Apache 190

Hello friends,
I would like to give the feedback of the bike and Big bore kit along with FFE that how they performed on my Saddlesore attempt.
Bike: Awesome performance, rock stable even when cruising above 90 and 100 all the time, no heating issues and none of the parts went kaput, only the plastic above headlamp became loose and good grip from the tires.
Big Bore and FFE ( Joeled ): The parts performed extremely well. Even after riding for more than 1000kms or 1200kms bike was still smooth in its pickup and speed. Not even once felt that engine cannot take more load. The power delivery was awesome. Whenever i will cross any toll the bike would feel happy to quickly rise to speeds above 90 or 100. Many times I maintained average speed above 80 and above 90 but still there was no sign of sluggishness. Cruising above 90 was very much easy. Got mileage close to 32kmpl+ with speeds in excess of 90 and sometimes 100.
Big Bore is 6000kms old and FFE is 9000kms old.

Thanks for the feedback guys.
Abhi - I wish you complete the saddle sore the next time around.
Ride safe!

Thanks Joel for the awesome parts.
I hope I do complete it next time. But maybe next time I would like to go for a bigger ride, may be a 10 days trip or a trip to himalyas, and I damn sure that the performance will remain awesome, it just makes the ride more enjoyable.

Joel Could you please check the tracking details and inform me whereabouts of the BB kit?
Or you can pass on the tracking details to me?

This wait is really testing me.
I am writing here because i guess repeated mail thing is not working.

Initial review of my 'Joelled' FZ-18

Hi,

I had joined XBHP quite sometime ago to help me in making my decision to buy the FZ. After numerous review of posts, I finally got one in Dec, 2009.

I was v much satisfied with the performance, looks, handling and most importantly the stability of the bike. Continued riding her stock for upto 3 years.

Meanwhile, the pot was brewing at XBHP about Joel and his wonderful work with motorcycles. Firstly heard about his fiero, then the R15. His work seemed quite marvelous.

Read a few more reviews and made up my mind to get my bike 'Joelled'. The initial plan was to get the big bore kit and CAM. I would get them installed in Hyderabad. Contacted Joel via gmail and asked him for the BB kit and CAM.

The kit was promptly delivered without undue delay and in good shape. Took it to Ganesh Yamaha and got the BB installed. CAM had to wait as the mech there was unable to install the newer CAM ( i guess technically challenged is the appropriate word).

The bike had to be run in for 500Kms under 5K rpm. I could not gauge the improvement then.

Got another mech who could get it (the CAM) installed for me. Got the upjetting done there too. However, after the installation, the bike seemed to not perform as i had expected it to. It would get overheated, lots of valve noise which would hinder in pushing her further and the fuelling was all wrong (lots of hesitation). I was ruing my decision to get modded in the first place as i could not find even a single mechanic worth his salt, who could properly perform the upgrade.

Finally, as last resort, i sent my bike to Joel himself via courier. Asked Joel to check her out, and also went in for the next stage of mods: Bigger racing carb, air filter, clutch springs and the 'infamous' FFE.

Joel, promptly began working his magic on the bike. The problems were dealt with swiftly as he pointed out the mistakes that the mechs had done in installing the kit (Yamaha SVC: extra sealant on the gaskets; private mech: improper valve adjustment, improper carb tune).

To top it all, Joel also had a front petal disc assembly, which he was willing to install on my bike. I couldnt have had asked for more. Went in hook line and sinker !

Also, he had fixed my clutch and a top up of engine oil with Agip. that was the icing on the cake.

Got my bike back from Bangalore about a month ago (minus the DB killer). Took her out for a spin one fine morning and i was just taken aback by the sound. What on earth could make such a sound. it was f*cking awesome !!!

Thought about taking her for a long ride to gauge the performance as previously a lot of issues had prevented me from riding her.

That's when tragedy struck. a failed clutch ! This was agonizing.

Work prevented me from getting the problem fixed. She was sitting at home the following week, waiting to get the clutch replaced.

After a week's worth of waiting, got the clutch overhauled at Patny Motors, Begumpet. The mech took his time (2 days) but did a good job with the clutch.

Finally, today, i took her out for a ride. And here's the report:

(thanks for reading my story until now, this is where the fun starts)

Acceleration:
Talk about breaking a sweat ! this thing goes like a rocket now. I have to be extra careful with my clutch when launching her coz i fear she might pop a wheelie. 60KMPH is discarded with disdain in a wink of the eye. 100KMPH - no problem. WOT: what a scream is let out by the exhaust, utter pleasure.
The ffe, big bore, racing carb and air filter work in a symphony to deliver a knockout punch.

I apologize, that i do not have any timing or numbers to share as i didn't have anyone along to help me out with that.

Handling & Stability: As stable as ever. Braking now being aided by a large 300mm petal disc up front, is stupendous. There is nothing called panic braking now. just sheer confidence.

Additionally, the stiffer racing clutch springs are a boon now. reduced transmission losses are apparently conceivable as one can feel an immediate latch with the crank when the clutch is released. takes off with a jerk if overdone !

And that exhaust, decelerate and you get that awesome heavenly sound (popping adds the spice).

Here are some of the pics i snapped last week for your viewing pleasure:



Finally, here's the master list of the mods:

1. Big bore kit
2. Re-worked head
3. hotter CAM
4. Free flow exhaust
5. Racing carb (33mm venturi MIKUNI carb)
6. Simota high flow air filter
7. Racing clutch springs
8. Front petal disc assembly

And a big thanks to Joel for fixing my ride and then making her better than she ever was.

Cheers!!!

Thanks for the review Asim, it was a pleasure working with you. Have fun and ride safe!

Same here Joel. You are the best out there. Please keep us updated for any more upgrades available for the FZ

Congrats on your upgraded ride!!! Do try doing a dyno run to see what the real gains were...

Thanks psych0hans.

Unfortunately, I am not aware of any place here where I can get my bike hooked to a dyno.

Thanks !

I actually have the same issue... I've installed a power commander system in my bike, and will install a full exhaust and free flow air filter soon... I really want to get my bike tuned on a dyno, but don't know from where... Any dyno's you know of near Bombay Joel? Cheers!!!

bro plz post some more clear pictures of the petals... Close up shot, just from the side of the wheel. Want to see the contact patch. Another guy with the same petal is having very less contact are. Some more pics please

Joel bro, what about the Kits, for my P180 ug3?

I've been reading reviews and more reviews about your kits, When will I type one myself?

Excuse the quality of the pics. I have a basic phone.
This weekend, will try to get some better pics.

Thanks !

well take your time bro

My Joeled zmaR -235cc

In october i went for head work after reading about joel's magic , it made the already smooth engine much smoother and rev friendly . In no time you will be in higher rpms , engine wants you to revv much more even at 6-7K RPMs . I went for 1500 km trip to araku [only head work done on engine] , real fun starts after 6K RPM , engine remains smooth even at 120 kmph driven it for hours @ 100 kms still rock solid i smoked ZMR many times in this trip both on accelration and FE figures . Then the itching started for BB kit for zmaR , ordered one from Joel by mail got fitted by local mech in Hyderabad . After my run in period of 500kms , i can say this machine has completely changed its character now , every time i ride it wants me to revv it like hell . Its such a fun to ride now , it still needs to be tested on max speeds on highways after BB work . Thanks Joel for all this , amazing work .

My mech kept the tappets a bit loose saying that it will prevent it from overheating as pistons were new . He will reset it in my next oil change . Tell me if he has done it right by keeping them loose ? And whats the recommended Engine oil ?