how many people do it over here in the UK (sounds like the laws are similar as the power restriction appears to be the same).

P.S. Nice photo of the bike. I really like those Varaderos.

[StumpyFingers]

As above I think the 125 is at the max for the engine so not much can improve it.

[MadM]

As above I think the 125 is at the max for the engine so not much can improve it.

I thought so but what can I do to improve the engine response and accelleration without changing the sprokets?

[StumpyFingers]

I thought so but what can I do to improve the engine response and accelleration without changing the sprokets?

Most of these bikes seem to have a restrictive air filter, try a Piper Cross or K&N filter.

[Zenarchy]

I don't know about the varadero specifically, but if it's anything like most other 125s then I think you're going to be fighting a lost cause unfortuantely. Any gains you do make are likely to be very small in comparison to getting another bike that's capable of 33bhp.

On my last 125 the guy I bought it from had fitted K&N Filters, re-jetted (increasing the size of the jets), fitted a different chain and front sproket with an extra 2 teeth, and I'd be surprised if there was a noticeable difference in performance (though it did cure a flat spot he was experiencing I think).

If you change to more free flowing filters, then I think you may need to have the bike rejetted to account for that (and in the process it'd use slightly more petrol I think).

A lot of people stuck on 125s because of the learner laws try all these tricks, but really there's not much benefit to be had imho (at least nowhere near the benefit you'd get from changing to a bigger bike).

When you hear people talking about derestricting 125s they're generally talking about the 2 stroke sports bikes (and the reason there are increases in those cases is because the 2 strokes already have more power and tend to be restricted to begin with to make them learner legal).

The varadero is a 4 stroke so pretty much puts out the power it was designed to already and isn't restricted in the same way.

In your situation, I really wouldn't bother trying to make the 125 go faster as you'll likely be disapointed with the results if you've got 33bhp to play with on your license, and you'll just be throwing money away imho.

Could you not consider selling your Varadero and buying an older transalp, africa twin or similar with the proceeds. 125s tend to be a bit over priced compared to the bigger bikes as they're in such high demand, and the varadero in particular is quite an expensive bike, so you could probably sell it and spend the money you make on a bigger bike without having to spend any extra (you might even have some left over). Even if it meant getting a slightly older bigger bike and adding some restrictors to it to limit the power to 33bhp, I'd guess you'd be much happier with it than any increase in power you could get out of the varadero.

If you haven't already looked, if you check on ebay for the second hand prices of 125 varaderos and compare those to the second hand prices of transalps (particularly the older ones) you'll probably find that they're about the same price (or not much difference). At least that's the case here in the UK.

[davsato]

if you try and play with it you will probably build in unreliability and gain nothing in power. you will spend a lot of money for nothing im afraid.

its a great 125 bike but its as good as its ever going to get. better to sell it to the next learner rider and get another bike. there are some really good 500cc bikes around now, or a 600cc with limiting kit?

[MadM]

Thanks for your help, i think i will have my varadero for 2 more years and than change cuz i dont like limiting the bike, of maybe i limit it if i could get a AT.

[MadM]

Hi! I am back with more questions I was wondering if any members here have an Arrow muffler on, how does it preform , how is the sound and witch is better to get aluminium one or titanium.

Thanks!!

[kiriakost]

What ever you do , it will not offer the gain , that will make you happier .

It will do , just a bit better .... This a bit better has an extreme cost , that it does not worth it .

Even if you do spent the cash , the 15% gain , will not make the motorcycle to behave as 250cc .

I like too the small Varadero , but because of my weight as driver ,
I know that its not enough for me .

I do understand your feelings , I have 250cc , and I wish to was act like a 350cc

I suggest to relax , and keep loving it as is , an 125cc Varadero.