Honda Spree and Elite 50 Forums

Ok guys I've searched but didn't find direct answers... I'm looking for a variator for my sym dd50 because I've found the one I have in there looks beat up. I'm thinking of getting a ruckus polini variator. Is it worth it? Do I need to mod my case a lot? Or should I just get a regular polini or malossi that just fits... really leaning towards the ruckus polini but would like to know how bad I need to shave my case and is it really worth it? Thank you very much in advance for your input. Also I seen it on the scooter swap shop page.. I'm going to pull the trigger and get one if I can get some definite answers from you moped gurus on this very helpful forum.

You will need to mod the case and there should be a good write on here about it. I chose not to go that route with my variator and bought one that didn't need any mods. I was pretty noobie back then I would consider it now as I hear it's a good way to go. It's really how much work your willing to put in. From what I remember it's not a tremendous about of modification to get it to fit

I have the Polini that "just fits" on my bike. After talking to someone who had run both, it didn't seem like there was a huge advantage to use the Ruk variator, but I don't know all the facts . I have read the info on modifying the case to make it fit, and it's not really a big deal to do, I just figured I'd keep it how it is.

A shop on oahu told me aftermarket variators are not much if at all better than stock dd vaio. Must b true if he was willing to sacrifice a sale. if that's the case, look into ramp plates maybe?

That extra area for the belt to ride in makes me think at least a few miles per hour but is it worth the mod... or should I get the drop in variator.. right now I have a keli variator I was looking at it and the previous owner of the variator looked like he dropped it on the road and it has dings all around it.. so debating if I should spend the money on a better one or just buy another keli

Get a better one then. And let us know how it works plz

GuavaJam wrote:A shop on oahu told me aftermarket variators are not much if at all better than stock dd vaio. Must b true if he was willing to sacrifice a sale. if that's the case, look into ramp plates maybe?

Don't trust that shop. They clearly have no clue as how a cvt works. Polini and malossi both use better ramp plates have better ramping on the variator face and are lighter. Just because they're losing a sale doesn't mean they know anything about a cvt. It shows the opposite and they probably shouldn't be talking to customers.

1man8scoots wrote:

GuavaJam wrote:A shop on oahu told me aftermarket variators are not much if at all better than stock dd vaio. Must b true if he was willing to sacrifice a sale. if that's the case, look into ramp plates maybe?

Don't trust that shop. They clearly have no clue as how a cvt works. Polini and malossi both use better ramp plates have better ramping on the variator face and are lighter. Just because they're losing a sale doesn't mean they know anything about a cvt. It shows the opposite and they probably shouldn't be talking to customers.

That's what I was thinking
So if you were going to buy a variator what would it be? Polini drop in or polini ruckus?

I run both. If you have over 9:1 gearing you should use the polini for ruckus, zx belt, and a zx rear pulley. If you dont have a zx rear pulley, or plan on buying one, go with the drop in. They really smooth out the shift and give much improved acceleration.

Keli variators are amazing for a 49cc. They're the vario I prefer on anything stock.

dont use ruckus variator..

get a dio daytona pulley/ramp, are better than keli!

daytona grams rollers.

dd50 has the zx rear trans,zx belt

1man8scoots wrote:

GuavaJam wrote:A shop on oahu told me aftermarket variators are not much if at all better than stock dd vaio. Must b true if he was willing to sacrifice a sale. if that's the case, look into ramp plates maybe?

Don't trust that shop. They clearly have no clue as how a cvt works. Polini and malossi both use better ramp plates have better ramping on the variator face and are lighter. Just because they're losing a sale doesn't mean they know anything about a cvt. It shows the opposite and they probably shouldn't be talking to customers.

No doubt. Years ago I bought a new variator for my otherwise stock Elite, and it made a big difference compared to the OEM restricted variator.

1man8scoots wrote:I run both. If you have over 9:1 gearing you should use the polini for ruckus, zx belt, and a zx rear pulley. If you dont have a zx rear pulley, or plan on buying one, go with the drop in. They really smooth out the shift and give much improved acceleration.

Is there any truth that the ZX pulley cuts into the top end speed at all?

veedubh20 wrote:dont use ruckus variator..

get a dio daytona pulley/ramp, are better than keli!

daytona grams rollers.

dd50 has the zx rear trans,zx belt

I thought the Keli ones were actually really good?

That's what I heard but if ramp plates makes so much difference shouldn't the angle and circumference of a variator make a difference too

johnny248 wrote:

veedubh20 wrote:dont use ruckus



variator..

get a dio daytona pulley/ramp, are better than keli!

daytona grams rollers.

dd50 has the zx rear trans,zx

I thought the Keli ones were actually really good?