My thoughts on the Malossi Multivar

[Cincikid]

Malossi Multivar Model #M5113603



My setup:
2014 Zuma 50F 26,000 mi
L/C Fuel injected 4t RPM limited.
Malossi Multivar with 5 and 5.5 rollers mixed.
Yellow torque spring, Gy6 50 TD, Adly 3 shoe clutch with red springs.
OEM Yama belt.


First impression:
The Multivar comes nicely packaged with all the goodies to get you going, including a color manual detailing fitment, a white Malossi torque spring and six 6g 16x13mm Malossi roller weights.
Holding the parts and pieces that make up the Multivar you notice the quality.
The machining is flawless and all parts fit together perfectly.



Performance:
The objective of any performance variator is to enable you to tune in a way that allows your engine to stay in an RPM range where it performs best, AKA the powerband. All the while giving you a smooth and seamless transition from zero to top speed.

The Multivar does this but with a little something extra. If you've done any CVT tuning you know to get that torquey launch you need light rollers but this takes away from top speed. While the Multivar does not totally do away with this rule it does substantially bend it. Malossi designed the Multivar ramp plate angles to give you both take off and top speed. In my opinion, they have done a good job. With my current setup, I have smooth seamless and constant acceleration. I also have the same torquey take off my OEM Yama vari provided but with a welcomed additional 4-5 MPH increase in top speed. (This gain in top speed is in line with other reviews I've read).




Ease of tuning:
Very tunable.




Durability:
I ride my scoot regularly and in the 4mo I've been using the Multivar, wear has been minimal. My jasil rollers (Inexpensive) are still in good shape with no flat spots. The paint is starting to wear at the top of the ramp plates but there is no sign of groves. The bronze bushing in the center of the vari, face, guides and boss are same as new with no wobble between boss and bushing.
There is no sign of excessive belt wear.




Comparison:
I am basing my comparisons on experience with OEM Chinese Qmb 50 variator, Hoca performance Qmb 50 vari, OEM Yama Zuma 50F vari. Hands down the Multivar has them beat in performance. As far as longevity, only time will tell.




Final thoughts:
I am running the Multivar on a 49cc RPM limited 4T.
On an unlimited 80cc 4t or 70cc 2T, I believe this variator could reach its full potential.



Please feel free to post your experience with the Multivar and other comparable variators.

[jeff84]

have one installed on my ruckus, and I like it better than the polini. both of which are far better than stock.

[AtariGuy]

What makes a multivar different from a standard or overrange?

[dan50]

Do you have a link for that multivar? I want to install one on my 4t Dongfang with a 47mm BBK.

I also have a 2t Jog90 that is my next build and I also want a multivar for it.

[90GTVert]

May 17, 2017 3:18:06 GMT -5 dan50 said:

Do you have a link for that multivar?

This is a link to the part number of his variator :
scooterpartsco.com/malossi/malossi-master-part-list/malossi-mhr-variator-for-yamaha-zuma-vino-c3-4-stroke?zenid=do6kep1tig40ig05bgf5klmsh5

May 17, 2017 3:18:06 GMT -5 dan50 said:

I want to install one on my 4t Dongfang with a 47mm BBK.

This is a link to one that should fit your 139QMB :
scooterpartsco.com/malossi/malossi-master-part-list/malossi-variator-for-kymco-2-stroke-scooters?zenid=do6kep1tig40ig05bgf5klmsh5

May 17, 2017 3:18:06 GMT -5 dan50 said:

I also have a 2t Jog90 that is my next build and I also want a multivar for it.

I use the overrange on my 2Ts. The standard MultiVar is not as beefy. Down sides for the OR being that you can't use e-start and it needs big rollers/sliders (19x15). Many say it's not for low rev engines. It does skip past most low revs, but I've been using it for a long time on 96-103ccs. I think I could power wheelie easier if it didn't jump up as high in RPM, but it does well for just taking off slow or quick. It does require me to add weight to the sliders, because I can't buy heavier than 10g from what I've seen and I need around 10-12g generally. It works very well with the whole OR kit, but works alright on it's own.

Info on the large spline OR stuff :
49ccscoot.proboards.com/thread/3442/malossi-large-spline-over-range

[90GTVert]

May 17, 2017 0:12:30 GMT -5 AtariGuy said:

What makes a multivar different from a standard or overrange?

The name is what makes it a MultiVar. It's branding. What makes them performance parts is that they change ramp lengths and shapes for the rollers, may use different sized rollers, may change diameters, may change angles or profile of the drive face, may have extended guide posts for the ramp plate for more travel, could feature a different drive boss length, and it's also nice that quality variators like these tend to have bronze bushings and not coated steel like some stock stuff. OR variators are larger OD for more travel (though they usually need a longer belt), have extended guide posts to support the ramp plate at farther openings, and may be made larger and beefier overall.

[Closterman]

Hi, here are my thoughts on the Multivar

My set up is:

2012 PGO Gmax (AKA Genuine Blur) 2t stock 50cc cylinder.

Malossi Multivar 7g rollers + High performance front pulley made by Stylepro Racing

Polini 243.008 belt (750-17-30) versus 738-18-30 OEM

OEM torque spring with Malossi spring seat.

Stock clutch (but heavier springs are on the way...)

The Malossi kit for my scooter was #518852 it came with 7g rollers, a 37.5mm drive boss and a Yellow torque spring.

Multivar diameter is 96.5mm versus 94mm for OEM variator. 

Multivar face angle is steeper (I didn't measure it but a 28^o belt will be a better fit now)

First impressions:

WOW!  

RPM are now steady in the powerband around 7200-7500 all the way from take off to almost max...

Take offs have improved slightly and I got maybe 2-3 mph top speed (47 mph gps).  But that is not it strong points, constant RPM is and no more bug down around 15-20mph.

I ride daily to work (30miles X 2) 95% of the time WOT and six moths later no sign of a groove like my OEM variator had.

I feel I still have some room for fine tuning.

Overall VERY satisfied so far.

[niz76]

Just to add to the conversation...

I've been of the understanding that the Hoca vari from PFS is a direct clone of the Malossi Multivar?? (price and quality of the Hoca vari is pretty good imo!)

www.partsforscooters.com/169-139_minarelli_variator

[Cincikid]

Just to add to the conversation...

I've been of the understanding that the Hoca vari from PFS is a direct clone of the Malossi Multivar?? (price and quality of the Hoca vari is pretty good imo!)

www.partsforscooters.com/169-139_minarelli_variator

Nice.
I was pleased with the quality of the Hoca 169-415 Performance Variator Kit. I ran it on a QMB and performance was very good.
I cannot comment on the longevity because I no longer own the scoot. That being said I prefer the performance of the Multivar.
If the linked Hoca vari is a 1-1 clone, coming in at $49.99 almost half price compared to the $89.99 the Multivar runs It's definitely worth considering.