Aftermarket exhausts- are they worth it?

[stroller]

Having previously fitted race cans on my Ducati's unashamedly for the beautiful sound they made (I never noticed any difference in performance), I am being tempted to fit a system (probably Bos) to my 1200GS.
This time though, I want to see significant performance gains, and I am wondering if this is realistic. I would also like to hear a nice improvement in sound whilst not going to the somewhat anti-social volume of the Ducati.

The cost of these systems is not inconsiderable, so is it money well spent?

 

[retroman]

Controversial view p'raps, but a TOTAL WASTE OF MONEY IMHO.

You could finance a decent trip with the cost of those piles of scrap.

 

[GS TRV]

Loud Pipes save lives

who cares - if you like the sound then why not buy it?

 

[Tomcat]

I bought a BOS can and headers at a bit of a bargain price (£300 I think) to fit to my 2004 GS. Its claimed to give an extra 3-4hp across most of the rev range. The difference is not great, but the motor spins up quicker and feels a bit livelier than before. It sounds a little louder now but certainly not offensive. The bike also looks a bit different to all the other GSs out there.

Is it worth the dosh? Well, it isn't the best value I've had for £300 but since when did rationality have anything to do with spending money on bikes

 

[karlp]

If you are expecting to see significant gains then you will be disappointed. I think the majority of the noticable 'gain' in power is due to the change in exhaust note and therefore perceived power.

If however you remap the engine properly then you can take advantage of the different characteristics etc but expect to pay a lot more money.

When I did these changes on my race car it was in the region of £2500. excluding the cost of the exhaust.

The cheapest way to get more power is to shed excess weight.

 

[ECM]

I had what probably was the most pimped up 2004 GS.

A simple anwer to the question in the title would be: Nope...

 

[(RIP) Tunneruk]

I've heard it said that just changing the Headers is most effective as it removes the Cat. Wit the standard can is sounds fruitier.

 

[Bertie]

In terms of performance, going on a diet/losing weight (unsprung?!) would be more noticeable. In addition, a mate once got his Fireblade confiscated in Germany because of a "sports" pipe, and it was only released when he got the original silencer flown out from the UK! The differnce in performance is usually claimed at around 3 - 5 brake, which is hardly noticeable in this country.

I've been down the Ducati sports pipe route, and although I loved the noise, it was wearing hearing it all the way down to the Costa Blance! So I'm keeping the cat and original silencer this time, unless any of it gets damaged.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Depends what you mean by a 'significant' improvement

I have a full BOS system.

With the baffle in in makes a lovely sound but one which is not anti-social (this is how I run it).
Take the baffle out (just held in with one bolt, 2 minute job) it becomes loud.

Fitting the system did not give more noticeable power but it did almost remove the flat spot before 5000 revs, allowed the engine to pull more smoothly lower down and gave a fattter midrange - all noticeable improvements that made it well worth fitting in my book

As has been said, most of the improvement is to be had from replacing the headers and junking the CAT. However, I wanted the sound of an aftermarket silencer and the not inconsiderable weight saving (oh, and the looks!).

To get the same level of performance gain again, together with more top end, you need to fit a fuel controller and K&N (or similar) filter.

Linky here on my experience of doing just that.

IMHO both sets of mods have transformed my bike. Not in a 'more power, faster, faster' way but in just how tractable the motor now is and how fat the midrange has become. Whenever I get to ride a standard one I can't wait to get back on mine again.

Andres

 

[Jonny_L]

It's a personal thing isn't it, I've always changed my exhausts. I only kept the standard one on my GS for about a day.
I bought a motorcycle and wanted it to sound as such, I didn't buy a washing machine The BMWs are quite restricted because of the exhaust, mainly due to weight though as has been said. It'll feel quicker, but only because it's lighter and sounds better, and maybe 4bhp.

The GS makes a beautiful noise with a different pipe on it, I've got an akrapovic, it sounds really raw and crackles on the overrun which I love, though I could put the baffle back in and it'll be less noticable (I've still got the cat so it's not that loud).

My next bike will have one on too. If you want one, go for it. Oh and youtube is your friend for hearing what they sound like.

P.S. About the cost, I've never bought a new one, ebay every time. Or ask at your local BM dealer if they've got any kicking about, that's where I got mine, £250 for a nearly new end can.

 

[GSmonkey]

I like it for the noise - end of.

 

[iainw]

The cheapest way to get more power is to shed excess weight.

You can shed as much weight as you like but you'll find you still have the same power.

Lose weight and you'll have a better power to weight ratio, which is good for acceleration, turning and braking, but no extra top speed. Make yourself and the bike more streamlined, less wind resistance, you'll accelerate faster and have a higher top speed.

Get rid of the panniers, lose 2 stone, get a lower screen, tilt it back, fit clip ons and tuck in.

 

[earthmover]

I have a Bos can on mine, rest of system standard. Lost a fair amount of weight, gained a slightly more purposeful sound. Only difference noted in power was that the mid range seems more responsive, but that could be subjective. I don't like loud pipes for my use, I only like them on race tracks.
Mark

 

[cookie]

use the money saved from annoying the neighbours to buy some decent suspension.

bollocks to miniscule power gains, finesse is where it's at

 

[turnipbmw]

I think they look tacky as well -especially the big open space where the cat goes.

Gutless porky slob with aerodynamics of a barn door + 5 bhp =

gutless porky slob etc

 

[John Armstrong]

I think they look tacky as well -especially the big open space where the cat goes.

Gutless porky slob with aerodynamics of a barn door + 5 bhp =

gutless porky slob etc

This is the 1200 area

 

[karlp]

You can shed as much weight as you like but you'll find you still have the same power.

Lose weight and you'll have a better power to weight ratio, which is good for acceleration, turning and braking, but no extra top speed. Make yourself and the bike more streamlined, less wind resistance, you'll accelerate faster and have a higher top speed.

Get rid of the panniers, lose 2 stone, get a lower screen, tilt it back, fit clip ons and tuck in.

yep that is what I really meant. - just typing quicker than i was thinking