what is the best performing and lasting reed

[masterblaster]

Im having some issues with some reeds,thought Id see what kinda luck you all are having with what you are using.I posted some pics for comparison on what I do know

 

[Waternut]

Everything I've ever read says aftermarket reeds are good at first but end up being worse than stock after a while. No personal experience myself but anything that costs that much and only works properly for a short time isn't worth the money in my book.

 

[Matt_E]

In other words, you don't know. Right? :biggthumpup:

Would you be referring to an old GroupK article?

 

[Waternut]

In other words, you don't know. Right? :biggthumpup:

Would you be referring to an old GroupK article?

LOL exactly but trying to share what I've heard so if he's interested enough he can find articles...and yes GroupK was the most noteable reference that I remember.

 

[BruceSki]

i would still rather have a motor eat a fiberglass or carbon reed over a metal reed anyday.

that being said i think fiberglass reeds last a bit longer than carbon.

i think the design and size of the reed cage is more important than the material the reed itself is constructed of. just my worthless 2 cents.

 

[Matt_E]

LOL exactly but trying to share what I've heard so if he's interested enough he can find articles...and yes GroupK was the most noteable reference that I remember.

I have personally ran stock reeds, VForce 2 reeds, and Jetworks reeds.
I never had a reliability problem with stockers.
VForce 2 was okay as long as you didn't sink the motor and tried to crank it without making sure all the water was drained - that would break reed petals.
I put about 150 gallons through my motor with Jetworks reeds, and they still look perfect.

 

[masterblaster]

jetworks reeds are for the R&D m16 cages correct? those cages were the first design I believe and boyesen was suppose to make them,but some one went back on it and boyesen ended up making theirs very sim? i think thats how the story goes? So id assume Arts reeds would work on the 3 stage boyesen valve? are they single reeds like the stock m16s?

crappy gapping reeds

but really nice designed cage for flow

vforce reed cages are cheap plastic crap not so great for flow

but vforce reeds seem to last alot longer,so how bout trying this.

only issue is the tinyest of cracks on the outside edges of the 2 outside reeds,this has to be way better than the huge gaps that happen with the boyesen reeds in a few rides.Will be interesting to see how long these vf reeds last on these boyesen cages.

like a combo of both,better build

still doesnt look as good for flow though in comparison

 

[Matt_E]

Mine are on stock cages.

 

[masterblaster]

huh,so maybe they would work if they cover stock cages,Seems like reeds use reed stops always last longer though.Im not sure why they dont use them on these aftermarket cages,they would still open plenty. I had great luck with carbon techs as far as stock cages go with stuffers.they last for many seasons,water in the motor or not. all these above offer more flow

 

[Matt_E]

I had no issues with my VForce reeds lasting at least a season, and those don't use stops.

I did notice wear around the corners, a bit of fraying. Still sealed, though.

 

[Waternut]

I may not have experience with all the various reeds but I do have experience in materials and although composites are lighter and operate quicker, they don't generally like to bend. Metals can be pre-stressed and happily bend and buckle and then return to their normal position after millions of cylces. Composites have a very small ductility range (flexibility) and once you pass that threshold, it's a quick trip downhill from there. Composites also get softer the more you flex them even if they look fine.

 

[masterblaster]

I have vforce 1s that wore out quick,but the vforce 2s are still going strong,no damage on them.they just wont fit in the nicer 2 part manifolds out,without grinding the heck out of them

 

[Waternut]

I had no issues with my VForce reeds lasting at least a season, and those don't use stops.

I did notice wear around the corners, a bit of fraying. Still sealed, though.

I know we all have to "pay to play" but isn't a set of carbon reeds and new gaskets every season a bit steep?

 

[masterblaster]

waternut,I think that groupK write up was written before good composite reeds where out,the new ones from some makes are formed pre bent to last longer.If they incorporated reed stops like stocks do I think they would last even longer,at least on the bottom reeds where most the curve of the air flow pounds them.those are the ones that always wear out first,I might try and use the stocker reed stops on these and see if that helps much on just the bottom.

 

[Matt_E]

I know we all have to "pay to play" but isn't a set of carbon reeds and new gaskets every season a bit steep?

So is race gas and synthetic oil.

You don't HAVE to run that, nor do you HAVE to run carbon reeds.

 

[masterblaster]

at the same time,if you buy race gas you expect it to burn up in a few rides,I expect a little more than that from composite reeds

 

[Matt_E]

That's a personal expectation problem. :biggrin:

 

[Polish jet pilot]

Ok, so do aftermarket reeds (as opposed to oem metal ones) really make such a difference? I am torn, not sure whether opt for something cheap (carbon tech reed petals) or go for something like the M-16 for my (future ported 701) ski... M-16 is like 500 usd, carbontech are like 80 usd ...

 

[Mark44]

Glass reeds have been in my motor for 5 years now and have performed quite well.

Mark44

 

[sflsurfrider]

ive found that the fiberglass TDR reeds that they make for rental skis have been the most reliable. theyre a little thicker than typical reeds, therefore stiffer, but very long-lasting and retain their uniform straightness.