theoctopus
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 22, 2009
- Messages
- 2,101
Mods, this review is a duplicate of one I posted on the Buelletin Board. I wanted to make sure users on this forum who are unaware of the other had a chance to check it out. If that bothers you guys, feel free to delete it.
======================================================
Well, I figure it's finally about time for me to post a review of the GB Exhaust I picked up back in September. I've put a little over 1000 miles on it now, so I feel like I have enough experience with the product to be able to review it appropriately. Hopefully those of you who read this will find it informative and helpful in your quests for aftermarket accessories.
I picked up my '09 XB12Ss in July, and just wasn't happy with the sound (or performance) of the stock muffler. Everything sounded super dead, and the bike didn't really feel "alive" enough for me to be happy with. So, as many of the rest of you did, I began to look at aftermarket pipes. The guys over at Latus swore up and down about how great the Jardine pipes were (especially the GP), but I just couldn't buy it. I've heard a few of those things on XB's, and they just sound raspy to me. Plus, they don't really hold up too well long-term, so they were definitely out of the question. I looked at Drummers, Voodoo, Special OPS, Hawk, and they just didn't feel right. I'm all about modding the stock exhaust if that's your thing, but quite frankly I've always liked to keep my stock take-offs in original condition, so that if/when I sell the bike, I can sell it stock and throw the aftermarket stuff up on a forum. Plus, keeping the interactive valve and the stock tube just wasn't interesting to me. That left me with a variety of other options: D&D (too pricey for what they are), Race (no thanks!), an old Latus pipe (definitely not worth the money), and a variety of others. After doing a bunch of research, one really stood out: the GB exhaust made by our friend gbalias for $480 (shipped). Reading some reviews drove the nail home: it was obviously a well-made, well-thought out exhaust that performed up to task, and was right in my price range. George was totally willing to customize the exhaust to my specs (outlet angle and location), but I ended up being most interested in his flagship unit. I bit the bullet, and had one shipped to me when I got back to the States after spending some time in Europe.
The box contained the exhaust, a connection between header and exhaust, a clamp, and a sense of excitement to get that f*cker on my bike. The pipe was (and still is) beautiful. Shiny stainless steel has always been a soft spot of mine, and this thing has welds that I can only dream of being able to do. It is essentially a dual-outlet straight-through pipe, but a lot of thought had clearly been put into its fabrication.
Installation was a breeze: everything fit PERFECTLY. Having had poor experiences installing products built by individuals on my KLR650, I was ready to spend a few hours getting everything installed properly. This was not the case with George's pipe: that thing was MEANT for the XB, and mounted up in no time flat.
Now, it was time to kick the bike over, and see how the pipe sounds. Wow. That's all I can say. There is no other pipe like it out there. It gives the 1203cc motor the throaty growl it needs to stand out. The sound is loud, and yet refined (if that makes any sense). There is a lot of bass to the exhaust note, and no rasp or annoying tweet. When I revved the engine a bit on the first ride, the bike purred. That's really the best way to describe it...it just f*cking purrs. My girlfriend even commented on how sexy the bike sounded (and how much of an improvement it was on the pipes of my friend's bikes, and especially on the stock pipe), and that says a lot because she's a real snob about what pleases her.
In terms of performance, even without an open airbox and a stock filter, my @ss-dyno noticed a considerable improvement across the full RPM range. There was no loss of power anywhere, and the bike pulled SIGNIFICANTLY harder and smoother all the way up to redline. I had to hold on tight to keep myself from falling off around 3500-5500 rpm. It's definitely a little loud when sitting on top of the bike (I now wear ear plugs regularly when I ride), but it isn't deafening or annoying in any way. Although it sounds like it might seriously annoy the neighbors when you're sitting on the bike, it's actually not too bad behind/around it. I've fired my XB up every morning at 6 to get to work at the lab for the last 2 months (aside from the mornings with frost/rain), and nobody has ever mentioned anything (and trust me, I have some touchy neighbors).
Overall, I think this is the best exhaust for the money. I know a lot of people are always trying to find the right pipe for their bike, and I would urge any of you to give the GB pipe a shot. It's made well, it looks badass, and its performance and sound match the character of the XB perfectly. I really can't say enough good things about George's customer service (because trust me, I had a LOT of questions) or his pipe.
