<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: azintruder

I still have less than 10 hours on the machine and so far, I would guestimate that my top speed is maybe around 25 to 30 mph max. That is an uneducated estimation but I still have plenty of throttle left but the power band falls well short of what I want. It certainly lugs down on some longer grades, forcing me to drop a few gears.



For running forest trails, I have no qualms with the machine, it has the power and guts to take me into places I'd never even dream of walking or hiking, it's the lack of top end speed on improved gravel forest roads that leaves me wanting more.



I understand that thre is some type of speed or rev limiter on the machine, perhaps I need to take a look at that.



Keep in mind, my primary needs as one of the older geezer riders was something to run forest and desert trails with, it fulfills those needs. It just falls a little short in the britches on top end speeds and power when opperated on secondary improved roads. Those kids on sport quads are running over me and leaving me in the dust!</end quote></div>

from what your saying it doesnt sound like you need to go any faster or have any better traction your just feeling that its a little gutless in the power/torque department. I dont know what parts if there are any are available for the bike but ill do you a favor and take a few minutes to see what I come up with. if your fine with your top speed and not getting stuck just disapointed you have to downshift and slow down to keep enough power than simple things like a slip-on aftermarket exaust and a new airfilter can definatly help you out. both of those are easy to install and other than jetting anybody with a tool box can do it. if your not comfortable jetting install the parts yourself then take it to local bike mechanic or stealership and have them just jet it should cost less then having them install the parts too. I post another reply with what I find out about the aftermarket

you can see ive done a lot of stuff to my wolverine for more performance but I will tell you the FMF exaust along with K&N filter made the most noticeable difference in useable power out of everything ive done. to a more advanced rider the high compression piston and new camshaft add an edge. Down the road going up on compression on your piston also increases the power.

 

alright did a little quick search didnt come up with an exaust but i sent out a few emails so ill see what kind of response I get. Do you use your racks? if there isnt any exaust available a higher compression piston will give you some more umph but im assuming it being your first bike your not looking to go into the motor. You can always shave some weight see if that helps. You say you go places not walked on but do you cary stuff on your racks, both your racks? in the winter i run just my rear rack and in the summer I generally run no racks. those things are at least 20-30lbs of metal, More expensive are lighter weight rims, if you can get an aftermarket exaust or even find a universal fit muffler that will fit in place of your stock that will also free up a lot of weight. I dont know how handy you are but FMF makes a universal megamax. I love that exaust because it can be set up so many ways. there are 11 disks you can run any number to increase/decrease flow and backpressure for the power you want, (more backpressure increases torque but lowers top end a little.) It also can be run full open and comes with a quiet core to make it real quiet if you need that.

 

If you open up your airbox a bit, get a new filter (i prefer K&N but ive had twinair foam filters on my zilla in the past and they work too) and put that HMF on, re-jet it and you should have a much more pronouced "pop" of power when you crack the throttle. Having only 10 hours i doubt your looking to get rid of it so figure spend 450 bucks and torque problem should be solved for the riding you do. Also if you want more agressive heavier tires down the road youll have a little extra power to turn them

ok got a response from the guys over at alba good news: heres what they said:


There are not a lot of aftermarket parts for the Big Bear. There is a HMF slip-on pipe for the Big Bear. They cost $299.99. This will increase some of the horse power for the quad. I hope this helps.



Thank You

Paul in the internet department
800-487-3236
858-486-4380 ext 234

 

For a stock Beartracker 40MPH would be an accomplishment. Is the Big Bear 250 any better? Same size Carb (33)I think. Great bike, but fast and powerful they aint!

 

oh yeah they also sell the filter and apropriate jets so you can order it all from alba he said he can have the pipe to you in a couple of days from an order. they are good guys. If you just want more grunt then a filter/slip on exaust should do the trick without gettting complicated