Scalvini Pipe And Silencer

What it is

Scalvini is an Italian specialty pipe manufacturer started by a former World Championship road racer Gianluigi Scalvini. The two-stroke pipes are hand made with rolled cones and welded together by artisans, not welders. The pipes are track and dyno tested with each project led by Scalvini himself. The company claims to use only the highest quality materials. The flange is a machined piece and the brackets are double-walled for durability. The aluminum/carbon muffler is built for more durability than the carbon/carbon muffler and is repackable. The silencer uses a wrap-around compression bracket to ensure a proper fit. In the US, Motoman Distributing is the exclusive US importer.

How it works

First off the Scalvini pipe is a work of art and you have to imagine there is a lot of time on the welding bench for each one. It is an art form long lost in much more efficient stamping processes but a reminder of what a true hand-made works pipe really is. In being works and custom, there is the fit which is works and custom compared to stock. The YZ125 brackets were at their maximum range, especially near the rear of the pipe at the stinger to attach to the Scalvini. The front flange was nice and tight and came equipped with O-rings in place. Luckily the single wrap-around bracket of the silencer was easy to attach and since it is very adjustable as to positioning, it went right on. Once on the bike everything fit solid and overall it is only a 10-minute job.

Our 2015 Yamaha YZ125 looked pretty good with this pipe installed; we will tell you this and so will everyone who sees it. And another good point is exhaust tone with the aluminum/carbon silencer. It is right in line with the stock muffler and not offensive at all even though the Scalvini silencer is shorter. The pipe quickly blued to a dark metallic finish since the track was not wet on our first use and it pretty much stayed that way through a few washes since we coated it with a water repellent oil right after cleaning. Using an acidic wash we were able to get the metal to go white again while the weld rings stood out for that coned look. Over time the oxidation will wear off at the weld seams but the pipe will continue to visually impress.

On the track there is definitely a difference in the way the pipe delivers power. It is not as smooth and strong on the bottom when compared to the stock YZ125 pipe--an area you really don't ride a 125cc. But as you get into the upper mid-range the Scalvini really comes alive. It pulls significantly harder than the stock pipe and even compared to a couple of other brands it was the most impressive here. When there are big demands for power when pulling into the meat of the powerband, this pipe delivers. Then onto the top end the Scalvini signs off off a little into the taper of the power curve though it does rev longer than the stock pipe. It is just that the strong surge in the middle has the top feeling less impressive than it really is. It isn’t bad and it is better than stock if you keep it revving.

This pipe and muffler setup will reward a rider who is very quick with the shifting. We also felt there could be some improvements with the jetting and ended up torn between a larger main jet or the standard main and a richer needle position. Additionally adding a tooth to the rear sprocket would make it easier to keep on the power in every gear. Each setting had its advantages on where the pipe really came to life but we suspect a slightly different needle might be ideal. Also, The Scalvini Carbon Shorty ($247.00) muffler could also boost power even more. Scalvini's dyno charts show a longer pull than we experienced (and do not show the boost in mid-range we felt http://www.scalvinipipes.com/ScalviniDyno-YZ125.html) but they do not show the torque graph and that would be a little more revealing.

At $279.00 for the pipe it does not seem possible for the time that must go into the welding and the hands-on time. For most of us the appeal of this pipe is in the looks department to make your bike way quicker on the stand and in the garage, no matter how it performs on the track. Luckily if you want a more aggressive feeling YZ125, the pipe and muffler's performance back that up. It does not make the YZ125 easier to ride or any easier to keep looking good without some elbow grease. But works bikes do not come easy and this pipe is trick!

If you are interested in more information on the Scalvini line in the US you can contact Motoman Distributing/Scalvini Racing USA through this link or call them at: 760-949-0941. If you buy a pipe and silencer combo and you tell them you saw it on Dirt Bike Test they will cover the shipping and throw in a T-Shirt. They have two-stroke pipes in stock from most models from 2000 till current.

Here's a little video clip of the pipe.