The Health Authority says nothing about smoking the competition

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The Domi-Matrix

We wanted something that handled well and accelerated very hard for less than the cost of a standard Euro sports scoot.

Brendon Watson

This is the Vmoto Matrix we used in the Le Minz 24 hour scooter race. After the race it sat on display in the showroom. Rather than have it sit around resting on its past glories we had a plan, a cunning plan.

So what is the plan? Simple we wanted something that handled well and accelerated very hard for less than the cost of a standard Euro sports scoot.

The Matrix was already fitted with Ferodo Brake pads, High performance Continental tyres, our "special blend" synthetic Fork oil, and brake fluid. So it stops and handles very well. The next objective was to make it perform as aggresively as a Surfers Paradise nightclub bouncer on a diet of steroids and amphetamines.

Out came one of our favourite performance catalogues and out came the engine. The top end was removed and replaced with a high performance unit whilst retaining the standard manifold, reeds and 17.5mm carby. The standard exhaust was relegated to the scrap metal bin and a Gianelli system was assigned the duties of removing spent exhaust gas.

With some of our secret airbox modifications and a larger jet in the carby the engine in the Matrix barked, snarled and generally displayed the antisocial behaviour we expected from our two wheeled Bouncer. On the road the Matrix reached its top speed (75km/h) very quickly and mainly on the back wheel. Better fix that! Out of our box of goodies we found a new variator which allows us to change the gearing of the bike. Once fitted we took it for a run and the scooter quickly wound past the maximum speed on the dial so we had no idea how fast we were going.

The answer was the fitment of an instrument cluster that reads to 140km/h. We checked it for accuracy and went for a road test. So how fast did our Domi-Matrix go?? On a closed circuit using a professional rider (That should cover us) about 120km/h!! Yeah 120km/h. Only problem is it didn't accelerate fast enough for us. A small change in the gearing gives the scoot a top speed of just over 100km/h but it gets there quick, real quick.

So why did we do it?? To show that some low cost scooters can mix it with the Euro and Japanese hot shots for substantially less money and do it reliably. The trick is to start with the right scooter.
 
We have just about finished the Domi-Matrix and like all of our past pecials we will be offering it for sale. Tim has corned the use of the Matrix and is always parking it around the back to reduce the chances of it being sold, understandable,  its an absolute hoot to ride. If you want a 50 that will dominate all others for around $3,000 drop me a line to express your interest.

published 14/01/2007