Just wondering if others have installed the J. Costa variator too. I installed mine over a year ago and it really improves the performance of the SWing. I think it is also a bit smoother and it sure does make the acceleration immediate as soon as you give it throttle. It seems to take the lag out of the bike when twisting the throttle.

I bought mine at scootertrap.com and also have a pictorial there. I will be putting them on this site too, along with others. If others have done this mod or are wanting too just chime in and tell us how you like it or if it is worth doing. I know I won't go back.



Ride safe,

JeffR



http://www.4shared.com4shared.com/file/77483927/844fdf75/J_Costa_Pin_Replacement_and_Belt_Replacement_612kb.html[url][/url]

My wife's 2003 really has a lag when taking off from a stop, tell me more about the J. Costa Variator and how it works. She would be thrilled if the lag was gone.

Bob

Well Jeff like you, having fitted the J costa I wouldn't go back! In a nutshell these are the things I've discovered about it, having had it fitted for about 6 months or so... :D

Major change in performance, more noticeable than any of the other Mods I have had fitted, including the power commander and exhaust. Top speed improved from about 90mph (indicated 97) to 105 (indicated 117).

Acceleration improved from about just over 7 seconds to about 6 seconds. Noticeable lift of the front end when accelerating (until I got progressive springs.. (sorry no wheelies!) Acceleration seems improved across the range, and at full throttle the Swing gets up to about 80 mph before begining to tail off a little, but still goes hard till 100mph (true speed). Last 5mph takes a bit longer..!

Belt slap appears to have completely gone

Throttle response seems improved, with a little less twist needed for the same performance

Low speed handling better, as the drivetrain seems to respond quicker. Easier to burble along at low speed (walking speed) blipping the throttle without putting feet down

The J Costa is definitely a bit noiser, but in a good sporty kinda way...

Revs a little higher at low speeds, but at 70 mph revs a little less than stock. Thus fuel consumption gets hit.... My average of 45 dropped to about 42mpg, but that said, if cruising at 70 mph plus, then fuel consumption is slightly improved over stock. If you hustle especially around town with starting and stopping, fuel consumption can dip into the high thirties

But and this is a big BUT, you can fit other Mods that will improve the fuel economy... A power commander! Alas thay ain't that cheap.....

Verdict: the J Costa transformed my Swing, and significantly improved performance, albeit at a slight overall loss in mpg, but IMHO, worth it. If you are considering changing the variator to improve fuel economy, then maybe best to go for the Malossi Multivar which gives you a choice of weights to use, and so is more tweakable to your desired riding style. The J Costa comes as is, and already optimized, no tweaking needed, or warranted! However as noted above, a power commander and individualised mapping will improve your MPG. Well, it did mine anyway!

Bernardo,
Thank you for a great post. I have been thinking seriously about pulling off the cover just to clean and inspect my 06. It only has 6,400 miles on it but it lacks what I used to have with my CB750 a long time ago. It sounds like the J. Costa Variator would be the way to go. Thanks for your comments.
>> Dennis

Dennis,

Like Bernardo said, it really is the best mod you can do to get the most performance. It is also very simple to install. I have a Pictorial that shows the steps if you do decide to do it. I have heard that J. Costa may start making different weights for it one day but are too busy just trying to keep up with the stock supplies.

When I first put it on I was disappointed with the mpg's but then I realized that I was giving it the same amount of throttle as before, with the stock variator, and you don't need to do that. Giving the same amount of throttle from a stop gets you going much quicker so you can ease up on the throttle to get the same amount of acceleration as the stock set up.

Thanks Jeff. I love your photos. What a great job. I remember getting work done on one of my vehicles to improve the gas mileage but the increased power was so much fun that I didn't gain a thing...but I did get there quicker. I appreciate your comment about letting off on the accelerator. Good advise. Thanks.
>> Dennis

On a side note, I've read that the Majesty with the J.Costa transforms from a true slug into a sportbike. Try 0-60 in 10 seconds stock, 6.7 with the Costa! That's a huge change!

I'd say they're worth it. But Majesty owners report a loss of fuel mileage as well. You don't get something for nothing I guess.

Thanks Bernardo,
Say, are you going to do a write up on the progressive springs? Again, my old machine had a lot of weight in the front end which is lacking on the Silver Wing. Or, should I just crank up the rear shocks?

Maxiscooter,

I know a couple of people who started out with the Malossi on their Majesty and then installed the J. Costa. They said that the difference betwen the stock and the Malossi is about the same as the difference between the Malossi and the J. Costa.

Regarding the drive train - In addition to the J-Costa variator there is a Malossi clutch. It seems that most who have replaced the OEM variator have left the OEM clutch in place. Am I wrong with this assumption? Anyone replace both and what was the impact on economy and durability? I do understand that there would be a significant performance increase, but am most interested in the rpm reduction at mid and high speed cruising.

