WARNING: This is a lengthy post, proceed with caution. J
I thought I’d share my opinion on two different slip on exhaust systems for our beloved CBR250R.
Everyone seems to have an opinion on the stock CBR250R exhaust ranging from “I like it”, “I don’t like it”, and I guess I’ll learn to live with it”. I fall into the “I don’t like it” group because I find it too quiet and somewhat lacking in the looks department. Overall I think that Honda could have done much better. If you fall into the same group, then keep reading.
Let me start by sharing what was most important to me in choosing an aftermarket exhaust:
1. Increased noise level – I found the stock exhaust too quiet, I wanted feedback and wanted others on the road to know that I’m there, but I didn’t want to wake up the neighbors in the morning on my way to work each day.
2. Improved appearance – It’s big and bulky, other entry level cycles have acceptable looking exhaust for their given category. Look no further than the 250 Ninja, not perfect but far better than what we got with the CBR250R.
3. Improved performance – The stock exhaust restricts airflow and is heavy, it shouldn’t have to be this way.
4. Decrease in weight – The stock exhaust weighs 15lbs, c’mon man!
Two Brother’s V.A.L.E. Stainless Steel
I purchased the 2 Bro’s first, based largely on reviews, sound clips, appearance, and because they’re made in the USA.
· Exhaust arrives – Packaging is top of the line, the box is meant to be displayed so that potential buyers can see what they’re getting. Removal of the stack exhaust is simple and installation instructions are well documented and easy to follow. Once mounted the system looks great on the CBR250R! SIDE NOTE: Man that stock exhaust HEAVY!
· First start-up – WOW! This thing really growls and is loud, sounds awesome, can’t wait for the ride to work tomorrow.
· First ride – Immediately I notice a performance improvement, feels great! Pulling out of the driveway I’m feeling self-conscious riding through the sub-division due to the loudness, hopefully I get used to it.
· Couple days later – Now able to control the exhaust at lower revs as I roll through the neighborhood, shift fast, stay around ¼ of a throttle, steady…steady.
· Weekend trip - On the open road anything above 45 mph is a constant drone that I can’t stand….I can’t ride like this every day…..what to do?
· Ordered and installed the P1X insert – the gold insert looks nice….better than the basic stainless steel 2 Bro’s insert that ships with the exhaust….sound level however is not noticeable different….this is not what I was hoping for….NEXT!
I decide to call the retailer where I purchased the 2 Bro’s, he was surprised by my experience, said that this was by far their most popular exhaust for the CBR250R and several other bikes. He also tells me that I was the first buyer to share an unhappy experience. He also informed me that on a single cylinder engine you should expect this type of loud thumping with any aftermarket exhaust. He was very helpfully in answering all my questions and confirms my questions concerning other slip-on exhausts including the Leo. Maybe I didn’t give the 2 Bro’s a chance….but later I decide to go back to the stock exhaust, post the 2 Bro’s on e-bay, and pull the trigger on another exhaust…..the Leo.
Leo Vince SBK LV-One EVO II Stainless Steel
· Exhaust arrives – The Leo is manufactured in Italy and is said to adhere to European noise standards. Packaging is basic but acceptable, installation instructions are in multiple languages and overall not well documented but still somewhat easy to follow. Once mounted, the system looks equally great and maybe a little better IMHO thanks to the carbon fiber hanger! SIDE NOTE: This exhaust comes with two inserts, one larger in diameter than the other but no explanation as to how to use each...so I stick with the installed insert.
· First start-up – OK…not much different than the 2 Bro’s…maybe slightly lower volume due to a better, angled insert, but still loud…I was expecting better. Let’s see how the ride to work goes tomorrow.
· First ride – Performance good…feels on par with the 2 Bro’s, very nice! I’m able to better control the growl and loudness of the exhaust as I roll through the sub-division, this is a plus.
· Couple days later – Low revs are even easier to control, I like it! When I roll on the throttle hard I get noticed…still very loud…borderline too loud.
