hrmad Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 Hi, I've got a slow action throttle on my 200 at the moment, it's ok but if I haven't got much of a run up to a bank or hill I find the power is a bit delayed, it's not the most comfortable position for the wrist right back either. I have changed the gearing from 11t front 41t rear to 10t front 44t rear which has helped make the bike more usable in the first three gears in tight places. Some people have told me to keep the slow action throttle, other people prefer a quick action throttle- so I'm not sure what to do. Has anyone else tried both on their 125 or 200? If so how did you find it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2stroke4stroke Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 (edited) The 200 is designed to be what it is and a fast action throttle is inconsistent with the ethos of the bike but it won't cost a lot to try one out. I find the standard gearing fine even in such tight stuff as I occasionally ride. I know someone who always uses second gear so I don't think the gearing is generally regarded as high. By lowering the gearing you have effectively reduced the available "oomph" as, gear for gear, it will run out of revs at a lower speed. Mine came with a 41 tooth rear sprocket (as per the 250, put on by the previous owner) and when I put the correct 42 on it made an appreciable difference in slow going and indeed overall, and, to me, is perfectly geared (and I tend to ride too slowly). Dropping one at the front is roughly equivalent to going four up at the back so you have reduced the gearing quite a bit. I suggest you go to the standard gearing of 11/42. It's common to find the 41 has been put on as that size is more commonly available. I think folk just ask for "a sprocket for a Beta". Standard gearing gives me four gears for sections, indeed I have used fifth in exceptional sections before now, so the bike does not need the "assistance" of very low gearing. But we all have our own riding style and yours may suit such, though I know you are still developing a riding style. More years experience than I should have tells me that a delay on the power coming in is down to me not opening the throttle soon enough, a failing I don't seem to be able to get rid of. Edited January 15, 2015 by 2stroke4stroke 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beta Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 I had the same issue on my 200. I left the gearing as standard but fitted a quick action throttle and it transformed the bike. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirdabalot Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 Mine was fine with standard gearing and QA throttle. I also tried a flywheel weight ftom a 250, but it made the response too sleepy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hrmad Posted January 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 The 200 is designed to be what it is and a fast action throttle is inconsistent with the ethos of the bike but it won't cost a lot to try one out. I find the standard gearing fine even in such tight stuff as I occasionally ride. I know someone who always uses second gear so I don't think the gearing is generally regarded as high. By lowering the gearing you have effectively reduced the available "oomph" as, gear for gear, it will run out of revs at a lower speed. Mine came with a 41 tooth rear sprocket (as per the 250, put on by the previous owner) and when I put the correct 42 on it made an appreciable difference in slow going and indeed overall, and, to me, is perfectly geared (and I tend to ride too slowly). Dropping one at the front is roughly equivalent to going four up at the back so you have reduced the gearing quite a bit. I suggest you go to the standard gearing of 11/42. It's common to find the 41 has been put on as that size is more commonly available. I think folk just ask for "a sprocket for a Beta". Standard gearing gives me four gears for sections, indeed I have used fifth in exceptional sections before now, so the bike does not need the "assistance" of very low gearing. But we all have our own riding style and yours may suit such, though I know you are still developing a riding style. More years experience than I should have tells me that a delay on the power coming in is down to me not opening the throttle soon enough, a failing I don't seem to be able to get rid of. Thanks for replying. In practice so far the gearing is working out well, my turns in first gear have improved greatly and the bike doesn't run away as much when I slip the clutch. I've been using 1st and 2nd generally, third and fourth on big hills. I took the gearing down on recommendation by a local twin shock rider who won the first trial I went to. I'll keep it at 10/44 and see how it goes at a trial this sunday- only real way to tell I suppose. The thing is I can always change up a gear if I want to, first gear is dead slow. Agreed on not opening the throttle up soon enough, probably a confidence thing on my part Beta and Sirdabalot- thanks, I guess it wouldn't cost me much to try one out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b40rt Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 I've only ever dropped gearing to bring 2nd & 3rd into play ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hrmad Posted January 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 Maybe I should just learn how to ride and use the clutch, haha, thought I'd say it before anyone else did. The guy who suggested lowering the gearing tried it in a