Is there any point?

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Big_AL · #1 Post by **Big_AL** » Sun Oct 26, 2008 7:43 pm

Got my lovely '05 Falco which I'm very happy with. But being a typical guy, I want more

Currently the bike is totally standard apart from side stand mod and an Ohlins rear shock. I guess the next obvious mod are some nice race cans but don't wanna upset the nighbours so I'll keep the standard ones.

Because the bike has the standard cans, is there any point trying to increase the air into the bike via an air filter mod? or would this be totally pointless? The engine does seem a bit flat around 5K revs but I guess that's the pipes. What other mods would you guys recommend?

Ta Al

Fausto · #2 Post by **Fausto** » Sun Oct 26, 2008 7:52 pm

I know nothing about airbox mods so will only comment on the cans.

The standard ones are very quiet and very heavy.

It isn't necessary to replace them with full noise/baffles out/race cans.

See if you can find some sensible road legal replacements and leave the baffles in. I don't think mine make that much noise and nobody has been complaining. They just sound so much more 'appropriate' than standard and I would hate to go back to the stockers.

I don't suffer from a 5k flat spot but not sure that I did even before I changed the cans.

Firestarter · #3 Post by **Firestarter** » Sun Oct 26, 2008 8:20 pm

My Blueflame twin-port cans are quieter (with the baffles in, obviously) than my Focus with it's Blueflame exhaust

Seriously, there's plenty of good replacement systems that don't annoy the neighbours. I've not had a complaint yet, even when leaving the estate at 6:30am

Nooj · #4 Post by **Nooj** » Sun Oct 26, 2008 8:24 pm

It will make a bit of difference, but not a massive amount, ideally you will want to change the cans and mapping as well. The 5k dip is inherent in these engines it seems, you can reduce it, but it'll always be there slightly. Lookng at some of the graphs posted on the Tuono/RSV sections on AF1 they all seem to have it to some degree as well.

Yours is de-restricted is it? There's a lot about it on AF1, taking the bung out of the airbox inlet and cutting the wire (can't remember which one) from the ECU.

Big_AL · #5 Post by **Big_AL** » Sun Oct 26, 2008 9:28 pm

Yeah, it's de-restricted and TBH is more than powerful enough, just being greedy really. Although on the other side of that coin, I've read that the clutch can be a weak spot on the falco so perhaps not modding the bike to increase the bike will help the clutch live a bit longer...

I think i made the right choice improving the handling, over power. Think it's a bike I'm not going to want to want to replace for a long time (as long as it remains reliable of course).

Fausto · #6 Post by **Fausto** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 6:00 pm

I have never understood the 5k flat spot talk.

Either I am just insensitive to such things or the few mods I have made to my lovely have hidden it fairly well. I'm pretty sure that 4 to 6k is where I spend most of my time - that's where all the fun is to be had IMHO.

...........and that list of mods.....

Beowulf Cans and a 15t sprocket.

That's all. Have you tried the smaller sprocket Big Al?

D-Rider · #7 Post by **D-Rider** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 6:22 pm

Fausto wrote:I have never understood the 5k flat spot talk.

Either I am just insensitive to such things .......

I agree.

In standard (derestricted) trim I never noticed this flat spot (can't remember what it was like restricted ... sooo long ago).
With one of the (PCIII) fuelling maps I tried after some mods, I did notice it.
With the map I'm running now it isn't there.

My guess is it's down to poor fuelling

Big_AL · #8 Post by **Big_AL** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 9:03 pm

The flat spot isn't terrible it's just the bike pulls really well at low revs 3K to 5k then calms down and then really goes at 7-8k all the way to the red line. Guess it's just the character of the engine, not a bad thing, just got to remember to change down for a nippy overtake to get it in that upper power band.

Nooj · #9 Post by **Nooj** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 11:10 pm

Mine sounds the same as yours, it was really evident before I started tinkering with it, but has now all but gone thanks to ££££ of renegade bits. PHAT midrange, ooh yeah!

I wonder if it's down to the cam timing, apparently there's quite a big discrepency between different bikes with the 'same' engines, I think there's a post about degreeing cams on AF1 (surprise surprise...), something I'm thinking about for next year, or... maybe I should just RIDE THE FUCKING THING!

Big_AL · #10 Post by **Big_AL** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 12:30 pm

Maybe the newer ones suffer more, mines a bronze 05 model (same as yours IIRC) I've heard mentioned the newer ones have smaller air inlet pipes etc which is why i was wondering if the restriction (if any) was the air going in or exhaust gasses getting out? One thing i have noticed is when in the flat spot the air being sucked in is very noticable, there's always a nice induction noise on acceleration but when in the flat spot it's more of a sucking noise if you know what I mean. Maybe I need a new air filter????

I guess it may be the fueling (as mentioned by someone previously) as when my bike had a partial fuel blockage (must have also been running a bit lean) the bike had a really strong midrange but weak top end. Since it was fixed, new fuel filter etc the top end is very rapid right up to the red line but the midrange (in comparison) feels weak.

Perhaps I'm imagining it. Like you say nooj, easy to get caught up thinking about modding etc when I should just be riding the damn thing and enjoying it

D-Rider · #11 Post by **D-Rider** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 1:21 pm

Big_AL wrote:Maybe the newer ones suffer more, mines a bronze 05 model (same as yours IIRC)

Not entirely convinced - mine is a bronze '04 model on an 05 plate. Fausto's is also a late model if I remember correctly.
The bigger inlets were only on the very early ones.

BTW I don't believe that there is such a thing as an 05 model - I believe production stopped in '04 (but I could be wrong). The label on the subframe under the rider's seat will confirm.

Samray · #12 Post by **Samray** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 1:40 pm

I was under the impression that the flat spot found on most bikes was a built in result of noise reduction design.

Did someone mention Rene? Jorge was your man for smoothing that flat spot out.

HowardQ · #13 Post by **HowardQ** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 1:46 pm

Beowulf road legal race cans (with baffles) and a K&N kit cured mine!

The "legal" cans are loud though, but sound nice

One slight advantage of the flat spot that covered the drive by noise setting, was that it helped the bike to wheelie when it came back on song!

Big_AL · #14 Post by **Big_AL** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 1:49 pm

By '05 model I meant it's an '05 reg not when it was necessarily made. I suspect it's probably an '04 model as you rightly say

Anyways, I shan't bother with an air filter mod if there's not going to be any significant gain. Money spent increasing the bikes performance is probably better spent on training or track days as the bikes potential performance is way in excess of my own, of this i am sure

Although one thing i do need is a decent tank protector as my poor tank is getting scuffed from my leathers especially on the sides from cornering. I know a normal one won't help with this, maybe some of those transparent sticky things sold by the california superbike school would be a good idea? Any ideas chaps???