2023 PCX 125 upgrades for acceleration and smoother operation

[Woodyharrison13]

Hi all, newbie here. o/

I’ve been a PCX owner for about three weeks, lovely machine.
I was wondering if anyone could point me in the direction for transmission upgrades for the 2023 model, that would deliver some more acceleration and less vibration from the belt/ variator?
I’m not particularly fussed with getting more top speed out of the bike because i’m a new rider and ‘try’ to behave according to the UK speed limits. But think having a bit more zip on take off would be beneficial to when pulling on roundabouts and junctions.

The polini 9 roller variator looked great but apparently they don’t make them for my bikes manufacture year.

Any help or advice would be great
Woody

[waspmike]

I'm biased but I would go with J Costa. Same acceleration 2 up as stock solo! Much better roll-on i.e. out of roundabouts, corners and uphill. May even surprise a PCX 160

[Woodyharrison13]

yes, so far I’ve only found the J Costa to be compatible and will give it some thought. Would my stock belt and clutch be okay with the variator? Cheers Wasp

[waspmike]

Your bike at only a few weeks will be OK. The pulley angle on J Costa is narrower. 13.5 ° vs. 15° so it will take about 400kms to basically wear the belt to suit the pulley to get full benefit.
New belt according to Honda service interval.

[waspmike]

If in double fit a new belt. Depends how many kms on the old one.

[Conelite]

Why not just do a simple weight swap. This will net you more aggressive acceleration. Not sure about decreasing vibration. Probably make it worse since the engine would be revving higher.

Stock is something like 17gram weights. Drop them to 13g and you will notice the difference. I run 10.25G weight and it accelerates like a bat outta hell.

[Woodyharrison13]

Why not just do a simple weight swap. This will net you more aggressive acceleration. Not sure about decreasing vibration. Probably make it worse since the engine would be revving higher.

Stock is something like 17gram weights. Drop them to 13g and you will notice the difference. I run 10.25G weight and it accelerates like a bat outta hell.

I should have a J costa variator & clutch tool arriving today, I just hope the rain stays away after work.

My pcx has done 1,175km since I have owned it, so I should be just past it’s breaking in stage. Glad to hear the stock belt will be compatible. Just looked at the seller and I will be getting two sets of weights 11G and 12G… so maybe start with the 12?

[Woodyharrison13]

Your bike at only a few weeks will be OK. The pulley angle on J Costa is narrower. 13.5 ° vs. 15° so it will take about 400kms to basically wear the belt to suit the pulley to get full benefit.
New belt according to Honda service interval.

Or would you recommend a new belt with my current one sitting at just over 1,000km?

Oh and do you know how long the Costa weights last for on average? I know it would depend on the users operation of the bike but it would be useful to know a mileage milestone when to check and maintain the transmission and catch the wear before running it too far with spent weights.

[waspmike]

Damn travelling will a phone so pecking away at the screen. I was sure I touched the post reply.
The 12g weights are for the 150 the 11g are for your 125
You maybe disappointed if you use the 12g. The instructions will tell you.
Weight wear interval will be around 10,000kms for the 125/150. Again instructions will tell you.
After fitting if you don't smile after 400 metres of testing, send it back

[waspmike]

Woody
Your rpm will be higher when coming out of a roundabout but will be slightly lower than stock when cruising. Unlike Conelite above who is riding around town on a chainsaw.

[Woodyharrison13]

Woody
Your rpm will be higher when coming out of a roundabout but will be slightly lower than stock when cruising. Unlike Conelite above who is riding around town on a chainsaw.

Okay, I’m waiting for the clutch removal tool so can’t fit it yet. But cheers for letting me know the weights and the CC use.. I probably would have put the 12g ones in.

Time will tell, I won’t put the stock parts away when the costa is in…

Chainsaws… I always wanted to somehow attach my Echo chainsaw to my carbon road bike. Be like a 2 stroke Kawazaki

[Conelite]

Unlike Conelite above who is riding around town on a chainsaw.

He aint lying lol. I like aggressive acceleration. People in California drive crazy!

[Woodyharrison13]

J costa variator is installed and have noticed a great increase in acceleration and smoother ride. I may have lost 1mph on top speed but I’m not grumbling. The bike has got more of a smiley chimpanzee factor now

[waspmike]

Wait about 400kms until the belt wears in.
Another happy customers
Been around any roundabouts yet.

[Woodyharrison13]

Wait about 400kms until the belt wears in.
Another happy customers
Been around any roundabouts yet.

Yeah it’s much nicer on the roundabouts now. Haven’t got enough time to peel the bananas now.

So you were saying the 10g Costa weights are no good on the 125?

[Woodyharrison13]

Wait about 400kms until the belt wears in.
Another happy customers
Been around any roundabouts yet.

Yeah it’s much nicer on the roundabouts now. Haven’t got enough time to peel the bananas now.

So you were saying the 10g Costa weights are no good on the 125?

I meant 12G on the spare weights

[waspmike]

Wait about 400kms until the belt wears in.
Another happy customers
Been around any roundabouts yet.

Yeah it’s much nicer on the roundabouts now. Haven’t got enough time to peel the bananas now.

So you were saying the 10g Costa weights are no good on the 125?

No. Your 1 mph max speed will come back after the belt is able to find it's max. position.
11g is good for 125. If you must, eventually you can use the 12g. But you will lose optimum performance.

[Woodyharrison13]

Wait about 400kms until the belt wears in.
Another happy customers
Been around any roundabouts yet.

Yeah it’s much nicer on the roundabouts now. Haven’t got enough time to peel the bananas now.

So you were saying the 10g Costa weights are no good on the 125?

No. Your 1 mph max speed will come back after the belt is able to find it's max. position.
11g is good for 125. If you must, eventually you can use the 12g. But you will lose optimum performance.

After some more miles/kms the belt feels more with it, there seems to be less vibration when cruising within 19-25mph and still loving the faster take off.

[waspmike]

It might be the roll-on for urban overtaking you notice most. That and the roundabout exits.
I've got tiny 11g weights in my Zoomer but it is bored to 125-ish so I need heavier and don't know if they still make then. So I'm a bit revvy around town for shopping.. I'll have to fire up my PC and check an old application list. Their latest version for Vision uses fewer larger weights.