PDA

View Full Version : My new Leo Vince's (DL1000)


Kawidad
07-27-2008, 01:20 PM
I just bought and installed a set of Leo Vince's on my DL1000 and thought I would post my observations (on both lists) for the benefit of our community.:)



The box arrived at the indy. I bought it through via UPS from Parts Unlimited. And, when the box arrived it was very loosely sealed and rattled A LOT with loose parts. Not a good sign. I picked up the box and a quiet insert disk fell out and onto the ground. Another: not a good sign. The indy (and friend) offered to send it back unopened because of the poor packaging/condition. I told him no, and that I would take it home (I was in a big hurry for other reasons) and see what I had. ;)

I got it home and opened the box. I found that it appeared everything was there, and internally not packaged all that badly. And, I say appeared, because their directions/parts diagrams are HORRIBLE. Considering these things are made in Commiefornia, you'd think they were written for English speakers. NOT. They're in Italian, translated (and rather poorly at that) into English. Okay, I'm on my own. Whatever. :confused:

I go through the parts and look at the generic pictures to decipher what to do, and that's when I notice that it comes with two different sized spacers. One each, not two. What is up with that? Also, there are two mounting straps, which are obviously generics to be used by means of bridging them together with a spacer. Huh? Again, whatever.:bom_thumbsdown:

I also look closely at the aluminum muffler bodies and the finish is mediocre at best, with several small deep scratches in the body. Hmmmm.:weapons_90:

I mount the pipes without any real difficulty. I'd say the fit is okay. I say only okay because I now have an asymmetrical back end, with one pipe sticking noticeably out further than the other side. Plus, on the side with the shorter (and better fitting spacer) the mounting bolt is too long and it hits onto the plastic fender. Not acceptable.:devil_71:

So off to the hardware store I go.:new_shitsmiley:

In the end, it fits okay, but only because I do it my own way with my own purchased parts, jury rigging it.:bom_glasses:

Oh, and those disks. I'm still not sure where they go, because the parts diagram and instructions don't reference them at all and I don't feel like disassembling the pipe to figure it out. Plus, when my indy looked at them he said they looked too restrictive and recommended against installing them. (The holes are really small.):bom_shout:

Once together, though, I must say the sound quality is pretty good. Mellow with a nice tone, not too loud (No, I did not remove the baffles.) So, I'd have to give them a decidedly mixed review, but overall disappointing for about 600 bones.:var_6:

mtnhead
07-27-2008, 01:58 PM
Considering these things are made in Commiefornia, you'd think they were written for English speakers. NOT. They're in Italian, translated (and rather poorly at that) into English. Okay, I'm on my own. Whatever. :confused

Well, they are made in Italy, not CA. Leo Vince USA is a local division of Sito Gruppo Industriale (http://www.sitogroup.com) in Italy, owner of Leo Vince. That explains why the instructions are the way they are.

Kawidad
07-28-2008, 12:49 AM
Hmm, my buddy who lives in the Bay area visited a factory that makes Leo Vince stuff. What I don't know, but they make something.

Kawidad
07-29-2008, 12:59 PM
Well, I've taken several rides and like the increased throttle response and sound quality. It really seemed to have helped make the bike much snappier and more responsive, BUT it has also caused a nasty lean spot between 3500-4k. The manufacturer claims that you don't need to remap your FI, but that apparently is not the case. And, in any event, I already did remap with the Yosh box.

I'm going to try installing those little disks, to increase the back pressure and see what happens.

I sure don't want to loose the gains I made with the pipes, but that lean spot is pretty bad and I really don't want to buy a Tekka or PC III.

Big B
07-29-2008, 04:28 PM
If you are already "Yosh boxed" just add a bit more again. As for the price of nearly 600 dollars....dude you got ripped off!!!!!!!!!:bom_thumbsdown: I paid much less than that through Adventuremotostuff, and my packaging and exhausts looked brand new. As for the mystery disks.....leave them out, and you also might want to consider a PCIII. I'm just sayin................

Jester
07-29-2008, 04:38 PM
I got my setup from FuelMotoUSA and the parts and packaging was excellent (and less than 6 bones).

Took me a bit to figure out the longer spacer goes on the left side (shifter side) of the bike, but other than that, the install was perfect. Lined everything up, shifted things around, then tightened it all down from rear to front.

The "mystery" disks are silencers... you put them in exhaust where they slip on to the header if you want to run it extra quiet. Otherwise, you don't need them.

