New DT300i owner

[TANWare]

I took out the GPS this morning from the car, the intenal battery though only lasted a short while. I took readings hand held, I know highly not advised...........

1.) turns out 35 MPH is actually 34 MPH, had to slighly get above 35 indicated to get 35 on the GPS
2.) 50 MPH indicaated was 49 MPH, needed 51 to be at 50 on the GPS
3.) 60 MPH indicated was 58, had to go betwen 61 and 62 for the GPS to be at 60.

The ODOM is electronic so nees to hit a mile marker highway to calculate that out.

Turns out the speedometer is not far off from my car. I thought it was about right as it felt about the same as my car. I guess it will become more off as the tire wears though.................. 

[Undecided 300i rider]

It really counts on where you are riding and your riding style but so far after my first tank I've seen over 70 MPG on the 300i and this is with quite a bit of interstate speeds.

I am kinda "hard" on the throttle. I drive pretty aggressively. I am assuming that I will get somewhere around 60-65 mpg. Most of the post and reviews mention 70-72. I'm assuming that these folks are moderate to miserly drivers. Sometimes the bats out of hell have to catch up! LOL

[TANWare]

I am not what you would say is miserly. I drive as fast or faster than traffic and while few if any WOT I don't baby it either. Agressive driving will most likely cut into MPG though.

[Undecided 300i rider]

No doubt. I figure I will be filling up more than most.

On another note ...

you seem to have become quite familiar with your bike. I have followed a few of your post and notice you frequently mention some performance enhancements that you are performing/anticipating. Is there a section on this forum where a NEWB can learn about upgrades and enhancements/care for the bikes? I am hoping to turn mine into a "rolling rocket". LOL love that term!

[TANWare]

The engine is pretty new so thee is little information or even products out there yet. We are left with just upgrades that were already available to other bikes.

1.) NGK CR7EIX Iridium plugs
2.) Previous low flow mufflers
3.) High quality Synthetics for the motor and final drive oils
4.) (K&N air filter mods) Although I haven't seen one yet.
5.) Rollers to get the bike on the pipe
6.) HiT Clutch to get the power down quicker and more in the pipe.
7.) Power Commander to tweak in all the new harware.
8.) Not sure but you probably could "DarkSide" one of these.

Of course these all effect MPG and ride etc. I am extremely happy with the ride it has now. every 50 or so miles it seems to just run better. One thing I've noticed with the Iridium plug now is at slow speed manuvering you have to watch the throttle. Too much out of a slow speed turn (3-5 MPH) and it kicks too hard if you do not watch it. Throttle responce is notably faster and the seat of the pants can tell. It will not be pulling a wheelie any time soon but it can straighten you out of that turn before you wanted.

My mods will be the minor ones.  Iridium plug (already in), Full Synthetics and maybe the rollers. The rollers have yet to be determined as an upgrade. I will wait until at least 3,000 miles to see where the bike ends up. My best guess here is, with Dr. Pulley Sliding Rollers, 20x12 14 GR to get the bike on the pipe for top end and streetable high performance 20x12 13Gr with a HiT clutch.

Even with full mods, if you are like 170 LBS, don't expect much better than just under 6 second 0-60 MPH. I doubt we would see sub 5 seconds, but I could be wrong as the waters haven't fully been tested yet.

I do know my cousin and I compared this to his wifes Piagio MP3 400 and the DT felt stronger 0-65 MPH (form standing start and rolling). That was even before the new plugs. With the plugs and break in milage the preformance has improved even more. To be fair though the MP3 only had 350 miles on it. I know it is way stronger that the carb'd Honda Reflex he had with 28,000 miles on it, just the next class of power.

I am posting everything I can think of for two reasons.

1.) so people can decide if this really is the bike for them
2.) to increase a knowledge base for current owners.

I hope other post experiences with changes as well so we can all get the max out of our bikes.......................

[TANWare]

As far as maintenance we have nothing yet. I am waiting to bring it for the first serice but I may just do all the others myself.........

[TANWare]

ooops................

[Cortez]

Even with full mods, if you are like 170 LBS, don't expect much better than just under 6 second 0-60 MPH. I doubt we would see sub 5 seconds, but I could be wrong as the waters haven't fully been tested yet.

Under 6 seconds on a 30hp bike (24 or something like that on the wheel) might be possible if you
make the CVT spin the engine at the revs where the maximum power is, but that will probably drop
the top speed by a lot, not to mention the engine's life span.

Anyone looking at performance figures like those at this sub-forum bought the wrong kind of bike.

[axy]

Under 6 seconds on a 30hp bike (24 or something like that on the wheel) might be possible if you
make the CVT spin the engine at the revs where the maximum power is, but that will probably drop
the top speed by a lot, not to mention the engine's life span.

I dare say it is impossible, declared 0-60 with factory driver for Kawa GS500 is 5.6 sec.
Engine has 52 hp.

[TANWare]

Actually it is, for the say 5.9 seconds this bike would spend 5.5 seconds right on the pipe with the CVT properly set..................

[Cortez]

Actually it is, for the say 5.9 seconds this bike would spend 5.5 seconds right on the pipe with the CVT properly set..................

..and will be unusable in real life.

[TANWare]

and that is the task at hand, to make it usable. Looked like it was no where near leveling out on that video at just 100 KPH, what the top end is I am not sure. but as you see it is possible. Since the final ger ratio had not been changed in the drive I am sure it is a bit higher, with sliding type pullers it may even be usable so long as you don't get on it at high speed and over rev.............

[Cortez]

and that is the task at hand, to make it usable. Looked like it was no where near leveling out on that video at just 100 KPH, what the top end is I am not sure. but as you see it is possible. Since the final ger ratio had not been changed in the drive I am sure it is a bit higher, with sliding type pullers it may even be usable so long as you don't get on it at high speed and over rev.............

The stock roller setup on the Downtown will keep the revs around 6000 rpms at 60mph indicated
(which is around 55mph) and that's over 2/3 of available revs (to the revs where maximum power
is reached). That's already a lot, in my opinion, and I wouldn't want to cruise for a long time at
such high revs.

Lighter weights would only make matters worse.. and if the 0-60mph time is your main goal,
you're riding the wrong kind of bike.

[TANWare]

actually mine at 60 MPH indicated is at 5,500 RPM cruise. On the GPS 60 indicated was just over 58, had to get to a hair over 61 almost 62 indicated to be at 60 MPH on the GPS.

[Cortez]

actually mine at 60 MPH indicated is at 5,500 RPM cruise. On the GPs 60 indicated was just over 58, had to get to a hair over 61 almost 62 indicated to be at 60 MPH on the GPS.

I've seen a youtube video with GPS mounted, I stand corrected, the revs were at 6000rpms
at GPS 62mph, BUT the speedo way WAY off!
56mph @ gps = 60-61mph indicated.

Maybe they're not all the same.
That would explain why some can't go over 140km/h while others hit 160km/h