GS Lower exhaust/ Darr boxes

[Timo]

Just wondering if anyone has had any positive or negative experience with mounting a lower exhaust system on a GS model. With the exhaust in the upswept (stock)position, some of the room for bags is taken up, requiring a smaller bag on one side. Aside from fiording rivers and protection from damage, I cannot percieve many advantages for this design. Lowering the exhaust to below the bags should also reduce the noise and lower the center of gravity.

Also, has anyone tried the DARR side bags? Even considering shipping they appear to be rather inexpensive compared to domestic supply. Carlos's Pannier page recommends them, I am looking for more input from users if possible. Thanks for all as always...

[John Ferris]

I have seen a low R100R exaust put on a R100GS so that larger bags could be used.
If the bike is a R1100, R1150GS I have seen one with Givi bags where the exaust was changed but I don't know which exaust was used.

[Sean Kelly]

Hi Timo

Checkout http://www.wunderlich.co.uk/ they have some interesting looking low level exhausts for GSs. No experience of them, or idea of price for that matter.

Cheers


------------------
Sean

[Julio]

Drop a line to Ernie at Overland Solutions who has a low level exhaust fitted with pannier boxes. It sounds awesome too!

He'll send you a piccy of it.
http://www.overland-solutions.com

[This message has been edited by Grant Johnson (edited 14 October 2001).]

[waward]

I ride a '95 R100GS/PD which I bought in Germany. It came with lowered pipes (I don't know the manufacturer). They sound a bit throatier than the stock exhaust without being too loud (just right).

A few things I have noticed (these may be specific to my pipes and may not apply to other manufacturers): the exhaust box does not accomodate getting to the gear oil plug. Changing gear oil is almost impossible without removing the unit. Getting the rear tire off is a bit tricky. Changing oil filter - getting a wrench around the banjo bolts - is tough. The center stand gets caught on the pipes and no longer rides flush in the up position, but rather hangs down a few inches. This is the biggest drag of them all and requires fixing.

All in all, I love them - manly because of the lower note. Hope this helps.

Whitney

[This message has been edited by waward (edited 17 November 2001).]

[Carl]

I've used a set of the large Darr 40 liter boxes for over a 1.5 years now on two different bikes. They saved our legs in a serious crash in Bangkok last year.

Pros:
-Inexpensive compared to competitor's goods.
-Darr is user-friendly and ships quickly. I've ordered goods from them several times.
-The boxes are very light.
-The lid seals have kept the box contents dry in torrential downpours.

Cons:
-The boxes are not symmetrical. I removed the rivets from the lid and reversed the end from which it was hinged. By doing so the vertical seams are kept to the inside and both boxes can have their lids open forward (or backward if desired).

Darr used to sell a more heavy duty box that was greater in cost. They claim that sales are up on the cheaper boxes than on the boxes they used to sell.

Ride Safe,
Carl