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screen, double bubble? and other mods?

Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2014 9:54 am
by maz
Hi, I have the standard screen and no real issues at legal speeds, Does a double bubble screen make a significant improvement? was about to order one from M&P but delivery is likely to be 30 days. Any make of screen preference?.

On another note, these are on e-bay, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/APRILIA-BILLE ... 0821820983. £36 +£9post from US, anybody tried these. Apparently ad says you need to trim cover, not sure how severely. Or is the Oberon(£92) the preferred choice

And finally has anybody tried a carbon wrap on the body panels with any success. I saw a Suzuki with a wrap including tank which looked good, not sure if it would suit the falco though.

Any comments/advice would be welcome. Cheers mike.

Re: screen, double bubble? and other mods?

Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2014 10:11 am
by D-Rider
maz wrote:Hi, I have the standard screen and no real issues at legal speeds, Does a double bubble screen make a significant improvement? was about to order one from M&P but delivery is likely to be 30 days. Any make of screen preference?.

On another note, these are on e-bay, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/APRILIA-BILLE ... 0821820983. £36 +£9post from US, anybody tried these. Apparently ad says you need to trim cover, not sure how severely. Or is the Oberon(£92) the preferred choice

And finally has anybody tried a carbon wrap on the body panels with any success. I saw a Suzuki with a wrap including tank which looked good, not sure if it would suit the falco though.

Any comments/advice would be welcome. Cheers mike.
Hi Maz

I've had a double bubble for most of the time I've had the Falco ..... so I can't really remember what it was like with the standard screen from a wind & weather perspective. In my opinion the standard screen looks much better but the double bubble allows me to mount my navigation out of the worst of the elements - so that's why I keep the double bubble.

As for the clutch slave, the link doesn't come up with anything so I can't comment on that - save to say generally all of the aftermarket parts do a similar job in looking a bit trick and reducing the pressure through the lever.
Evolutione of the USA used to make one that I would say was the best as it had a better sealing arrangement but I believe they've shut up shop and can no longer be obtained. So most of the others are similar - MPL, MotoPike, oberon etc.
As for trimming the sprocket cover - unless the slave you are looking at is atypical, then a Mille or Tuono cover is the best way to solve this as they are a different shape and leave the slave cylinder exposed. Always buy the Tuono version - just the same as the Mille part but much cheaper :smt002

Carbon wrap. Never done it but have thought about it.
Have a search on here, AF1 and tinterweb in general for Radialfalco as his bike was a pure carbon-fest (genuine carbon and carbon wrap)
TBH I'm not as keen on the carbon look as I once was but it's certainly an option.

Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2014 10:52 am
by Tonyunn
You can get one of these for between £45 and £90 depending on how lucky you are.
By a new Tuono cover from factory racing it is well worth it, they are a perfect fit.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Factory-Racin ... 4d1ae377d9

Image

Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2014 11:11 am
by Chabby
The double bubble makes an appreciable difference for me but I am 6'1".
With it the airflow at motorway speeds just catches my shoulders. Without it there's too much wind pressure on my upper chest to ride any sort of distance comfortably.

I run the original clutch slave but the Tuono or Mille cover is the way to go if you have an aftermarket slave.

Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2014 6:45 pm
by fatboy
Dont buy a Skidmarx double bubble, I have a brand new one gathering dust. I fitted it and realised its simply SHITE. It is not much longer than standard screen, flimsy as a flimsy thing ona flimsy day. looked at the fitted thing, didnt bother going for a ride, hate at 1st sight.
If you do buy a clutch slave from Uncle Sam, you will have to pay import duty on it, so the purchase cost may well double, spares could also be costly.
Keep a beady eye on ebay, sunday evenings are good for a bargain as auctions end, I found an MPL slave cyl, won for £46 inc post, just as good as any other aftermaket jobbie

Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2014 6:56 pm
by blinkey501
I have been fortunate to have best of both worlds. The double bubble deflects the air into my visor and causes more buffeting at speed. The standard screen is better for me. I am 6ft.
If you decide on going ahead with purchasing one I would suggest you buy a pyramid plastics one. Good quality.
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Pyramid-Plastics

Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2014 7:10 pm
by plasticpig72
fatboy I have recently fitted a Skidmarx double bubble and it's absolutely perfect. No quality issues at all , very solid and looks great in blue.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/93424985@N07/12134887335/

Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2014 8:15 pm
by Aladinsaneuk
I have two skidmarx double bubbles fitted to the house falco's

Some 4 years time difference between buying them

Both of them are good quality and fit well

Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2014 8:30 pm
by maz
Thank you for your advice/comments. Much appreciated, knew I,d get some good feedback. Standard screen probably ok for me, only 5ft 8. I,ve had a screen before which deflected wind straight onto visor, nightmare, I put a tiny screen on the bike and it was transformed, could hardly believe the difference.
Will keep an eye on ebay for clutch slave, nice picture, contraversial I know, but I like the looks of the falco with a belly pan.

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 6:52 am
by Tonyunn
As for the belly pan what is more controversial is I think the Falco only looks good with one, hate them without, looks unfinished.

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 5:23 pm
by fatboy
plasticpig72 wrote:fatboy I have recently fitted a Skidmarx double bubble and it's absolutely perfect. No quality issues at all , very solid and looks great in blue
I bought my screen from Carl, wayofthedarkhand, it was a replacement for one he returned as faulty.He obviously sold it because he didnt like it, nor do I. I stand my ground, its flimsy

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 6:02 pm
by blinkey501
Tonyunn wrote:As for the belly pan what is more controversial is I think the Falco only looks good with one, hate them without, looks unfinished.

:smt045

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 6:32 pm
by big alan
I found at 6ft 3in the db just put it into my face so worse than standard

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 7:04 pm
by Aladinsaneuk
Fatboy

Send the screen to skidmarx and ask for their view

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 7:12 pm
by D-Rider
Yes indeed .... to the 2 themes ....

1) Yes the Falco looks unfinished without a bellypan.
2) My skidmarx double bubble is fine - no complaints whatsoever (other than the fact the lines of the standard screen do look a bit better)