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2002 Suzuki TS50X

Bertie Simmonds
April 26, 2017

Q: I’m a reader of Classic Motorcycle Magazine  and a massive fan of motorbikes. I’ve just turned 16 and got my first bike – a Suzuki TS50X and want more power. I have looked for all the restrictions on the bike, the spacer between carb and engine and removing the gasket in the exhaust but I’m also thinking about getting new reeds. I think that the porting where the exhaust goes into the engine can be made bigger but I’m not sure, any chance you can help or know of better measures for me or advice?

A:  James, I think the honest answer is that you could spend quite a long time and possibly a fair amount of cash on this and even if you could get double the power output from your engine (which I suspect is unlikely), you are only going to get another  3.9bhp. It is probably a better bet to bide your time and put the money towards a bigger bike when you turn 17 – if you can work your way through all the rules, regulations, tests and exams which are now involved in riding a motorbike. Now, it the Good Old Days… But seriously, check out next month’s supplement where we intend to try and show learners fun modern classics that can be ridden on restricted licences…

About the Author

Bertie Simmonds

As a child Bertie (well, Robert back then… blame his sister for the nickname) was exposed to motorcycles thanks to his uncles. They would show up at his house with a lovely lady as pillion throughout the 1970s and 1980s. After a naughty time on field bikes (it’s what we did back then) Bertie passed his test in the early 1990s and became a reporter for MCN in 1995, moving to the sports desk and covering World Superbikes in 1996. With a change to Bike Magazine in 1997, he stayed until 2000 as news, features and road test editor. Moving into PR with Cosworth, Bert was bored with cars and returned to bikes in 2001 with Two Wheels Only, becoming editor in 2002 and leaving to be freelance at the end of 2004. With almost a decade freelancing, Bertie joined Mortons in 2013 and became editor of Classic Motorcycle Mechanics, a post he’s desperately clung to, to this day. And no, he’s never had a pretty girl on the back of his bike. BSimmonds@mortons.co.uk

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