Exhaust

After around 18000km the original exhaust started to rattle from some loose internal tubes. I had heard of others that got the defective exhaust replaced on warranty, but my leo was only covered for one year and that was behind me. I lived with the rattle for a while but it got worse and worse. A new original exhaust is very expensive so I looked at aftermarket solutions. At that time there was only a few to choose from i ended up ordering a Giannelli Freeway from ZMG Motorsport [D].

So in May 2000 at 22785 km I replaced the original exhaust with a Gianelli. It is hard to judge if the Gianelli exhaust makes a difference in performance, without having anything to measure it by, but it was not a significant change. The sound of it is not loud and maybe a bit deeper than the original. I don't think that it makes much more noise than the original exhaust (It makes less noise than my defect one that rattles :).

Since then Gianelli have changed the freeway for the leonardo and there is now also a version available which is approaved for road use. The new version looks more like the original aprilia exhaust. The freeway I got was mostly in stainless steel but the brackets and some of the weldings rusted anayway. But is more difficult to fit and remove since the flange where one bolts it to the engine is fixed on the front tube, while its loose on the original. I've actually used half an hour myself just to get it in place without removing the bolts that goes into the engine...

Then in February 2002 I Got my gianelli exhaust welded, because it hat cracked by the front fitting. Afterward I gave it some Plasticote exhaust paint that has to heat dry in a oven (or go for a long ride :-). The reason for the crack might be my crash in November 2001.

But only a week after I got the scooter back on the road (after my rebuild)the exhaust was stolen as well as the plate that Aprilia calls the exhaust pipe support. Its the plate behind the exhaust that connects the engine with the free end of the rear wheel shaft. I thought about buying a new aftermarket exhaust but my local dealer offered me an used aprilia exhaust at a reasonable price. I choose that since I could get it right away enstead of having to wait for mailorder. Its slightly scratched but so is the rest of my ride - so it fits well :-)

So after first 23000km with the original exhaust and then 16000km with the Gianelli I'm back to the original look. I just hope that my used exhaust will last a few years and another 18000+km before it also starts to rattle.

I have first hand experiences with two other leo's with aftermarket exhausts. They are both 150ccm and have been fitted with the the Leo Vinci Touring. Their engines are otherwise standard and and their owners has not noticed any changes in performance. I think that the Leo Vinci Touring looks better than the first version of the Gianelli Freeway I had.

Look on the parts page for more about exhausts.

Last edited: 2002/04/15