D-Rider wrote:HowardQ wrote:Most people know I am a twin pipe fan, but here are some simple facts. (Why make it look like a IL4?, but Andy is right it does save on the cost of cans and is slightly lighter.)
The twin pipes on the Falco, (plus other changes actually did give it a slightly better low to mid range than the Mille for a slight loss at the top end and this was done to change the character slightly, and, as V Twins are all about mid range thump, I reckon this is more use on the road than a very slight increase in outright power.
If you want a screaming top end get an IL4, they are great at it!
(Aprilia Fact).
The most expensive and highest performance version of the original Mille variations was the "Edwards" and one of the things they did to it to give it a bit of a performance boost to help justify all the extra cost, was to fit twin pipes!
NUFF SAID!
Howard ..... you seem to be mixing your argument here.
Firstly you say the Falco twin pipes give a better low-down to mid-range characteristic and then you say the twin akras help the Edwards rep to achieve an ultimately higher overall power (ie top-end)
Also ... as a point to be aware of, the Edwards rep was not built with performance goodies - it was essentially a standard Mille with some paint. However, it was delivered with a race kit for owners to fit or leave in the box (57mm TBs and twin Akras) ... twin cans supplied for racing - not for better road manners.
(That said, I don't think we can compare a set of akras with a standard aprilia can)
A number of us with the Mille system have the link pipe mods that improve bottom end and mid range - from power curves I've seen to probably better levels than the Falco 2-into-1-into-2.
Whatever, I've not done it for performance but because it looks better - showing off the lovelly mille swingarm and either Gold OZs or Carbon BST wheels - depending on which I have on there at the time.
Sorry Andy, but you are not reading my words, even though you quoted them, (and you know I really like what you have done to your bike).
I mentioned the Falco had a bit more mid range but a slight loss at the top end compared with the Mille, but in the case of the "Edwards Rep" I said as you quoted me, "one of the things they did to it to give it a
bit of a performance boost to help justify all the extra cost".
(and I was talking about the bike with all the extra kit fitted). They had already boosted the top end a fair bit, but probably lost a bit of mid range doing that, so they again went for the accepted way of giving it some mid range back, i.e. twin pipes.
(Can't comment on what difference balance pipes make on a Mille system, but agree that Graham's suggestion might be fun).
All this is a bit tongue in cheek I know, but as I have said before, the great thing about the Falco is we all like to change things in our own way and you have gone for a top end boost
and a great looking bike. Nothing wrong with that, but I went a different way. I kept the Falco a bit more standard, as I love the mid range just as it ends up with a set of cans and a K&N to help it breath, (get rid of the flatspot), and make it sound like a Falco should.
I then spent probably a similar wedge as you have spent on mods on another bike with a lot more top end, (
150 brake at the flywheel), than any Falco, or Mille will ever have.
Simple reason is that I want to experience something different alongside the Falco before I finally have to pack it in, (
I'm an old bastard, and have been biking for 48 years).
I find the top end power of the lighter Kwack mind warping, (Feck knows what the BMW S1000RR feels like). I have ridden faster bikes but not had chance to ride them as hard as the Kwack, (0 to 100 in around 6.5 secs will do for me thanks!).
Trouble is that with any of these, you have to get them to
very silly speeds before you get the real thrills from them. I love both my bikes but, with the Falco, the smile still starts when I fire it up and ride up our road and I get a lot bigger thrills at lower speeds.
It's my perfect bike and nothing could ever replace it!
