Zenoah G43 vs Honda GX50 Friction drive 5.44 mile timed loop test.

Video comparing the engines down a hill and up an even steeper one. On a flat stretch. Camera angle is too low on the Zenoah but studio was too lazy fix and ride it again so i edited to sync up with the GX close enough.
Zenoah did it in 11:17 at 27.9mph average
Honda GX50 12:05 at 26mph average
Zenoah has 8000 miles of wear and tear
Honda I bought second hand very lightly used and put approximately 3000 miles.

[@leonardarola]

Thanks for the ride.

[@basilcarpenterjr1592]

Love the video

[@joeycottontail943]

Thanks.

[@urbantreasurehunter4447]

thank you for this video!

[@joeycottontail943]

Your welcome.

[@Eduardo_Espinoza]

I am lucky to be the 100th subscriber :)!!!!

[@joeycottontail943]

Good timing. You won a free kitten. Congratulations.

[@roccobarca4558]

Hello, in the Honda gx50 with porting intake and exhaust manifold,adding a 15mm carburetor and free flow muffler your engine has more power. Try It.

[@joeycottontail943]

Tempting but these days I only use the Honda for long rides outside the city like up Mt. Rainier so I'm going to stick with the modest power of it. The Zenoah would be my choice to modify for more power. It's much cheaper if I blow it up.

[@MarkDaniel-uw7dc]

hello sir what load capacity of gx50 if you want to go up hill road... im 75kilo

[@joeycottontail943]

@@MarkDaniel-uw7dc I’m slightly heavier than you and can cruise uphills nicely. Especially if I’m pedaling. If you don’t want to pedal then go with a wider tire so your wheel grips more.

[@MarkDaniel-uw7dc]

​@@joeycottontail943 thank you sir

[@Americadoe]

Hi, what drive spindle size are you running? I currently have a 930 on a 2 stroke 25cc chinese engine. Want to upgrade to a a gx50 because 2 strokes are just too loud.

[@charliemahady9473]

Hey dude, another awesome video. I was wondering if you're running that setup on aluminum or steel frame bikes? I just bought an old Trek 7000 mountain bike and am freaking out a bit now after doing some research on aluminum bike frames cracking. Have you had any issues like that?

[@joeycottontail943]

No issues with frames cracking. I have only been using cheap or middle of road aluminum frames. Biggest issue is rear wheels breaking spokes and getting out of round. I have to replace rear wheel every once in awhile. I don’t bother fixing cheap rims when I can find a used one cheaper. I also will take my engine and kit and swap it over to a fresh bike after about a year or sooner. This probably helps with not having frames crack. Hitting potholes at 32mph really is brutal. Often it will loosen up your quick release and you’ll have to stop and clamp it down again. I find the 26” wheels to be more durable than 29” and 26” frames are easier to fit a engines on. For record I weigh about 175ish and often have backpack with LARGE chain lock with groceries etc. We’ll call it 190ish all together. I feel frames will exponentially crack with every pound added. Cheers

[@basilcarpenterjr1592]

Thanks for everything I know I ask a lot questions lol one more for know what brand and type oil u put in Honda and do u use premium. Gas or just regular thanks again

[@joeycottontail943]

Oil is synthetic 10w30 and it's whatever I'm using in my car at the time. Regular octane gas but I use ethanol free exclusively unless I need to fill up out on the road and I know I'm going to burn it out that day. I have gas in my China clone in shed for over year and it still starts within about 4 pulls.

[@basilcarpenterjr1592]

One more question how many speed is ur bikes my in 18 speed 2 cogs in front 9 in back and was ur kit easy to put on thanks again forever thing I got electric bike to and going buy the zoozbike soon there going be in-stock Oct 7 just still not sure if iam going buy then ir just wait until spring because I don't ride much in winter

[@joeycottontail943]

Take your time and get motor straight and aligned best you can and shouldn't be any problems. Check periodically to see that set up isn't sagging off to the engine side. Mine has done that a few times lately but lifting the engine and tightening the quick release solves it. I may have to retorque 3 clamp bolts. Simple cheap 26" mountain bike required no spacers and didn't require purchasing longer quick release. The larger 29" wheel bikes did and made it take longer but been just as reliable once installed. Your not going to be able to use the smallest cog on rear cassette. DON'T ACCIDIDENTLY SHIFT INTO IT!!!!It will bind up chain in there. Those Zook bikes look really nice and now I want one.

