This Aftermarket Motorcycle CDI Worth It?

Now just wondering after buying this aftermarket CDI for my TaoTao TBR7 motorcycle. In Chonda forums (Hawk 250, TBR7, Brozz 250, etc.) I read that this racing CDI improves the motorcycle’s overall performance. However, I still question myself, is this aftermarket CDI worth it?

Now I haven’t installed the new Racing CDI yet, so this is an out of box review, maybe remorse even. Well, My TBR7’s New Racing CDI Came In, and then I sat on the fence.

Expectations From This Cheap Aftermarket CDI?

FYI: Just in case you need review what a motorcycle CDI does, Wikipedia has a good write about the Capacitor Discharge Ignition Systems.

Well, Better Motorcycle Engine Performance, Right?

The TaoTao TBR7, like its Chonda cousins, suffers from small engine issues with big engine expectations from its riders. Much of this is imposed on us, and often the little engine performs.

However, we want more and more from the engine.

The motorcycle has significantly improved with my DIY TBR7 upgrades. But, it’s still a small bike engine (FAQ: TaoTao TBR7 Really a 250cc Motorcycle? ).

Now, this Racing CDI is supposed to improve my motorcycle performance, but where did I figure this out?

In Chonda forums, people quote that this aftermarket CDI can advance the ignition as the RPMs increase, allowing for the extraction of more energy from the fuel, moving the motorcycle faster.

Less energy expended down the tailpipe due to better ignition timing only makes sense. But, again, how do I know this aftermarket CDI increases my motorcycle performance.

The Truth Is, I Don’t…  

Maybe I could have spent my money elsewhere when upgrading my TBR7 motorcycle.

Was The Racing CDI Expensive?

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Click for current prices: Racing Motorcycle CDI Box

No, but again this isn’t totally about money. The CDI was cheap.

But again, I don’t want to buy an upgrade for my TBR7 without it being worth it, no matter how cheap it is-just principle.

So, How To Test A CDI Box Upgrade?

I would love to hear results from the motorcycles before and after the dyno test following this drop-in aftermarket CDI upgrade. This way, we can get rid of subjective information I keep finding in the Chonda groups.

What Is Magic Pixie Dust Promised With This New CDI?

• Advanced timing with increased RPMs, I read.
• Removal of stock CDI rev limiter, I read.

I mean, these two promises make this CDI sound promising.

Now Why I Think This Aftermarket CDI Is Worth It.

I ran my TBR7 with a stock spark plug boot for a long time, which was resistive. This resistance built into the stock TBR7 spark plug boot causes the CDI to work harder to get the energy to the spark plug gap.

Now I upgraded my spark plug boot ( TaoTao TBR7 Spark Plug Boot Replacement ), but read with the miles I already have on the TBR7, I have worn out the stock CDI, with a possible failure in my future.

Therefore I was in the market for a new CDI for my motorcycle. 

Was it high on my To-Do list of upgrades? ( TaoTao TBR7 Upgrades To Do List )

No, I saw it as a maintenance/repair item, not an upgrade. Then I read in the Chonda groups ( Need TBR7 help? Upgrade Guides? User Support? We Got You! ) that people claimed performance boosts after installing this type of Racing CDI.

My planned maintenance expenses became a motorcycle upgrade, especially after seeing how cheap this CDI was.

Sorry just rambling, since I’m sure with this tight money economy we are all feeling, we all want to upgrade our motorcycles and get the best bang for our buck.

I spent the money already and have this racing CDI waiting to be installed in my TBR7 motorcycle. Let’s get down to my expectations.

What I Expect From This Aftermarket CDI:

I expect this new CDI to:

1. Be a replacement for my over-stressed stock CDI before the stock CDI fails and leaves me on the side of the road.

2. Be an easy drop-in replacement and take no more time than a plug-and-forget upgrade.

3. Actually, remove the rev limiter. If I can get a few more RPMs out of the engine, I can keep the engine operating higher in the power-band. So I can get more acceleration and have fun taking off from an intersection. 😀

What Might Make Me Really Happy About This CDI?

Suppose it advances the ignition to increase energy extraction from the fuel. This means I get more energy from the little engine, and I can again get faster acceleration from stops and higher speeds.

I am not interested in ‘speeding,’ but if the TBR7 motorcycle has the potential of higher speeds, then the bike can hold its own better cruising on the highway.  

I don’t have access to a dyno and never even dyno’d a motorcycle, but I’m sure I’ll love or hate this aftermarket CDI and share my opinion somewhere. Of course, here, but maybe on one of the Chonda help sites ( Need TBR7 help? Upgrade Guides? User Support? We Got You! ).

I’ll have to leave a disclaimer with my opinion since any performance increase might be subjective and not a sign of the true worth of this upgrade.

Thanks for listening to me ramble; talking about, writing about, and working on my motorcycle(s) is a welcome break from life’s issues.

Ride Safe, Ride Fun!

Click for current prices: Racing Motorcycle CDI Box

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