diff --git a/src/flyable.cpp b/src/flyable.cpp
index 03371ff37..456e6a4a9 100644
--- a/src/flyable.cpp
+++ b/src/flyable.cpp
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ Flyable::Flyable(Kart *kart, PowerupType type, float mass) : Moveable()
 }   // Flyable
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 void Flyable::createPhysics(float y_offset, const btVector3 velocity,
-                            btCollisionShape *shape, const bool gravity,
+                            btCollisionShape *shape, const float gravity,
                             const bool rotates, const bool turn_around, const btTransform* customDirection)
 {
     // Get Kart heading direction
@@ -97,8 +97,7 @@ void Flyable::createPhysics(float y_offset, const btVector3 velocity,
     m_user_pointer.set(this);
     RaceManager::getWorld()->getPhysics()->addBody(getBody());
 
-    if(gravity) m_body->setGravity(btVector3(0.0f, 0.0f, -9.8f));
-    else m_body->setGravity(btVector3(0.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f));
+    m_body->setGravity(btVector3(0.0f, 0.0f, gravity));
 
     // Rotate velocity to point in the right direction
     btVector3 v=trans.getBasis()*velocity;
diff --git a/src/flyable.hpp b/src/flyable.hpp
index 82a91e987..be6bb0121 100644
--- a/src/flyable.hpp
+++ b/src/flyable.hpp
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ protected:
     /** init bullet for moving objects like projectiles */
     void              createPhysics(float y_offset, 
                                     const btVector3 velocity,
-                                    btCollisionShape *shape, const bool gravity=false,
+                                    btCollisionShape *shape, const float gravity=0.0f,
                                     const bool rotates=false, const bool turn_around=false, 
                                     const btTransform* customDirection=NULL);
 public:
diff --git a/src/items/bowling.cpp b/src/items/bowling.cpp
index 99a646475..813509141 100644
--- a/src/items/bowling.cpp
+++ b/src/items/bowling.cpp
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ Bowling::Bowling(Kart *kart) : Flyable(kart, POWERUP_BOWLING, 50.0f /* mass */)
 
     createPhysics(y_offset, btVector3(0.0f, m_speed*2, 0.0f),
                   new btSphereShape(0.5f*m_extend.getY()), 
-                  true /*gravity*/, 
+                  -20.0f /*gravity*/, 
                   true /*rotates*/);
 
     // Do not adjust the z velociy depending on height above terrain, since
diff --git a/src/items/cake.cpp b/src/items/cake.cpp
index ba57c148f..aab04362c 100644
--- a/src/items/cake.cpp
+++ b/src/items/cake.cpp
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ Cake::Cake (Kart *kart) : Flyable(kart, POWERUP_CAKE)
     m_initial_velocity = btVector3(0.0f, m_speed, up_velocity);
     
     createPhysics(y_offset, m_initial_velocity, 
-                  new btCylinderShape(0.5f*m_extend), true /* gravity */,
+                  new btCylinderShape(0.5f*m_extend), -9.8f /* gravity */,
                   true /* rotation */, false /* backwards */, &trans);
 
     m_body->setActivationState(DISABLE_DEACTIVATION);
diff --git a/src/items/plunger.cpp b/src/items/plunger.cpp
index 7fe69e75e..28c7fd44a 100644
--- a/src/items/plunger.cpp
+++ b/src/items/plunger.cpp
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ Plunger::Plunger(Kart *kart) : Flyable(kart, POWERUP_PLUNGER)
     const bool reverse_mode = (pk != NULL && pk->getCamera()->getMode() == Camera::CM_REVERSE);
     
     createPhysics(y_offset, btVector3(0.0f, m_speed*2, 0.0f),
-                  new btCylinderShape(0.5f*m_extend), false, false, reverse_mode );
+                  new btCylinderShape(0.5f*m_extend), 0.0f /* gravity */, false /* rotates */, reverse_mode );
     m_rubber_band = new RubberBand(this, *kart);
     m_rubber_band->ref();
 }   // Plunger