I've spent so much money now on my S'wing that I don't think I'll bother with the clutch... Besides I saw it when my local dealer changed the variator, and its one hefty piece of kit...... I'll warrant as with most honda parts it's over engineered, so I don't think the extra power from the other mods is going to wear it out in a hurry....

IMHO you are not really gonna benefit from any improved economy by fitting a J costa unless you regularly are traveling at 70mph plus. Furthermore with the extra performance afforded by the J costa, it's really hard to not use it, if you know what I mean.... It just feels way too good to not twist that throttle that bit more than you really need....

If you want improved economy, then go for a power commander.... I'll post a review that I've written sometime.

What can I expect in the way of cost to have my dealer order the J. Costa variator and install it on my SW?

Vito,

You should order it from www.scootertrap.com yourself and install it yourself. The very first post of this topic is a step-by-step pictorial on how to install it. It would be cheaper to buy the tools than to pay the shop to do the work. Matt, the owner of scootertrap gives great customer service for all the things he sells. You can cut out the middleman, the dealer, and get it yourself. It is a very simple task to do if you have the tools. If you need help then just get back to me.

I thought I'd chime in on the J Costa, I just popped on on the bike and the guy at Scooter Trap who sold it to me gave me some good advice, don't go to Honda, find a scooter store, so I did. When I called Honda they weren't sure how long it would take (this a is a large dealer) to install and were talking up to two hours, the scooter place said it would be 30 minutes and it was. I walked over to the Dunkin Donuts across the raod while they put it in and when I got back the three mechanics were standing around grinning at the bike. I asked if they'd put it in yet since I had only been gone a little while and they had it an and all three had given it a test ride. They couldn't believe a scooter could take off like that.

I road the old version for about 2000 miles before switching to the Costa (mostly because of what I read here). I'd say the difference is like going from a prop to a turbine engine. This thing just winds up and goes. The top end is past my personal limits so I can't say how fast it'll go, I'm not interested, I just like the smooth ride and predictable acceleration.

I think if Honda sold the bikes side by side they'd sell more with the J Costa than without. Just my opinion.

Dan

kiggs,

I don't think the J. Costa improves the top end at all but then again the SWing doesn't need to go any faster. With the stock screen I have had mine up to 104 mph actual (gps) and with the XL Clearview I had it to 102 mph actual. That is plenty fast for me. But it really improves the acceleration and smooths it out. Another thing you will notice is the additional engine braking, which is great when coming down steep hills or mountains. Hope you like it.

Additional engine braking is a reallygood thing but I don't thing you'll be going down to many steep hills or mountains at Daytona Bike Week!

104 mph actual on a Silver Wing? That had to be scary!

Jeff:
How did you measure your top speed? Do you have GPS on your bike? Like you, I have the Givi windshield and J Costa, but I also have a K&N air filter and the Leo Vince exhaust. I have a long, slightly downhill (

Pete,

104 mph wasn't scary at all. The SWing is very smooth and stable and had no problem maintaining that speed. As for the mountains, I live in California and not Florida so I ride in the mountains all the time.

Scooterist,

yes I have a GPS on my bike and that is what I used to get the speed. I just assume that the GPS speed is accurate enough to consider it an actual speed. The SWing seems that it gets smoother the faster you go. When I did this I was on a level interstate with no wind. Bernardo has everything you have on your SWing, and also the power commander, and I think he posted a top speed of 105 mph.

Jeff: I seem to have lost the rest of my message above.

I was able to pretty much wind my bike out over that long stretch and it indicated a speed of 112 mph, which would be approximately 106 if the speedometer reads 5% faster that actual. I think that was pretty much all the bike has. It felt very stable and smooth.

You guys are killing me with all the J. Costa talk!! :At Wit's End:

I was waiting til spring before ordering and then the Canadian dollar nose-dived dramatically (after rising dramatically). What would have been less than $280 is now going to cost $350 or more!! And that's not counting S&H, customs, brokerage fees and taxes!!

I'll just wait til a night out :beer: when my credit card is a little more accessible.

I love these emoticons!! :bounce1:

Captain

If you need help rationalizing the purchase of the J Costa, then bear with me. While cost is always a factor that we must consider, in this case, since you were all ready prepared to spend $280.00 for the purchase of the J Costa, the additional cost at this point is only $70.00. Why, that is less than four 12 packs of premium beer! And a mere pittance when you consider the increased enjoyment your Swing will provide. So promise you will drink less premium beer and also promise that you will ride the bike a little extra so you can pay back the extra $70.00. And in a couple of months you won't even remember that it cost $70.00. Have fun!

Actually Scootist - I rarely drink (all Canadian beer is premium beer :yoyo: ), its just one of those "Damn, if I had just . . . ! things".

I suspect I'll be ordering one of them fangled things soon. Snow is almost all gone here and I've just done the pre-season check.

I'm kinda surprised that Honda didn't have a more efficient variator design from the get go . . . of course, a 750 version with the option of a J. Costa for the same performance increase would be nice!!

Captain

and 16-inch wheels...

. . . and a factory supercharger kit (yes, I'm stretching but why stop now)!!