I'm now running the pipe in combo with a FAST intake, and wow, the power gain is impressive. The two were made for eachother!
======================================================
Well, I figure it's finally about time for me to post a review of the GB Exhaust I picked up back in September. I've put a little over 1000 miles on it now, so I feel like I have enough experience with the product to be able to review it appropriately. Hopefully those of you who read this will find it informative and helpful in your quests for aftermarket accessories.
I picked up my '09 XB12Ss in July, and just wasn't happy with the sound (or performance) of the stock muffler. Everything sounded super dead, and the bike didn't really feel "alive" enough for me to be happy with. So, as many of the rest of you did, I began to look at aftermarket pipes. The guys over at Latus swore up and down about how great the Jardine pipes were (especially the GP), but I just couldn't buy it. I've heard a few of those things on XB's, and they just sound raspy to me. Plus, they don't really hold up too well long-term, so they were definitely out of the question. I looked at Drummers, Voodoo, Special OPS, Hawk, and they just didn't feel right. I'm all about modding the stock exhaust if that's your thing, but quite frankly I've always liked to keep my stock take-offs in original condition, so that if/when I sell the bike, I can sell it stock and throw the aftermarket stuff up on a forum. Plus, keeping the interactive valve and the stock tube just wasn't interesting to me. That left me with a variety of other options: D&D (too pricey for what they are), Race (no thanks!), an old Latus pipe (definitely not worth the money), and a variety of others. After doing a bunch of research, one really stood out: the GB exhaust made by our friend gbalias for $480 (shipped). Reading some reviews drove the nail home: it was obviously a well-made, well-thought out exhaust that performed up to task, and was right in my price range. George was totally willing to customize the exhaust to my specs (outlet angle and location), but I ended up being most interested in his flagship unit. I bit the bullet, and had one shipped to me when I got back to the States after spending some time in Europe.
The box contained the exhaust, a connection between header and exhaust, a clamp, and a sense of excitement to get that f*cker on my bike. The pipe was (and still is) beautiful. Shiny stainless steel has always been a soft spot of mine, and this thing has welds that I can only dream of being able to do. It is essentially a dual-outlet straight-through pipe, but a lot of thought had clearly been put into its fabrication.
Installation was a breeze: everything fit PERFECTLY. Having had poor experiences installing products built by individuals on my KLR650, I was ready to spend a few hours getting everything installed properly. This was not the case with George's pipe: that thing was MEANT for the XB, and mounted up in no time flat.
Now, it was time to kick the bike over, and see how the pipe sounds. Wow. That's all I can say. There is no other pipe like it out there. It gives the 1203cc motor the throaty growl it needs to stand out. The sound is loud, and yet refined (if that makes any sense). There is a lot of bass to the exhaust note, and no rasp or annoying tweet. When I revved the engine a bit on the first ride, the bike purred. That's really the best way to describe it...it just f*cking purrs. My girlfriend even commented on how sexy the bike sounded (and how much of an improvement it was on the pipes of my friend's bikes, and especially on the stock pipe), and that says a lot because she's a real snob about what pleases her.
In terms of performance, even without an open airbox and a stock filter, my @ss-dyno noticed a considerable improvement across the full RPM range. There was no loss of power anywhere, and the bike pulled SIGNIFICANTLY harder and smoother all the way up to redline. I had to hold on tight to keep myself from falling off around 3500-5500 rpm. It's definitely a little loud when sitting on top of the bike (I now wear ear plugs regularly when I ride), but it isn't deafening or annoying in any way. Although it sounds like it might seriously annoy the neighbors when you're sitting on the bike, it's actually not too bad behind/around it. I've fired my XB up every morning at 6 to get to work at the lab for the last 2 months (aside from the mornings with frost/rain), and nobody has ever mentioned anything (and trust me, I have some touchy neighbors).
Overall, I think this is the best exhaust for the money. I know a lot of people are always trying to find the right pipe for their bike, and I would urge any of you to give the GB pipe a shot. It's made well, it looks badass, and its performance and sound match the character of the XB perfectly. I really can't say enough good things about George's customer service (because trust me, I had a LOT of questions) or his pipe.
I'm now running the pipe in combo with a FAST intake, and wow, the power gain is impressive. The two were made for eachother!