Kawidad
07-31-2008, 04:38 PM
If you are already "Yosh boxed" just add a bit more again. As for the price of nearly 600 dollars....dude you got ripped off!!!!!!!!!:bom_thumbsdown: I paid much less than that through Adventuremotostuff, and my packaging and exhausts looked brand new. As for the mystery disks.....leave them out, and you also might want to consider a PCIII. I'm just sayin................

They're $583 from Adventure Motostuff, without shipping, which is about what I paid from the indy so............:var_17:

Yeah, I thinking either a Tekka or PCIII.:frown2:

LeoVince USA
07-31-2008, 06:49 PM
Hi Everybody,

My name is Manny Hauswirth, I am the US Technical Manager for LeoVince Exhaust Systems. The thread was brought to my attention and I would like to offer some support.

First, I want to thank you guys for the positive comments, we take pride in building a quality product and do our best to make sure our customers are happy.

Kawidad:

The packaging problem you are having sounds awfully suspect. We use fairly sturdy cardboard, dense bubble and cardboard sleeves on our mufflers, and a good amount of bubble padding in between parts that are individually wrapped. This is usually much more elaborate than most other manufacturers and helps keep our products safe in transit. If your package was not in the same shape as the other posters, it would suggest that maybe it was previously opened? I cannot say for sure, but it sounds like either a shipping issue or that somebody got into the package before you. You shouldn't hear our parts bouncing around loosely when in their original packaging, this is not normal. The fact that the finish on the can was anything but perfect, further tells me that the box was tampered with. This would have been the time to notify the vendor. The can should be blemish free, that is how we ship them out.

As already stated, our systems are manufactured in Europe, not in California. We are the U.S. office and are located in the Bay Area, but we do not manufacture any production pieces here. I will admit the instructions can be quite confusing, as they are in many languages. But being an international company requires us to make these available in many languages. While the translations can be less than satisfactory at times, English instructions are always included. We also have an toll-free number (888-610-4242) where you can speak to an actual product specialist, that can answer any install questions you may have.

Also as stated, the spacers are intentionally asymmetrical. The 20mm thick spacer is for the left side, and the 10mm spacer is for the right. The dual straps per side is used to keep the pipe more stable. We felt this was a better way to design the pipe as it would see dual-sport duties and we want our products to last for the long haul.

The discs are for sound reduction and are rarely used, except to pass European sound regulations. Most people leave them out as they are quite restrictive.

I am glad you like the sound/performance. I admit our instructions could be better, and I think many of your install issues would have been avoided if they were a bit more clear. I appreciate your feedback, and if I can be of any assistance please don't hesitate to shoot me an email at mannyatleovinceusadotcom.

Thanks,

Manny Hauswirth

U.S. Technical and Electronics Manager

LeoVince USA

www.leovinceusa.com

Kawidad
08-01-2008, 11:10 AM
Thank you for clearing up some things.

I did not and do not hold Leo responsible for the condition of the box. That clearly is the responsibility of the various shipping companies and vendors, not including the retailer I bought it from (Because I know he just accepted it from the truck right before I picked it up.)

From all appearances the box had not been previously opened and the internal contents were packaged as described. I do, however, stand behind by previous description of things. HOWEVER, I do accept that these items are made by humans and things don't always go smoothly and are rarely perfect. That's one of several reasons I did not send them back and have them currently mounted onto my motorcycle. The same would go for any manufacturer.

My purpose in posting my observations are to provide a real world user feedback instead of suspect motorcycle journalists, and not to bag on a reputable company.

Big B
08-01-2008, 03:17 PM
They're $583 from Adventure Motostuff, without shipping, which is about what I paid from the indy so............:var_17:

Yeah, I thinking either a Tekka or PCIII.:frown2:

Wow.......I can't find my receipt, but I "know" that I didn't pay 2 1/2 years ago what they list them for now!!!!! And that price includes shipping..........guess they are getting a tad bit too popular.;)

Wingspan
08-01-2008, 04:06 PM
Wow.......I can't find my receipt, but I "know" that I didn't pay 2 1/2 years ago what they list them for now!!!!! And that price includes shipping..........guess they are getting a tad bit too popular.;)

Don't forget the shrinking dollar value when comparing prices on items made outside the US.

Skooter
08-09-2008, 01:31 PM
Hi
600 US dollars is still cheaper than in the UK and in Spain by a long way.;)