Comments on: Vento Reptile 400 ATV

By: aaron

aaron — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 04:26:50 +0000

Ian was involved in the design? (or was consulted at some point?) I did not know that. he’s mentioned working with a chinese company on a new motor, but I don’t recall him ever mentioning this. I’ll have to ask him about this thing.

If it makes 38 at the wheel, that would be good enough for me in a 300lb (wet) one-off. additionally, 400cc it the insurance cutoff for extremely cheap insurance where I live…

By: Blaine Newell

Blaine Newell — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 04:07:22 +0000

Hi there. The needs of an ATV and those of a street bike, are very different. For the ATV, low end and midrange torque are very important. These things are used for hill climbing and running in the mud. So, hopefully, they have the cams set up for this. If so, when they put it into a street bike, it should be rather simple to get more power out of it. I run a hopped up Buell Blast. It’s not fast. I installed a big bore kit with high compression piston, and after market cams. I wanted an increase in low end and midrange. For a 500cc single, it’s lots of fun. Tops speed is only a little over 100mph. But, I can leave it in 3rd, and roll on an off the gas, between 20 and 75mph. Loads of fun on a twisty road. Blaine

By: RH

RH — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 03:33:28 +0000

It is starting to look to me like a mini-Laverda Jota engine.

Any prices on the complete engine (That means with carbs, ignition, starter, and complete charging system)?

By: dave

dave — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 20:41:56 +0000

This is NOT a “modern” motor. It *IS* a Honda 250 rebel/nighthawk derivative. The internals have been changed in the respect of a 3rd cyl. Not much else has been changed.
Having spoken to Drysdale about the output, he told me that it’s running about 38bhp in “stock” trim. Not sure how much tweaking it’ll accept. We’ll just have to wait and see… And as far as “real” performance, an uber-lightweight frameset built with modern materials and components would make this motor a BEAST.

Also, having had a prototype in my hands, I’d say it weighs in @ about 90 lbs… maybe a little more. Specs on the streetbike I’ve worked-up should hit about 300-325lbs. With 17″ supermoto wheels, and the correct gearing, you’ll be able to kill yourself on this thing just as easy as a CBR1000…

By: aaron

aaron — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 20:17:09 +0000

the basis for my current project made 33hp stock. It’s a stone age thumper. and comparing a modern 400 to a 20 year old 250 doesn’t make it look better. it’s 60% the size of a triumph 675, but makes less than 30% the power… even my 25 year old yamaha seca 400 twin made something like 40 horsepower…

in a budget commuter bike 30hp is adequate (ish… whatever a virago 250 makes wasen’t quite enough for me)

but for it to step beyond the 2 wheeled equivalent of a kia or daewoo I’d like a little more. at least what my “vintage” honda 400f puts out. (and even that struggles to break 95mph with a good deal more than 30hp)