Akrapovic exhaust on the new GS??

[Peter Pan]

Hi Guys,

Am toying with the idea of getting a 2nd (2014) GS TE and been out for a test run ..... lovely bike but quite a lot of engine clatter on the bike I rode.

I wanted to ask your opinion as to whether it's worth spending a few extra squid on an Akrapovic exhaust?

I've currently got an '06 GS fitted with a BOS can and downpipes and love the crackle and pop when feeding in a little power following a closed throttle and the 'roar' when you open up the throttle to full power (especially when in a tunnel!)

The BOS exhaust was perfect for me. Not too loud when riding normally, but throaty enough when hustling it along.

When I rode the new version, the sound seemed very sterile and given the improvements in the new engine and the way it manages fuel delivery I wonder whether the Akrapovic exhaust will give me back the sound I'm yearning for?

What's the view?

Apologies if this has already been raised, but having trawled the forums for a couple of hours couldn't find a specific answer to my query - though it's probably my inability to effect a proper search!

 

[Bounce]

Do it...

 

[Paul G (BHT)]

.... I wanted to ask your opinion as to whether it's worth spending a few extra squid on an Akrapovic exhaust?

For me it was, for you it might not be

 

[Nutty]

The Akra headers make quite a difference, so try these first, and if this isn't loud enough, go for the end can as well.

 

[Peter Pan]

Thanks for your thoughts Guys.

Can't say that I'm that much clearer as to whether it's worth it though. Are each of you able to expand on your views a little further?

Keith - Why should I do it? What difference does it / did it make?
Paul - What was it that made it worth it for you?
Nutty - As far as I'm aware the only option that my BMW dealership gave was for the end can - no mention of headers.

Does the Akra Can still deliver a decent roar when opened up?
Is the sound very intrusive when (say) cruising at 80 mph?
It it still possible to get the crackle & pop I get on my current bike on the new model? I thought the engine management system meant that it was almost impossible for fuel to be wasted and burn post combustion chamber?

Thanks for your input

 

[Bounce]

OK....I wanted to improve the performance on my 07 GSA 12 single cam.....

> Original catted headers off, replaced with de cat remus headers: de-cat headers will make a difference on their own
> Original exhaust off, replaced with an akra exhaust, baffle out: gives a slight reduction in weight , enhances power output in conjunction with de cat headers, and increases noise too.....I do get the rather pleasant (to me) gurgle, crackle & back fire too when rolling off the throttle & down changing. I do get a nice 'roar' when accelerating too, which is delightfully assisted via a QS
> Re map is booked & this will further enhance the performance/fuel improvements

Hope this helps...

 

[DING-DONG]

I have the headers and can + hilltop treatment, i tried the headers with the stock can and it sounded very nice if not a little racy, with the can it than booms and does an excellent job of muting the engine clanks n ticks ! On start up it does crack and i get that typical look from some bods (twat with a loud exhaust)

The headers have gone a lovely golden colour and i only clean them with wd40 so that it does not take the colour out of them.

Hilltop treatment, has made it super smooth the pull low down is awesome and as the revs climb there's a huge rush as it keeps pulling hard where's before i felt the fuelling was a little fluffy low down and did not have the instant hard drive it has now.

If i were to fit the same again I'd probably do just the headers with stock can, the cost of the can outweighs the gain tenfold.

 

[Peter Pan]

Thanks Guys.

Keith you said that you'd fitted these to your '07 GSA and I'm not sure what bike DING-DONG has, but does the Akrapovic can still deliver the same effect with the new water cooled post '13 bikes?
It it still possible to get the crackle & pop I get on my current bike '06 on the new '14 model? I thought the engine management system meant that it was almost impossible for fuel to be wasted and burn post combustion chamber?

 

[Neil W]

Tested a 2014 gsa demo bike fitted with the akro can, you definitely couldn't hear the engine rattles it was so bloody noisy

 

[Schtum]

Tested a 2014 gsa demo bike fitted with the akro can, you definitely couldn't hear the engine rattles it was so bloody noisy

Did it have the two dB killers in the can outlets? Both my son's 2014 and my 2013 GSes have Akrapovič cans fitted. They do make a lovely bark when you first fire the bike up. (Cue the turning of heads of spotty yoof Corsa drivers in petrol stations....) They're then not terribly loud until you really open the bike up and even then... It's a clever trick for what is, essentially, a straight-through can. Oh yes it is - pick one up in a Motorrad dealership and peer through it....

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

I havent bothered , i did try one with the akra end can on it but i cant say it sounded that much different. Not £700 different.

The standard bike is quite a loud bike (compared to twin cam etc) if you really give it the beans, ive had the fancy exhausts in the past, 70mm race full system on my ducati 1098s , but £700 for a slightly different noise is not worth it imo.

However, i'd say Nutty is on the money here , Headers .... If you get rid of the cat as well then you will notice a worthwhile difference.

Of course, it doesnt have to be akra, there is a good little firm in halifax called beowulf who make nice exhaust cans for a third of the price of akra.

 

[Nutty]

If you want the headers, BMW don't supply these. You'll have to go to Nippy Norman, or do a Google search to see who else does them, if you're not a fan of the nipster.

With the headers and Akra end can, if it's pops, burbles and bangs that you want, the full system certainly won't disappoint. When decelerating from 2nd to 1st, it sometimes sounds like a gunshot, and is very amusing to see pedestrians jump out of their skins when you pull alongside them!

 

[Bounce]

Thanks Guys.

Keith you said that you'd fitted these to your '07 GSA and I'm not sure what bike DING-DONG has, but does the Akrapovic can still deliver the same effect with the new water cooled post '13 bikes?
It it still possible to get the crackle & pop I get on my current bike '06 on the new '14 model? I thought the engine management system meant that it was almost impossible for fuel to be wasted and burn post combustion chamber?

As the lads have said further down, I'd say yes....

Someone who has one of the new models is bound to have made a recording of the full system noise........

I got a great deal on a pair of remus headers, and as for end cans, there are many to choose from; Beowulf has been mentioned, and there's also simmi performance & remus of course.

 

[Peter Pan]

However, i'd say Nutty is on the money here , Headers .... If you get rid of the cat as well then you will notice a worthwhile difference.

Of course, it doesnt have to be akra, there is a good little firm in halifax called beowulf who make nice exhaust cans for a third of the price of akra.

Thanks SiRich. My dealer specifically warned me against doing anything which may affect the cat as it may upset some of the computer electronics and set up of the bike. Scare tactics?

 

[DING-DONG]

Thanks Guys.

I'm not sure what bike DING-DONG has,

Water Closet..

Your stock WC bike will be lean, so if you stick a full system to really benefit from this and to set the A/F so the bike don't run lean it ideally needs mapping.

This is how your bike A/F will look with the full system and stock map, very lean !

 

[Peter Pan]

Your stock WC bike will be lean, so if you stick a full system to really benefit from this and to set the A/F so the bike don't run lean it ideally needs mapping.

Great!

I can see the cost of doing all of this is going to go up and up!