MXA and VP Race Fuel U4.4 "test"...

TeamGreen
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Edited Date/Time 1/17/2018 7:30pm
In the big picture: I like MXA's position on most things...

They approach their bike tests with a lot of common-sense and they try their best to look at things from a weekend-warrior/MX Racer-type perspective.

And, they (And Jimmy Lewis @ Dirt Rider) have fought the good fight on behalf of 2 strokes (Wirtness their latest test on the YZ125).

But, then they went and did their write up on VP's U4.4:

Not -ONE- reference to "Throttle Response"...as in out on the track.

Not -ONE- reference to the Engine's operating temps (especially after 30 minutes of pure abuse).

Not -ONE- test of twistin' the throttle and seein' how the bike get's outta turns, over jumps or off the gate on Race Fuel v. Pump-Gas...WTF?

No re-mapping or re-jetting for a different fuel? (Don't laugh...that's how it's done at your favorite Race Team/Engine Builder...P.C. for Example?)

The point: We tested our Yoshimura built motors on various fuels (EFI-No crazy compression: Our 450 is 13.5:1). We've run a few different race fuels and pump-gas.

Pump gas works; but, It doesn't let the motor "do it's thing" like race fuel does. Period. With pump gas the motor never get's as much "snap" as with U4.4 and that seems to matter on techincal jumps and features where the rider needs the motor to respond quickly (Like jumps right at the exit of a turn). This includes mapping for pump gas...still....it's jus' not the same. Riders say it (pump) feels "flat" compared to other fuels & this is "blind" testing between the various fuels.

With U4.4 throttle response is instantaneous and the bike accelerates harder and quicker (Where's the comment on that application in their article?).

Also, our bike runs cooler and...beieve it or not...valve wear & maintenance seems improved. Engine internals are cleaner, too, when we disassemble our race engines.

Btw, we run a map that Yosh built that WILL run on pump; also, we have run maps spec'd for pump fuel.

We've tried other Race fules, too. Just one catch: The Price...which they also harped on...in a magazine that'll praise a $1000 pipe. I don't know how many folks have paid $15/Gallon for U4.4...but...I asked a few locals and they're payin' around $65-70 a can (In the blue steel VP can). I know they (VP) were pumpin' it into peoples plastic cans for $12/gallon at Mammoth. U4.4 is the CHEAPEST Race Fuel of it's kind that we've run. We want the reponse, consistency, clean burn and "snap" of a good fuel. We don't need a a lot more power...who does on a modern 450?

That said: There are ways to TEST things...and ways to NOT.

Race gas, especially in this case, is about improving the performance of your Engine. A Dyno tells the tale about Horsepower...and...Torque, too...but...as a statistic. What it doesn't tell is "how" the power is delivered and the differnece in throttle response out on the track.

This is the very same argument Doug Dubach makes about pipes: "Dyno's jus' give you numbers."

Mitch Payton has said that Race Fuel is the cheapest power improver you can buy.

As to this argument when it comes to 2 strokes...again...

Go ask Mitch. He'll porbably jus' say,"C12".

I'm jus' sayin'...
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jeffseid
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7/12/2010 3:21pm
MXA is the national enquirer or motocross magazines IMO
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motokid40
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7/12/2010 3:25pm
I love VP!
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500guy
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7/12/2010 3:28pm
The only argument I will make in MXA's defense is about 1 in 1000 will actually benefit from the extra cost and effort of running race fuel.
1
Matthes
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7/12/2010 3:32pm
500guy wrote:
The only argument I will make in MXA's defense is about 1 in 1000 will actually benefit from the extra cost and effort of running race...
The only argument I will make in MXA's defense is about 1 in 1000 will actually benefit from the extra cost and effort of running race fuel.
Not true Jay, one of the biggest and easiest things to make your bike better is to get better gas. That goes from Joe Everyman to Timmy Ferry...Tongue
1

