(lengthy) WOLF EXHAUST review

Okay, I got my wolf exhaust, I borrowed a camera, I spent some time putting it all together and now I feel it's time for a review with lotsa photos. First off, I ordered my exhaust from the UK, because at the time the dollar was worth a bit more and the price- even with shipping- was less than getting it from the US distributor. Also, when I had a question to ask I emailed both the UK and the US contacts. The UK got back to me withiin five minutes, the US within five days. However it took a bit over two weeks for the exhaust to arrive, as opposed to the 6 days that the website said to expect. It was probably stuck in customs, but when I emailed asking if there was a tracking number I got no response. When the package arrived via DHL, I promptly opened it up and spread the contents out on the floor. I flipped through the instruction booklet and noticed that it had a large picture of an underseat storage container with a white dotted line across it and the words Cut Here above (picture to follow). This didn't please me at all. The Wolf Website says this about the R1 system: It can be fitted in around an hour and every part needed to make the conversion is supplied. Only the rear under tray needs be removed so the bike can always be put back to stock when it's time to sell. This led me to believe that no permanent modifications were needed. That turned out to not be the case at all. I mulled this over in my head for a while and then realized that my inhibitions towards cutting up my bike are a residue from my youth, when I really couldn't afford a new piece of plastic if I needed it. Now I'm much better off, so I decided not to let it bother me any more. The second problem I encountered was a lack of quiet baffles. I live in a rather crowded neighborhood of apartments (all with thin walls) and I tend to take my bike out in the middle of the night so out of consideration of my neighbors I thought I'd give the quiet baffles a try. I bought the wolf exhaust for its style alone, not for any real power gain- I upgraded to the R1 from an '89 CBR 600, so I'm still drunk on horsepower. With 60K miles on it, I doubt my Coldwar CBR was pulling more than 70 HP. Anyway, back to the quiet baffles. I DID check their box when I placed my order, but somehow they got lost in computer land. That was when I noticed that there was no billing invoice in the package, just shipping vouchers. I had to refer to my credit card statement, convert Dollars to Pounds (trying to remember what the exchange rate was when I placed my order) to see if I was charged. I don't think I was, but just to be sure I contacted Wolf and mentioned my problem and expressed my dissatisfaction with having to cut up my storage tray. I also mentioned that I intended to write a full review of the system for R1-forum.com ;) . The response was quick to come and stated simply that there was no way to avoid cutting the tray, and that there was no order for baffles placed, but that they would be sent out shortly. After a week they haven't appeared on my credit card, so they are either coming free of charge or not at all. Either of which is fine with me since the dollar is worth less now and it would be cheaper and faster to get them domestically. With all that settled well enough, I decided to install the exhaust the next morning. Here are the contents of the kit: Top Row- License/signal bracket, heat shield, 2 can hangers, 2 more can hangers (that I wouldn't need). Mid Row- underseat tray, taillight bracket, heat-shielding pad, pipe clamps, rubber strips for can-hangers, bag-o-bolts, and the two cans with their protective film coverings Bottom Row- 1-into-2 pipe and extension pipe (seperate presumably so the system can be fitted without removing the subframe) I only know what these parts are from installing them There were no pictures in the instructions to indicate what was what or even where it went. Only text. It's not too tough to figure out, I guess, but it could've been easier.

(cont'd) Obligatory picture of stock bike. I know you've seen 'em before, but this One is MINE. She still has her reflectors and the stickers on the tank..

(cont'd) One thing that bothered me a bit was the craftsmanship of the pipes. Here you can see some unpolished welds. Maybe this is just the world of aftermarket motorcycle parts, but for $1400 I expected perfection to go with my perfect bike.

(cont'd) This image shows some tool markings on the upper extension pipe. Of course, you can't see any of this when it's all together, and it may not be possible to bend these pipes without leaving some marks, but I like things to be right throughout- it shows that someone cared as much as they possibly could about a product that would go on my bike.

