Potential Buyer-Exhaust Removal for Tire Change

[ronjr009]

Hi,

I've been riding for about 6 years now. Started with a 2005 Helix which I currently still own.  Bought a Honda Silverwing for a touring bike.  Sold the wing to buy a Suzuki V-Strom 650.  I am looking to replace the Helix.  I've got 30,000 miles on it.  I've been looking at the Downtown 300 and I am really impressed.  Looks like the perfect blend between a 250 and a 400 scooter with performance rivaling that of the bigger 400's while sipping the fuel which I really like.  It's also a looker and I like that too.  Here is my iissue/question that is keeping me from pulling the trigger.  The one thing I HATE on the Helix is changing the tire.  The reason is because of how the muffler has to come off. On the Helix, it is difficult to get the muffler back on without creating an exhaust leak (this is even true when replacing both gaskets).  I am so sick and tired of dealing with this exhaust leak issue.  If its going to be an issue with the DT 300, then I don't want it.  My question to those of you who have one and have done your own wrenching and/or have had several tire changes is whether or not this an issue at all and is it easy to mate the exhaust back onto the exhaust manifold and get a good seal without having to deal with an exhaust leak. 

A secondary question of interest... How many miles do you get out of the front tire?  The Back Tire?  I would get about 7 thousand out of the front tire on the Helix and about 5-6 out of the back.

[duesouth]

I've changed my back tire at about 3 thousand miles. I was pretty hard on it during one trip, started out looking good, came back looking bad. Didn't change it myself, but I've had no leaks or problems with the exhaust. I don't know if they had to remove it. I have about 5 thousand on the new one with quite a bit of life left, I would guess at least another 2 thousand. The front I have about 8 thousand and it still looks good, but will probably change it with the back when it comes due even if it doesn't need it.

[racewalker]

The muffler is easy to get off and put back on. At the front of the muffler is a clamp with a hex screw in it, loosen it off several turns. Take the heat shield off (4 bolts) unbolt the muffler (3 large bolts). Twist the muffler as you are pulling it back.

I have changed my back tire twice now. I get about 14000KM on the back and twice that on the front. I just turned 29000KM on mine yesterday. I am running Pirelli Diablo tires on it. JUst finished a 7000KM trip before the last tire change. Takes me about a half hour to remove the wheel and about 45 minutes to put it back on with torquing.