Hi Folks, After many months of pondering I finally bit the bullet and bought a Delkevic de-cat, with tri-oval tailpipe. I've got to say, it's a nice looking assembly. I wasn't expecting much from what seems to be perceived as a budget brand, but the quality of welding is excellent, and everything looks really well put together. Even the exhaust clamps are embossed with the logo. Crucially, it also came with a pack containing no less than 17 stickers. The bike is currently in for the Desmo service - it's being done a little early at 16k, but it seemed like a good time to get it out of the way, as it was due an annual service anyway. I was actually going to fit the pipe myself, so I asked them if they could loosen off the three nuts on the front header, as we all know how notorious they are for seizing. Well sure enough, they emailed me this morning... So that's getting taken care of on Monday, and as the header will have to come off to remove the broken stud they're going to fit the de-cat for me at the same time. Extremely glad that I won't be having to try and attempt to sort this myself, although I must admit I was intending on trying the Harpic X10 on the disgusting brown header. All being well I should have the bike back by the middle of next week. Can't bloody wait to ride it! I've got high expectations, as I've always felt like the DVT motor is quite top-endy and revvy, and this is exacerbated by the mid-range being a bit flat. So I'm really hoping this helps. I'm also hoping it's not too loud! The baffle will be staying in, and I won't be especially surprised if I end up trying to source a longer silencer at some point. I'll report back with riding impressions and some pics of how it looks once it's back.
Had a delkevic exhaust on a couple of old bikes, good quality and never had any issues at all with it. As you say the welds are great too. I am sure it might be a little louder though with the decat.
Thought of you actually - while I was dropping the pipe off one of the technicians was attempting to start a Monster R that had coke in because the owner accidentally put diesel in it. It eventually fired up, having flushed it thorough. Sounded epic!
What is the inside join of the pipe (horizontal to vertical) like? Because mine was very rough. A hole ground out with an angle grinder and no finesse used at all. The rest was fine, all nice welds etc, just the one crappy issue. I spent a while in there with a die grinder...
From what I could see it all looked fairly neat. Nothing stood out. Even a nice bright polish - will be interesting to see how it holds up to my all-year riding.
Exhaust fitted... My feelings are that it looks a bit cheap...because it was cheap. However, I'm really happy with the fit and finish, and I could tell the weight saving as soon as I rode off. The sound level is absolutely fine - I was pleasantly surprised. It's a bit louder that stock, but definitely not obnoxious. My road is quite quiet, so I don't want to go pissing off my neighbours, plus I do a lot of my riding on rural back roads, and don't want to be that guy. That said, I really do want to take the baffle out and see what that's like! With it in there is a bit more bite and a bit more bass, plus a little bit of popping on the overrun. I had an SC Project de-cat on my 2013 1200S, and while it sounded amazing it really was too loud - primarily because it had a little stubby silencer. I specifically chose a longer silencer with this kit for that very reason. In terms of riding impressions I'll first mention that the bike had just had a Desmo service, so was bound to feel smoother and generally a lot nicer. However, there is a tangible feeling that the bike has less back-pressure, as it goes up and down the rev range easier. Engine braking feels slightly diminished, and the bike is overall easier to ride because it feels smoother. There is a definite improvement in immediate throttle response, and while I'm no wheelie expert I feel like it would pick the front up off a crest in third. It really does pull well! Due to appalling weather and restrictions on non-essential travel I've only managed to do about 50 miles (I get through a lot of milk!), and I've not been able to properly play on quiet empty roads. But first impressions are good, and I definitely don't regret fitting it. Longer term I may look at getting a prettier silencer. Ideally something like the long oval Termi off a PP. I should add that the bike has a Healtech servo dongle thing fitted. In the meantime, if anyone wants a very nasty crusty brown boat anchor I have one for collection here in Devon!
Update: I did about fifteen miles on the bike yesterday, with the baffle removed. I was pleasantly surprised that it didn't seem horrifically loud. There's definitely more of a crack and a bark to the exhaust when you rev the engine at a standstill, but it's not bad at all. I might be tempted to get out somewhere open and do a db measurement. What really struck me was that when riding the bike really doesn't seem that loud. A touch more than stock. Maybe it's because the tailpipe exits quite a way behind my seated position. Perhaps from a vehicle behind it would seem louder. But it's definitely not what I'd consider rude, and is within what I'd consider acceptable for when riding through towns and villages. There is some popping and burbling on the over-run. Overall there is not really a significantly noticeable improvement in performance with the pipe open compared to with the baffle in. I'm very surprised...and a bit disappointed I suppose - it still feels to me like there is a tiny bit of a flat-spot around 4-5k rpm, although I'm being picky - it goes like stink. Throttle response is good, there are no fuelling issues, and it definitely feels more lively than with the cat fitted.
it does look clean and tidy, however, as you say, it does look pretty cheap......which of course it was!
My set-up was £190 delivered. There are cheaper end cans, so theoretically you could have a solution for as little as £130 (plus £40 for Healtech device) I think. Longer term I’ll look for a nicer looking can.
Hi Guys Do you think this Delkevic set (can and de-cat pipe) would fit 2013 Multistrada 1200s? I believe there is no difference to the engine setup, size and any of the mounting points but I may be wrong. This is very cheap set and I am about to try myself
Their website doesn't list one for your bike - it probably isn't far off, but then it only needs to be a bit off to not fit. Not sure I'd chance it. There is the company in Poland that do inexpensive de-cats. Can't remember their name now. I think danmoto do them too?