(cont'd) I removed the stock can, turnsignals and taillight, seats and tailsection. Then I used a matte knife to cut through the undertray as per instructions. It wasn't too tough at all. The remaining portion of the tray will get the heat-shielding pad glued to it. I guess I didn't take an appropriate picture of how the new tray fits into place, but it has two tabs that rest on the subframe and another, facing forward, that slips underneath the remaining undertray- right below the sticker in the photo. It's much more stable than it sounds.

(cont'd) This image shows the taillight mounted on the wolf bracket using the stock screws.

(cont'd) Here is the end view of the extension pipe. I should have taken the picture before I had to beat it with a rubber mallet to get it round enough to fit into the lower pipe. Owell, if it doesn't look too bad to you it must mean that I'm good with a mallet.

(cont'd) This is the heat shield that protects your heel from the heat of the pipes. Notice how the screws really don't line up well. They look better when tightened down, but again, it isn't perfect. The heat shield still gets pretty hot, too.

(cont'd) Skipping ahead a bit you can see that I've put the cans on, hung them from the new undertray (which, I forgot to mention earlier, also bolts to the subframe using stock bolts), bolted the plate bracket on the end and mounted the stock signals to it. I should note that the license plate bracket doesn't come with holes in it for mounting the plate. You must drill your own if you want them. I assume the bracket is titanium and therefore very tough. I tried drilling holes to mount a plate lamp, and burned up three drillbits in the process.. Another thing to mention is that the plate bracket doesn't hold the stock signals far enough apart for a California license plate to fit between them I know most people don't use stock turnsignals, but you may want something with a longer stalk if you try this kit.

(cont'd) Here you see my solution. I had a sheet of stainless steel lying around the garage, so I cut a couple of strips out of it and fashioned some brackets to hold the plate out away from the turn signals. It solved the problem of drilling, since my new brackets mount at the turnsignal holes, and the width of the plate is no longer an issue. I call it a success. I am surprised that the plate stays in place as well as it does without wiggling, frankly.

(cont'd) Another thing I don't like- the insulating pad is too visible for my taste. I wish, in hindsight, that I had wrapped it up more on the sides and back. Perhaps I can fix this with some aluminum tape in the future. Also, you can see that there is no longer any support for the sides of the tailsection underneath. They wigggle a bit more than I like so I fashioned a bracket to tie the two sides together. I'll get to that in a sec.

(cont'd) This picture shows the more-or-less finishied install. You can see how much wider the plate is than the space between the signals (the camera exagerates it a bit). Also, between the two cans, you can see the insulating tape I used to wrap the signal lights. It may be overkill, but I didn't want to melt through my wires. If you look closely down the cans you can see the exhaust valves. just kidding.

(cont'd) I also wrapped the rear brake line. Just for good measure. There is still clearance, even with the insulation there, but I've noticed that the isulation now has a dent in it from hitting the clip that the spring attaches to.

(cont'd) What's missing here? Yep, the kit didn't come with a clamp. Since the stock pipe has a hefty gasket its clamp wouldn't fit right. Besides, it has funny tabs sticking out to hold it in place. I ended up using a double hose clamp, but I hadn't yet run to the hardware store when I took this picture.

(cont'd) This is the bracket I fashioned to tie the two sides of the tail section together. It also gets insulating tape to keep it from passing heat into my plastic. How thankful I am that I had kept that sheet of stainless steel in the garage for seven years. It sure proved useful.

(cont'd) And the bracket in action. As you can see I used the stock quick-snap fasteners.

(cont'd) Finally- the pic you've all seen before, an R1 with a wolf exhaust. But again, this One is mine. Still have to do something about that reflector, though.

(cont'd) And one from the other side. Next to the One (affectionately called Beaky) is my girlfriend's '89 CB-1 (CB400F), Agent 13 (affectionately called The Mosquito, since it redlines at 14,500 rpm). Next to Agent 13 is the X-13, my Coldwar CBR 600- also from '89. It tdoesn't have a nickname from me, but many people refer to it as the Mad-Max bike. It was red-white-and-blue before I got to it with a can of G.I. Olive Drab Green. Next to that is some kind of custom Harley type clone thing. I'm not really sure what it is, but it must be related to a Harley because it's BROKEN. I'm one of the two guys who are busy rewiring the rear lights. On the right edge of frame is an '02 Triumph Bonneville American that belongs to the guy who is helping me rewire the Harley type machine. The guy who actually owns the Harley type bike is at the shop buying parts, of course. Lastly, poking it's nose out of the garage is my '39 Lincoln Zephyr. She won't get a proper name until she can drive under her own power, but my mother refers to her as The Great Mamoo. I pray that name doesn't stick.

