1200GS Stainless Steel Headers

[Sgt Bilco]

Yes...the horizontal pipe between the two headers, i.e. a version like Remus do. I think there would be a demand and I guess the cost would come down a bit.

Andy

The balancer pipe is there for low and mid range power. I think Remus get round this by having larger bore pipes. We certainley haven`t thought about removing the balancer pipe.

The Keihan pipes have a slightly larger bore than the standard so we get best of all worlds.

 

[Davy F]

If I had the spare dosh set aside for replacement headers, these are the ones I'd buy as I prefer the balance pipe. I always think the other types (Remus etc) look odd without it.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

We`ve just completed a batch and have a couple of sets available for immediate delivery

 

[karlp]

can you explain why the pipes do not go the usual brown colour.

These seem to keep the bright finish - or are you a fastidious cleaner.

karl

 

[Sgt Bilco]

can you explain why the pipes do not go the usual brown colour.

These seem to keep the bright finish - or are you a fastidious cleaner.

karl

Karl

As anyone who knows me will tell you, I`m not a fastidious cleaner

The pipes will go a brown colour if you leave them as will all stainless steel systems. I use a brillo pad and solvol to get them back to the finish in the pic. Those headers have been on my bike for 12 months so the quality speaks for itself

 

[Sgt Bilco]

First batch of 5 1200GS headers have been despatched and one set fitted last weekend

I have another batch of 5 already packaged, ready to go and waiting to improve your GS

I`m happy to fit them for you if anyone is unsure of how to do this.

 

[E. Buygum]

Well, I went for it and spent a very pleasant hour drinking coffee at Vern's place while Sgt Bilco did the work. The Keihan headers aren't cheap but they are proper quality and I just felt happier having something which was very close to the BMW original (but without Cat) i.e. with the balancer pipe. I'm really happy with the results. The sound is deeper with a nice "rasp" to it. There's a bit of popping if you come off the throttle quickly. The improvement in the bike is in the 4-7,000 rpm range which is exactly where you want it. The engine revs more freely, spins up quicker and is just that little bit more pleasurable to ride briskly when accelerating out of bends. The 1200GS is a great bike without replacement headers but I think this is a nice mod and compared to spending a couple of hundred quid or more on an aftermarket can whilst retaining standard pipes, it even makes financial sense. (My wife is convinced).

They are stainless steel so will go brown unless cleaned with the right stuff (it doesn't bother me).

Wot....

....no Cat?

A slight downside is that it must be humanly impossible to visit Vern's place without wanting some of his Worldbeater panniers...as soon as he has worked out the fitting for the 1200GS, my varios will be on eBay.

 

[pomm001]

... £299 seems expensive.

I think the price is good considering
stainless is not easy to work , and you need a very fancy ( epensive ) pipe bending machine and jigs.
compared to engineering involved to say a brake disc, good value

 

[alimey4u2]

Being an engineer myself I am impressed with the quality and I think the price is ok for a small batch run.
Don't they go blue ?

These are 12 months old so you can see how good the finish is with a bit of polish.

Very nice....

 

[brixtonchris]

Hi, New tosser here, i have been looking for a cat free system for a while and as i have sw motech bars was wondering if these fit with the bars, and a free fitting service.... wow, the bars are the later model that don't fit to the bash plate, any info greatly recieved , thx

 

[brixtonchris]

BTW its a 05 r1200gs, duh

 

[Sgt Bilco]

BTW its a 05 r1200gs, duh

You have a pm

 

[nharrisn]

The Keihan headers don't appear to have a "hanger" at the muffler end, does this mean they are supported only by the exhaust clamps and the end can itself? Pics of Akropovic and BOS headers show their's to have "hangers".

 

[Sgt Bilco]

The Keihan headers don't appear to have a "hanger" at the muffler end, does this mean they are supported only by the exhaust clamps and the end can itself? Pics of Akropovic and BOS headers show their's to have "hangers".

You are correct, they don`t have a hanger. The CAT is where the hanger was and due to the weight being taken out, it`s no longer needed.

I`ve had these headers on mine for nearly 18 months, done serious mileage on and off road and not had any issues whatsoever

 

[nharrisn]

Sorry if i'm still a little sceptical but had an experience with Samson true duals on my Harley where they omitted the rear header pipe support relying only on the exhaust clamp and muffler for support, this rear header pipe cracked at the bend near the cylinder from the constant expansion and flexing. I realise a Harley engine has a lot more movement/vibration than my GS but why would the higher volume manufacturers such as Akrapovic and BOS include the extra expense of a hangar if they didn't think it was necessary? Don't get me wrong, I am very interested in the Keihan headers as the only other headers I've seen that retain the balance pipe are the Akrapovics which of course are a lot more expensive, I'd just be more comfortable with purchasing if they retained the hanger as per the original.

 

[Edventure]

Very nice!!

After doing a bit of research I have just taken delivery of my new Keihan headers and wow, what a nice looking bit of kit. Looks very well made and neat welds too.

A mate of mine bought headers from ebay and while they were a £100 cheaper they were not all one piece and they were a bugger to fit. I thought I would rather go with the Keihan headers. Nice people to do business with as well.

 

[Beemerman59]

Sorry if i'm still a little sceptical but had an experience with Samson true duals on my Harley where they omitted the rear header pipe support relying only on the exhaust clamp and muffler for support, this rear header pipe cracked at the bend near the cylinder from the constant expansion and flexing. I realise a Harley engine has a lot more movement/vibration than my GS but why would the higher volume manufacturers such as Akrapovic and BOS include the extra expense of a hangar if they didn't think it was necessary? Don't get me wrong, I am very interested in the Keihan headers as the only other headers I've seen that retain the balance pipe are the Akrapovics which of course are a lot more expensive, I'd just be more comfortable with purchasing if they retained the hanger as per the original.

+1 I would buy a set right now if it had a hanger with it - surely it can't be that difficult a thing to add. I know there are probably loads out there with no problems but to me I just looks like it's going to put too much stress in the middle of the pipework and over time and miles I can see stress fractures here.

Is it because the pipework on the Keihan headers go a different route and miss out where the OEM/Remus/Akro headers are hung from?

 

[Mikefirefighter]

No balancer.

Iv just fitted a SS System made by Pipercraft.
It does not have the balancer pipe. I could say I cant tell that there has been a drop in low or mid range power. But has anyone ever done a comparison on a Dyno with the two types of down pipe?

 

[bisbee]

Come on over to see us at the fire service bikers site check the link after my sig

 

[Beemerman59]

Had an email from Keihan today confirming they are adding a hanger (or at least supplying one as an option) and that it should be available from next week. In my opinion I believe that will make it a better option for me since it has both hanger and the balance pipe. I know these are debatable for their necessity but they are necessary if I'm going to buy one. Makes it similar to an Akra in my view but 150 notes less. Having said that Calsport are selling the Akra Headers for 410 including shipping which beats NN by miles.