The Shop

mooch
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Fantasy
7/12/2010 3:34pm
500guy wrote:
The only argument I will make in MXA's defense is about 1 in 1000 will actually benefit from the extra cost and effort of running race...
The only argument I will make in MXA's defense is about 1 in 1000 will actually benefit from the extra cost and effort of running race fuel.
I'd agree with that as it's easy for me to realize that the pace I'm going is not limited by the gas I'm running.
Tiki
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7/12/2010 3:34pm
VP has cost me more then the price of fuel. All the precautions I have taken to clean the motor and carb still were not good enough. If I could do it over, I would never put that in my bike. Never again under any circumstance. Smells great and does add to the power, the repercussions I have felt in using it have been painful. Two rebuilds and the memory of U4 still haunts.

Granted I did a sloppy job of removing it from the bike, though the buildup in the smallest of places has just been a huge pain in the arse.
TeamGreen
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7/12/2010 3:35pm
500guy wrote:
The only argument I will make in MXA's defense is about 1 in 1000 will actually benefit from the extra cost and effort of running race...
The only argument I will make in MXA's defense is about 1 in 1000 will actually benefit from the extra cost and effort of running race fuel.
Let's take a smart race dad like James Howell, Austin Howell's dad: he has P.C. race engines runnin' MR-12/C-16 (aka the Pro-Circuit "mix") and practice bikes(stockers) runnin' pump.

He KNOWS the difference and their results show it.
Cygnus
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7/12/2010 3:35pm
I will have to say I feel the lead in the fuel I run has a lot to do with the fact I have never had to adjust the valves in my 450.
TeamGreen
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7/12/2010 3:37pm
Tiki wrote:
VP has cost me more then the price of fuel. All the precautions I have taken to clean the motor and carb still were not good...
VP has cost me more then the price of fuel. All the precautions I have taken to clean the motor and carb still were not good enough. If I could do it over, I would never put that in my bike. Never again under any circumstance. Smells great and does add to the power, the repercussions I have felt in using it have been painful. Two rebuilds and the memory of U4 still haunts.

Granted I did a sloppy job of removing it from the bike, though the buildup in the smallest of places has just been a huge pain in the arse.
True...there's plenty of hatred for the original U4 to go around. That was 4 years ago...ya know?
TeamGreen
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7/12/2010 3:39pm
Cygnus wrote:
I will have to say I feel the lead in the fuel I run has a lot to do with the fact I have never had...
I will have to say I feel the lead in the fuel I run has a lot to do with the fact I have never had to adjust the valves in my 450.
Shhhhh!

Fool!

Don't ruin it for me!

I was waitin' to get to play that "card".

Geeeeze!

Whether it's chiks, rock-n-roll or race gas...your always ruinin' it for me!

I'm takin' my ball & leavin'!

(Did that sond like Cartman?)
Cygnus
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7/12/2010 3:40pm
Cygnus wrote:
I will have to say I feel the lead in the fuel I run has a lot to do with the fact I have never had...
I will have to say I feel the lead in the fuel I run has a lot to do with the fact I have never had to adjust the valves in my 450.
TeamGreen wrote:
Shhhhh! Fool! Don't ruin it for me! I was waitin' to get to play that "card". Geeeeze! Whether it's chiks, rock-n-roll or race gas...your always ruinin'...
Shhhhh!

Fool!

Don't ruin it for me!

I was waitin' to get to play that "card".

Geeeeze!

Whether it's chiks, rock-n-roll or race gas...your always ruinin' it for me!

I'm takin' my ball & leavin'!

(Did that sond like Cartman?)
Screw you guys I'm going home.
CamP
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7/12/2010 3:44pm
I've used a lot of different fuels and, if you are on a champagne budget, the VP stuff is the best. I'm poor so I run 100LL Avgas.
7/12/2010 3:47pm
It seems like every year VP changes the formula of the "U4" series the HP goes down and down.

We used to get almost 2HP from the stuff... now it's tenths.

Team Green you are absolutely correct... it's not about the pure HP anymore with this fuel... but the "snap". But it used to be about the HP.