(cont'd) But I'm supposed to be talking about the pipe, right? So I'll wrap things up. Conclusion: The important thing to ask about this pipe is Would I Buy It Again . Well, first I have to say that I think it is quite overpriced. Secondly, the finish isn't as perfect as I would expect for a slip-on exhaust that cost 7 times more than my first motorcycle. But I did have a lot of fun putting it all together and solving the problems I encountered. I think it sounds great, if a bit loud. And of course I think it looks great, too. Will it melt my plastics? My shoe? Only time will tell. Does it give a good performance increase? Couldn't tell you. With only 600 miles on the bike and me constantly switching from the One to the CB-1 to the CBR, I probably couldn't feel it if it did. Will the quiet baffles appease my neighbors while still giving the pipe enough of a growl? When they show up, I'll let you know. What it really comes down to is this: Assuming that the pipe doesn't harm my bike in any way, I WOULD pay $1400 to buy this pipe if I had it to do all over again UNLESS (and it's a big unless) someone else in town had it. Yep, it's worth it to me for my bike to stand out in a crowd, but if the crowd had wolf exhausts, I'd save myself the money. Maybe that's why the Wolf system is so expensive- to keep it unique. --- Thank you for reading this far, if you did. I hope the review was helpful or even just informative to some. If there are any details that you'd like to see better pictures of, please let me know. In the meantime, ride safe and well, and keep your One looking beautiful.

Rocco, That has got to be, by far, the most detailed and informative review I have ever read. The pics are excellent and your input is much appreciated. Thanks for the heads up on the wolf exhaust! :thumbup :thumbup :thumbup

Rocco, yeah I too just installed my wolf system and also I'm not happy with some of the craftsmanship on the pipe for the kind of money I spent on it. I had the same problems as you did with everything, the black resin around the weld joint, plus my cans were a bitch to line up straight, the only thing that I do like about is the attention it gets now, everybody is always coming up and checking out my shit now. But in my case, the money that was spent and the craftsmanship of the product, I probably would not buy this system again. By the way, that was a good idea supporting your back plastics with that bracket that you made. And just wondering if those white plastic coverings are suppose to come off of the pipe or did you take them off by choice. thanx

Outstanding review and pics. It's nice to know what one would be getting into prior to ordering an item like this. Since I just got done putting my Eurotail on mine, I won't be opting for the Wolf pipes although they do look fantastic on your bike. Thanks for the time and effort you put into this review. It is greatly appreciated.:thumbup :thumbup :thumbup :thumbup :thumbup Regards, JoBu

Illusion, I understand completely. I felt that way when I finished the install too, but then I realized that having a (more or less) unique look is very important to me. Call me superficial! I removed the white sheaths from the pipes by choice. I assumed they were simply to protect the titanium finish during shipping. Besides, I couldn't put that white on my silver & black! One odd thing: Whenever I start my bike up I get drops of moisture on my rear fender. Have you experienced this? I think it might be from the joint of the 1-into-2 and the extension pipe, but I haven't really checked it out. I may have to try to find a way to gasket that joint. How do you like your sound? I'm starting to get used to the loudness of the pipe, though I'm still a bit self-conscious (especially near police). I hope to get a sound clip recorded soon to share with the forum.

rocco that's a good idea about removing that white plastic cover, I think that I'm gonna do the same thing and take that off, I have the red 02 just to let you know. As for the moisture, I'm gonna have to say no, don't get any of that. Even though I don't really like having a "loud" exhaust and was thinking about buying the baffles, but I'm starting to like the deep throaty sound cuz it's original almost V-Twin like. and the thing screams at high speeds too :) by the way, awesome job on the review, I myself eliminated the rear blinkers and rewired my LED taillight and put some amber signals inside. I think it looks cleaner. But now I'm looking for some passenger footpeg brackets. Oh yeah by the way, even though the trunk space was small as it is, It sucks being even smaller now. barely any room for anything anymore.

