I have heard a lot of this powerband business, but I have never ever felt one before. I have ridden a bunch of Honda's, BMW's, and Kawi's but never felt a sudden onset of power starting at "x" revs. Does a powerband feel like a sudden downshift or something? I really don't get it.... :/
4 strokes don't really behave that way. It's really a two-stroke thing... my BW50 has a pretty wild powerband but i gotta keep it on the pipe or it'll fall on its face. 6hp is a pretty big handful.
I have heard a lot of this powerband business, but I have never ever felt one before. I have ridden a bunch of Honda's, BMW's, and Kawi's but never felt a sudden onset of power starting at "x" revs. Does a powerband feel like a sudden downshift or something? I really don't get it.... :/
When someone mentions the powerband they are referring to the rpm range that a motor makes most of its power. Some motors make lots of low end power (V-twins usually), some throughout the rev range (litre bike) and then mostly top end (600 ss). An example would be to keep a 600ss in the powerband you would want to keep the rpm's between 9000-10000rpm and redline. It really isn't something that is that noticeable on most if not all modern street bikes. If you want to experience it find someone with a 125cc 2 stroke motocross bike, they have NO low end at all and then have a big hit of power as you come into the "powerband" or as caboose mentioned "on the pipe"
The corollary is NOT being in the powerband. This is when you rev the engine at a certain RPM and you have get very little acceleration. This could be just before or just after the engine's ideal powerband.
One of the advantages of starting out on a small bike is that if you are not in the powerband, you have reduced acceleration and thus lag in traffic. Even a 125cc bike can accelerate away smartly if in its powerband. This teaches you to be at a certain engine RPM, or to be in the powerband, if you want to accelerate away from the SUV trying to place its hood ornament up your rear orifice.
The larger the engine the more likelihood that whenever you rev the engine you will accelerate. For a beginner this reliance on engine size may result in sloppy gear changing technique.
My GS500F hits its powerband from 7-9k. I do feel it jump off even more and pushes me back, feels great =D
I changed my sprockets so I get to the powerband quicker and ride it more often. Would that be a bad thing to ride it all the time? I notice my bike gets hotter a lot quicker, but then again it's air-cooled. It's more noticebale tho.
I have a blue#4 power band installed on the fz6 to keep itmellow in the low end and snappy up top.
On the yz250f I stretched on a purple #8 band to keep me up on the rev limiter.
All kidding aside you'll feel the power band on any thing with a motor. On my fz6 it kicks in around 8g and it's a noticeable kick. On my 250f I feel it and feather the clutch to keep it up there to haul me out of the corners.
Even my truck gets a hit at 3500. And my sled really kicks in around 6g.
Each of these has a different engine design for different purposes. Good to know so you can use the motor properly.
I have a blue#4 power band installed on the fz6 to keep itmellow in the low end and snappy up top.
On the yz250f I stretched on a purple #8 band to keep me up on the rev limiter.
Every vehicle has a power band. It's just the RPM range where it outputs optimum power. Some vehicles have large, flat, linear power bands while others are shorter or exponential (no power in low RPM and then suddenly it really jumps). Most important for acceleration/torque.
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
