I am afraid...

[DrBob]

I have been looking at all of the threads about gutting or partially gutting my exhaust. I really want to do it, but I am afraid that I will regret it later. I really want a little throatier sound, and I lack the funds for a Staintune or other high $ aftermarket system. Therefore, hacking the stock pipes is my best option...

I guess I am looking for some encouragement (or discouragement) from people who have done this mod. Does anyone regret doing it? Will I lose anything performance wise? Am I going to ruin the engine in 2500 miles?

Can anyone think of one good reason why I should just leave it alone?

HELP ME!!!

Thanks.

[drewl]

You might be able to get a stock set fairly cheap from someone who has switched. That way you can experiment and still have yours if it doesn't work out.

[powerslave]

Gutted mine as a winter project and I have NO regrets.
Sounds great...good bang for the buck mod!!!!
Can't say for sure that I gained any power....seems like a little but it may just be an illusion due to the sound encouraging more throttle (does that make sense?)
Engine has not exploded yet,but I only have put on around 8000 km since the "gut".

I never once wished I could go back to stock, and I would do it again if I ever had to!!!

[pjc]

No power gain, but really like the sound. No regrets.

[KC-10 FE]

When you gut the stock cans on the 6th Gen, you are removing almost all the back pressure the stock exhaust gives. Because of this, you are going to lose some low end. You may or may not notice this since the VFR is a heavier bike. The trade off then is a slight increase in top end. Since VFR's are not about HP, it comes down to the benefit of better sound. I heard this setup last year on the Dragon & I thought it sounded like 2 Ducati's riding side by side.

KC-10 FE out...

[AKmik]

I thought about replacing my stock set up, but money is huge and the performance gains are so negligable that it really comes down to the sound of the bike.

I know it would sound better, but with a FI 2006 model I really did not want to mess with it too much, the bike runs flawlessly now and I am afraid of buggering that up.

I decided against it, I figured the 40 Japanese guys in lab coats knew what they were doing when they designed the exaust for the bike. a little more sound would be nice, but I am holding off for now.

Good luck.

Mike

[DrBob]

I finally decided to do it...

I have seen 3 different methods on the boards:
1) Drill out the center pipe with a 1 inch hole saw and dremel out a small section.
2) Drill out the both the large and small diameter pipes and dremel out a small section.
3) Cut the can, cut out the pipes, debaffle (or not debaffle), and weld back.

I drilled out the center pipe with the 1 inch hole saw. I probably dremeled out a smaller section than most people, but it seems to be alright.

I like love the sound. At idle, it is kind of mellow like a purring tiger... Up the revs = roaring lion.

The real test will be Monday morning when I fire the beast up in the garage. If I wake up my 3 year old, it is too loud. If she stays asleep then all is good.