Forming part of SITO Group, a 54-year-old aftermarket exhaust company, LeoVince has finally made its way to the United States. LeoVince (pronounced Leo-Vinchi) utilizes the latest technology for the development and manufacture of its exhaust systems. Working closely with race teams in MotoGP, World Superbike and World Championship Motocross, LeoVince is in a position to better understand the needs and expectations of exhaust systems. LeoVince is committed to racing and development in the United States and works with teams in AMA Superbike, Supercross, Outdoor MX, Supermoto and Grand National Flat Track. LeoVince USA brands include SBK for sport bikes, SilverTail for cruisers, Scoot for scooters, and X3 for off-road motorcycles and ATVs.

LeoVince X3 Enduro Sport Full System Titanium with Carbon Fiber End Cap

The LeoVince X3 Enduro Sport Full System (Titanium with Carbon Fiber End Cap) was chosen for this review because of its light weight, versatile configuration and low sound level output. Our LeoVince X3 Enduro Sport Full System was installed on a new, but broken-in, 2008 Kawasaki KLX450R.

Our LeoVince X3 Enduro Sport Full System came with the following:
	Titanium muffler with carbon fiber end cap
	Titanium head pipe with carbon fiber guard
	Carbon fiber muffler strap
	Exhaust springs (3x)
	Exhaust spring puller
	Three exhaust tips: 94dB, 94dB with spark arrester, spark arrester only
	Cylinder head exhaust flange and clamp
	All required hardware (not shown)
	Installation guide with warranty and decal
	Muffler wash plug

Note: The actual exhaust system shown above was installed on the bike and run before photographing so the discoloration, or blueing, was absent when the system was new. Discoloration is completely normal of any single wall exhaust system.

Installing the LeoVince X3 Enduro Sport Full System:

Our LeoVince X3 Enduro Sport Full System came packaged well with everything separated and neatly organized in the box. Starting with a clean bike, removal of the stock KLX exhaust system was straight forward. All three exhaust mounts were removed: rear sub-frame, mid sub-frame and cylinder head. The muffler was removed, followed by the head pipe, and finally the cylinder head exhaust flange.

Stock KLX exhaust removed. Ready for LeoVince X3 Enduro Sport Full System.		Gasket, slip-joint and flange installed with anti-seize onto clean cylinder head.		Head pipe installed with high temp sealant and held in place with two springs.		Installed head pipe with carbon fiber guard. Ready for muffler installation.
Muffler installed onto head pipe with anti-seize at mid-section. Ready for a spring.		Exhaust mid-section and head pipe with carbon fiber guard completely installed.		Installed muffler, with exhaust tip of choice, and carbon fiber muffler strap.		94dB exhaust tips. The tip shown with spot-welds is the 94dB with spark arrester.

High temperature sealant and anti-seize compound are needed for installation. The cylinder head exhaust gasket was ensured to be in good condition and reused. Anti-seize compound was put on the cylinder head exhaust studs as well as the exhaust manifold where the slip-joint installs. The flange nuts were tightened to the specified torque. The head pipe was installed into the slip-joint and springs carefully attached. The head pipe is still able to move slightly up and down at this point, and this aids in mounting of the muffler mid-section. The muffler was installed on to the head pipe after putting high temperature sealant on the connection. The carbon fiber muffler strap was installed with the provided 8mm allen head bolt and washer. The other 8mm allen head bolt and washer with spacer was installed between the frame and exhaust mid-section. Anti-seize compound was used on this bolt because it screws into a steel clip-nut on the actual exhaust system. After tightening all fasteners, the bike was started and allowed to come up to normal operating temperature, then checked for leaks around the cylinder head and mid-pipe connections. With no leaks, the bike was turned off and allowed to cool. All fasteners were checked once again for tightness.

As reference, instructions on replacing sound deadening material in LeoVince X3 silencers is here: X3-refit.pdf

LeoVince X3 Enduro Sport Full System Impressions:

The stock KLX exhaust system is the heaviest as a complete stainless steel system. The stock KXF exhaust system ranks second with a titanium head pipe with steel guard and aluminum muffler with stainless steel mid-pipe. The Leo Vince X3 Enduro Sport Full System is by far the lightest in weight being full titanium with carbon fiber guard, muffler end cap and strap. The weight difference is noticed most in slow tight single track and when moving the bike on and off a stand. Once cruising at higher speeds, most small weight changes go unnoticed. The LeoVince X3 system comes with high quality hardware and beautifully machined surfaces and welds. As an apprentice motorcycle mechanic, this installation took about 15 minutes. For the average consumer it should take about 30 minutes. Only one minor issue was encountered with the LeoVince X3 KLX system and that was the kick-starter hit the head pipe when not in use. It was remedied simply by installing a wider spacer between the mid-pipe mount and sub-frame.

Riding Impressions with the LeoVince X3 Enduro Sport Full System:

To be honest, the LeoVince X3 Enduro Sport Full System had a lot to live up to. The KLX runs good in stock trim, and when tuned up with a KXF exhaust and airbox, it is like a whole new bike. After install and initial firing, first ride with the LeoVince X3 exhaust system was nothing short of impressive. First notice was the lack of sound, which is always good and a nice change from the KXF system. The power delivery was very smooth and throttle response was quick and crisp. The power down low was much more noticeable than with the KXF system. The top end seemed equivalent to the KXF, but the midrange is where the Leo Vince seemed to shine. The KLX is a bike where you need to keep the revs above 3500rpms. It is happiest toward the end of midrange to the beginning of top end. The X3 KLX system brought those revs down just a little to about 5000-8000rpms, where now is the smoothest area in the rpm range.

LeoVince X3 Enduro Sport Full System Cost & Availability

At the time of this Review, suggested retail price on the LeoVince X3 Enduro Sport Full System Titanium with Carbon Fiber End Cap for the KLX450R, P/N 3611, was $899 (USD). The X3 Enduro Sport Full System for the KLX as well as other configurations and application can be ordered directly from the LeoVince USA Website or your local Parts Unlimited or Western Power Sports Dealer. Please check availability and current pricing when contacting LeoVince USA about any of its exhaust systems.

4Strokes.com Rating - 1 2 3 4½ 5 (Rating System)

Outside of one minor issue with the kick-starter hitting the head pipe, we were thoroughly pleased and very impressed with all aspects of the LeoVince X3 Enduro Sport Full System for the KLX. It is extremely versatile in various configurations with low sound level output as well as machining and welds second to none. We cannot say enough good things about the LeoVince X3 Enduro Sport Full System for the KLX and would recommend it to anyone. We rated it a near perfect score of 4½ out of a possible 5.

Credits: Evaluation and review of the LeoVince X3 Enduro Sport Full System for the KLX was performed and written by Robb Nelson with final editing and publishing by 4Strokes.com.