EXHAUST: I am on the second canister on the third exhaust system on my K12RS. The OEM exhaust is competent and quiet. It creates a substantial low-end torque and requires no repacking. In short it works, except for two little problems. It limits the power to the rear wheel at about 111BHP and has been known to crack its #4 header pipe on the K12RS. It happened to me, at around 30,000 miles.

So I swapped the OEM with the Australian Staintune brand. Although Staintune was highly recommended, it turned out to be a disappointment. Within a short 1500 miles (a month after purchase), 500 miles away from home, at the altitude of about 4000 feet, on the magnificent Blue Ridge Parkway, in the middle of a tight sweeper, during a spirited ride, it cracked into two pieces. In another word, that which was originally one piece became in a moment two. (See the 2nd image blow.) Later I learned that this problem isn't that rare for this particular brand of exhaust systems. It would be safe to say that I do not recommend Staintune.

I do however recommend Two Brothers Racing, even though they are not perfect. TBR adds the most amount of horsepower, looks very good, sound even better, but faithful to its namesake, it rather be racing than putting BMW style mileage. Meaning, it prefers it 'short, hard and dry,' than 'long, mellow and wet.' The system ages prematurely and requires repacking. However, if it is taken care of it, with minimal riding in bad weather, it is a real sweet system. The canister in the image directly blow is a C2, Small Oval, Aluminum, it is now sitting in a box in my apt. I have since placed a C5, Large Oval, Titanium on my TBR system. I prefer the C5, I think you will too.

For more info on Two Brothers Racing Exhaust Systems visit: twobros.com



After Market Exhaust Video Showdown
Two Brothers Racing vs. Staintune
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Two Brothers Racing


Staintune
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Conclusion: They are both very loud and very fast. We felt no performance variance during our bike swap test. Both exhaust systems bring much power increase. The Staintune has a more throaty, deeper tone. The Two Brothers wails at a higher pitch. The Staintune comes with an optional silencer that muffles the sound by about 8db. This silencer was not installed for our test. I have since swapped my Staintune pipe with an aluminum C2, 2 Brothers Racing. Check Latest News for pics and info.

* * * *

Z-Technik K1200RS Dyno Shoot-out
August 24, 2002, Chicago
Weather: Humid & Overcast

A group of K12RS'ers succumbed to the gracious invite from the people at Z-Technik, Pete Ashi, and Otto Brothers Motor Sales to show up and do battle for the honors of King of the Horse Power Hill and to compete directly with their new Z exhaust and chip. All exhaust manufacturers were represented for this test. Almost all HP figures IMHO are a few ponies lower than ordinary as the day was VERY humid. I would guess about 4HP less in general as I expected TBR with chip to reap about 126... and Staintune with chip about 120hp. FYI, more than a few here have dyno'd the Two Bros/chipped bike and regularly gotten 126-127hp.The fact that all the tests were uniform is more important to me than simple high numbers which can have as much to do with weather as, brand dyno and the mood of the technician on any given day. The filmed and photographed testing was done very militarily back to back (one every 15 minutes) same tester on the bikes, same technician on the board, bikes ALL warmed to operating temps, all testing was done in full view of all participants. Below is the after market exhaust comparison results. (Submitted by: Jerry Finley aka Pirate)

Aftermarket Exhaust Comparison Results

With Aftermarket Chip
HP
TORQUE
Two Brothers Racing w/ Rhinewest Chip
121.1
81
Z-Technik w/ Z-Technik Chip
119.7
81
Staintune w/ Rhinewest Chip
117.9
79.3

With OEM Chip
HP
TORQUE
Two Brothers Racing
118.2
79.4
Staintune
116.7
80
Remus
113.1
75
OEM Exhaust
111.8
77.9

* * * *

Have You Heard a K12 with NO Exhaust?
I lost my Staintune canister on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and had to ride home (500 miles) without a muffler.
I have since switched to Two Brothers Racing.



Ironically the K looks great without the muffler blocking the rear wheel.
Can you say: "under-the-seat exhaust" for the next generation K-RS replacement?

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