Any way to get more power out of a VT600?

[Steve-O]

I have a 2002 that I bought for my fiance and daughter to learn how to ride on. It's still low miles. Runs fine. But it's served it's purpose. I'd keep it to create a cafe racer if there was anything I could do to the engine to get some more power/speed out of it.

Any way to get more power/speed out of this engine? ie a LOT more.

I saw a custom bobber at the bike show that looked like a modified 600. Engine was small. Really cool bike. But if I did something like that and the bike had no power it would lose it's appeal very quickly.....

[old dad]

aftermarket pipes, re jet, & 4 degree timing mod. The bike can't do much more than that. I believe the vlx is about 34 hp,,you will get a bit more from the timing mod. Maybe the rear sprocket swap to a 41 tooth sprocket,,this will make each gear way taller than stock gearing.

oh,,hey Steve-O, been awhile.

[Coolride]

The carb is where the power is hiding. I mounted a simple side airfilter on mine years ago,it was unrideable until I went up about 10main jet sizes, jetkit needle pulled up a bit, idle screw all the way out ,and a cheap set of Cobra pipes. When it was all done, it was a crazy difference,probably more power than a 750. They have them so choked down from the factory, that why the old bikes used to make so much more power than these new emission bikes. Wish I could remember all the carb specs., and what worked good, but it was a while ago.I used an O2 sensor on my tailpipe to get the jetting perfect.

[Steve-O]

Originally Posted by Coolride

The carb is where the power is hiding. I mounted a simple side airfilter on mine years ago,it was unrideable until I went up about 10main jet sizes, jetkit needle pulled up a bit, idle screw all the way out ,and a cheap set of Cobra pipes. When it was all done, it was a crazy difference,probably more power than a 750. They have them so choked down from the factory, that why the old bikes used to make so much more power than these new emission bikes. Wish I could remember all the carb specs., and what worked good, but it was a while ago.I used an O2 sensor on my tailpipe to get the jetting perfect.

If you run across those carb specs, let me know. I think I'll try some of this on my 600 to see what kind of boost I get. The power is pretty pathetic as it is.

Cheap cobra pipes? Where did you find these?

[John Hopkins]

Trade it in for a bigger bike, you have probably outgrown it..

modification costs plus trade in value probably equals the cost of a bigger bike..

John

[justinmahn]

Sell it stock. They still get good money, because they're great bikes for short people. In my area, they sell for darn near what a 750 costs.

[ZackDaniels]

Originally Posted by John Hopkins

Trade it in for a bigger bike, you have probably outgrown it..

modification costs plus trade in value probably equals the cost of a bigger bike..

John

This. I wouldn't (and haven't) bothered trying to squeeze more out of the VLX. It's a nice cozy ride and beyond simple and cheap modifications to keep the revs down on the highway it's silly to me to bother.

It's one thing if you plan to have the bike for awhile and just want more power out of it, but taking a VLX and modding for the sake of power is a fool's game IMO. It's far more cost efficient to sell and upgrade.

[Bowie-]

It's really a matter of prioritizing looks vs power. Which is more important to you. I chose the VLX because they are the most choppable Shadow and look the best, IMO. If power was important to me, I wouldn't have chosen this bike.

Side note; I don't know know why people think that a low seat height is only for short people.

[gmck]

The vlx is a great bike but a powerhouse it isn't. Your going to be way happier selling it and get something faster.

[Steve-O]

I've got 3 other bikes. My VLX is my training bike for the kids and whoever. My plan is to increase the power a bit, then bob it out like this. But I don't want to bob it out till it has a bit more power.

Sounds like I can adjust the carbs, change pipes, and change the rear sprocket to get the little extra power I'm looking for.

Thanks for the advice!