[@basilcarpenterjr1592]

Iam going put my kit and motor on next week

[@basilcarpenterjr1592]

I got the that same Honda motor u got did u get ur motor and kit from staton inc thanks

[@joeycottontail943]

Kit is from Staton but engine I bought from Offerup for $125. Seller had briefly on a Goped for a short time. It was very clean and I listened to it run before rolling dice. No soot on it from exhaust like it has now or road grime which surely a goped would kick up. Seller was selling because he got an electric Goped which is in a landfill by now.

[@Jarrod_D]

Thanks for the video 👍 i run friction drive bicycles . The cag engine works on it and has tons of upgrades if you like listening to screaming 2 strokes. Hahaha

[@joeycottontail943]

i'll look into the cag but it would take a lot to move me from the Zenoah. Not sure it would be wise to go faster on a mountain bike with 26" wheels and rim brakes and the tone of the Zen isn't an ear splitter. Might make a fun side project but my garage and shed are bursting.

[@bike6626]

I would love to know where you found the yellow gas tank.

[@joeycottontail943]

I got it in a box of stuff when I bought an old dirt bike and they threw in some boxes from their shed. They pop up on EBay. Couple months ago one sold for $125 with shipping. It was listed under Windsor Peanut. Has no company name stamped on it. They made several styles but this one is the most slender and still able to pedal with it.

[@bike6626]

@@joeycottontail943 Thanks for replying. I will be looking out for one.

[@zmanvideo1]

could I ask you about the noise level? The Zenoah sounds louder than the Honda?

[@joeycottontail943]

It is louder but slowing down a bit really helps quiet it down. Sadly the GX50 is no longer running correctly. Need to disassemble and check it out. I think it got hot from the epa mandated lean running.

[@zmanvideo1]

@@joeycottontail943 ok, thanks for the info, I purchased a goped GSR46R and originally wanted to put a Honda GX35 on it, but after watching your video and info, I will purchase the Zenoah G43.

[@joeycottontail943]

@@zmanvideo1 if you don’t mind mixing the fuel and looking for lightweight and plenty of sustained high speed then it’s the way to go👍. If you want a calm engine and ability to get fuel ⛽️ on the go then get the GX35.

[@zmanvideo1]

@@joeycottontail943 thanks for the info, purchased the GX35 today : )

[@buhbuh4529]

@@joeycottontail943my GX50 took a shit today.. planning on going for the ZENOAH.. think itll be ok for 10 mile trips?

[@Brian81-207]

What size spindle did you use for the Honda GX 50?

[@joeycottontail943]

1.34” largest they have

[@tommyau4244]

Is it difficult to start for 2 stroke engine ?

[@joeycottontail943]

very easy in warm weather. 4-5 pulls in cold weather.

[@tommyau4244]

@@joeycottontail943 thank you.

[@dennisyoung4631]

Have this engine (for a dc generator). What sort of (two stroke) oil do they like? Maxima K2?

[@joeycottontail943]

@@dennisyoung4631 i've used Bel Ray almost exclusively and it doesn't smoke at all and runs great. Found good deal for 10 quarts on Offerup. Almost all gone now and will trying some other stuff i bought this summer.

[@RightLane393]

what kind of Gas itz used ? 40 mph is FAST zzz.

[@joeycottontail943]

Zenoah is gas/oil mix and GX50 Honda is straight gas. Honda isn’t running after about 3k miles and the Zenoah I replaced with identical engine after 9k. Easier and cheaper to replace than repair. Takes 30 minutes.

[@basilcarpenterjr1592]

How much gas does the Honda hold

[@joeycottontail943]

The tiny tank attached to engine only goes about 15 miles at full blast with only hill pedaling. About a mile an ounce. Had fuel container in my backpack for long trips before i added tank. Yellow tank holds 2 gallons exactly.