this is a great looking pipe. I had a 99 model with a wolf underseat on it. The cans were Carbon fiber instead of titanium. I live in oklahoma where www.bbxtr.com lives. He and i are great friends. I noticed water comming out of the pipes too. It never gave me any problems. I think it just has mositure sitting in the bottom of the pipes and when you fire it up, out she gos. It took me about 5 hours to put it on. Shit they said it takes about an hour. Maybe with all the right directions and pictures too. The only thing i didn't like about my was that the wireing under the seat that goes in the new battery box looked like someone freddy crugured it and a fire danger under my kohanas!! On the 99 models i had to cut part of a support off from the rear sub-frame. Was not happy about that but didn't seem to hurt anything> Rocco who did you email about the exhaust in the US for buying the pipe. I know you said you got if from the UK but you also said something about the US.

i totally agree.thanks for the review.well done.:D :thumbup

Illusion, Have you had trouble with your fender hitting the pipes? I now have two melted spots on the top of my nice silver fender. I'll attach a photo as soon as my camera arrives. I guess I'll have to get something that hugs the wheel a little better. I increased my preload by two clicks (to six) but it's still hitting, or at least melting. I only weigh 170 or less.. I bet it looks much cleaner without the signals! I've been considering removing my passenger pegs since the One is such an uncomfortable ride for a passenger. It would free up more of that negative space that I love. I have no problem with the size of the trunk, even now. My CBR had a tray about the size of a slice of bread. And no way to get to it without wrenches. The tool kit also barely fit and was tough to get to. The fact that I have an easily accessible tray that can fit my toolkit AND my paperwork makes me pretty happy. I had two people say to me today, "Loud? Naw that's not that loud. I have a friend with this Harley..." So I guess I'm more quiet than a Harley. Gus Hartwig, I didn't mention that the install (plus parts hunting to solve my various problems) took the better portion of a day, plus some time the next day to fashion the extra stabilizing bracket! Definitely not an hour. I could probably do the next one that quick, though. As for the contact, I just used the email address that is on the www.wolfexhaust.com page. I don't remember who replyed exactly and I didn't keep the message. Everyone, Thanks for your appreciation.

thanks for the review rocco!!! i was looking at the wolf for a bout nine months before i decided on an ixil exhaust. that is the way to write a review. if someone really wants to know what they are getttin ginto this thread will help more than i could imagine. thanks for taking the time to help out and give a good heads-up. the wolf looks good, go show it off.......

Rocco, Thanks for this information. The information you gave me will be invaluable for me. I ordered the exhaust myself and will be installing it soon. Is there anything that you would do different installation wise? I got the baffles also as the cops around here love to stop bikers for pretty much anything.

A+:thumbup Great review thanks for all of you input and the exhaust looks sweet. Any chance you can get a sound clip??

Yea, i've always been curious what the Wolf sounds like, plzzzzz post sound clip, and if possible U ridin the bike and goin through all gears wit the wolf screamin That would be awesome!!!!!!!!:thumbup :thumbup :thumbup Good work/review!!!!!!!!!! Great review thanks for all of you input and the exhaust looks sweet. Any chance you can get a sound clip??

Morpheus, Don't even think about drilling through the titanium without a REALLY good drillbit, a lot of cutting oil and preferably a drill press. But you need to figure out some way to mount the plate, so you either have to drill or make little brackets like I did. Get a rear fender (splashguard, whatever) that hugs the tire more, otherwise you might melt yours like I am doing. Or just take it off. If you plan on getting aftermarket signals get them before you start and make sure the stalks are long enough to clear the license plate. Otherwise, again, you'll have to make some brackets. Look at my pictures to see where everything goes. The longest bolt in the bolt kit is for the 1-into-2 pipe. It goes through the passenger peg bracket, through the subframe, through the bracket on the new pipe, and then gets a nylo-nut on the back. Of the other bolts, the shortest ones hold the license bracket on the back of the bike, the medium length are best for the pipe hangers. Fit the license bracket to the end before tightening the hangers, that way you can rotate the pipes to get it even. Order some Lite-N-Boltz to light up your plate if you want to stay legal. Everyone, I'll work on the soundclip. I have absolutely NOTHING that is portable and records audio, though. I'll do the best I can. ps- I usually save The One for fun-riding only, but I commuted on her today just to show of to the fellow workerbees. And the pipes sound effin' great in the parking garage!

