| I work for BRAAAP motorcycles and ride mini motards literally 2-3 times per week at our track. We have done extensive testing on both chassis and engine work.
This is what we have learned. Start on the chassis because it is all about cornering speed.
A standard engine in a good chassis will beat a highly modified engine in a standard chassis.
A relatively standard engine in a good chassis with good tyres will keep up with a highly modified engine in a good chassis if you are willing to brake a little later and do some slip-streaming.
Spending massive dollars on an engine is an area of diminishing returns. We have guys that have spent $5000.00 on their bike and come race time they are in the middle of a scrap with me on a dead standard bike. Tyres, tyre pressures, suspension and brakes make the big differences.
We were able to consistently take a full second a lap off our times by running different fork oil! (free)
Rear ride height, shock setting- 0.5 seconds
Fiddled with gearing, $60. 0.5 seconds
We changed tyres, front end geometry and rim width, another two full seconds. ($250)
We went from a standard engine to fully worked Lifan (ported, big valves, race cam, valve springs, inner rotor, adjustable cdi, alloy slinger, twin oil coolers, race pipe, flat slide, uni etc. Grand total 1.5 seconds ($1400)
For under $400 we wiped off about 4 seconds. The engine difference can be made up in 1 or two corners by a good rider or a pack of guys battling on the track. Corner speed is King
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Trying to get more people to pocket bike events held around Tasmania
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