Reed info

[kx10013]

I'm looking around at reeds for my bike. Was wondering if paying 150 for them is worth it. How much will they improve my bike over stock setting? Throttle response, maybe hp? Any info would help

[Friar-Tuck]

Hey Tyler,
  If your stock reeds are cracked or chipped You should certainly get them replaced.
I'm thinkin' you are talkin about your RM right?
  The new reeds should help starting and may or may not increase your performance.
  They are just a part of what most guys use in a total package of whether moving the powerband around or just more h.p.
  You may be better served checking your compression and see if you can freshen up the engine as apposed to just getting a more expensive set of reeds.
     Ask a few more guys to chime in on the best way to go ahead with getting more out of your bike, or moving the power around to better suit your style or needs of riding.
  Tuck\o/

[royceymon@hotmail.co.uk]

think the vforce blocks a bit overated always run standard after the vforce didnt make much odds on my old kx250(2003) , pipes your best bolt on , blueprint the kips spools is a good one (thats if its a kx)

[kx10013]

Actually, I'm looking at them for my Yz, I'm actually in the process of overhauling the entire engine. New crank, rod, piston, the works. Also did some porting on the intake of the cylinder. Just wondering if reeds are worth the price or not. I don't want to pipe my bike yet, she looks like a sleeper right now.

[Friar-Tuck]

I'm with Royceymon on this one for sure. 
  Look for a pipe that will work where you need it.  Bottom, mid or top.
   Then when you can swing it get the reeds and then a silencer to match the pipe.
Tuck\o/

[kx10013]

Well, I still havent figured outif reeds are worth the price and what they'll do to the bike.. pipes are nice, but for me I'm trying to look as stock as possible for ice racing, which is why i don't want a pipe yet. It's always nice to pull up to a bike with a pipe and they laugh at you and then they eat your ice dust. 

[Friar-Tuck]

The reeds are made of different materials to flex at different frequencies.
  The stiffer reeds usually are sold for top end as they have less tendancy to bounceoff the reed block and "Flutter".
The same type of thing that happenst to standard type valves when they Float.
  The reeds alone may make a small improvement for the range they are designed to work in.
      If you have a stock bike you may see a small improvement, but again its where the reed is designed to work.
as an example, alot of guys don't like the boyesen reeds and block for their 500's.  They are a dual stage reed with a soft inner reed and a stiffer reed on the 2nd stageor outside the soft reed.   The boyesen also has about 3/4 the area of a v-force that helps keep the velocity of the air fuel mixture high to aid in filling the cylinder at low engine speeds.
  The soft inner reed has good throttle response and is great for bottom end riding ( tight single track)
I use them and work great for me.  Guys who ride the desert or dunes probably won't or don't like the setup as it lacks the top end they spend alot of their riding time in.
  They most often use a V-force set up. large stiff carbon reeds will maintain their shape and continue to operate at a rev range my boyesen would be fluttering (or Bouncing off the reed block) . 

 I'm sorry I don't know how else I can help.   
Let us know what you decided to do and how its working out.
   Take Care,
      Tuck\o/

[Motorrad]

The reeds are made of different materials to flex at different frequencies.
  The stiffer reeds usually are sold for top end as they have less tendancy to bounceoff the reed block and "Flutter".
The same type of thing that happenst to standard type valves when they Float.
  The reeds alone may make a small improvement for the range they are designed to work in.
      If you have a stock bike you may see a small improvement, but again its where the reed is designed to work.
as an example, alot of guys don't like the boyesen reeds and block for their 500's.  They are a dual stage reed with a soft inner reed and a stiffer reed on the 2nd stageor outside the soft reed.   The boyesen also has about 3/4 the area of a v-force that helps keep the velocity of the air fuel mixture high to aid in filling the cylinder at low engine speeds.
  The soft inner reed has good throttle response and is great for bottom end riding ( tight single track)
I use them and work great for me.  Guys who ride the desert or dunes probably won't or don't like the setup as it lacks the top end they spend alot of their riding time in.
  They most often use a V-force set up. large stiff carbon reeds will maintain their shape and continue to operate at a rev range my boyesen would be fluttering (or Bouncing off the reed block) . 

 I'm sorry I don't know how else I can help.   
Let us know what you decided to do and how its working out.
   Take Care,
      Tuck\o/

Vforce is actually pretty soft...    just doesnt flutter due to not having to open as far because of surface area...


The main question to ask you isnt what reeds do for performance..

its what they do for LACK OF performance..

If your reeds in your bike are more than 2 season's old..   (My kind of season).    Replace them.. they are worn out...

Reeds are a Tuning Item, and a WEAR ITEM...   like chain and sprockets...



Yes the Vforce will give better crisp'er throttle over the stock cage...   But if your not a Good Tuner....  your wastin your money, as you will see better HP etc gains from JETTING THE BIKE CORRECTLY....   soooooo many people ask me.. "what pipe, what reeds, what $$$$ can I spend"   Yet they wont spend the time to get the jetting correct, and find the 10HP they are already down on...   but are spending $100's of dollars to find 2-3HP...

[Friar-Tuck]

  Well Said!   
  Excellent advice for a young Ice Racer! 
   

[kx10013]

Getting the jetting right for the winter a MUST. I'll try many different mains until you get that right response for sometimes -30 degrees out here. I already have a few jet kits,
That's why I was wondering for reeds next. After this winter I want to get a
Pipe for it though.