5 Busa's,maybe a dozen exhausts for me. The 3 factors I would look at first
don't include
sound or performance.One manufacturer claims 10 HP another claims 12. They are both probably lying.
The things that I found that were important to me were fitment,weight and durability. Does the system fit properly and have decent ground clearance?How much modification is needed and once installed how big of a PITA is it to re and re the oil filter for example? Everybody is on about weight. Definitely a factor,especially for the gram counters.
Durability/longevity. Exhaust systems are expensive. How pizzed off are you to be when the header cracks?
As
@Dopey pointed out above,the sound makes a big diff to some (myself included). I would agree. But I would not base that decision on a krappy video or someone's personal description. "It's loud,but not too loud." "My system sounds throaty." Youtube vids: "Here's my bike in an' alley." "Here she is roaring thru a valley or city street,etc." "The recording was made with my cell phone mic or Gopro." If sound is your main concern,perhaps go to bike nights or stop every Busa owner you see and check out the sound for yourself.Whats ear-splitting and deafing,raspy,crackling or backfiring is music to some,its krap to another.
Its a personal choice thing,and for a lot of bikers its probably the #1 most done large mod.How many times have riders torn off a perfectly functioning stock exhaust,sometimes before it even leaves the dealership. The other thing for me is looks. I don't care for shorty cans. My favs probably wont be anybody else's.
Best system I had according to my criteria:
Hindle.
Most unique looking:
HMF hi-mount (Gen I) and Vance & Hines slip-ons (Gen II)
But for what this thread is all about...sound...when you blast by another bike likes its standing still and you have it pinned at 12,000 +, well that my friends is music to my ears. When that guy catches you at the next pit-stop and remarks he thought he was being passed by a low flying jet fighter...It brings a little smirk to my face.
Like the announcer said..."We are all special people" I just happen to be "Special Needs"
The unique Hayabusa sound
Rubb.