Mistral Shorties are Sweeeet!

[aproud1]

Found a good deal on the Mistral short pipes for my Milano. I did want a little more exhaust sound but was more bothered by the sheer size of the stock exhaust. So loaded them up yesterday and went for a ride. How do I like them?

I love these. Deeper slightly louder exhaust note. Not too loud though (they do have removable baffles but I'd never pull them). I rode a mixed course and they just sound right. Not sure how else to put it. I can now hear my exhaust slightly more than my engine when riding. And when you really dig in the sound so right!  I thought maybe they were a little loud but rode home from the gas station with no earplugs and they have just the right note.

Install was super easy and I like the look better than stock. Also knocked a bit of weight off the rear end.

[bodine99]

Sounds like an twin from Italy should and they look good also!

[Githianki]

Have them on my Night Pack....LOVE them.  I get a ton of compliments on the sound.

[twowheeladdict]

I've been thinking about them in black for my Carbon.  No need for a beetle map?  If you bought new can you share where?

[aproud1]

I've been thinking about them in black for my Carbon.  No need for a beetle map?  If you bought new can you share where?

Bought from MG Cycle. They have in stock from time to time. Already playing the waiting game on other parts and as a true American want/need some immediate gratification Lots cheaper that the ones I've seen on eBay and a few other sites. Perfect size and don't interfere with my saddlebags.

I don't believe a map is needed. I did do some other stuff that would benefit from a remap but the pipes didn't seem to change much besides the look/sound.

[Githianki]

I haven't felt the need to do a remap at this point.  Not that it wouldn't help it, but it still feels fine to me.

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

I want a milano more every time i see one...  I dont know how long I can hold out

[aproud1]

I want a milano more every time i see one...  I dont know how long I can hold out

I really like mine. Once I saw one in person I couldn't stop thinking about it.

[alanp]

I really like mine. Once I saw one in person I couldn't stop thinking about it.

Add me to the list of Milano lurkers.  I can't stop thinking about one either.  I love my V7II Stone, but a Milano....yum!

[aproud1]

Sounds like an twin from Italy should and they look good also!

Really do. Mistrals make the bike sound match the looks.

[Andy1]

Only problem with the Mistral shorties is that the mounts do not take the centre stand stops.....so I had to go with the longer ones as I wanted to keep a centrestand.   Still a great sound and lighter than the originals
AndyB

[aproud1]

Only problem with the Mistral shorties is that the mounts do not take the centre stand stops.....so I had to go with the longer ones as I wanted to keep a centrestand.   Still a great sound and lighter than the originals
AndyB

The weight difference seems noticeable. Maybe it's my shocks breaking in. Considered a center stand but my wheel chock and hydraulic lift are kind of an industrial center stand. I guess.

[Andy1]

Bit difficult carrying a chock and hydraulic lift around with you though 
Andyb

[Githianki]

The weight difference seems noticeable. Maybe it's my shocks breaking in. Considered a center stand but my wheel chock and hydraulic lift are kind of an industrial center stand. I guess.

MG Cycle sells the bracket for using the center-stand.  I have the shorties, and the center-stand. The only gripe I have with the bracket is that I can't use the little bumper part because it makes the stand hang a littler lower then I would like.  I stuck a piece of rubber to the bottom of the pad on the bracket so it's not metal to metal. 

11# for stock pipes, 5# for the Mistrals.

[twowheeladdict]

11# for stock pipes, 5# for the Mistrals.

Each?  12 lb saving?  Now if I can just loose 30 I would have a nice increase in power to weight ratio.   

[aproud1]

Bit difficult carrying a chock and hydraulic lift around with you though 
Andyb

I have a van on standby. 

[Githianki]

Each?  12 lb saving?  Now if I can just loose 30 I would have a nice increase in power to weight ratio.   

Yup, each.  I was surprised it was that much.

[aproud1]

Yup, each.  I was surprised it was that much.

Not too surprising when you look at them side by side:

[Vagrant]

I have a III with the HB center stand and the shorties went right on with no problem.

[marcdavo]

I have a III with the HB center stand and the shorties went right on with no problem.

My girls V7ii special has the HB centerstand and mistral shorties. Fit no probs.
 Beetle map to suit. Nice pipes indeed.   

[alanp]

This thread had an effect on me, I logged onto MG Cycle and bought a set for my V7II Stone.  They arrived today.  Took me about 30 minutes to install them.  Left the baffles in.  WOW!   
The guys at Mistal are sound artists.  What a wonderful sounding bike, I could never have imagined it would sound so good.  They look great too.  The other "benefit" is that the bike seems to spool up quicker/rev more freely than before.  Really seemed to run great.  I have the stock exhaust Beetle map but think I will leave it alone for awhile.  Cant see any need to change, but only rode about 30 miles.   
Anyway thanks for talking these up and motivating me.

