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Old June 4th, 2019, 06:40 PM   #1
InvisiBill
EX500 full of EX250 parts
 
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Name: Bill
Location: Grand Rapids-ish, MI
Join Date: Jul 2012

Motorcycle(s): '18 Ninja 400 • '09 Ninja 500R (selling) • '98 VFR800 (project) • '85 Vulcan VN700 (sold)

Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 1
MOTM - Aug '15
Cheap slip-on - Anodizing Racing

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D8S618R/

This is a cheap slip-on that is quite popular on another 400 forum. Overall it seems to be pretty good, but there is some question about its durability. A number of people have reported welds breaking on the midpipe. For only $90, I consider it basically a throwaway and will be satisfied if I get any substantial life out of it.



The midpipe was a bit too small to fit over the OEM pipe. I had read a lot of horrible reviews of the cheap tailpipe expanders (rubber bands snap, pot metal crumbles, etc.) and I don't plan to need it frequently (ever?) in the future, so I just used AutoZone's Loan-A-Tool. They didn't have just the small expander available, so I had to get a full kit with multiple expanders and a cutter for $110 (temporarily charged to my card). After opening up the pipe 1-2mm, it all slid together quite nicely. I found the shorter set of springs to be softer, and much easier to install.

In some of the pics posted on the other forum, it looks like things didn't line up perfectly for people when their welds broke. Mine all seemed to line up quite well, though leverage from the fully assembled system could mask that. Mine appears to sit a bit lower than some others, as I've got a decent amount of muffler showing below the mounting strap. I feel like some of it may be improper installation (in typical cheap Chinese fashion, it doesn't come with any instructions) resulting in things mounted in a way that stressed them. I know next to nothing about welding, but I thought mine at least looked decent, compared to some of the pics from last year. I'm hoping the quality has gone up a bit since the early units.

It comes with a logo sticker, but it's just tossed in the box rather than stuck on the can. If you're not into advertising for companies that nobody's ever heard of, this is a great feature.

I weighed all the stock parts I took off and the Anodizing parts I put on for comparison:



In case you're not good at math, that's over 5.5lb removed.

I've only run it with the baffle. I'm not trying to make a ton of noise, though it's nice to actually be able to hear my engine. Here are some video clips by another owner for sound comparison:
Stock
Baffle
No baffle


I like the price. I like the sound. I like the look. I like the weight-savings. I like the extra room for my big foot. I'm worried about how well it'll hold up, but for $90 I won't be too upset if I get any decent lifespan out of it. When this gives out or I have an extra pile of cash laying around, I'll look into one of the name brand systems.
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