Hey everyone, I've gone through a couple exhaust pipes now, so I think I can share my experiences and review in hopes it helps other riders.
BMW OEM Exhaust
A known quantity, heavy (10.6 lbs with mounting hardware), quiet, soulless, does the job.
No need to expand on this any further, we know what it is.
Akrapovic F800GS/F700GS Exhaust
I got the Akrapovic exhaust used in like new condition. I put it on and was immediately disappointed. While it does sound better (deeper than the exhaust), it is no louder, despite the rave reviews from years ago...
I discovered that there are two different Akrapovic pipes for our bikes: One is Euro-3 compliant and has a baffle you can remove by drilling out just one rivet, the other is Euro-4 compliant and several rivets must be drilled out and then probably more work beyond that. Mine was the newer, black, Euro-4 compliant exhaust and I wasn't going to start ripping the things apart and not being sure I could put it back together again.
I can't comment on the Euro-3 Spec. Akrapovic, but the newer Euro-4 Spec. exhaust is still fairly heavy, around 9.1 lbs.
The Akrapovic exhaust costs over $1,000 USD - for a slip on! Luckily I since I bought it used I was able to sell it used and break even on it. I wanted something that made a little more noise.
More thoughts on this exhaust here: BMW F700GS/F800GS Akrapovic Slip-On Exhaust Review
Installation + review video for those who want to see/hear it:
MIVV Oval Slip-On F800GS/F700GS Exhaust
I went into this with mixed expectations. At $480 this slip on was just less than half the price of the Akrapovic. Would this exhaust only be half as good??
MIVV uses a link pipe to connect the header to the muffler. I believe this helps them keep costs down, while only taking me an extra minute or less of install time, so I don't mind it. It's on the kick-stand side of the bike so I won't see it much anyway.
Immediately I noticed the MIVV sounded nice, but was maybe only a decible or few louder than stock. I liked the extra deepness and growl that both the Akrapovic and the MIVV let out. It gave some character to an otherwise very plain Jane, vanilla, 800cc parallel twin.
And then I went home and started drilling out the rivet to remove the DB-killer/baffle.
Wow. Now that the db-killer was out this motorcycle really came to life. It completely changed my feeling both on the motorcycle, and my feelings about the motorcycle. Removing the DB-killer really woke this motorcycle up and made it feel more fun.
It isn't super loud, much quieter than my (baffled) Harley-Davidson V-Rod was, for example, but still loud enough that I may consider dropping the DB-killer back in if I'm going to be doing a cross-country trip with this bike... I just may also drill a few holes into the DB-killer before I drop it back in, to get a little more noise out of it. It's a touch too quiet for my taste.
The MIVV also came with TWO DEFECTS. The logo was riveted into the wrong place, so the support bracket covers it. The exhaust is also calls for two tabs for the springs to mount to, but my exhaust only came with one tab. Luckily, Tom at MotoMachines.com spoke to MIVV on my behalf and will be sending me a free replacement exhaust!
More thoughts on this exhaust here: Unleashing the BMW F700GS / F800GS Roar: MIVV Slip-On Exhaust Installation and Review
Installation + review video for those who want to see/hear it:
If you guys have any questions please ask.
BMW OEM Exhaust
A known quantity, heavy (10.6 lbs with mounting hardware), quiet, soulless, does the job.
No need to expand on this any further, we know what it is.
Akrapovic F800GS/F700GS Exhaust
I got the Akrapovic exhaust used in like new condition. I put it on and was immediately disappointed. While it does sound better (deeper than the exhaust), it is no louder, despite the rave reviews from years ago...
I discovered that there are two different Akrapovic pipes for our bikes: One is Euro-3 compliant and has a baffle you can remove by drilling out just one rivet, the other is Euro-4 compliant and several rivets must be drilled out and then probably more work beyond that. Mine was the newer, black, Euro-4 compliant exhaust and I wasn't going to start ripping the things apart and not being sure I could put it back together again.
I can't comment on the Euro-3 Spec. Akrapovic, but the newer Euro-4 Spec. exhaust is still fairly heavy, around 9.1 lbs.
The Akrapovic exhaust costs over $1,000 USD - for a slip on! Luckily I since I bought it used I was able to sell it used and break even on it. I wanted something that made a little more noise.
More thoughts on this exhaust here: BMW F700GS/F800GS Akrapovic Slip-On Exhaust Review
Installation + review video for those who want to see/hear it:
MIVV Oval Slip-On F800GS/F700GS Exhaust
I went into this with mixed expectations. At $480 this slip on was just less than half the price of the Akrapovic. Would this exhaust only be half as good??
MIVV uses a link pipe to connect the header to the muffler. I believe this helps them keep costs down, while only taking me an extra minute or less of install time, so I don't mind it. It's on the kick-stand side of the bike so I won't see it much anyway.
Immediately I noticed the MIVV sounded nice, but was maybe only a decible or few louder than stock. I liked the extra deepness and growl that both the Akrapovic and the MIVV let out. It gave some character to an otherwise very plain Jane, vanilla, 800cc parallel twin.
And then I went home and started drilling out the rivet to remove the DB-killer/baffle.
Wow. Now that the db-killer was out this motorcycle really came to life. It completely changed my feeling both on the motorcycle, and my feelings about the motorcycle. Removing the DB-killer really woke this motorcycle up and made it feel more fun.
It isn't super loud, much quieter than my (baffled) Harley-Davidson V-Rod was, for example, but still loud enough that I may consider dropping the DB-killer back in if I'm going to be doing a cross-country trip with this bike... I just may also drill a few holes into the DB-killer before I drop it back in, to get a little more noise out of it. It's a touch too quiet for my taste.
The MIVV also came with TWO DEFECTS. The logo was riveted into the wrong place, so the support bracket covers it. The exhaust is also calls for two tabs for the springs to mount to, but my exhaust only came with one tab. Luckily, Tom at MotoMachines.com spoke to MIVV on my behalf and will be sending me a free replacement exhaust!
More thoughts on this exhaust here: Unleashing the BMW F700GS / F800GS Roar: MIVV Slip-On Exhaust Installation and Review
Installation + review video for those who want to see/hear it:
If you guys have any questions please ask.
