|
|
Brief Although I was fairly happy with my Two Brothers C-5 Carbon Fiber Slip on, I was looking for a change to get rid of the ugly factory mid pipe on my 929. I decided on an underseat full system for Wolf Racing but would come to seriously regret this choice. Overview When I embarked on the task of shopping for a new exhaust setup I was truly amazed at how many manufacturers there are now. So many brand choices in conjunction with decisions like, half, three quarter, slip on, bolt on with a standard, high mount and under seat, it is just staggering. Of course, I liked the underseat exhaust because it is so unique and I found that there are at least three manufacturers who make this type of system for my bike, BOS, Mig and Wolf Racing. After some research I decided to go with the Wolf Racing. I liked the looks of the system and had read some other positive reviews so I thought I would give them a try. One word, MISTAKE. Details Wolf Racing utilizes a three quarter system where the mid pipe bolts up to the HTEV. The pipe is a four into 2X2 with each primary tube feeding into its own carbon fiber silencer. I opted for the carbon fiber believing the heat would dissipate easier since the silencers would be directly under the seat. The silencers are very short with machined, polished aluminum end caps held together with two socket head bolts. The mid pipe is made out of polished stainless steel and hand formed to fit this unique design. So, I receive the package from the manufacturer and I find that it is crushed. I was very concerned about the contents and how they might have faired since the pipes were lying inside with no packaging material to prevent damage. Luckily they seemed ok so I went ahead on the install. Here is where the real troubles begin. After installing the mid pipes I found that the tubes pressed against the swing arm, due to being bent during shipping. The owner of Wolf told me to send the pipes back AT MY OWN EXPENSE. I was told a claim would be initiated with his post office for the refund of my shipping costs. Through email confirmation Wolf Racing had the mid pipes in hand on February 13, 2004 and they said they would start repairs the next week. Through numerous emails with Wolf it appeared the pipes had been sent back but were now lost in shipment. Mind you the communication with Wolf Racing was very vague and I had a hard time getting any information at all. After sending another email advising Wolf Racing I had not received the pipe, he told me he would make a new set and ship them out next day, April 6, 2004. Well, I finally received the newly made mid pipe on April 30, 2004, yes that is 3 weeks after they were promised, with Wolf Racing having had the original pipe since February 13, 2004. I never did receive a refund for the shipping costs I incurred. I was very excited when I finally received the replacement pipes and could finish my bike. To my dismay I opened up the package to find an unpolished mid pipe rolling around inside. The tubes were raw stainless with little shine or look about them. There were sections which had been welded in places the other set didn't have and in general they looked like hell. Because I had gone with out my bike for so long, 11 weeks, I decided to install them anyway...or attempt to. Unfortunately, the pipes did not fit because the front primary tube hit the right rear foot peg boss. So I decided to grind down the right rear foot peg boss at an angle to allow the pipe to fit. Even with the foot peg boss ground down the first primary tube rubbed on the swing arm. I was so determined to make these fit I went ahead an installed the system the best I could. Although both silencers set off to the right of the bike (looking from the rear forward) and the lower primary tube was pressing on the lower fairing I could at least say that it was installed. )
)
So after all of this work how do the pipes perform? With much anticipation I started the bike for the first time....and thought that someone must have switched my motor with a two stroke. I asked myself, where's that deep throaty sound that was advertised? It was all a lie. After a short ride I wanted to shut off bike because the noise was so annoying, something like a bumblebee. After all of this time waiting and fighting with Wolf Racing I had a terrible sounding, poorly made system and a horrible flat spot from 5200-6000 rpm. Needless to say I packed up the system and sent it back to Wolf Racing (at my own expense). )
)
)
The allure of underseat exhaust is real but no matter how unique this system may be, I can say it is definitely not worth doing business with Wolf Racing. Their communication, customer service and product quality were poor at best. Even with the lifetime warranty this system has, it is not worth the effort or money spent. Please do yourself a favor and avoid this company at all cost.
 Reader feedback I know that it has probably been a while since you had your problem with Wolf racing but I thought that I would drop you a line anyway. I had the same experience, I was pulled into the allure of the underseat exhaust system and the performance claimed by Wolf for my R6 that I was using for amateur track racing. I was very proud of my bike and thought that the underseat by Wolf would make a performance difference, give me more clearance when dragging a knee and look great. Oh boy was I wrong. I had the same shipping issues and fit problems that you did and on top of all of that I had to pay a Tech over $750.00 to dial in the mapping. Even after I spent over $1000.00 on the fitting, shipping and upgrades I had a bike that would have run better stock. I regret the purchase soooo much. I eventually rode the bike for about 6 months and did OK on the race circuit but eventually traded in the whole thing on a newer R6 with upgrades already installed. I was glad to hear that I was not alone even though it is long after the fact. To this day it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Oh well lesson learned. I have now upgraded to the R1 and have a Street version and a Race bike. Both have the FACTORY underseat, one factory and my race with a full GRAVES system. Amazing that GRAVES could figure it out but WOlF is struggling. I do not even see them on the web any more, thank god. Keep the rubber down, Peter in Colorado |
 |
Copyright © 2003-2008 |
Streetbike Review |