While creeping our way through traffic two weeks ago on our way home from work, Jared on his Vrod and I on my K1200R, a plastic sheet blew between the cars and found its way onto my bike's extremely hot header pipes. I did what I could to kick it off and away, but it didn't take very long before the plastic melted everywhere. It was a white gooey mess when Jared and I pulled over to yank it off. The smell was incredibly noxious - so much so that when we started up the bikes again, Jared had to stay a few car lengths behind me to keep from inhaling the toxic fumes. By the time I made it home thirty minutes later, the white goo had turned thick and black.

I called BMW of Denver to see what could be done to remove it. Suggestions of nail polish remover and oven cleaner were tossed out, but there was absolutely no way either could penetrate the thick plastic coating my pipes received. I had no choice but to get a completely new exhaust system. The estimate to replace the OEM pipes was a staggering $2,557.44! Go figure. So, I ended up filing an insurance claim.

Little did I know my luck - for once - was about to change...

I stopped to see Karson at BMW of Denver about ordering the new OEM exhaust. Karson, instead, got Helli from Remus on the phone and worked out an amazing deal so that I could get into a full lightweight Titanium Remus Racing Exhaust System for practically nothing. According to Helli, this exhaust system isn't even advertised because there are only less than five available in the U.S. and they are only seen on race bikes. Mine would be the only one in Colorado. When mapped, the power at the rear wheel is increased to 170 hp, a difference of over 20 hp from stock. As if my bike weren't powerful enough! When Helli offered me the exclusivity of that system for no more than their standard titanium pipes, it didn't take much convincing before I was sold.

My 18,000-mile service was scheduled for today and since my new Remus pipes were already waiting on a Parts shelf, the installation was on the checklist of items to be handled today. I had been anxiously waiting for this day for two weeks, partly because every time the header pipes heated up, they'd release the smell of burning plastic, and partly because of all the extra juice now on tap.

I was afraid the difference in power would be neck-snapping fast, but it is surprisingly very manageable. I love the fact that the reduced size of the Remus muffler reveals the ultra cool effect of the single-sided swingarm - the floating rear wheel. But the biggest difference is the roaring sound the new exhaust produces. I just hope the sound isn't too obnoxious to enjoy touring. I might end up needing better earplugs now or just riding faster to get away from the sound...

Labels: exhaust, service

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posted by MarkR @ 5:54 PM