THE MYSTERY OF THE POWERBAND? THEY DO NOT EXIST!

joeyputt

The green flag sets me free
This has got to be the single largest mystery in the motorcycle world and as hard as I have tried to leave this subject alone I have to hear what all of you think about where this NON EXISTANT part could have originated and why so many people actually believe in them?

Let me explain a little further...As a motorcycle enthusiast I have been hearing about "power bands" since I was a child...as a dirt bike/atv rider the first thing I always hear when someone starts asking about a machine is "what kind of powerband does it have"...or I see bikes for sale listed with wording like "new powerband" or "aftermarket race powerband" etc....as a shop owner people bring their machines in and when I ask them what it is doing I hear "I think the powerband is broke"...

As in a physical part a "power band" DOES NOT EXIST! I have had this discussion with many close friends and have yet to find anyone that actually knows this...? As the belief in powerbands as an actual part is so great and most all motorcyclists believe in them I find myself having to open this discussion for input from fellow members!

What is a powerband...? Not to be confused with a power valve which acts to vary the height and width of the exhaust port, a "powerband" is a measurement and is not a part and is the range of rpms in which the engine makes good power. Say a 2 stroke engine, just for example, has a range of 0 - 10,000 rpm and makes a lot of power from 6000 - 7500 rpm...then from 6000 - 7500rpm is the "powerband".

The only thing that I can think of as reasoning behind this belief in a non existant part coming to life is that a 4 stroke engines makes good power all the way through the rpm range and gradually increases and falls where a 2 stroke engine makes nearly no power through most of its rpm range and only makes strong power through a short rpm range and when you come into this rpm range it makes a lot of power all of a sudden and feels like a burst of power...this burst of power is what everyone refers to as the "powerband kicking in" which in the sense of using the terminology that a powerband is a measurement is correct...using the term "powerband" in referance to an actual part or some kind of turbo or supercharger is wrong.

Like I said I just thought it was agood subject and am curious as to what you think! I have seriously only come across a very small group of people that actually know this! Curiously many 4 stroke bike builders and engine professionals are not even aware of this information so I have to know what your thoughts are on this subject! And for those of you that did not already know this go have some fun and tell your buddies that your truck, car, lawnmower, and weed eater have a powerband!
 
im pretty sure 90 percent of people on this site understand this.


still, its fun to laugh at the people who dont.

kind of like the guys who think "loud exhaust= more power!"

usually the SAME people.
 
Yeah I have never heard of people thinking powerbands are actual parts on a motorcycle.

Where are you from again? .... figures...


J/K
 
Hahaha. I've never heard anyone refer to it as an actual part. I'm going to start telling the wife I need to replace that while I'm changing her headlight fluid. ;D
 
This has to be a joke.

I have never heard someone refer to a powerband as a physical part.... EVER

Coming from the world of 2-strokes i know the exist but on in the seat of the riders pants ;)
 
revheadgl said:
Ha ha!


We used to send the apprentices and work experience students to the workshop or spares and tell them to ask for a powerband.... hilarious.

Others were, sky hooks, racing air, left handed screwdrivers etc

dont forget your muffler bearings, piston slicer, cylinder grommets, and wire threaders.
 
First time I ever heard of anyone referring to a powerband as a phsyical object. Sounds like you hang around with some pretty dim people.
 
You are kidding right? Of course they exist.

I was in a shop a long time ago that had three or four large thick rubber bands of different sizes hanging on a special hook marked "powerbands". One was marked low speed, another Hot Street, Racing etc. Hilarious.

Is it a part? let's not be silly. Does it exist? Of course.

It can be defined in general terms as the operating range where the motor is making effective power. There is a more correct definition, but that's close enough for government work.

In other words it is the range over which the engine is making say 80% or more of peak power.

I have seen it described as the RPM range between peak Torque and Peak HP, but that's a very narrow definition if you'll pardon the pun.

So an engine with a wide flat power curve is said to have a wide powerband. A motor that is very peaky and dops off sharply after the peak is said to have a narrow powerband.

Does it exist? of course it does.

You were kidding right? You did know that? Please tell me you did.
No? Say no more.
 
powerband.jpg


http://kalecoauto.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=30

Proof without a doubt that powerbands are not only REAL, but can be adjusted to fit the desired need at the time. HA! Sit on that fu*kers!!!
 
teazer said:
You are kidding right? Of course they exist.

I was in a shop a long time ago that had three or four large thick rubber bands of different sizes hanging on a special hook marked "powerbands". One was marked low speed, another Hot Street, Racing etc. Hilarious.

Is it a part? let's not be silly. Does it exist? Of course.

It can be defined in general terms as the operating range where the motor is making effective power. There is a more correct definition, but that's close enough for government work.

In other words it is the range over which the engine is making say 80% or more of peak power.

I have seen it described as the RPM range between peak Torque and Peak HP, but that's a very narrow definition if you'll pardon the pun.

So an engine with a wide flat power curve is said to have a wide powerband. A motor that is very peaky and dops off sharply after the peak is said to have a narrow powerband.

Does it exist? of course it does.

You were kidding right? You did know that? Please tell me you did.
No? Say no more.



Did you not read my original post? Of course I know that...you just repeated everything I said?...the two of us actually agreeing on something does surprise me a little though! hehehehe!
 
It's very important to match your power band to other components, such as aftermarket piston return springs and (especially) hi-po muffler bearings.
 
Hoofhearted said:
First time I ever heard of anyone referring to a powerband as a phsyical object.

+1
This is a first for me. ...speechless...
 
Snowmobiles have em...

0.jpg


Harleys have em...

0804_hbkp_04_z+2006_harley_davidson_mgs_street_glide+hightech_products_trio_open_belt_drive_primary.jpg



I know what you mean about the where the power comes in at what revs. Never herd of a "Power band" as a part before...
 
Shit... then what the hell did I buy this for???

powerband.jpg


;D

In all seriousness, anyone who's into motorsport will generally understand this. My Aprilia RS125, for example, had a very narrow powerband that ran from 7,500rpm until 10,000rpm. Under this range it was an absolute slug, but get 7.5k on the tach and you'd have a brilliant, crisp surge towards the 11k redline. Shifting at 10.5k saw the best forward momentum and brought you back to 8k in the next gear, ready to start all over again.

Cheers - boingk
 
Back
Top Bottom