2015 USA Rev Limiter/governor 64-65 mph?

[FromMototoScooter]

Hello. Recently purchased 2015 white PCX 150 USA - have completed break-in (manual states 300 miles) recently tried to produce 70 mph on highway and felt a hesitation at 63-64 mph. Feels like something (governor) holding it back. Will not go faster than 64ish. Normal? False advertising? Very happy with scoot, this is not a deal breaker. Anyone know if this is normal on USA models? I assumed it would at least get to to 70 mph from reviews by motorcycle magazines and websites.

Thanks.

[Valiant]

Yes, it's rev limited at about 64 mph with a stock setup, and that includes downhill.

It's perfectly normal, and you can return it if you don't like it, but it's relatively cheap and simple to change out the transmission parts to get you up to 70 mph, though there are some more caveats about that speed(mostly your body weight and wind resistance) that would determine whether or not you can get up there.

It may be very well the case that you can't consistently hit 70 mph without either going downhill or installing a big bore kit(which voids your warranty). Again, if this bothers you, I'd advise you to sell it and get the Forza instead, or another 250cc motorcycle.

[homie]

Honda chokes you back at 64 mph because beyond that you could kill yourself on a 14" inch wheel in pot hole land where I live.

[sendler2112]

The stock gearing and 9,600 rpm rev limit give you 64 mph. The PCX is perfectly stable and capable at higher speeds if you want to change some parts to lengthen the gearing. You can just drop in some DrPulley sliders for $30 or install an NCY variator and drive face for $100. 13.1 hp will then balance the wind resistance at 65-75 mph, and at a lower rpm, depending on how much you tuck.

[FromMototoScooter]

Thank you for the replies.

It's a little late in the game to return it, and quite honestly I wouldn't want to, I'm enjoying this new world of automatic transmissions and lightweight handling. Most of the pavement this bike hits will be urban, and while an extra 5mph is irrelevant in the big scheme of things, just wish I'd been aware of it before hand.

Yet, I should have known better. I've had 250cc bikes before and getting to 75 sometimes was a challenge, (I only weigh 140lbs) so when I saw information regarding the PCX I kept scratching my head wondering how on earth they could achieve 70. The scoot surprisingly enough seems like it would have just enough power to get me there too, if it wasn't for that limiter.

The Forza would be nice...maybe next time. For the money, the PCX can't be beat. It's a joy to ride. But that 70 would have been nice.

[sendler2112]

You can still get there (occasionally with a tailwind) for $30. And get better acceleration as well. By installing 12gm DrPulley sliders.

[Valiant]

You can still get there (occasionally with a tailwind) for $30. And get better acceleration as well. By installing 12gm DrPulley sliders.

sendler, I doubt he'll get there on a 2015 model without changing to the shorter countergear that the 2013 model has. They kind of neutered the 2015 model by about 3 mph.

[sendler2112]

A 2015 PCX150 should do 75 mph at redline on the stand with sliders. My 2013 shows 79 on the stand.

[dasshreddar]

A 2015 PCX150 should do 75 mph at redline on the stand with sliders. My 2013 shows 79 on the stand.

.....sliders AND A VARIATOR.
sliders alone are good for only 1 or 2 additional mph

[dkazzed]

Although the 2015 might have a lower top speed than the 2013, how does the cruising speed compare? Say, take an 8% grade where neither a stock 2013 or stock 2015 will have enough steam to reach that rev limiter, which one will be faster?

[sendler2112]

Probably the same if they are both set up with their weights optimized for 8,000 rpm. 45mph at 8,000 rpm will be the same on both machines despite the difference in final gearing.

[Valiant]

Probably the same if they are both set up with their weights optimized for 8,000 rpm. 45mph at 8,000 rpm will be the same on both machines despite the difference in final gearing.

Is it? I was under the impression that one of the benefits of longer gearing is that you run faster speeds at the same rpm, hence why the 2013 gets a rev limited speed of 67 mph and the 2015 gets 64 mph at the same 9600 rpms.

Granted, that theory might go out the window with an uphill grade thrown in, but I'm not sure that's as much of a handicap as some would think, as I actually traversed an uphill + headwind path about 4 mph faster with the longer geared NCY vario than I did with a full stock setup(adding that I did replace the air filter and exhaust on top of that).