But you can acheive that same "snap" with motor mods that run on pump gas. It's a catch 22. If you're going through 5 gallons a week... spend the money on motor mods first.

But without reading the article, which I haven't, it doesn't seem to me that they are off base by stating what they have seen.

Teamgreen is your first name Paul?
TeamGreen
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7/12/2010 3:47pm
CamP wrote:
I've used a lot of different fuels and, if you are on a champagne budget, the VP stuff is the best. I'm poor so I run...
I've used a lot of different fuels and, if you are on a champagne budget, the VP stuff is the best. I'm poor so I run 100LL Avgas.
If it works and you're happy, more "power" to ya!
DL
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7/12/2010 3:52pm Edited Date/Time 7/12/2010 4:37pm
I have dyno tested all the VP product and while they make a good fuel there is no question that the new line of Renegade SX4 and SX4+ out perform the VP products. FC, Star, HOT, and Factory Suzuki to name a few have all picked the SX4+ because of performance. At Rocket we have been running fuels blended by the fuel engineer for years and I credit him with giving us a performance advantage..... there are lots of politics with the fuel business but bottom line is what works. I'd sure like to see MXA do a comparison test.
CamP
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7/12/2010 3:56pm
CamP wrote:
I've used a lot of different fuels and, if you are on a champagne budget, the VP stuff is the best. I'm poor so I run...
I've used a lot of different fuels and, if you are on a champagne budget, the VP stuff is the best. I'm poor so I run 100LL Avgas.
TeamGreen wrote:
If it works and you're happy, more "power" to ya!
Yep, it works well in both 2T and 4T. Throttle response is good. The small shot of lead is good for thumper valves and allows a little more compression. 2T's always like lead, especially mod engines. 100LL contains no ethanol, which reduces corrosion issues. The best part is it sells for $3.70/gal around here so I can buy 3 gallons of 100LL for the same price as 1 gallon of VP.
500guy
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7/12/2010 8:09pm
500guy wrote:
The only argument I will make in MXA's defense is about 1 in 1000 will actually benefit from the extra cost and effort of running race...
The only argument I will make in MXA's defense is about 1 in 1000 will actually benefit from the extra cost and effort of running race fuel.
Matthes wrote:
Not true Jay, one of the biggest and easiest things to make your bike better is to get better gas. That goes from Joe Everyman to...
Not true Jay, one of the biggest and easiest things to make your bike better is to get better gas. That goes from Joe Everyman to Timmy Ferry...Tongue
Sure but I'm talking about the fact most people are looking for a gain to cover up lack of speed or physical ability .

I could run it and say yep it made the bike feel better but I would still go slow, I'd benefit from fresh tires , a salad and 45 minute work out (every day) more.
1
Blake
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7/12/2010 8:55pm
Open the throttle and use the power you already paid for.

DV is only WFO 2% of the time, so the average Joe surely isnt WFO more than that.
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dilligaf
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7/12/2010 10:28pm
The WFO example is not the best to use as there are advantages all over the place from fuels. Everyone has there opinion and that is great however I think most people get there input from others or the web! My experence has shown 90% of the people that have tested pump fuel vs the CORRECT race fuel along with having the CORRECT ignition timing and jetting/fuel maping know there's a gain and it's worth the money spent. The issue that has been raised about the gumming dramas will be there till the brand in question spends the $$ and does the correct R&D to fix it.


Before I am attacked about highjacking a post or something else... YES I do work in the fuel industry and have for many years. I am not here to point out the brand I work for just to point out a few things and HOPE to clear up a few myths about fuels.

JP
GuyB
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7/12/2010 10:36pm
Matthes wrote:
Not true Jay, one of the biggest and easiest things to make your bike better is to get better gas. That goes from Joe Everyman to...
Not true Jay, one of the biggest and easiest things to make your bike better is to get better gas. That goes from Joe Everyman to Timmy Ferry...Tongue
Does Timmy put race gas in the truck to take his kid to school? Wink
Blake
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7/12/2010 10:52pm
I'm buying some 90/10 and gonna beat bubba blindfolded.