[aproud1]

This thread had an effect on me, I logged onto MG Cycle and bought a set for my V7II Stone.  They arrived today.  Took me about 30 minutes to install them.  Left the baffles in.  WOW!   
The guys at Mistal are sound artists.  What a wonderful sounding bike, I could never have imagined it would sound so good.  They look great too.  The other "benefit" is that the bike seems to spool up quicker/rev more freely than before.  Really seemed to run great.  I have the stock exhaust Beetle map but think I will leave it alone for awhile.  Cant see any need to change, but only rode about 30 miles.   
Anyway thanks for talking these up and motivating me.

Glad to hear it. I agree with your assessment. These sound great without being too loud or annoying, really sound the way the bike should.

[twowheeladdict]

Well, you all wore me down.   

I ordered a set in black.

This is the first time in my life that I bought exhaust for a motorcycle.  LOL!  The size reduction was my wife saying the bike was too quiet were the deciding factors. 

[aproud1]

Well, you all wore me down.   

I ordered a set in black.

This is the first time in my life that I bought exhaust for a motorcycle.  LOL!  The size reduction was my wife saying the bike was too quiet were the deciding factors.

I think you'll be very happy. I love the sound of my V7 before. Made it more of a whole package.

[alanp]

Well, you all wore me down.   

I ordered a set in black.

This is the first time in my life that I bought exhaust for a motorcycle.  LOL!  The size reduction was my wife saying the bike was too quiet were the deciding factors.

Let us know what you think!  I am loving mine, and after a few more rides, I really think the bikes runs better with them.  The bike seems to be happier at lower rpm, runs smoother where the fueling used to be a bit uneven.  And it spools up quicker! 

[TheHungarian]

Those Mistrals are beautiful. How much louder are they than stock? I've heard some exhausts with DB killers (not on a Guzzi) that made the cans sound tinny or higher pitched, but I'm sure that's not the case here. Without the heat shields, do you ever melt some rubber from your shoes onto the pipes? How does that work?

I'm one of those weirdos that think the stock V7 exhaust sounds amazing and looks pretty great in chrome too. It's a pretty deep burble (to me at least) and really bellows when I get on it. Yet, it's quiet when cruising on the highway, which I appreciate. The stockers even have a little over-run burbling from time to time, although that could just be the shitty stock fuel map. I think the Italians do exhaust pretty well!

Best,
Mike

[twowheeladdict]

Let us know what you think!  I am loving mine, and after a few more rides, I really think the bikes runs better with them.  The bike seems to be happier at lower rpm, runs smoother where the fueling used to be a bit uneven.  And it spools up quicker!

Should receive them tomorrow  so I will get them installed and tested by this weekend if the stock pipes come off clean. I didn't want to buy new gaskets if I didn't need them. 

[aproud1]

Those Mistrals are beautiful. How much louder are they than stock? I've heard some exhausts with DB killers (not on a Guzzi) that made the cans sound tinny or higher pitched, but I'm sure that's not the case here. Without the heat shields, do you ever melt some rubber from your shoes onto the pipes? How does that work?

I'm one of those weirdos that think the stock V7 exhaust sounds amazing and looks pretty great in chrome too. It's a pretty deep burble (to me at least) and really bellows when I get on it. Yet, it's quiet when cruising on the highway, which I appreciate. The stockers even have a little over-run burbling from time to time, although that could just be the shitty stock fuel map. I think the Italians do exhaust pretty well!

Best,
Mike

Hey Mike,
I thought the stock exhaust sounded good but a little quiet at speed. The Mistral area little louder and definitely deeper. They do have removable baffles. I can imagine ever wanting to remove them. An option if needed. The Mistrals really sound like what the bike should sound (in my mind). The stock exhaust note disappeared at certain speeds and I always had a hard time hearing myself when riding with my friends. Not a problem anymore. Louder and deeper without being obnoxious. Plus, less weight and I really like the look of the Mistrals.

No issues with my boots touching the pipes. And for the record around 250 or so miles on the new pipes and I am only happier with them now.

[twowheeladdict]

Nice rumble now with the V7III.  Definitely like the look, but not sure about the bright nameplate.  I need to spray the headers with some high heat paint, so I might just cover the nameplate as well when I do the job.

[aproud1]

Nice rumble now with the V7III.  Definitely like the look, but not sure about the bright nameplate.  I need to spray the headers with some high heat paint, so I might just cover the nameplate as well when I do the job.

Nice! The name plates seem to fit in with the other little bits of metal still visible. I think it looks great but, can understand if you want it totally blacked out.

Still very happy with mine.