· Modification – After trying each insert and not noticing much of a difference I decide to modify the smaller one by attaching a small sink strainer to reduce the air flow, thus noise output. This actually worked pretty well but still loud under heavy throttle.
· Weekend trip - On a 161 mile open road trip anything above a steady 50 mph results in a similar but less steady drone that I still can’t stand….now what?
· What’s this? – After further research I discover that there should have been a 5 hole “baffle” or “silencer” disc that ships with the Leo and it’s this disc that makes it Euro noise compliant, so where’s mine? The instruction make absolutely no reference to this disc…NONE! Luckily I still I had the shipping box, after searching around I discover the disc floating around at the bottom of the box….let’s give it a try!
· Second start up with the five hole disc – Installing the disc is a piece of cake…now let’s hear it. Others have said that with the silencer disc installed it sounds like the stock exhaust, I could not disagree more…it sounds so much better. I can’t wait for tomorrow’s ride to work.
· First ride with the five hole disc – WOW, this is great! I don’t have to worry rolling through the sub-division. The sound is a nice medium level growl, louder than stock, softer than the 2 Bro’s and the Leo w/o the disc. Performance is still much better than stock and not noticeable different than before. Speeds above 50 mph are great…the droning is gone and is what I have been looking for all along!
· Second ride with five hole disc – After realizing that I still had the sink strainer modified insert in I decided to replace it with the larger, optional insert and the results are outstanding, this is what I have been hoping for in an aftermarket exhaust!
So there you have it, I’m very happy with the Leo and I don’t plan to look back from this point. It all comes down to preference, if you want a loud system you can't go wrong with either exhaust, if you want something that’s in between go with the Leo and install the silencer disc.
Let me finish by saying that I love my CBR250R and have made other modifications, but changing the stock exhaust is by far and away the most impactful mod that I’ve made in terms of appearance and performance. I hope my experience can help other CBR250R owners choose the right exhaust system that will meet their needs, good luck with your search!
I thought I’d share my opinion on two different slip on exhaust systems for our beloved CBR250R.
Everyone seems to have an opinion on the stock CBR250R exhaust ranging from “I like it”, “I don’t like it”, and I guess I’ll learn to live with it”. I fall into the “I don’t like it” group because I find it too quiet and somewhat lacking in the looks department. Overall I think that Honda could have done much better. If you fall into the same group, then keep reading.
Let me start by sharing what was most important to me in choosing an aftermarket exhaust:
1. Increased noise level – I found the stock exhaust too quiet, I wanted feedback and wanted others on the road to know that I’m there, but I didn’t want to wake up the neighbors in the morning on my way to work each day.
2. Improved appearance – It’s big and bulky, other entry level cycles have acceptable looking exhaust for their given category. Look no further than the 250 Ninja, not perfect but far better than what we got with the CBR250R.
3. Improved performance – The stock exhaust restricts airflow and is heavy, it shouldn’t have to be this way.
4. Decrease in weight – The stock exhaust weighs 15lbs, c’mon man!
Two Brother’s V.A.L.E. Stainless Steel
I purchased the 2 Bro’s first, based largely on reviews, sound clips, appearance, and because they’re made in the USA.
· Exhaust arrives – Packaging is top of the line, the box is meant to be displayed so that potential buyers can see what they’re getting. Removal of the stack exhaust is simple and installation instructions are well documented and easy to follow. Once mounted the system looks great on the CBR250R! SIDE NOTE: Man that stock exhaust HEAVY!
· First start-up – WOW! This thing really growls and is loud, sounds awesome, can’t wait for the ride to work tomorrow.
· First ride – Immediately I notice a performance improvement, feels great! Pulling out of the driveway I’m feeling self-conscious riding through the sub-division due to the loudness, hopefully I get used to it.
· Couple days later – Now able to control the exhaust at lower revs as I roll through the neighborhood, shift fast, stay around ¼ of a throttle, steady…steady.