Most people are using 20 buck a gallon fuel and some kid on a 65 blows past them. Shoulda bought the 30 dollar juice.

1
GIwasB4
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7/12/2010 10:57pm
500guy wrote:
Sure but I'm talking about the fact most people are looking for a gain to cover up lack of speed or physical ability . I could...
Sure but I'm talking about the fact most people are looking for a gain to cover up lack of speed or physical ability .

I could run it and say yep it made the bike feel better but I would still go slow, I'd benefit from fresh tires , a salad and 45 minute work out (every day) more.
Your missing the physicological aspect. All your competition is thinking the same thing. (tires, salad & workout) When you line up with the other 40+ ers and rev the bitch out so the U4 fumes waft down the starting line, you beat them.
MX is 80% mind-10% gas fumes-10% bike anyways.

1
dilligaf
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7/12/2010 11:11pm Edited Date/Time 7/12/2010 11:12pm
Blake,

Hows this sound? You're in socal and it sounds to me like yo think i'm full of $h!t about the 90% of people?? Lets go testing and YOU can be the person who says a simple $15 a gal fuel can be worth it or not!

JP
Blake
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7/12/2010 11:14pm
dilligaf wrote:
Blake, Hows this sound? You're in socal and it sounds to me like yo think i'm full of $h!t about the 90% of people?? Lets go...
Blake,

Hows this sound? You're in socal and it sounds to me like yo think i'm full of $h!t about the 90% of people?? Lets go testing and YOU can be the person who says a simple $15 a gal fuel can be worth it or not!

JP
You dont know what 90/10 fuel is and you want to talk about fuel?

FAIL
dilligaf
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7/12/2010 11:26pm
dilligaf wrote:
Blake, Hows this sound? You're in socal and it sounds to me like yo think i'm full of $h!t about the 90% of people?? Lets go...
Blake,

Hows this sound? You're in socal and it sounds to me like yo think i'm full of $h!t about the 90% of people?? Lets go testing and YOU can be the person who says a simple $15 a gal fuel can be worth it or not!

JP
Blake wrote:
You dont know what 90/10 fuel is and you want to talk about fuel?

FAIL
If you're referring to 90/10 being a fuel then I am following you. I thought it was a stab at the 90% of people that notice a gain with fuel.

On the "you want to talk about fuel" statement... lets just go with the "i know a few things about fuel" and call it good Wink


JP
1
GIwasB4
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7/12/2010 11:28pm
500guy wrote:
Sure but I'm talking about the fact most people are looking for a gain to cover up lack of speed or physical ability . I could...
Sure but I'm talking about the fact most people are looking for a gain to cover up lack of speed or physical ability .

I could run it and say yep it made the bike feel better but I would still go slow, I'd benefit from fresh tires , a salad and 45 minute work out (every day) more.
You sniff too much diesel.
GIwasB4
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7/12/2010 11:31pm
GuyB wrote:
Does Timmy put race gas in the truck to take his kid to school? Wink
If he has a race gas sponsor, he should.
2/10/2025 11:46am
500guy wrote:
The only argument I will make in MXA's defense is about 1 in 1000 will actually benefit from the extra cost and effort of running race...
The only argument I will make in MXA's defense is about 1 in 1000 will actually benefit from the extra cost and effort of running race fuel.

Ya see I disagree..I'd say 1000 out of 1000 will benefit from race fuel..Why?.. because feeling good or I'll say feeling better about your bike's performance especially engine performance feeling like your bike is improved is just that.. a feeling!! and isn't that a benefit I know I feel like the small noticeable improvement in race gas benefits me simply because that's what I was looking for doesn't matter about my lap times if it makes me faster or slower I feel like I'm doing something good for my bike and the seat of my pants tells me I am that's perhaps the biggest benefits there is..just my .02¢

5
mx317
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2/10/2025 11:54am

You dug up a nearly 15 year-old thread to put in your .02?

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