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Black Widow headers ... Good or Bad?

3 posts Started 4 Oct 2025 Last recovered post 5 Oct 2025 Wayback Machine snapshot 10 Nov 2025

#1

Hay guys.

Just looking for some info from the collective.

Read some old threads on here about aftermarket stainless headers, boy that TBR farce got dragged out a tad then thread died off in 2020?

A stainless big bore job would be awesome but way way outta my price range.

Seems only 3 brands bother to fabricate stainless headers for our bikes, non give any ID/OD info, are they all playing hide n seek with the dimensions? seems so!

Spent some time cruising the Tinterweb & Fleabay for 5th Gen offerings:

(Lextek) look ok-ish, push fit joints n springs, albeit with crossed front headers which I don't want, & O2 bungs in wrong place, don't want these either, (Jeez, Chinese welders, aint gorra Scooby Doo ffs) ... messaged Lextek supplier, they're clearly know this product is a mash up, don't seem to give a rats arse, only do crossed front pipes.

(B/Widow) look like near identical same system albeit with different spring hook points, no crossed front headers, a flattened section on 1 rear pipe? O2 bungs in exact same place as Lextek (me smells a rat here).

(Delkevic) look bit similar pipe layout as OEM from a side view, with the worst looking merge box I've ever seen, a  4 into 1 mashup, what a dogs dinner.

Black Widow seems the pick of the bunch, fleabay listing states system is now "Upgraded" larger pipe diameters, no mention of any pipework dimensions,  listed as 1998-2003? then states won't fit 6th Gen.

Seems to be lots errors in these listings of all 3 brands, no specific useful info.

My OEM steel system is still pretty solid, dry use only & a rub down as needed & fresh BBQ satin black keeps it looks factory, just planning ahead as it won't last forever.

Thoughts or experience of the above?

#2

Black Widow are decent for the price, had SS headers paired with an Akra end can on my Gen 1 S1000XR and had no issues with them at all and fitting was easy. Needed a remap afterwards but that’s standard fair with that bike.

#3

The merges for the VFR model seems to have gotten better. They were pretty shitty on their early versions iirc.  The neck-downs at the head stand out.  Don't know if the larger diameter after is actually doing anything except looking bigger.

End of thread · 3 posts recovered Wayback Machine snapshot 10 Nov 2025