Fantastic review! I will be wanting an underseat pipe, but I don't want to go through the effort you went through, and spending $1400 for something where there isn't that high level of detail would bother me. Look great installed, though, and yeah, that negativespace is what really does it for me, too!

Rocco, Great review!:rock -xacto

rocco yo man, i had no problem drilling through the licence plate holder, and all I used were some really cheap black & decker drill bits I found lying around the house. About the sound clip, I'll try my best to get one up for all you guys to check out

Illusion- Well there you go. I'm glad the drilling isn't actually as tough as it was for me. I guess it's time for me to get a different brand of cheap drillbits! That would be great if you could handle the soundfile. I don't know when I'll get the means, but I'll keep trying too.

great review rocco....saves me from having to explain all of the same flaws i experienced with my wolf system. first i want to say to everyone interested in purchasing this system, if you can avoid going through the U.S. dealer of WOLF, do so. you will save a ton of headaches. they really gave me the runaround. a royal pain in the ass is what they were. the makers of the pipe in the U.K., grant and peter sorrell, were very cooperative. so if you can, order through these guys. i do have a little moisture that escapes from the joints at the cans too. and i also cannnot ride any passengers any more, being that the rear hugger hits the hot pipe when i hit a bump. the guys at wolf suggest that i either take a saw to the hugger and cut out the section that hits, or they say to remove the hugger completely. the hugger is one of the things that makes the R-1 stand out, so there is no way i am going to remove it.

(continued) also to rocco, if you can, remove those stock rear blinkers, the exhaust will look 10 times better without them. i know there aren't many places to install new blinkers. i put mine in between the cans and the back of the trunk. i had to make a bracket to hold them, and they aren't very visible during the daytime. i also cut off the mounting brackets that are located on the license bracket, then i bent the license bracket at a 45 degree angle, looks pretty trick. now for the part where they say it'll take an hour to put on....bullshit. i may not be a mechanic, but i'm no dumbass either. it took me well over 5 hours to get everything straight. OVERALL FINAL OPINION ON WOLF EXAUST am i satisfied? not at first, but have grown to love 'em would i recommend them to others? if you want to be different than anyone else in your town with an R-1, and have $1400.00 to blow, then yes. ARE THEY LOUD? u bet your ass they're loud, loud and raunchy, different than everyone else's R-1. do they get attention? omg. get ready to explain where u got 'em, cuz they are gonna want to know.

N-N-M, Thanks for the additions to the review. You're absolutely right about the signals. The kit would look much better without them. I'm going to keep mine, though, at least for now. I have only a few months left to go before I'll be able to take traffic school again if (when) I get my next ticket, so I want to have as few things for a write-up as possible. It seems that if I am only speeding, there's a chance of getting out of it if the cop's in a good mood. But when he walks around the bike and says, "these turn signals are illegal, you don't have any mirrors, your headlights are not stock and not DOT approved and you really ought to have a speedometer. But I'll just write you the ticket for speeding." What can you say? :) Okay, so I won't be having that conversation on The One, but I'm gonna stick with legal (in all but volume) for now. Besides, the stock teardrops are sooooooo much better than the big rectangles that most bikes get for turnsignals. More kudos to the Yamaha design team! Peter and Grant did seem like good fellows to me, too. Their responses were always very prompt (except when I asked for a tracking number- they probably didn't expect them to take so long in customs). I hadn't thought about cutouts on the hugger. I suppose I could if it becomes a problem (it's already scarred from touching anyway). Heck, I could do a wire-mesh venting customization. I'm not even riding 2-up, though! Maybe I'm fatter than I thought, or maybe I need to re-check my compression damping. EXACTLY! When I ordered it I said, "What the hell, I'll try it." When I was putting it together I said, "I can't believe I paid that much for this!" After I finished I said, "Well, It looks good. I can't really get my money back.. I guess I'll live with it. Wouldn't recommend it to anyone else, though. not worth the money." Now I've grown to like them, too. But if they become commonplace I'll probably return to my regrets a little bit. So here's the deal: no one else in the Greater Los Angeles Metropolitan Area get the wolf system, and I'll be your friend. okay? :) cool. As far as the money goes, Ninja-no-more is right on that, too. You have to have $1400.00 that you really don't mind getting rid of- like the wad you would take to Vegas- otherwise you might not ever be happy with the exhaust.. Thank god I don't get laid off until Tuesday! ps- I took off the passenger footpegs this morning- it just looks better and better!

