"Is there any such thing as cheap power. We cut through the bullshit and put claims to the test to tell you how to get the most go from your dough

There is only one commonality between every single motorcycle ever made: They are never Fast enough. Whether it's your first DT50 or the latest ZX-1 OR, it feels fast at first, but you always end up craving an even bigger hit of horsepower.

If your catalogue cruising is backed up by offshore bank accounts and invitation-only credit cards, then the world is your factory spec oyster.

However, if the only thing lining your wallet is a three year old condom, power prospecting can be a prohibitively pricey proposition. Even the first stages of tuning don't come cheap. End cans can cost over £400, yet rarely deliver more than 4bhp, and a full system with the necessary fuelling adjustments and set-up can easily break £1000 - for no more than 10bhp. There's a vague pattern here; one horsepower for every £100 spent. There are plenty of products on the market offering cheaper power increases, but most are clouded by hype. We gathered together a wide range of products for a controlled, scientific dyno and road test to find some conclusive answers.

The products varied from the controversial Suzuki TRE de-restrictor, to Rock Oil's latest race oil, to a never-before-tested-on-bikes engine cleaning treatment. The products were fitted by a trained mechanic at Powerhouse Motorcycles in Ashford, road tested by Jamie and Moby, then dyno tested on Powerhouse's latest spec Dynojet 250 rolling road under controlled temperature conditions.

BIKE PROFILES

We used one very recent bike and a second hand bike in order to test a greater variety of parts and give more of you something to relate to. We were also keen to see whether it was easier or harder to get power from different age bikes.

MOBY'S 2OO3 YAMAHA R1 Power-train Spec changes: Yoshimura Tri-Oval titanium end can Standard air filter. Castro! R4 oil, 4,500 miles oid. Odo: 8,500mi!es

JAMIE’S 1998 SUZUKI GSX-A750 Power-train Spec changes: Yoshimura RS3 stainless steel end can K&N air filter. Mobil 4T racing oil, 2000 miles old. Odo: 19,000 miles

ROCK OIL XRP
THE CLAIMS
XRP is a ground breaking racing lubricant that releases up to 5% more power by reducing oil drag on moving internals. That equates to 6-8bhp across these bikes. XRP is also claimed to offer protection for your engine equal to a regular road oil. This is down to the fully synthetic base stocks that are combined with custom additives.

RESULTS
We were surprised when the R1 only made 1bhp more at peak and 0.3bhp in the mid-range. To give it another chance, we tried XRP in the GSX-R. It had been running Mobil Racing oil, so the resulting 0.5bhp at peak is not unreasonable.

MANUFACTURER COMMENTS.
Although lower than the usual net gain, we are delighted that the test does validate the benefits of XRR These benefits are provided with all manufacturers' approvals & specifications making XRP suitable for both race and road use.'

If you add XRP when servicing your bike, the £10 premium over normal oil is worth it even for these small gains. And you can tell your mates you're running 'race-spec' oil.
£10 per bhp

ALDON OCTANE BOOSTER
THE CLAIMS
Octane Booster is a liquid fuel additive that increases the octane rating of your fuel. Regular unleaded is 95ron, Super is 98ron; Octane Booster can give 103ron, or more. Higher octane fuel is necessary in very high compression or turbo charged engines to provide a stable burn for the fuel mixture. However, the packaging claims that it 'induces higher power' and many people believe it can improve the performance of even a standard bike.

RESULTS
Nothing, nicht, zip. In fact, the bike dropped 0.5bhp at peak power revs of 11,500rpm and 0.2bhp 8,500rpm. The graph also become a little more ragged.

MANUFACTURER COMMENTS
A highly tuned bike would have benefited from Octane Booster as standard fuel limits power. We have also seen excellent results in turbo charged engines.'

VERDICT
If you run a turbo or very highly tuned bike, then give this a go as it's proven to work well in that application. Standard bikes don't need it.
NO GAIN

BMC AIR FILTER
THE CLAIMS
BMC air filters use F1 technology and cotton construction to ensure a higher airflow than original paper filters. BMC air filters claim a significant increase in air flow and instant power increase. MANUFACTURER

COMMENTS
Our extensive testing has shown that BMC air filters can deliver increases of up to 3.6bhp in the R1, through increased air flow rate performance. We were unable to get accurate data on the BMC air filter as normal static dynos cannot replicate the full forced air pressure that the airbox and filter are designed to suit. We will, however, be running an even more scientific test in the future to provide irrefutable answers to the effectiveness of aftermarket air filters on power output.
NO RESULT

TIMING RETARD ELIMINATION FROM HPS      
THE CLAIMS
Injected Suzukis are restricted with retarded ignition in the first four gears. The TRE quickly plugs into the wiring loom using OE connectors and removes that restriction using an electrical resistor to alter the signal. Two models are available one for the earliest injected Suzukis, and another for later models. Ensure you get the right one, as the other will cost you power (as much as 3bhp).

