Sluggish Raptor

[JTRAPTOR660]

I HAVE AN 03 RAPTOR660 THATS FEELS SLUGGISH. WOULD PUTTING A NEW PISTON AND RINGS IN IT GIVE IT THE PEP IT ONCE HAD AND HOW MUCH WOULD SOMETHING LIKE THAT COST? ALSO WHAT BRAND OF PISTON WOULD BE BEST?

[suzukiray]

Hi JT! I would put a 12.0 to 1 or 12.5 to 1 CP piston in it with just a port clean up job. If you can afford to go big I would go the 727 piston as there is just NO replacement for DISplacement! PM me if you want specifics on the pistons as I used to work at CP. They by FAR have the best pistons on the market! Ray.

[JTRAPTOR660]

THANKS FOR THE ADVICE RAY. IM REALLY WANTING TO STAY WITH THE STOCK DISPLACEMENT. I WILL LOOK INTO THE CP PISTONS. HOW MUCH DOES ONE RUN AND TO STAY WITH THE STOCK DISPLACEMENT WICH ONE WOULD BE GOOD. ALSO WILL THIS PUT THE PEP IN BACK IN MY BIKE.

[250X_project]

Wooooo. Hold on. Loss of pep, can be a number of things. Have you tried any quick fixes yet? How does it run(despite lack of power)? Hows the plug look? Have you adjusted the valves? Do you change the oil and the air filter often? Also I would check eBay for pistons, I like Wiseco. But, yes a new piston will give the pep back (better than new depending on piston) IF that is the matter.

Did you buy the Raptor new?

[JTRAPTOR660]

thnx for the advice. yes i bought the bike new back in 03. i have had all the valves done regularly as well as oil changes. i havent check the plug yet but im not sure if that will cause the lack in power. but i will be in the market soon for a new piston kit. what size or compression would you recommend. 12-1 12.5-1????

[250X_project]

It could deffinently be in store for a top end then. Anything above 11:1 calls for race gas. I don't know what is stock compression for the Raptor.

[JTRAPTOR660]

thnx for the info youve been a huge help.

[JTRAPTOR660]

if i go with a 11:1 will i be able to use pump gas and will i be able to run the bike the way it is without a larger radiator. i dont want any overheating problems.

[oldskoolex400]

on liquid cooled bikes you can run 12:1 i believe on pump gas

on my 400ex(air cooled) i ran 11:1 on 93 oct.

[JTRAPTOR660]

thnx again

[speedfreaksguy]

You may want to clean the carbs and check the clutch before ripping into it. I'd hate to see you rebuild it only to find out it still runs the same.

[trailwart]

whats your compression. that should tell you a little. make your your air filter is clean, i have seen machines that were all choked up with clogged filters.

[rooster300ex]

First of all is it burning oil? Before busting it apart and putting a new piston in clean the air filter,new plug,clean carb, all that good stuff.

[JTRAPTOR660]

the carbs have never been off the bike and i just had a new hinson clutch kit and basket put in it about 6 months ago and the bike has had little use since.

[oldskoolex400]

6 months ago and the bike has had little use since.



well that right there tells me the carbs need cleaning

[250X_project]

Yeah you may need a carb cleaning. It's hard to say w/o seeing/ hearing for myself... Running a compression test would be the best thing to do, your manual will tell you the right rating. Just warm it up to normal operating temp, Shut it down, Open the throttle and let it crank with the tester in the plug hole.... see what you get ;)

You should be able to run premium pump on an 11:1 with no cooling issues

[rooster300ex]

Yea clean the carbs. Its not hard to do just get some carb & choke cleaner,tiny tiny wire and compressed air and blow it out.

[JTRAPTOR660]

will i have to break the carbs apart.

[250X_project]

Actually we would rather you didn't break anything. :D Your best bet is to take the carbs right off and remove the bowls and floats. Clean out the jets and all orifices.

[JTRAPTOR660]

ok so i need to pull the carbs from the motor and then pull the bowls off. will anything fall out?:D

[rooster300ex]

The carbs might have a piece of plastic that fits over the mainjet, but just take the bowls off real slow up right and see how it goes back on. Simple as can be to do.

[JTRAPTOR660]

ok thanks for the info u have been very helpful. i will be trying to clean the carbs tomarrow.