What's a scooter governor, and do I want to remove it?

Question

I'm driving an 2005 Omni OMX-600. It's a little two-stroke engine and usually getes 40mph tops. (Spec to get 45). I'm still breaking it in though, so I don't open the throttle up all the way.

I've been reading about these governors on scooters like that limit the speed, or at least limit the max RPM of the engine.

Can someone help me know how these things work, and what the pros and cons are of removing / modifying one?

It seems that making the max RPM higher could hurt the engine, even if it did allow me to go a bit faster.

If I was going to remove it, how would I go about doing it? It seems that these governors take different forms sometimes.

What do you think?

Answer 1

I think that usually you won't gain enough to make it worthwhile to remove any governor. They are put there for a reason and usually it's to keep the user from taking the engine to extremes that would either make it dangerous to operate or take the engine into areas of operation that would shorten the life of certain parts or the engine itself. Personally I don't think you'll get that much more performance to risk all the things you would be risking by circumventing it. Also remember that your engine was factory tuned to run based upon it's interaction with other engine parts. To change that operation could also throw off another part of the engine also.

Answer 2

What size is the engine? Most scooter engine, unlike two stroke racing dirt bikes, don't have that mean power curve halfway through the rpm. It is usually the ignition timing as well as the engine port timing that prevents this from economy 2 strokes.

However, check the following:

Carb-look for anything that may restrict the intake. If you remove it, make sure you re-jet the engine to be richer to compensate for the more air entering.

Airbox-I removed the air box from my 50cc pit bike and picked up loads of bottem snap and all around power. I am still running a filter though.

For the ignition, I don't recomend you do anything to it.

Answer 3

A governor can be an obstruction in the exhaust pipe, just where it joins the engine. This limits the way your engine breathes, cutting acceleration and top speed. Take the exhaust pipe off the engine, you can see if the diameter of the exhaust is less than the engine port. We used to hacksaw off the ring washer they had spot-welded in there. (But this is in the Bad Old Days)

You may need to increase the main jet size in the carburettor afterwards. And tell your insurance company of course.

Answer 4

It could be a restrictor in the exhaust, but most likely it is a small wire that you have to cut on your CDI box, and I don't recommend doing it. If you want more speed but want to stay with the 49cc, get aftermarket rollerweights, a kevlar belt, and a clutch/pulley kit. this will get you upwards of an extra 10-15 mph. Or you could go all out and get a 70cc kit for it, but then you cross the line into "illegal". I have several scooters, one of which is a Vento Triton R4, and with the kit, i've been clocked at just over 70mph.

Answer 5

It is definitely there for numerous reasons. If your Omni is under warrenty, that will be voided.

I remember the governers on Uhual trucks the most. They are there for safety reasons and to protect their equipment. I'm sure that a vehicle with a governer would probably get better insurance rates...

I am not a "governer expert" so I have no clue how to remove one or where it is located. If you take it off, you will get worse gas mileage. The breaking system is only made for 40 MPH. (i guess). So, if you go faster and break, your breaks will wear faster or you might just lose control and kill yourself...

Answer 6

There may be a rev limiter on ignition side but its more likely designed to run at certain speed and you cant change gearing on the CVT automatics. (you may be able to get a higher profile tyre but it may make bike unstable and/or have clearance issues)
On Yamaha's here is a purple wire at ignition box which can be disconnected to allow engine to rev higher.It voids warranty and is illegal in most countries where moped/scooters are sold. (but people still do it and live with the consequences) other thing to do is reduce friction so engine revs higher, but it wears out quicker

Answer 7

a governor is like what they call a "rev limiter". Some fast streetcars have this. It is so you will not over rev the motor. Anytime you remove something from the factory you are modifying it and so you will have to do something else to compensate for how the factory had it set up, so I would leave it be.

Answer 8

It is a device that kicks in when you reach a certain speed that doesn't allow u to go any faster.

Pro - Might go 10 mph faster
Con - Would tarnish the warranty or may even void it completely
Con - U have a wreck that kills someone and they will sue that you disengaged the governor

Answer 9

It's there to keep the motor from over revving. Leave it alone.