On a dyno the bike should rev up quicker and perhaps make a little more power. On the road it's claimed that first to fourth will feel much more aggressive, throttle response will be improved and engine braking characteristics will be smoothed out.

RESULTS
This is the quickest and easiest, if not quite the cheapest power on test. The GSX-R made more power from idle to the redline with a difference of 1,7bhp at peak, but 2.3bhp at 1 1,300rpm and a steady 1-2bhp all the way through. The bike feels more lively to ride, with sharper throttle response at all revs.

MANUFACTURER COMMENTS
We're delighted with the results from your test of the TRE unit. We're have sold well over a thousand to many customers.'

Excellent results for the cost and ease of fitting. Double check your bike's fitment, then enjoy the gains:
£26 PER BHP

FACTORY IGNITION ADVANCER FROM HPS
THE CLAIMS
Advancing your ignition takes advantage of the high quality of European fuel to make more power. Many bikes are built to run on crap fuel to be safe. It fits on the end of the crank beneath the starter motor gear covers. It's a ten minute job if you're handy with spanners and the advancer is usually supplied with the necessary gaskets.

RESULTS
This was one of the best products on test. Not only did it give the SRAD 1 bhp at peak, it also delivered an impressive 2bhp at 8,000rpm and 2bhp at the redline so the bike hangs onto its power better. It was one of only three products to achieve a tangible benefit on the road. The bike has an extra edge in the mid-range and noticeably howls up to the limiter with less tail off.

MANUFACTURER COMMENTS
We have been selling these for a long time with an excellent level of customer satisfaction. We're really pleased with the performance of the Factory Ignition Advancer in your test.' Factory's Ignition Advancer is an excellent upgrade for suitable bikes, giving noticeable, usable power for a bargain price.

Highly recommended.
£22 PER BHP

SPLITFIRE TRIPLE PLATINUM PLUGS
THE CLAIMS
SplitFire plugs use a patented split 'V contact to generate a twin radial arc spark from the electrode. This helps expose the flame kernel to the fuel/air mixture encouraging a larger, more aggressive burn for a more complete combustion cycle. It's claimed that these plugs require less voltage to fire, helping to optimise cold starts and overtaking power.

SplitFire offers a 30-day Money Back Guarantee with no mileage limit if you don't feel any improvement in performance.

RESULTS
We fitted them to the GSX-R - which was previously running standard NGK CR9Es -and it delivered a consistent 1bhp less in the upper rev-range.

MANUFACTURER COMMENTS
Splitfire Platinum plugs are extra sensitive to gap settings, and may need adjusting for the best results. These plugs are used by many top race teams, and have been tested extensively and successfully.'

VERDICT
Don't expect to drop them in and get instant gains. Gapping needs expertise and specialist tools.
NO GAIN

ECOTEK POWER ROOST
THE CLAIMS
PowerBoost is an engine internal cleaner for all four-strokes. Its blend of biodegradable chemicals uses engine heat to remove carbon, gum and varnish residues.

For the maximum benefits, the engine should be treated every 12,000 miles. Application is simple: Spray the treatment under the air filter with the engine running quickly. Allow it to idle for two minutes, then thrash it round the block to clear it out.

RESULTS
We're very impressed. Both bikes get thrashed so deposit build up will be minimal compared to a steadily ridden commuter.

Nevertheless, the R1 found 1 bhp at  peak and 1.5bhp in the mid-range. The GSX-R750 yielded 1.6bhp at peak power and an impressive 2bhp at 8,500rpm. Both bikes run smoother and the GSX-R starts much better from cold.

MANUFACTURER COMMENTS
The improvements to cold starting and smooth running were as expected, but we were really pleased to see such good power gains on well-thrashed bikes. Any workhorse bike of higher mileage can be expected to give even better improvements. Overall, we're delighted with the results and the value that PowerBoost offers.

VERDICT

PowerBoost is highly recommended. It delivered some of the best power and running gains of the day for just £27.50 per bike.

A winner. £15 per bhp!

CONCLUSION

The TRE does work. Fit one to your bike, but check the fitment carefully with HPS. The Factory Ignition Advancer was also a success. It made the bike feel significantly faster when pinned through the gears.

Our other favourite was Ecotek Power Boost. If it works this well on thrashed engines, just imagine what it can do if you commute on your bike.

The Rock Oil also produced a small gain, and is worth using because it costs little more than regular oil. Between these four products the GSX-R gained up to 5bhp from 8-13,000 rpm, for £142.

Other products gave less impressive results. The Aidon Octane Booster requires other tuning work Co be of benefit. The Splitfire spark plugs did disappointingly little, but trial and error adjustment of the spark gap may improve results. The BMC filter test was inconclusive, but we'll be studying it more soon."

FAST BIKES Magazine issue May 2004