[dkazzed]

Probably the same if they are both set up with their weights optimized for 8,000 rpm. 45mph at 8,000 rpm will be the same on both machines despite the difference in final gearing.

Is it? I was under the impression that one of the benefits of longer gearing is that you run faster speeds at the same rpm, hence why the 2013 gets a rev limited speed of 67 mph and the 2015 gets 64 mph at the same 9600 rpms.

Granted, that theory might go out the window with an uphill grade thrown in, but I'm not sure that's as much of a handicap as some would think, as I actually traversed an uphill + headwind path about 4 mph faster with the longer geared NCY vario than I did with a full stock setup(adding that I did replace the air filter and exhaust on top of that).

Yea I was wondering about the ability to maintain speed up a hill. Top speed doesn't matter as much as cruising speed. You would think a shorter gear would mean better hill climbing capability despite a lower top speed, but I'm still not too familiar with how CVTs work.

With manual transmissions in cars, longer final drives have just become the in thing for a lower cruising speed and better fuel economy, but it requires downshifting to get higher RPMs when passing or climbing a grade unlike a car with a shorter final drive where one can stay at 5th or 6th gear and pull a passing maneuver.

But if the mods work for you, I'll look into as well. Are you using your stock belt?

[skuuter]

My Wife just bought a 2015 PCX150...We've had PCX125s and PCX150s in the past. The older 150s had more top speed, but the new 2015 has quicker take-off from a traffic light, and quicker acceleration at speeds of 50 and below. Gets up to speed better when I'm on the Forza300 and she's on it. I really like the 2015 Model. Maintaining cruising speed is virtually the same as the Older Version...Yes, about 3 mph less top speed......

[Valiant]

Yea I was wondering about the ability to maintain speed up a hill. Top speed doesn't matter as much as cruising speed. You would think a shorter gear would mean better hill climbing capability despite a lower top speed, but I'm still not too familiar with how CVTs work.

With manual transmissions in cars, longer final drives have just become the in thing for a lower cruising speed and better fuel economy, but it requires downshifting to get higher RPMs when passing or climbing a grade unlike a car with a shorter final drive where one can stay at 5th or 6th gear and pull a passing maneuver.

But if the mods work for you, I'll look into as well. Are you using your stock belt?

I'm currently using a Kevlar Reinforced belt. I'm very much looking forward to swapping out much of the stock parts .

Yes, gearing can get a bit funky with the CVT.

Here's one site detailing how the system works:
http://modernvespa.com/forum/wiki-cvt-p ... mprove-it-

I believe the placement of the actual transmission gears lie right at the rear wheel, at the rear pulley assembly. The front pulley will fully "lock out" at certain speeds(typically around 50-55 mph), meaning it's in the final gear. Should something put you below that speed, the pulley should start to reverse its position and shift down to give you more power. How easily it does this would depend on the center spring stiffness and the weight of the rollers.

I also believe that longer gearing means you need to go faster in order to fully "lock out" the belt, which could potentially mean that, when climbing a steep hill at 70 mph and you have a "lock out" speed of 60 mph, dipping below that speed would cause the pulley faces to pull apart and shift down to the point where you have enough torque to maintain your speed. Whereas with a stock setup, you'll be stuck in final gear until your speed dips below 50 mph or so.

But that's just my thought.

I'll find out when I try it, as I plan to install a few parts to lengthen the gearing as much as possible. Either it'll work better, or my next hill climb is going to have me bogged down at about 30 mph on the freeway .

[sendler2112]

The question was " up a steep, 8% grade hill". Which will be enough load on the bike to limit the speed well below top speed. And just below the CVT lockout speed of 55 when set up for a nice, high, pulling rpm of 8,000. So both bikes will be going wide open throttle up the hill as fast as they can at 50 mph based on the equivalent engine power and pulling at 8,000 rpm due to the way the weights are set. But the longer gearing of the 2013 means that it will need a lighter weight to pull at the 8,000. 11-12 grams for 2013 PCX150 and 12-13 grams for 2015 with it's shorter final drive.