Leo Vince Exhaust + Malossi Variator
Hi U All, I am new but I bought Gib McKain 2003 AN400 with 1155 miles on it. He lived in the Colorado and I live in Georgia. I actually picked the scooter up in Kansas after a friend hauled it there. I then rode it back to Atlanta, GA 1000 miles in two days back in July 2004. I now have 4100 miles on it. I ride to work 3-4 days a week to work, 19 miles one way when it is not raining or is above 50 degrees when leave the house. I am too old for cold weather riding. For reference, I am a Vietnam Vet so that gives you an idea of my age. I served aboard nuclear powered vessels and nuclear qualifed. Some will know what that means but most will not.
Gib already installed the LV pipe and the Malossi variator so I do not have any experience with a stock scooter. Before I left Kansas, I replaced the engine and gear oil with Amsoil 5W-40 synthetic oil. On my trip back from Kansas I averaged between 56-63 mpg, all highway driving but not on the interstate highway. My speed was between 60-65 mph. Driving in Atlanta traffic on the side roads, no interstate, I average between 56-59 mpg driving 45-55 mph. Mileage seem to drop off 2 mpg if I remove the exhaust baffle but there is more noticeable power available, but it is noiser (sounds like a Harley under the helmet, realistically it is not that loud). Estimated top speed with the baffle removed is 95 mph. I have reached 89 mph with the baffle installed. You all know that indicated speed reads high on most motorcycles and scooters, about 10%, so you are actually going slower than indicated.
I have also installed a head light modulating unit and it freaks some people out, but what the hey, it is my life I worry about not their inconvenice. I have the standard windshield and I don't mind it, I like being able to look over it vs looking through it as with a larger shield. I am 5' 8" tall.
I have three negative comments. First, the brakes seem mushy, not very positive. I have to squeeze darn hard to get the scooter to stop. My 50cc Aprilia has very good response and moderate force is only required. My son is taken over the Aprilia and I had installed an Arrow exhaust since day 1 and changed the rollers to Malossi. Top speed is about 58 mph indicated. That scooter has about 5600 miles and it has been 15 months since I bought it.
Second, the seat strut would not hold up the seat. After one year, it should still be workable but it is not. The Suzuki dealer wanted $67 plus tax for the strut. I believe the wrong strut was used, it is underdesigned. I found a company that sells the same manufacturer that caters to other industries for a cheaper price, $38 plus $9 shipping. The strut is 1 inch longer and is bigger in diameter. Stabilus part number is 1718EQ and has a force of 98 newtons vs the stock 1147RU force of 90 newtons. The holes for the strut are 10 mm vs 8 mm for the stock strut. Solution, I made my own bushings by cutting the top of a Sanford Uni-Ball 2 mm ball point pen. The company is JWF Technologies in Ohio. Just type the company name in Google and you will find it.
The third is my FI red has come on steadily twice. The scooter seems to ride just fine. Both time it has been in the morning, temperature less than 60 degrees and high humidity. If I turn off the engine and restart, it will come back on about three minutes later. I will see it if comes on this afternoon as I drive home going by the dealer.
