Noob advice for GS850G aftermarket exhaust

[Guest]

Hello riders, I'm a beginner at motorcycle maintenance so I'm looking for an "explain like I'm 5" kind of answer here.
I'm interested in upgrading my '81 GS850G (completely stock) with a 4-1 V & H aftermarket exhaust. I understand that you can't just slap on a whole new exhaust system and expect everything to work properly.

My question is,
What other things are needed in addition to the exhaust system, and why?

Here is the exhaust I'm looking at:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/9981/i/vance---hines-4-into-1-street-megaphone-exhaust-system

[Steve]

At the very least, check the jetting in the carbs. Some exhaust manufacturers claim that no jetting is necessary, but the bikes were running borderline lean to start with, and with today's oxygenated fuels, there is less actual gasoline in the mix, which makes the mixture leaner again. Add in just a bit more air flow, you might need to do some jetting.

How much? It depends entirely on the pipe, and whatever you do to the intake system.

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[Nessism]

$500 for a V&H system is WAY too much. Shop around to find a better deal.

[geol]

You most likely won't have to rejet and if you do need to rejet, it will be very minor changes. You have essentially three options:

1. V&H - Decent quality and the most expensive. If you shop around, you MIGHT be able to get a system for less than $500
2. Delkevik - Stainless system and inexpensive (~ $350) 4 into 1
3. MAC - Quality so-so at best (my opinion) - they have a 4 into 2 with turn out mufflers for a bit over $400 and a couple
4 into 1 systems; one chrome and the other black. The black system can be had for under $300

[Deuce]

I have the Delkevic on mine. I think I paid around $300 for it. It actually recommends that you leave stock jetting, and if you've changed it, to change it back. Like geol mentioned, they are stainless. My only complaint so far is that the rubber covered spring hooks they give you will melt against the pipe. I'm constantly smelling burnt rubber.

http://www.delkevic.us/index.php?route=product/category&path=13038_13260&categorystring=Motorcycles-Suzuki-1981%20Models

[geol]

Nah... those rubber hooks things are not burning... probably the tires on that really sweet racy bike of yours burn just from being on the bike. hehe I really wish that Delkevik made a 4 into 2 as I can't bring myself to put a 4 into 1 on a G model and the MAC 4 into 2 with turn outs is... well not to my taste. I sent them a note asking if their other mufflers could be swapped for the turn out mufflers and was not responded to.

[SkyLurk]

How does it sound? I'm looking for something like this that won't kill my wallet.

[Steve]

... I really wish that Delkevik made a 4 into 2 as I can't bring myself to put a 4 into 1 on a G model ...

Don't worry about that little detail. I realize that I probably go against the tastes of most of the rest of GSR with my bike. While everybody else is stripping things off to make it lighter, go faster, handle better, etc., I add things, usually for comfort and/or convenience. I have a 4-into-1 on my 850G. Not only is it a G, I have pretty much turned it into a GK (and then some). Since the muffler is rather quiet on this pipe, it does not scream "performance bike", so it fits right in.

You can click on the link in my sig to see pretty much what it looks like.
There has been a tailpipe extension added to keep the exhaust off the saddlebag.

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[Deuce]

How does it sound? I'm looking for something like this that won't kill my wallet.

If you're talking to me, I think it sounds pretty good. It has two removable baffles, so you can have 3 different sounds. I just removed the inner one.