Hi,

I finally got a chance to install the Dr Pulley sliders today and then went for about a 100 mile ride. So far I like them and this is the first time in, I don't know when, where I averaged 52 mpg. I rode for about 18 miles first and then filled my tank. That tank took me 88 miles, with 22 miles being curvy roads going about 30-50 mph, and then the remaining 66 miles on the interstate averaging 70 indicated; which is 65 actual for my SWing.

I haven't gotten this good of mileage since the bike was newer and on slow curvy roads. One time I avg'd 53 mpg but all of the ride was only about 40-50 mph. So I will give a short review on how it rode going slower and on the interstate:

Slow Riding: On the slower part of the ride, 30-50 mph the rpms were only a few hundred more rpm's up until about 40 or 45 and then it seemed after that they went down to normal. It seemed smooth but the roads were a bit rougher where I was. The acceleration seems to be inbetween the stock set-up and the J. Costa, but a bit closer to the Costa. I didn't give it WOT (wide open throttle) very much at all but when I did it seemed to jump and would give you that feeling of pushing you back in the seat a bit. Overall I am pleased with the slow riding characteristics.

Interstate Riding: When I got on the interstate it seemed that my SWing is running about 400-500 rpms lower than with the stock set-up. Here are my before and after rpm's:

speed before rpm's after rpms

70 5,500-5,600 5100
75 6,000 5,500
80 6,400 5,900-6,000

The speeds are indicated and the true speed on mine is 5 mph less (70 indicated is 65 actual). It also seemed that the bike was more relaxed and smoother when on the interstate. I know the rpms' were lower but it also seemed a more relaxed ride for some reason. I know this is just a seat of the pants assessment but I don't know how else to explain it. The after rpm's are what I was first getting with the stock set-up when new but I haven't been able to get those same rpm's when I re-installed the stock variator a few weeks back.

When I installed the Dr Pulley sliders I did use a dry lubricant so maybe that is a reason I'm getting lower rpm's, or maybe this is just the way the DR Pulleys work. Since most of my riding is on the interstate it seems I should like these better than the stock set-up. Like I said I avg'd 52 mpg for 88 miles which I haven't done in quite some time. It seemed that even when I would take it easy the best I could get was 46-47 mpg. So this is nice. I'm sure I will get even better mileage when I go on longer rides when I'm riding slow and easy around here. I sure hope so.

I will ride for awhile and keep good records on my mileage and things and give a follow up review soon. I will say that so far so good. It isn't as good, performance wise, as the J. Costa but I am getting lower rpms's with it and it still gives good performance.

I'm running 5100 at an indicated 70 mph on a brand new bike. Sounds like it nicely restored the original function. I'm also getting 53 mpg. (Mostly freeway, mostly 70 mph with some steep mountain climbs.)

Does the Costa increase cruisng RPMs? If so, that might be a deal breaker for me. I'd like a little more oomph, but not at the expense of cruising fuel economy.

Mickey,

When my bike was new I would be doing 70 indicated at 5,000-5,100 rpms. I then installed the J. Costa and I did report less mpg's at that time. I seemed to avg about 48-50 mpg in all around driving and then it went down to about 42-44. I didn't mind it too much because the J Costa is so fun to have.

I then went back to my stock variator, since the pins on the J Costa were worn and had deep scratches, and it didn't seem to get my rpms back down to the original level. So I tried out the Dr Pulley's and they seem to have brought back my rpm's to the original level, after about 45 or 50. So I think I will keep them for awhile. And it does give better performance than a stock set up too, so if you need better acceleration you will have it. I need to take it up hills to see how it reacts but I'm sure it will be better than stock.

Good to know. I like "zoom", but fuel economy is the main selling point for me. I don't want to screw that up.

I'm waiting to hear some long term testing of the Dr. Pulley clutch. Eliminating most of the slip is like free power, and it won't affect cruising economy. That, plus the sliders, sound like it's more up my alley.

Bill,

I ordered the 28 gram sliders.

Bill,

I'm really curious about your improved gas mileage. When you determine what your getting can you share with us. That may be my new birthday present. :bounce1:

Hi All,
In the FWIW department or just for your numbers bin; my stock '05 (GIVI screen) with 2800+ miles shows 5400 rpm (+/-) at an indicated 70 mph.

This is in an interesting thread.... If the 28g sliders are nearly as good as the J Costa, one wonders just how good the 21g sliders are gonna be.....? Though I feel they will not be quite as good with the MPG..... So Jeff, is your natural curiosity gonna get the better of you, are you gonna order a set?! Anyone else?!

At least with the 28g weights, you note improved performance in both acceleration, and economy.... That might be something I'll be interested in later on if I ever have larger commuter mileage to do.... That said the killer with regard to MPG whatever your setup is that slow stop start in the city stuff.

