Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Exhaust bubbs vs specialty spares once again

I know this subject has been beaten to death but, I'm torn between the bubbs and specialty spares exhaust for my '04 speedmaster. Kind of leaning toward the specialty spares straight cut w/billet tips. Any thoughts.I need some guidence here. I'm the new kid in town. Hello all.

even if you like the Bub's, i'm sure you can't get them anymore. i have a set and would not part with them for the world. for now they are rare.

100% pleased with my SS long cannons. I didn't find the billet tips added anything and passed. Sound and finish of the product is outstanding. I like the SS removable baffles. I pulled mine and removed about 30% of the packing for a slightly louder sound, perfect to my ears. For $400, an outstanding product.

I just got a set of Bub exhausts, ordered from the internet. I like the Bubs because they don't have any packing in them. I got them in 4 days from their shop in Grass valley Ca.

Like Al, I'm 100% pleased with my Specialty Spares. Mine are slash cuts as I felt the look retained some of the factory look. Also, Specialty Spares designed their exhausts especially for our bikes and include carb kits with them. They are easy to contact and get help from. Oh, I almost forgot, I love the way they sound!

sird,
BUBS still makes the slash cut longer mufflers. But they discontinued the best pipes they had, the Dresser Dogs or Megaphone style. I have the dresser dogs and really like the look and sound. I sure wish they still made them. I would be buying a new set. But now I have to figure out a way to do some minor cosmetic repairs to mine.

I love my Specialty Spares. They have a great sound.

A lot of people recommend the Bubs, but I got a set of Specialty Spares slash cuts about a year ago, and I love 'em. They sound great, I got some noticeable improvement in power, and the jet kit was perfect. Pat Whitbeck's website has great instructions on re-jetting, and it was a snap to install. Plus, you can't beat the price, and you can remove the packing if you really need it loud, right?

Hiya House - Welcome to the fun!

Specialty Spares sound like a great choice - lotsa happy owners, good sound, power gain. What's not to like?

I got Bub slashcuts. Here's a couple things to consider. Bubs are the same price, don't need a rejet, and they come with all the gear so that you simply bolt it on (some pipes have you remove the Triumph hangers and install on theirs - a chore - dk if Specialty Spares need that), and I recall that people who dyno tested theirs confirm a mid sixty rear wheel horse power gain. Whether or not you like the sound is always subjective. I've gotten compliments as well as angry stares (no tickets, though).

The loudness isn't bad at idle, or cruising, but get on the gas and like somebody said - "they loud."

roadie

yea...get Sceptres instead. you wont be sorry!!!

and did i mention that they are stainless steel so no worry about rusting

Side note re: Sceptres- I spoke to Team Triumph yesterday and they should be coming out with their new baffles or tuned inserts as they call them later next month sometime.

I do appriciate all the feed back. I'll let you know what I decide in the near future. Talked to my local dealer, said they would set them up for me at a reasonable price.Drill out vac hole in carbs,jets, what ever I need. Just waiting for my tax return. Still think I'm leaning toward the SS.

Hey Roadie,
How is it that you put on a less restrictive exhaust system and don't need a re-jet? That just doesn't sound right to me - have you checked your plugs?

I have the slash cuts and the plugs were fine with stock jets and got 61.9 hp. One jet size larger, one shim on the needles and removing the snorkles got me 64.0 hp.

Hey Jake -

Interesting numbers! Did the jet change and snorkle removal change your gas mileage? I'm getting low to mid 40's if I ride somewhat reasonably...

I did not notice a difference in consumption. I have never bothered with milage, not an issue for me.

I initially got 40-45 mpg stock, but after changing pipes and rejeting carbs it dropped to 35-40. I have recently changed the front sprocket to an 18T and am back in the 40s again.

I love my SS's.

Ram - did you notice any other changes with the 18T sprocket? Like, do you have to downshift when you're going up long hills?

Roadie, no, once up to speed 5th is still low enough to pull most all hwy. hills. Each gear does become slightly taller (takes longer to run up rpms). The only negative (to me) is 1st and 2nd aren't as quick and I like riding 2-up better with the 17T. BUT, the 18T is much better on the highway. I plan to order a 43T rear to try which would be in between stock and 18/42. It might be just enough to not look for 6th and quicken the starts a bit. Speeds above 65 are only about 30% of my driving. If you ride a lot at high speeds you will probably really like the 18/42 - smoother ride, better economy, more top end.

I have the Bub slash cuts. They look good, sound good, and perform well. Only complaint - rust on right side hanger weld. They are about 90% of what I was looking for in sound. I've had stock, and short TORS, both before AI removal and jetting. I think a deeper sound is still possible. After listening to all the sound bytes here, I kinda liked the sound of the J.C. Whitney ones best. Some of the others sound awful harsh to me. After my Harborfreight bike lift table comes, I'm planning on ordering some of the JCW pipes and experimenting. I want to hear some different glass-packs, and they're pretty reasonable (not $400 a pair). I'll report my findings. Charlie

I have the Specialty Spares long cannons, I think they look, and sound great. I havn't heard the bubs, so I can't compare the two. I joke with my friends in that my bike won't raise the dead, but it will bring people out of coma's.

Good luck!

Wendell

SS's!! I liked my Staintune's, but too quiet. Had Bub's on another bike, liked the sound, but not the rust. Finally the whole end of one muffler blew out on the freeway doin' 80 !!

Go with the Specialty Spares. Great sound and quality AND great support from a small company that designs primarily for our bikes. Use the carb kit that comes with them and drop in a UNI filter. You'll be amazed. The AI removal kit doesn't come with the pipes, but they sell that as well, if you haven't already done it.

Thanks Bob - Pretty interesting info. I live in the mountains so I guess the 17 is a pretty good compromise. With the stock sprocket and the Bubs my bike really moves off the line.

Some guys have noted rust with their Bubs but that's a pretty easy fix - steel wool and WD40 cured it for me last year.

does specialty spares not have a web site anymore? I cant find it.

My two cents, spend the money and get the Scepters, if money is not a concern. I have the Specialty Spares. They're nice. Mine where kind of a double edge sword. It was cool that I ordered mine unfinished and had them Ceramic coated, which I love (run all day and they're cool to the touch five minutes afterwards). But at the same point, seeing them unfinished, you can't believe how little goes into them.

You could go to a muffler shop and get them to weld a set for you, put in some aftermarket baffles, and be out maybe $100. Have them Chromed or coated for another $75.

All things considered I haven't seen anything that holds a candle to the Scepters, but boy they're proud of them!