ScooterDave wrote: They do make a Dyno for scooters. I do not think you understand how a dyno operates and what it does. Dyno numbers are by definition accurate and if this pipe did in fact increase horsepower, Phil's ego would have the numbers plastered all over the place.
Actually, I do understand how dynos work and I've observed them in use. I also, by nature, tend to prattle on way too long on boards like this which leads me to self edit posts down to the bare minimum. There are different types of dynos, the one I was talking about specifically is the Dynojet. Its output is based on an "average" bike that will have components different from your bike. These different components (tire size, number of pistons, size of pistons, flywheel weight, etc.) have a direct effect on output at the rear wheel. But actually, none of this matters anyway because any dyno is simply a tool. The effectiveness of a tool, any tool, is compromised by a variety of factors, including ambient conditions, the technician's skill, the way the bike is setup, etc. I will say this about dynos though: if you're only interested in power at the rear wheel on YOUR bike, a properly set up and operated dyno is capable of showing you the difference between your bike stock and your bike modified.
Now, if you take a minute and re-read the first paragraph of my post, my point was that personally, I would prefer to base my decision on the real world opinion of someone I TRUSTED rather than put my faith in a faceless dyno that could be located some place below sea level (I'm above sea level) and operated by trolls. So, if a good friend of mine says the Termis completely transformed his GT I'd think, "hey, maybe it is worth the $1200." The other point that I failed to make in my first post is that, to me, pipes especially are as much about cosmetic improvements as they are about performance improvements. No dyno is going to tell me how much better (or worse) the new pipes look compared to stock. Same goes for build quality. Same goes for sound. In my world, custom pipes are as much about sound as performance. Finally, if one makes a choice to purchase a new pipe only for performance, one will not get his/her money's worth. I don't care if you're spending $200 on a scooter pipe, $1200 or more for Termis or $2500 for Casuno's, part of what you're paying for is purely aesthetic or you're not getting your money's worth.
Personally, I don't give a crap about this person you mention, or his ego. I have nothing to do with either of them. If they did post dyno numbers to sell an exhaust pipe for a scooter, I wouldn't put any stock in those numbers whatsoever. Why? Well, I'd probably think those numbers were advertised to sell pipes and I'm something of a skeptic.
ScooterDave added: As far as a test ride on a bike equipped with performance parts, yeah right. Finding a dealer to do a test ride on a stock scooter is a rare enough thing in and of itself. I am picking up a Vespa with a Malossi 210 kit on it (along with many other enhancements) in about 70 days and if anyone thinks they will be able to test ride it, they are thinking wrong.
Um, okay. That's your experience, not mine. I've had no problems arranging any test rides for any of the bikes I've looked at over the past year. Rode 'em all in fact. When I heard about the Touring pipe for my Aprilia I rode an Aprilia with the Touring pipe installed and was instantly sold on it. I've already met someone on a Ducati list who has offered to let me take his GT with Termis for a test ride. I just wanted to see and hear the pipes in person but he wants to hear what his bike sounds like riding by. I could also go to any Ducati dealer and at least arrange for a test ride on a bike with the same engine as mine, if not the exact same bike. I have no doubts that I'll be able to do the same once my local scooter shop starts offering performance parts on the Buddy, if I'm interested.
Congrats on your Malossi equipped Vespa. One of the things I love about the motorcycling community is that when we Ducati riders get together we sometimes share rides on each other's bikes. In fact, I've always ridden friends' bikes and they've ridden mine, going back to the late '60's. I've learned a lot about different bikes over the years this way. I hoped to do the same at upcoming scooter events as well but perhaps not.
I warned you all what could happen when I don't self edit.