On a final note, you mention that the ride seems more relaxed..... I think that is due to the fact that the J costa is noisier and gives a more "buzzy" ride and feel. If you have the stock exhaust, which is quieter the difference is much more noticeable. I think I'd miss that if I was to go back to the stock variator..... (even with 21g sliding weights).

Another issue for me was belt slap on the stock variator which really got to me. I found the J Costa much smoother.

Anyway it is good to know that J costa doesn't have a monopoly! Have fun, and Happy Riding!

Bernardo,

I hope I didn't give the impression that the 28g sliders are as good as the J. Costa, but they are better then the stock variator. I meant to say that they are inbetween the stock and the J. Costa, but probably closer to the J . Costa. In other words, if the stock is 0 and the J. Costa is 10, then these would be about a 6. It gives good acceleration to a point and then it seems it gets closer to the stock configuration.

Also, I am comparing it to the J. Costa in terms of being more "relaxed". What surprised me was when I re-installed the stock variator it didn't seem to lower the rpm's back to where they were when I first bought the bike. That really surprised me. I know I did everything correct, since it really is a very simple job, but my rpm's were at least 500 rpms' higher. I would think the 21g sliders would be somewhat comparable to the J. Costa, but that J. Costa sure makes it fun to ride fast. I will probably one day put it back on just to play around though.

It is fun to do things to the SWing to make it different and interesting.

Guys, where did you order the Dr. Pulley stuff?

Captain

Captain,

I ordered mine through www.scootertrap.com . Matt gives great service.

Dicko:
It sounds like your rpms are pretty close to mine. I also have the Givi wind screen. When I am turning 5000 rpms on level road my indicated speed is right about 61 mpg. When I am turning 5,500 rpms on level road my indicated speed is right about 71 mph. It is interesting, but the ratios are a bit different at lower rpms though. When I am turning 4,500 rpms my indicated speed is about 45 mph, so I guess that is how the J Costa is supposed to work. I was happy to learn that if I keep my rpms at or under 5,000 I can still get better than 52 mpg even with the J Costa and the Givi wind screen.

My RPMs have always been on the high side. I had occasion to compare with another SW locally about 3 years ago. Mine is a 2002, his was 2005 IIRC.

	Mike's	Rick's
MPH	RPM	RPM
65	5500	5000
70	5900	5400
75	6200	5800
80	6700	6200
85	7100	6600

My scoot was faster off the line too, but he would catch up an pass me by 60 mph. Makes me wonder if my my scoot came with lighter rollers?

My RPM dropped about 200-300 when I replaced the drive belt, but after a few thousand miles they were back in the same range.

I'm anxious for Honda_Silver's report on the Dr. Pulley sliders and the HiT clutch. That may be my next mod.

Did the Dr Pulley sliders do anything for the belt noise ?

Excell,

I never really had any belt noise. I don't recall ever getting the "belt slap". I use the Mitsibishi belt from scootertrap.com so maybe that is why. But I don't remember ever hearing it with the stock belt.

It is more of a growl than a slap but when I take the cover off I can see where it has been rubbing on the case . I also have the Scooter trap belt .
I also sanded off the pulley face when I had it apart .I have not tried it since I did all of this since it has been raining .It is supposed to snow tonight .

It sounds like the belt on your car when it gets old and dry .

Mine slaps like a fish out of water ,thinking of maybe changing the rollers or clutch or both would change the belt too but thats new
How easy are these things to change??

After you have done it a time or two it is real easy .After you take the center bolt out ,take off the front face ,then the belt .Now put your fingers behind the rear face and pull off the rest .The rollers and sliders are in between and will roll all over the garage if you don't do it that way . I put an old towel under neat then if stuff falls out it doesn't roll away . If you get it apart together ,set it face down on the bench .Now lift up the face ramp and you will see the rollers and sliders .Take a picture of them to help you remember how they go .I tried to post a link but it failed .If you try this and get into trouble email me and I will try to help you .This stuff seems like nothing to me as I have been a car mechanic for 46 years .

Thank you very much for the advice when i get them i will have a go may be (pollini)cant seem to find the dr pulley sliders here but will keep looking i

Thanks for the web address but they dont seem to have them just pollini rollers did a search within the website a drew a blank ,the search will continue....

Well,

I filled up for the 2nd time with my sliders and avg'd 51 mpg. I was driving somewhat conservative where 1/2 of my riding was interstate doing 70 indicated, and the rest of the time going anywhere from 35-55 mph. So that is good for me. I'm going to experiment with this tank driving more aggressively... so far I have been going about 75-90 indicated, so I will see what I get now.

The fuel economy varies a lot from one bike to another. I got 53 mpg on the first 3 tanks and just scored a 57 on the latest one. Mostly freeway, 70 mph to 80 mph indicated, including a lot of steep, long climbs over a mountain pass.