VFR 800 Motad Exhaust System Tech Query

I have a VFR 800 FIX 1999

Earlier this year I fitted a full stainless Motad exhaust system, but it has
caused problems from day one.

The main problem was leaking from the rear downpipe joints which caused
backfiring. This was eventually fixed by the dealers after a couple of weeks
waiting for new pipes from Motad. The backfiring is cured now but it is
still not right.

The can joint leaks like a sieve. First the can doesn't go onto the joint
far enough and secondly the slots cut in the can for fitting appear to be
way too long. The result is leaking out of the slots. There is no gasket at
all but the manual says the original can should have one. The original can
has no gasket either and will not fit on the Motad pipes.

The consensus from Motad and my Dealer is that the system is ok and the
leaking is not a big problem, admittedly it does not seem to cause any
noticeable fuelling or backfiring but I am not that convinced. I have been
riding mostly in urban areas at lowish speeds and short duration trips in
Guernsey and apart from a couple of day trips to France I do not think I
have run the bike hard enough for any untoward symptoms to surface.

Has anybody fitted a Motad system to a VFR and had fitting / leaking issues?
I have removed and re-fitted it myself to ensure it was fitted correctly,
pig of a job and no improvement. Am I right to think £800 of exhaust system
should not leak even if it makes no difference allegedly. Should there be a
gasket, (dealer says no). I have not seen the original standard gasket, is
it an inner sleeve? it is hard to tell from the manual.

TIA

Jonah VFR800
The Yellow One

 

Jonah8208 was seen penning the following ode to ... whatever:

Uh-Oh.

I don't have a VFR but the previous owner of my Pan had one fitted
about 10 months ago. Impressed we were not - he got a second set of
cans for it because the originals went all manky after nine months, I
had to take one can off to get the wheel out (great) and I wasn't too
happy with the fit.

Given that the original Honda quick-rust system still lasted four
years this isn't a good sign...

 

When I bought the bike it did not occur to me that Honda would fit mild
steel pipes as standard to a sports tourer of the VFRs' reputation. Hence
the expensive new stainless system from a manufacturer of some note. I
should have traded the bastard for a vtec it would not have cost me much
more and it has a stainless exhaust system (according to the dealer), hmmmm.

OTOH I could weld the bastard on and then trade it.

Jonah
VFR 800 The Yellow One

 

I wouldn't, if I were you. Not unless you like spending several hundred
(like, as much as your Motad system cost you) on the 16k miles service
when the cams have to come out to do the valve clearances.