How can I maximize (optimize) power on '09 RSV

[DblTrbl]

Just had my '09 RSV converted to a Hannigan Trike. With the extra weight it seems to loose some of it's nut going up hills. What modifications or adjustments can be done to maximize or optimize the performance?

[Flyinfool]

First thing is how are you riding it.

You need more torque to haul the extra weight.

These engines don't make good torque until higher up in the RPMs.

The trike should be no worse than pulling a trailer, With the trailer I never even think about 5th gear until I am over 65mph to keep the engine in the power band. It is not uncommon for me to set the cruise at 60MPH in 4th gear and go till it is time for gas. That is not abusing the engine, it likes it. On a big hill don't be afraid to down shift.

 

Simple test you can try.

While going up that hill, without moving the throttle at all do a quick down shift, if the bike speeds up then you were in to low of a gear for the situation and were actually lugging the engine. There are many situations where you will get better gas mileage and better performance both at the same time by being in a lower gear.

[etcswjoe]

Other than normal tune up items there is an upgraded Ignition you can purchase I think Freebird had one on his 99 and you can also put in a new cam, however the advice Jeff gave above is probably really all you need.

[bongobobny]

Yup! Higher RPM's/lower gear helps. Not a heck of a lot you can do otherwise as you just added a lot of extra weight with the conversion.

 

I would love to see your Hannigan in person some time!

[Great White]

Classic hot rod stuff works.

 

Head work, cams, carb work, etc.

 

Only thing is, you can't just throw parts at it willy nilly. Put the wrong stuff in and you move the HP/torque peak up the RPM range, which is the opposite of what you want.

 

You'll also end up spending a good chunk of change for what will really be modest gains.

 

What have they got up under the arse of that thing for a rear axle?

 

A gear swap would likely be your most bang for your buck change, especially if they've used something common like a ford or chev derivative.

 

Any good corner shop mechanic can set up a set of those.

 

The deep overdrive on these bikes would allow you to use a lower final gear and still pick up some grunt in the lower gears for getting it moving.

 

I'd talk to whoever designed your trike kit and see what they think. Just make sure it's the company the built the kit, not just who installed it....

 

 

Edit: a quick check of the Hannigan brochure seems to indicate the Yamaha kit uses a Thunderbird IRS pumpkin. Easy peasy. That's an 8.8 center section.

 

the stock venture rear is 3.3:1 IIRC. I would hope they changed the gears out in the kit, but most MN12 'Birds came with 2.73, 3.08 or 3.27 gears. The min acceptable for your bike is probably the 3.27's, but I'll be they have the 3.08's in there (trying to keep it close to the Venture 3.30).

 

good thing is: being a ford axle, lots of ratios are available. You might even find some 3.73 or 4.11 might suit it better. They're all out there, relatively inexpensive and anyone can set them up.

 

heck, if you're handy, you can buy a couple junk yard center sections and have them set up with different gearing. Then it's just swap out the center sections when you want higher or lower gear (to match around town work or highway bangin').

 

Check it out. Might be an easy fix.

 

Edited June 15, 2015 by Great White

[bikenut]

When I got my Tri-Wing kit for my 1986 trike I asked when ordering it about gears and he said the standard for that bike would be 308 gears in the rear end but I told him I pulled a trailer he said I should get 3.25 geared rear end which they had which brought the rpm up 600 rpm more and I have no problems pulling the trailer up hills and works great. You could change the gears in the ford t-bird rear end on your bike to bring the rpm up a little . Just my 2 cents. Still get great MPG also.Good luck

[DblTrbl]

All Hannigan Trikes use a 7.5 inch Ford Thunderbird differential with 2.73 gears matched to right-size tires to maintain the original bike ratio, except for the Hannigan Harley-Davidson® FLH series Trike conversion, which uses the original H-D belt drive and sprocket. Mufflers of the original motorcycles are used on all Hannigan Trikes.

 

I'm getting around 32mpg on my first two tanks of gas. This is the first time this bike has been on the road since dropping it off at the shop in Oct. Even before the conversion I thought it lacks some balls going uphill when riding 2 up. It might just be me. I will try gearing down to 4th or 3rd gear and see what happens.

 

Thanks for the feedback.