Man I say just make your own! That seems like a lot of fabbing to go through to pay that much! Glad you like it though!

I have the wolf undertail on my 99 also, I love it, it gets all the looks and sounds great! I have the carbon fiber... That was a great review... I need a heat shield for it, I have melted my shoes... hehehe, the boots are fine but the shoes.... Oops..

Ok, and a few other mods to.... :cool: :rock

Sorry about off topic but RoadHogg. thats a sweet ass bike man. Love the single sided swingarm and marchesini wheels

Thanks man, I was going to sell it to get an 04, but I can't do it.. I love it to much...

Lemme know if you decide to sell those rims keke!! :D

Nice review bro, and it looks great. Good job, and enjoy waking up the neighbors!

Rocco - great review Just to let you all know that we have made a few improvements based on this.. Firstly, we have now employed an in house polisher to do all the pipe work so the welds will be ground downa nd teh pipes linished before polishing so that you won't see any welds or tool marks... We also now supply a lower clamp and much neater self adheisive heatshield (it's much thinner with sealed edges but works even better) and of course as I mentioned in another thread we supply a new hugger with mesh vents to avoid any heat problems there. (these are now on the way to all who have asked for them - only slightly delayed by teh carbon company making them all in 01 spec even though we modded an 02 to show them the design!! doh!) Hopefully these mods will make the kit as perfect as possible and of course we have a special offer on now we are sponsors here so it's a fair bit cheaper too! Oh, and the number plate bracket is stainless so should be quite easy to drill - we supply to 50 states and dozens of other countries and it's just impossible to keep track of every plate size - plus so many people use small illegal plates too - so we do still leave this for you to drill.

Well you should fire your new in-house polisher if the pipe I just got is any example of his skills :rant

TO EVERYONE OUT THERE LOOKING FOR A WOLF EXHAUST. I AM A DEALER FOR WOLF RACING EXHAUST. I OPERATE A SMALL POLISHING, CHROME PLATING AND SPORT BIKE CUSTOMIZING SHOP IN ROCHESTER N.Y. I HAVE A WOLF UNDERTAIL ON MY CBR 900RR AND THE FIT AND FINISH WAS VERY NICE. I WILL AGREE THAT THE DIRECTIONS COULD USE A LITTLE IMPROVING BUT FOR THE MOST PART I HAVE HAD GOOD LUCK WITH WOLF. IF ANYONE NEEDS ANYTHING DROP ME A EMAIL. SPORTBIKECUSTOMS@AOL.COM ANTHONY

Yea, I need some stuff for my exaust, I'll try emailing you soon

Thats why I went with the Dynomite under tail system.

I also bought the wolf underseat exhaust. Figuring my exhaust situation was just a fluke. The price of the pipes does not carry over to the quality. I also had problems getting the left pipe to come down and be even with the other pipe. I have my rear spring set one notch from full hard, but with a passanger the pipes still come down and hit the mudguard on the swingarm. The rear brake line hit once until I move the rubber outter cover and slid it down the clamp. I got the regular baffles, they were nice when new, after about 3,000 miles they are starting to growl pretty good. Nice throuty sound at idle till about 5,000 rpm then they holler real good. Over all I don't know if I would spend that kind of money for the quality that I received, but they are unique. I had a Akropovic on an R6 I had and the fit,finish, and quality are top notch. It would be a toss up.