De-cat pipe? New exhaust? ES eliminator? Power commander?

[Mattwprice]

Maybe I should preface this with the fact that I haven’t been riding a year yet and although on my third bike already, (GS Sertao bought to make me do my test, Versys 650 GT when I realised the Sertao didn’t fit the bill and now V-Strom 1000) think that I have now found the bike I wanted. I perhaps need a handle bar back and riser due to my own back problems but otherwise love my bike.

One small part of it that I wonder about however is the exhaust. A large part of me says it ain’t broke so don’t fix it, another part can’t help wondering.

I guess my query is, what can I expect from doing a Delkavic de-cat and new exhaust? I understand I would also need an ES eliminator, would I also need a power commander?  What exactly could I expect from the new system? I am assuming less weight, more / nicer noise but would there also be more power / tractability? If so how much? Would this effect the MPG? Should I also fit an air filter? Or possibly none of the above or something else in addition?

I’m concerned That I might damage the bike in some way, and if I do end up doing something I want to know I’m doing it right and what I could expect from it all. That way I will be able to weigh up cost / benefit etc. And then of course make a decision based on the heart because the heart wants what the heart wants...!

Thanks for any (polite or otherwise) answers.

[Brockett]

Why are you considering this? is your bike too slow? is it too quiet? Is the exhaust too heavy or too ugly? These are all valid reasons to change.

[Mattwprice]

Not too slow or too ugly, (particularly now that I have ditched the yellow seat), I think at times it could be a little louder and the pipe a little smaller. I really like a low rumble and over run and the fairly raucous blast when you do open the throttle. All of which my strom has....just not as much as I perhaps might like.

As I said in original mail it is only a consideration. If it wasn’t an option I would t mind but I would like to know the options and the implications of those options.

[aderio]

HiJack alert

Have had my DL1000 for 4 year and been considering some upgrades, as above plus heated grips and HyperPro springs front and back, sump guard and wrap around engine bars both from Crosspro.pt.

Opinions welcome from those who have been down this road

[sjrainsford]

Delkevic generally market their exhausts as needing no changes from an engine management perspective.  Or is the decat different?

[tallpaul]

Ask your insurance company what effect the mods will have to your policy. That's usually enough to put most people off...

[Mattwprice]

Checking with the insurance company was the next step after finding out the impact of the changes in a real world scenario. I’d like to know what I should get, the impact of those additions / subtractions and what effect they will have on performance and mpg. Then I can look at insurance costs and take an over all informed view.

[TLPower]

Just wait for Wurzel, he is the go to bloke regarding Veek exhausts.

[wurzel]

If you go for an end can alone it will crispen up the throttle response a little, so it is noticeable, noise is lovely.
Decat and you're into a power commander and dyno setup, a must do for it to run OK and not cook your exhaust valves.
Exhaust servo valve eliminator needed, Air filter not really significant.
With an aftermarket can & decat setup you will get a stronger mid range, and ditto at high revs, to the extent of about 10  to 15%, that you will really feel!
Your into about 1000 pounds for that.
There is an airbox mod which helps that setup marginally, just a couple of holes in the right place.
Alternative is end can and a 'hilltop' setup, one or two members followed this route with good results reported, I can only back up the decat power commander etc route.
When I go abroad I just slip the stock end can on, and loose some top end, but its then socially acceptable to the frogs, and the fuelling is OK.

[Mattwprice]

Thanks all. So just the end can alone, sounds like the thing for me to go for. I just wanted to be sure there wouldn’t be any unwanted consequences as I've heard some stories of concern. My mate has a Vitpilen (which if you try to type without care comes out as “big pile” courtesy of spell check😀) and he has changed the End can and reports the exhaust as glowing red hot, which really doesn’t sound good to me.

[wurzel]

Just an end can will be absolutely fine on your bike, if anything helping it to run cold, that's how I started off, mine was a 'fuel' can, and is still fine.
With the baffle in it's a lovely mellow sound.
Most of the restriction is in the cat on these bikes, so fear not.
You will feel the bike appearing to rev more freely rather than any real power gains.
Well worth doing imo.

[Mattwprice]

Thank you. Any you can recommend?

[wurzel]

there's the rub, I have a fuel branded can, reasonable price, and good budget kit.
I will let others chime in who have bought them more recently,  but worth knowing that short and stubby ones are harsher in sound, and don't help torque, so go for longer within reason.
The fuel diablo is UK made, good quality, works well, about 250 quid on Ebay.
that's what I have.

[Relevant11]

I'll second the fuel diablo, had it pre and post decat, no issues and well made for the money.

[Mattwprice]

Thanks for the recommendations. How did you find the decay and new End can? Much more power? Any effect on MPG?

[Mattwprice]

I did of course mean decat....not decay!

[wurzel]

Decat and end can, with power commander will give you noticeable improvements in power,fuel consumption should not change much unless you use the bike harder.

[Mattwprice]

Thank you!

[SuzukiSte]

Try a pipeworx, got one on the SV sounds great and looks good.

[Andy_J]

DELKEVIC

Say no more.