Current production V&H vs Kerker pipes

I'm planning on buying a new exhaust, and I'm trying to choose between the currently available Kerker or V&H, both listed on Z1enterprises. Not only is the Kerker a lot more $, but I like the shiny look of the V&H better. Is there a significant difference in sound and performance that makes the Kerker worth it?

The bike will be a KZ650 bored to 810, with a wide power band in mind rather than all out top end. More info:

www.kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/520025-kz...810-questions-galore

I personally like the sound of the kerker better plus the quality of the V&H isn't any match to the kerker, I'm speaking of the 1000 headers so I would guess they aren't any better for the 650's due to the lower sales but that's only a guess.
Worth is determined on budget for most and looks for some so I can't really say which is better priced for anyone.
Hope this helps?

Les

i like the v/h pipes just fine.. put mine on the 900ltd last summer.. fitment was just fine... you can get the v/h competition baffle for about 35.00
bought my chrome v/h street pipe for 311.00 and free shipping. at cli-maxridinggear.com out of waco tx.. there # is 469-675-3044
just checked your pipe is 294.00 and free shipping..
p.s. i also cut the stock baffle length down by half,and left the packing on... sounds very nice,deep and throaty. not bad enough to bother the cops...
i think actual performance differences would be very minimal at most...

vernons wrote: i like the v/h pipes just fine.. put mine on the 900ltd last summer.. fitment was just fine... you can get the v/h competition baffle for about 35.00
bought my chrome v/h street pipe for 311.00 and free shipping. at cli-maxridinggear.com out of waco tx.. there # is 469-675-3044
just checked your pipe is 294.00 and free shipping..
p.s. i also cut the stock baffle length down by half,and left the packing on... sounds very nice,deep and throaty. not bad enough to bother the cops...
i think actual performance differences would be very minimal at most...

+1 on that

vernons wrote: i like the v/h pipes just fine.. put mine on the 900ltd last summer.. fitment was just fine... you can get the v/h competition baffle for about 35.00
bought my chrome v/h street pipe for 311.00 and free shipping. at cli-maxridinggear.com out of waco tx.. there # is 469-675-3044
just checked your pipe is 294.00 and free shipping..
p.s. i also cut the stock baffle length down by half,and left the packing on... sounds very nice,deep and throaty. not bad enough to bother the cops...
i think actual performance differences would be very minimal at most...

+1 on the V&H over the Kerker, especially for a small street motor. Better bottom end and midrange power IMO.

Use the street baffle that comes in it and pull the packing if you want it a bit louder.

I can only speak for 900/1000 cc bikes, but I would have to remove the center-stand and modify the rear brake pedal (I have a rear drum) if I were to use the V&H exhaust.

Maybe Jeff can comment, but I know there were some major quality issues regarding a lot or two of V&H pipes.

I went with the Kerker and have been pleased.

www.z1enterprises.com/Kerker-Megaphone-E...650--KZ750-4128.aspx

I've had the V&H on my bike for a few years, and I haven't had any problems with the quality or fitment. I like the chrome better than the currently available black Kerker. Also, I think it sounds great, but I can't say which I prefer because I haven't heard the Kerker in person. I was just wondering about performance differences, especially once its an 810.

Larry, I'm very interested in your comments about the power range. Do you mean with the stock baffle? How's the competition baffle? I'm actually discussing the 810 build in detail here, page 6, second post:

forums.kz650.info/index.php?topic=7051.75

I'll be asking you for some head work in the future.

rrlslacker wrote: I've had the V&H on my bike for a few years, and I haven't had any problems with the quality or fitment. I like the chrome better than the currently available black Kerker. Also, I think it sounds great, but I can't say which I prefer because I haven't heard the Kerker in person. I was just wondering about performance differences, especially once its an 810.

Larry, I'm very interested in your comments about the power range. Do you mean with the stock baffle? How's the competition baffle? I'm actually discussing the 810 build in detail here, page 6, second post:

forums.kz650.info/index.php?topic=7051.75

I'll be asking you for some head work in the future.

I've run pretty much every pipe that's out there at one time or another either on my personal bikes, friends bikes or customer's bikes. The ones that work best for all around performance all have collector sizes similar to the V&H.

I ran that pipe exactly as I suggested, street baffle with packing removed on my 1197. I can't see where you'd need a competition baffle for your 810cc motor.

How you tune the bike has everything with how it all works together. But, if it were me, I wouldn't hesitate one second putting a V&H pipe on it. All I had to do was a little sanding inside the megaphone so it slipped onto the header pipe easier. It was tight out of the box. Chrome was fine on mine and it fit the head fine.

Only thing is oil changes. It's a bit tricky putting the new filter in but it's not all that bad.

Hey Mark, these Guys are talking about the V/H street pipe.
I think your thinking of the dragpipe sidewinder. They were mass produced in Mexico and they had a bad batch a few years ago, the chrome was falling off of them and they were not lining up correct.

But the street pipe is nice, I bought a used pipe and it was nice and built and solid.

The new Kerkers are so expensive, cause one of the Harley exhaust makers bought the pattent
and started making them again, new start up, not a lot of profit margin.

Stick with the V/H or the cheaper MAC pipe.
All depends on your wallet!
J M O