Here at Rips & Rides we’re big fans of scooters of all types. It’s those fun and exciting 50cc scooters that hold a special place in our hearts.
One problem that people have with 50cc scooters is that they might not be fast enough for what people are looking for (are 50cc scooters worth it?).
If you want a scooter that’s lightweight, fun to ride, and easy to maintain – a 50cc scooter is going to be perfect.
The problem arises when you want something quicker without having to buy a new scooter, like a maxi scooter for example.
This is when people start to ask – how can you make a 50cc scooter faster for free?
In this post we’re going to look at some ways to increase the speed of your 50cc scooter without spending any, or very much, of your hard-earned money.
Let’s jump right into it!
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How to Make a 50cc Scooter Faster For Free
The biggest problem with slow 50CC scooters is that they are restricted and don’t have enough horsepower. They come with a restricted engine from the factory, so new and most used 50cc scoots are slow by default.
The Easiest way to get a faster 50cc scooter is to derestrict it.
Let’s get into how to derestrict a 50cc scooter so that yours can get a little bit faster and give you more pep around town.
What is Restriction and Derestriction?
In terms of restriction, scooter manufacturers restrict their scooters so that they are kept within reasonable speeds for performance.
The restriction is also meant to comply with local scooter laws around the world.
Scooters are restricted using a restrictive washer that’s installed in the pulley rod.
This prevents the scooter from reaching high speeds, or above anything you would expect a 50cc scooter to achieve.
Other common scooter restrictions include:
- Limiting fuel flow by using a smaller carburetor jet
- Electronic restrictions not restrict the engine to a specific RPM, preventing it from reaching higher speeds
- An oversized boss that’s installed in the variator system, which prevents the gear ratios from utilizing their full range
In terms of derestriction, this is when you remove or alter any one of these components to increase the speed of your 50cc scooter.
Derestricting a scooter will help it reach a higher speed and boost engine performance overall.
The easiest way to derestrict your 50cc scooter is to remove any one of these restrictive Parts.
This would include the restrictive washer, the small carburetor jet, dummy pipes in the exhaust, replacing the electronically Limited CDI, increasing the length of the exhaust manifolds, Etc.
There are plenty of helpful videos online that will teach you how to derestrict a 50cc scooter.
Most of these will be specific to your particular scooter as well, making it even easier to get the job done.
How Fast Are 50cc Scooters?
Since most 50cc scooters come with a restricted engine, they are limited to a speed of 30 mph or approximately 50 kph.
This makes them well-suited for short distance and local trips in urban environments. Don’t forget to wear your scooter helmet when you’re out riding.
Removing any of the restrictions, which is called derestricting the scooter engine, will make it possible to achieve speeds up to 60 mph, or 100 kph.
This definitely gives you more speed from your scooter and helps maximize the engine performance, despite the smaller 50cc engine.
People also wonder how fast 300cc motorcycles are, so it’s not surprising that you’re concerned about your scooter speed.
How Do You Derestrict A 50cc Scooter?
Thankfully, it’s pretty easy to derestrict your 50cc scooter on your own.
Assuming you have some basic tools, like wrenches, and you understand how the scooters variator system works – you’ll be able to DIY this project.
Tools You’ll Need
- Impact wrench
- Strap wrench
- Screwdriver
- Socket wrench
Instructions for Making Your 50cc Scooter Faster:
- Start by locating the kickstand on the side of your scooter. Remove the pin that attaches the kickstand to the scooters body. This is easy to do by loosening the bolt and removing the kickstand pin.
- Next, you’ll want to find the variator system. This is usually located underneath a plastic intake cover and it’s as easy as finding the carburetor. Take the intake cover off and the variator system should be exposed. It’s going to look like a long tubular device. Definitely Google to to make sure you are working on the right thing.
- Using your strap wrench, secure the front wheel pulley so that it doesn’t rotate. Wrap the strap around the pulley wheel end position the wrenches handle underneath the rear pulley system. This will Jam the wheel so you can unscrew the bolt that is keeping the wheel secured.
- At this point you want to disengage the front pulley wheel. This is done using a socket wrench to remove the bolt that holds the front wheel pulley. This is what limits how fast the scooter can go when you start the engine. Once you loosen the pulley wheel, the pulley belt will start to move freely.
- You should see a washer at the front pulley rod. This washer is what restricts your 50cc scooters speed. Remove this washer and dispose of it.
- Put everything back together the way you took it apart. As we mentioned, it’s a good idea to refer to YouTube on how to follow through with this process. When everything is back together, fire up the scooter and check its top speed – you should definitely see an improvement.
It’s worth mentioning that removing the washer isn’t going to increase the engine capacity of your scooter.
You’re still going to have a 50cc scooter. However, the engine will perform better and you’ll be able to reach a higher speed.
It’s also a good idea to replace the carburetors main jet so that you can have more fuel supply as the derestricted engine will be running at higher revs and using more air.
Is it Illegal to Derestrict a 50cc Scooter?
No, it’s not illegal to derestrict your 50cc scooter.
Depending on where you’re from, it may be unlawful for your scooter to achieve speeds over 30 mph.
Some countries and US states, like Georgia for example, require you to have a motorcycle license if your vehicle is exceeding these speeds.
As long as you’re careful with your riding and follow the rules of the road, it’s unlikely you’ll ever get caught with your derestricted 50cc scooter.
Final Thoughts: Should You Derestrict Your Scooter?
Ultimately, it’s your choice as to whether or not you want to derestrict your scooter.
It’s likely that this will shorten the lifespan of the scooter engine but you will have more fun with a faster, better performance engine overall.
Don’t forget to mention that you performed this modification whenever you plan on selling your scooter to another person.
If you are planning to keep riding it, avoid bad riding habits and it is unlikely that you’ll ever get caught.
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