section in first and said 'the bike is too fast' he offered me a 9t front, but I didn't want the chain to wear on the swingarm so I thought I'd try a 44 on the back. He also recommended not using the clutch in sections. Riding styles and approaches seem to differ a lot between folks is all I can say Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan williams Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 (edited) Try it out. I have one on my 300 simply because I hate the full wrist bend required by the slow throttle. Once you get used to the quick throttle you really depend on it being there. If you're not having any issues with the bike getting away from you now and you feel a bit compromised with your wrist all twisted it may be a good mod. The bike will still be a somewhat soft state of tune but you'll have an easier time using all it's got. Edited January 16, 2015 by dan williams 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the addict Posted January 15, 2015 Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 (edited) Having returned to the sport from a three year break I've gone back to a slow action throttle on the Mont as my timing is not where it used to be and the bike was getting away from me. It has helped a great deal and I expect the fast action will be back on in a month or two. As Dan said, the fast does help with wide open throttle positions if that's what you are finding is becoming a problem in your riding. Edited January 15, 2015 by the addict 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hrmad Posted January 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 Thanks for the advice guys, I'll leave the throttle and the gearing as is for this weekend, see how it goes at the trial on Sunday and then make a decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeninety Posted January 16, 2015 Report Share Posted January 16, 2015 If you go for a fast action throttle and don't get on with it but don't want to go back to the slow action then modify the fast action to a "medium" action... (see below) Put 2 hacksaw blades together in a hacksaw frame and carefully from where the throttle cable starts, hacksaw down around 3mm and gradually lead the cut out to around 45 degrees from the cable anchor and then clean up with a small file / emery tape. The deeper you cut the slower the take up will be but you still have the fast action diameter when you open it right up. This mod makes the bike more manageable off the bottom. Do this little by little until you acheive the desired result. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hrmad Posted January 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2015 I think I will probably go to 11/44 as I have the 11 sprocket and only just bought the 44. Not a million miles away from standard. As people have said, 10/44 is a bit too low in practice. Second gear was a good section gear today, I didn't do so well in 1st. Didn't do so well in general to be honest but that doesn't have much to do with the gearing! Might try a quick action just to see what is it like when I get paid this month, can always go back to slow or do the mod joeninety suggested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outlaw dave Posted January 18, 2015 Report Share Posted January 18, 2015 I have ridden Beta 200's since 2009, and find the stock gearing just fine, However they did change to the 28mm Keihin carb. - which I also find as an improvement on the latest models, I also fit boyesen carbon reeds and a quick throttle. - I'm an old guy, so maybe my reactions are a bit slower, and as we all know "Timing" is everything in Trials riding. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan williams Posted January 20, 2015 Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 Remember Heather it's going to take a while for you to get used to a change in gearing. Unlike proper jetting when a bike isn't running right a change in gearing is going to take time to re-sync your conditioned reflexes to. I also second the carbon fiber reeds as they make the bike pull better lower into the rev range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hrmad Posted January 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 Remember Heather it's going to take a while for you to get used to a change in gearing. Unlike proper jetting when a bike isn't running right a change in gearing is going to take time to re-sync your conditioned reflexes to. I also second the carbon fiber reeds as they make the bike pull better lower into the rev range. Hi Dan, I put some Boyesens in a couple of months ago, the new reeds helped the bike a lot, plus adjustments to the carb has meant I haven't had any problems for a few months with the spark plug. Only have to adjust the idle now and again. RE gearing, not sure what to do, keep getting conflicting advice on the matter. I think the standard is 11/42, when I bought the bike it was 11/41, too fast. I changed it to 10/41 and a good twinshock rider told me the bike was still too quick and I should put a 9 on the front. I was concerned about wear on the swing arm so opted for a 44 on the back. Ran 10/44 lovely in second and third gear, a bit short for longer hills though. First was nice to practice tight turns, not so good in competition. It's 11/44 now, I'll try it out tomorrow down the woods, set up some sections, attempt them in the first three gears, see how it goes. 11/44 is quite close to standard, we'll see how it goes, thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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