· Weekend trip - On the open road anything above 45 mph is a constant drone that I can’t stand….I can’t ride like this every day…..what to do?
· Ordered and installed the P1X insert – the gold insert looks nice….better than the basic stainless steel 2 Bro’s insert that ships with the exhaust….sound level however is not noticeable different….this is not what I was hoping for….NEXT!
I decide to call the retailer where I purchased the 2 Bro’s, he was surprised by my experience, said that this was by far their most popular exhaust for the CBR250R and several other bikes. He also tells me that I was the first buyer to share an unhappy experience. He also informed me that on a single cylinder engine you should expect this type of loud thumping with any aftermarket exhaust. He was very helpfully in answering all my questions and confirms my questions concerning other slip-on exhausts including the Leo. Maybe I didn’t give the 2 Bro’s a chance….but later I decide to go back to the stock exhaust, post the 2 Bro’s on e-bay, and pull the trigger on another exhaust…..the Leo.
Leo Vince SBK LV-One EVO II Stainless Steel
· Exhaust arrives – The Leo is manufactured in Italy and is said to adhere to European noise standards. Packaging is basic but acceptable, installation instructions are in multiple languages and overall not well documented but still somewhat easy to follow. Once mounted, the system looks equally great and maybe a little better IMHO thanks to the carbon fiber hanger! SIDE NOTE: This exhaust comes with two inserts, one larger in diameter than the other but no explanation as to how to use each...so I stick with the installed insert.
· First start-up – OK…not much different than the 2 Bro’s…maybe slightly lower volume due to a better, angled insert, but still loud…I was expecting better. Let’s see how the ride to work goes tomorrow.
· First ride – Performance good…feels on par with the 2 Bro’s, very nice! I’m able to better control the growl and loudness of the exhaust as I roll through the sub-division, this is a plus.
· Couple days later – Low revs are even easier to control, I like it! When I roll on the throttle hard I get noticed…still very loud…borderline too loud.
· Modification – After trying each insert and not noticing much of a difference I decide to modify the smaller one by attaching a small sink strainer to reduce the air flow, thus noise output. This actually worked pretty well but still loud under heavy throttle.
· Weekend trip - On a 161 mile open road trip anything above a steady 50 mph results in a similar but less steady drone that I still can’t stand….now what?
· What’s this? – After further research I discover that there should have been a 5 hole “baffle” or “silencer” disc that ships with the Leo and it’s this disc that makes it Euro noise compliant, so where’s mine? The instruction make absolutely no reference to this disc…NONE! Luckily I still I had the shipping box, after searching around I discover the disc floating around at the bottom of the box….let’s give it a try!
· Second start up with the five hole disc – Installing the disc is a piece of cake…now let’s hear it. Others have said that with the silencer disc installed it sounds like the stock exhaust, I could not disagree more…it sounds so much better. I can’t wait for tomorrow’s ride to work.
· First ride with the five hole disc – WOW, this is great! I don’t have to worry rolling through the sub-division. The sound is a nice medium level growl, louder than stock, softer than the 2 Bro’s and the Leo w/o the disc. Performance is still much better than stock and not noticeable different than before. Speeds above 50 mph are great…the droning is gone and is what I have been looking for all along!
· Second ride with five hole disc – After realizing that I still had the sink strainer modified insert in I decided to replace it with the larger, optional insert and the results are outstanding, this is what I have been hoping for in an aftermarket exhaust!
So there you have it, I’m very happy with the Leo and I don’t plan to look back from this point. It all comes down to preference, if you want a loud system you can't go wrong with either exhaust, if you want something that’s in between go with the Leo and install the silencer disc.
Let me finish by saying that I love my CBR250R and have made other modifications, but changing the stock exhaust is by far and away the most impactful mod that I’ve made in terms of appearance and performance. I hope my experience can help other CBR250R owners choose the right exhaust system that will meet their needs, good luck with your search!
