Verify My CVT Setup

[fatguyonalittlescoot]

I have a 2019 TaoTao VIP 150, currently with the stock belt and Glixal 12g rollers. I am looking at getting Sliders to replace my rollers but I keep second guessing my choices.

Current:

Top Speed - 53mph GPS Verified

CVT shifts around 5400 RPM

RPM start to rise again around 35-40mph

RPM tops out at 7k while cruising at 50+

Any hill will make me slow down significantly when at high speeds

Acceleration is good, but could be improved.

I am 240 lbs and I would like to consistently go 55mph-60mph. I have a Gates 842-20-30 belt on the way and I was thinking of switching to 11g Dr Pulley Sliders to push the shifting RPM and cruising RPM up a bit.

Would I be better off getting 12 or 13 g sliders to max out top speed or will that lower the shifting RPM (dropping it way lower than powerband)?

It seems that It could go either way, lighter weights to open up the powerband or heavier weights to push the gearing higher. Any thoughts?

[fugaziiv]

Get 11's and 13's. If 11's are too slow, and 13's are too heavy, you can stagger them every other and that's equivalent to 12's.

Basically, every scoot is different, as is every rider. If you've going to start tuning your CVT, you're going to end up with a fair selection of weights anyway, so may as well commit.

HOWEVER

You're probably going to need to do more to your bike than just rollers if you want a higher top speed and better acceleration while holding speed on hills. CVT weight tuning is largely a "rob Peter to pay Paul" situation. You can improve on stock by putting in Dr. Pulley sliders, yes, but as soon as you go up any significant amount, you'll lose bottom end to gain on top, and vice versa as well.

Some will weigh in here with better info I'm sure, but I think the best case option without additional modification is to get Dr. Pulley sliders 1gr heavier than stock. That will keep your accel about the same as stock, while possibly give you a MPH on the top end.

Honestly, given the above info, if you want to cruise comfortably and reliably at 60 you might consider looking at a 200-250cc L/C bike. It's what they are built to do and you'll end up saving money and heartache. If you really want to do it on your GY6 I'm more than willing to help, but as the old adage goes:

Fast, reliable, cheap. Pick 2.


Matt

[fatguyonalittlescoot]

Thanks Matt!
I know CVT tuning won't get me there alone. I've already added a much better air intake and a bigger better carb/jet, next is the exhaust (and driver weight reduction ). 60mph is my lofty "maybe someday" goal, 55mph is totally realistic from a 150 that's done 53mph since stock. Not to mention, it's what I have. I don't have money for a new bike, so I'm just seeing what I can do with the one I have. Right now, it works well enough to commute, but if I can hit 55mph consistently, then I can shave about 2 miles off my commute by hitting the highway instead of the back road.

I thought I saw a thread on here where people were compiling CVT info (Bike, Driver Weight, Terrain, Slider Weights, RPM range, etc.) but I can't find it anymore.

If I drop the weights, it "should" shift at a higher RPM, so it will downshift while going uphill instead of just staying in a high gear like it does now. With the addition of Sliders and a bigger belt, it "should" be able to reach higher gears, thus increasing top speed, if it can spin fast enough to get there. End MPH goal aside, am I figuring this correctly?

[bluebob71]

did u ever get any were?

[rocketdog]

My two cents. A stock 150cc has a 40 tooth final drive gear. All the long cases, with a 13 inch wheel, that I have had it. Since most 150's have the best torgue around 6000 to 7000 rpm, I would suggest a lower ratio or more cc's. You can buy a 43 tooth final gear for the output shaft. It's cheaper than a BB kit.