Well I’m about 150mi into the timing retard. The advantages are well worth it. Super smooth idle, fat bottom end and believe it or not 4mph top end increase. This follows much that has been written about overly advanced timing on two strokes. It seams half a key width is 4-5degrees which is about right for these engines from what I have read. This mod certainly improved the YD and probably any CG running the stock CDI.
My final thoughts on the YD is its a very fine engine. It has required very little tweaking compared to the usual CG. The NT carb it came with must have been tweaked by the manufacturer for the engine jet and needle wise. Only requirement to tune it was to drop the needle one notch. Has never 4stroked and is very responsive. This engine is very smooth. It’s the most pleasant to ride of any 2stroke I have had from China including my next favorite BT80. Don’t know and don’t care how it may or may not tune for max power, I leave that for others to figure. In my opinion/experience this is the best out there at the moment for a great daily rider. It just plain runs great!