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Those that have replaced exhausts, did you replace the head pipe gaskets? I'm debating it because 1. the bikes only a year old and 2. it looks like the front gasket is going to be tough without completely removing the oil cooler. It's hard enough to get to the front flange nut.
Yeah better to be safe I suppose. I was just curious because looking at youtube videos of new exhausts installed on these bikes, none of the posters even mentioned putting in new gaskets. They show all of the other steps though. I'm just hoping I don't need to take the oil cooler hoses off. I have it loose right now but I'm not sure if I'll have enough room to get that fragile gasket in the front head.
The front gasket is easy to replace without having to mess with the oil cooler at all. Definitely replace them. They are cheap and easy. Just take care not to mess up the new gaskets while installing them. They crush and deform really easily and they don't go in unless they are aligned almost perfectly. It's a tight fit but isn't too hard to get seated. Good luck.
Found this tip on youtube and made this gasket install tool. Just got the gasket to sit in the hole without falling and used this to wiggle and push it in. Worked like a champ! No deformation of the gasket at all.
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New exhaust - replace gaskets?
