The X15 90cc Exposed!!!
Welcome to this week’s tech talk at Venom Motor Sports!
I am excited to be starting a new “Exposed” series here at Venom Motorsports. This series we feature an in-depth look at our products. This segment is featuring our X15, which is one of the nicest pocket bikes I have seen to date!
In this edition of “Tim’s Tech Corner” we are going to chat about some of the tech features and common tech questions presented to me about the X15. Please take a minute to also watch the “youtube” video below on the X15 Exposed. The video will help with your understanding of how the X15 operates and common maintenance practises.
Ok, onto the X15!
Tim...How is this bike fully automatic?
Well...it still needs you to drive it! But yes, it is fully automatic.
This means that all you have to do is hit the gas...and off you go. No gears to shift.
The rear hydraulic brake is mounted on the left hand side of the handlebars and the front hydraulic brake is mounted on the right hand side of the handlebars as par usual. As there are no gears to shift...there is no clutch.
Tim...So what do I have to do before starting the bike?
Well...there are a variety of checks you need to do. Let’s start with the battery. We only need the battery to start the bike, once the bike is started the alternator will produce enough power to keep the bike running and also charge the battery.
So, we need to ensure that all of the battery connections are tight. To check the battery remove the rear seat cover. To do this you will need to loosen the four bolts that hold the seat in place. Remove the seat and locate the battery. You will see a black negative terminal and a red positive battery terminal. Check to ensure that both are tight. Also have a look at the cartridge glass fuse while you are looking at the battery. The fuse is just to the left of the battery location. It is a round glass cylinder with a filament in it a red wire leads to and away from it. Just check to ensure that it looks fine and is intact. If the filament looks broken or burnt it will not conduct and must be replaced. It is really easy just go to your local hardware store and buy one. The fuses are very inexpensive and easy to change. Just pop the old one out of the fuse housing, and replace it with the new fuse. The use is really important, if the fuse does not work, no power will get to your bike. This means no horn, lights or starter.
Once you have completed these checks it never hurts to top off the battery charge if you have a charger handy. If not do not worry...the battery should still have a residual charge and enough power to get your bike started for the first run.
You can reinstall the seat and make the master electrical connection at the rear of the bike just under the seat of the bike. The electrical system is good to go!
Once the bike is running the alternator makes all of the electrical power the bike needs.
So once the bike is running you can actually take the positive terminal off the bike and it will continue to run. If the bike stalled it would indicated that the alternator is not working properly.
You see, when the alternator is working well...it constantly supplies all of the electrical energy that your bike needs for ignition, lighting, horn and speedometer functions. The alternator also provides a trickle charge to the battery to keep it full at all times.
If you leave your bikes lights on...you will quickly use up the charge in the battery and end up with a “dead” battery that no longer has any charge left.
But, I only left the lights on for a short time...maybe 1 or 2 hours. Yes, that is sometimes long enough to completely drain the battery. You have to keep in mind that the battery on bikes is very small and light weight. So it really is designed to allow you to roll the bike over say 30 to 40 times before it dies out. Best practise is to run the bike if you want to leave the lights on.
Tim...Do I have to do anything on the fuel system?
This part is pretty easy! Just add gas.
I would stick with the lower grades 87 or 89. You do not need to use High Octane fuels with your bike. Your bike simply does not require it. So save your money and spend it on really good safety gear for yourself. A DOT certified helmet is a MUST!
Fill up your gas tank and check for any leaks. Leaks typically occur where the fuel line connects to a fitting using a press fit system. So the male fitting is ribbed and holds the fuel line in place by a friction fit. This is ok as the fuel system only experiences atmospheric pressure and can hold tight just fine using a friction fit.
I always say it never hurts to just feel the fuel line and ensure that it is not kinked over.
If the fuel line is kinked in any way that will reduce the amount of fuel going to the carburetor and the bike may not start. So make sure it is not kinked and that fuel flows freely into the fuel filter.
You will be able to see the fuel flowing into the fuel filter when you roll the bike over and try to start it.
When you are ready to start the bike, ensure that the choke lever located on the left hand side of the bike is all the way up in the full choke or choke closed position. Roll the bike over three times, this will ensure that fuel is available to the bike. If the bike is warmer than a cup a coffee you do not need any more choke. Open the choke fully and give the bike a little throttle. The bike should now start right up. Always keep in mind that when the bike is hot the normal choke position is down, fully open.
Tim...What air pressure should my tires have? On the side of the tire it says to inflate to 2.5 atm. What the heck is an Atm?
Well the term ATM is short form for Atmosphere. One atmosphere is equal to atmospheric pressure which is 14.7 psi. So if the tire is rated at 2.5 atms the tire pressure would be 36 psi COLD.
Always fill your tires COLD as they will heat up after being driven and the increase in temperature will produce and increase in pressure.
If your tires are overinflated the tire will wear excessively in the center. If the tire pressure is too low the sides of the tire will wear excessively. Tire pressure is critical for both tire wear and performance.
You want as much of your tire in touch with the road surface at all times to ensure the best possible control and comfort.
Tim...Is it important to check that all the nuts and bolts are tight?
Well....I like living so I always check everything. Not to scare you but its always a good idea to ensure that all of the fasteners on the bike are snug.
Typically everything is just fine but this develops the habit of really checking your bike over and getting to know it. When you are driving your bike its mechanical parts are going to vibrate. The vibration will cause parts to become lose. So check your bike from time to time looking for loose fittings. This is a normal part of bike maintenance and will help you get to know your bike better.
Always do a walk around inspection of your bike before your ride. Just take 2 minutes and walk around the bike looking for anything that looks loose or not right.
Ensure that the bike looks fine before starting it up.
Start your bike up and listen for any funny sounds or vibrations before taking off.
Safety first always!
 If you have any tech questions about our vehicles, please feel free to email them to...
Support@venommotorsportscanada.com
To watch our x15 exposed video on youtube click here
Check out our blog next week as we take an in depth look at the x18.
Till then, Enjoy the ride!
Tim Breton
Technical Support Specialist
Venom Motorsports Canada
1-855-984-1612
You guys are awesome!!