Performance Upgrades

I've been watching his videos once he got an ST1300 for himself and IMO he vacillates between decent video production/presentation and utter ignorance of fundamental modern motorcycle design and engineering.

He does reduce to empirical testing and results which I can respect in many cases, but too often I grimace as we arrive there.

Case in point, his ignorance of the role of the 'snorkels' in the airbox. Click on the video link to jump right that moment,

 
STRider said:
Case in point, his ignorance of the role of the 'snorkels' in the airbox. Click on the video link to jump right that moment,
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I don't have an opinion of the guy yet, saw it in another thread, thought it deserved its own.
What would role be, technically speaking?
 
Before watching the video, I nominate 3 performance upgrades:

Better saddle
Cruise control
Bar risers - not necessary for all riders

All else, IMO, are convenience items, while my 2 suggestions (3 for some) are for rider performance; i.e., sustained non-stop riding capability.
"Sustained non-stop"... did I just repeat myself, or was I just being redundant?
 
Willsmotorcycle said:
I don't have an opinion of the guy yet, saw it in another thread, thought it deserved its own.
What would role be, technically speaking?
Click to expand...
The role of the snorkels is NOT to keep bugs and water out of the engine, and though noise level is a factor, their length, diameter and reduction (initial diameter to final diameter along their length) are all tuned to the desired power characteristics at specific engine rpm or range of rpm.

I like his John Davis of "MotorWeek" style of delivery. It's polished and generally to the point without a lot of fluff and BS. But once you sour me with shoddy, poorly researched data I'm constantly on the alert for other inaccuracies and you've generally placed yourself on my 'suspect' list.

Before he got the ST1300 he did a video "6th Generation Honda VFR 800 VTEC Interceptor, The Best Used Bike to Buy?" As an original V45 Interceptor owner, I nearly spewed my morning Joe all over my PC when he claimed the 6th gen (those with the under seat exhaust) were better looking than the prior model. BARRFFF!
 
He said he lowered the ST's temperature by 100ºC! Really?

And loud pipes save lives! Who know.
 
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Sadlsor said:
Before watching the video, I nominate 3 performance upgrades:

Better saddle
Cruise control
Bar risers - not necessary for all riders

All else, IMO, are convenience items, while my 2 suggestions (3 for some) are for rider performance; i.e., sustained non-stop riding capability.
"Sustained non-stop"... did I just repeat myself, or was I just being redundant?
Click to expand...


ride eat sleep, ride eat sleep? not redundant at all! :thumb:
 
Too funny. Take all the pains to remove snorkels, filter, wrap the pipes. Then replace the exhaust, junk the baffles, killing the backpressure on the engine and toss the low end torque. Good job.
 
Not going to get into the noise controversy but the guy has no concept of basic acoustic intake tuning. Those intake horns are tuned to direct and receive reflected pressure waves from one intake, when it closes to another that is open or opening. When the intake valves close on one cylinder, that causes flow to stop and generate a retrograde pressure wave. This wave can be used to slightly pressurize another cylinder's intake where the valves are open, stuffing in a bit more charge. The shape of the intake horns, volume of the air box, engine timing and RPM are all used by the manufacturer to optimize the desired effect. The math can get pretty hairy. Often this intake tuning is used to help boost and smooth out midrange power, especially for a touring bike like the ST1300, but it depends on the manufacturer's intent.

I don't believe that his engine runs better or makes more power removing those funnels without seeing a before and after dyno run. He's probably introduced flat spots and hesitations in the midrange even if he's added a fraction of a horsepower at the top end, which I doubt.
 
wjbertrand said:
Not going to get into the noise controversy but the guy has no concept of basic acoustic intake tuning. ...
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EVERYTHING you said.

I like his production values. His content is suspect at nearly every turn. Shame...
 
wjbertrand said:
Not going to get into the noise controversy but the guy has no concept of basic acoustic intake tuning. Those intake horns are tuned to direct and receive reflected pressure waves from one intake, when it closes to another that is open or opening.
<etc.>
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I, in my limited understanding of performance tuning, will agree.
And it sounds like you're channeling Kevin Cameron.
Cool.
 
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