Leo Vince SBK Exhaust Review

Purchased a set of Leo Vince SBK Evo II slip-ons for my 2005 VFR. Paid $540 shipped from www.exoticsportbike.com. Was told pipes were in stock and would arrive in 5-10 business days. Took more like 16 business days. Guess they don't factor in the 6 business days it takes them to process the order? Other than the wait, not problems dealing with these folks.

Installing the pipes took 2 or so hrs. First had to remove all of the Honda hardbag brackets I had on my Viffer, than the rear seat cowl and rear tire as well. In hindsight, you probably don't need to remove the tire. Finally pulled the stock pipes off and on went the Leos.

Quality is a pleasant surprise with these pipes. I got the basic aluminum version which is seveal hundred dollars cheaper than the Staintunes or Remus pipes. However, looks, fit and finish are all terrific. Like Remus, they're shorty pipes and will work with the sidebag brackets. About the only "cheap" thing I can notice is the Leo Vince sticker on the two silencers. They give you metal name plates but it's up to you to peel the stickers off and pop on the name plates. Instructions are mostly in Itallian, but there are some pretty clear diagrams that will be of help.

Sound is something else. As has been said, it's a quiet pipe with the baffles in. I took mine out right away. Doing so produces an amazing smallblock V8 like note. And yes, it's plenty loud without the baffles. I like a bit of noise coming from my pipes but I could see some Viffer riders actually finding these pipes a little too loud with the baffles out. But I guess that depends on how long you've been riding with the ultra quiet stockers.

In the end, I'm thrilled with my purchase and almost every bit of the entire purchase and installation experience. Hearing the bike finally roar like I knew it could has made it all worthwhile. I'm glad on didn't pony up more $$$ for the Staintunes or Remus exhausts becasue the Leo Vince slip-on is a real quality product that seems a bit under-rated to me. The notes are really something to hear...I can attest to all of the sound clips available from the many web sources DO NOT do these pipes justice. They are indeed plenty loud, and most certainly plenty throaty.

Now if it were only the start of spring instead of the start of winter...

 

I hear ya, just did a F3 fork up grade now it looks like it won't be till spring before I can really test it out Bummer, oh well something to look foward to. Those leo's aren't a bad way to go, kinda an unknow system for the VFR, good find there. so you like that V8 rumble huh? now if only you had cam gears huh??? LOL

 

How does it compare to this clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ldjrL7kbm8

Please post an update in a few weeks to let us know how the sound changes as the exhaust cures, it should improve over time. Cheers!

Regards,
Bruckner

 

From what I can tell, all of the sound clips posted on this site and others (including the youtube.com video) are recorded with silencers that have the baffles still inserted. I didn't really know what to expect when I pulled mine out, but there really is a substantial difference!

In the last few days, I've had the chance to compare my bike side-by-side with a few friends that rider VFRs. One bike is a 3rd gen (90) with a Two Brothers pipe, the other two are 5th gens (98 and 99) with Hindle and Staintune pipes respectively. My LV pipes sound the 2nd deepest of them all under 5K rpm. The Hindle is quiet a high pitch, the Two Brothers lower and then the Staintunes that do indeed sound awsome. But there's very little difference between the LV and Staintune pipes when it comes to the throaty sound produced.

And yes, being beside all of those older Viffers certainly does make me miss the gear whine all that much more. Too bad there's no slip-on sound system that could just play a little bit of that lovely metallic music.

 

I can now post a further update on my Leo Vince pipes. I've got about 1000km on them and it is true what has been reported...as these pipes age, they sound better and better!

Sound is deep, loud but not annoying. You won't hear them at all above 7000rpm but they really come to life when in the midst of city driving and/or blasts on local backroads.

I've attached some pictures showing my new goodies, more images can be found in my gallery.

Oh, and my windscreen is new too, the Puig dark smoke double bubble offers that added bit of blast protection that we all need. Both products are highly regarded by this VFR owner.

 

Leo Vince Carbon Oval

If anyone is considering putting on slip-on exhaust take a look at the Leo Vince. I just had the carbon oval slip-ons installed and WHAT A DIFFERENCE. If you haven't considered changing your stock exhaust, you may want to reconsider. I thought the difference would be minimal, but I am thrilled with the sound and at what seems like an increase in power (although it could be a sound/mental thing). The carbon looks great with the black rims and frame on the '07 RWB.

The Leo Vince pipes take a little extra time to get and they are a bit on the expensive side. In my opinion they are well worth the wait and the cost. I did have the baffles removed for a little added sound.

I also had a fender eliminator installed and it definitely adds to the looks. I had a gravity dark smoked winshield installed. It does seem to help deflect more wind. I don't really like the look as much as the stock one. I think a mirrored windshield would look better. I couldn't find a mirrored one for the VFR anywhere online. If anyone knows of one available let me know.

I will try to get some pics posted soon.

That's my two cents.

 

do the carbonfiber cans also have a sticker thatcan be pulled off? i hate pipes with the pop rivet name plates.my just get my stock ones moded.kd fab did a heck of a job on the pipe for my last bike.

 

phycocircus. The carbonfiber cans do have a sticker that can be pulled off. I'm with you on the rivet name plates!

 

have either of you figured out what your gonna do with the stock cans?there is a local guy here that mods stock buell cans with great gains in proformance and he has agreed to rework them.think it would be a good idea to have a back up just incase lol.

 

Thanks mbp and bret for the detailed reviews. I've been thinking about a change out myself. bret...looks like you are in Jax also. I saw these cans at the dealer last week....