Experiences with full Akrapovič system on LC

[Weird Bob]

Well, the thing is, here is where the adaptive map comes in. So, even in open loop conditions the engine will get the correct fuel.

?

The master tech, who I trust, pretty much agreed that it should sort itself out.
He was putting on my Remus can and I asked him if I would need to retune if I added headers and he said I shouldn’t. It should take care of it itself. Now if I went further and started changing the intake system too then there may not be enough compensation for that as well.

 

[2 wheel humvee]

I know there are a few folks on here who have or have had full systems on their LC's. So would you care to share your experiences of performance, sound levels, fuel consumption and anything else relevant?

I've had an Akrapovič can on my late 2013 bike from new. I bought a set of headers on here late last year and only started riding the bike, with them fitted, quickly, this week and particularly yesterday after I'd been for an MOT. I've obviously got a bit detuned with riding my XCountry recently but my first impressions are that the Akrapovič headers have made a big difference to how the bike goes. In Dynamic mode it takes off like a stabbed rat with little more than a tickle of the throttle, all the time making a sound like tearing calico.

I've yet to have the fuelling adjusted and a quick run on the local dyno revealed that it's much too lean. However, it's popping on gearchanges and spitting flame. The sound and throttle response is a bit addictive which, no doubt, goes some way to explaining the loss of some 9 - 10 mpg. Today's average was 41 mpg. Overall the character of the bike is much less bland than before, even although I still have the baffles in the can. I've experienced this before when I fitted a full Remus system to two of my previous GSes but there probably wasn't such a perceived uplift in performance.

(Pic courtesy of Ghiribizzo)

As you know I ran my 14 GSA on AKRA headers and can for most of the 3 years I had it, the initial draw for me was to smooth out the fuelling and to assist in filling in the flat spot around 5250RPM at which this set up did a pretty good job, I agree with most of your findings, I too found the response greatly improved and the noise addictive, the pops when changing up and down using GSAP were also highly amusing, I too found fuel consumption worsened by about 5mpg on average based only upon the average consumption readout on the bike's display but this was borne out by reduced tank range from filling to the brim.
I removed the AKRA headers and Can from my 14 plate GSA convinced that both would find a home on my 17 plate Rallye GS, but having fitted the can only to the Rallye and as I added miles to the odometer of this bike I had a change of heart, the 17 plate bike seems to fuel so much nicer than than the previous bike and if there is a flat spot it's nowhere near as apparent, I had begun to tire of the noise of the full system on long european trips, I hung onto the AKRA headers as a "maybe one day" project to fit them to my current bike but it never happened and you know the rest, I don't miss them at all now but understand the appeal.

 

[wileeeeeey]

I had the full system on my last LC1200 - and loved it!
As you say - it was 'highly addictive'. The sound and feel was a big jump from the standard bike.
I don't have any performance figures as this was never important to me - but the grin factor was huge.
When I test rode the new 1250 with a standard system, it felt pretty bland by comparison - although I could feel the extra power it offered.
So in context - I would not have swapped my LC1200 with the full system for the new 1250 without.
In short, in my opinion - its highly recommended!

I agree completely.

And to put the cat amongst the pigeons I had a full Akra system on my MY17 GSA which I had Hilltopped and I have the same system on my MY19 GSA which isn't Hilltopped and I can't notice the difference at all. Maybe there is one, maybe there isn't. I'm just too much of a layman to notice.

 

[CPJS]

I agree completely.

And to put the cat amongst the pigeons I had a full Akra system on my MY17 GSA which I had Hilltopped and I have the same system on my MY19 GSA which isn't Hilltopped and I can't notice the difference at all. Maybe there is one, maybe there isn't. I'm just too much of a layman to notice.

Was there no difference before and after Hilltop on your '17 bike ?

 

[wileeeeeey]

Was there no difference before and after Hilltop on your '17 bike ?

I thought there was on the tube but from moving from MY17 to MY19 I can't tell a difference so personally it's not for me. I'm in no way saying Hilltopp does nothing, I'm not a good judge of that, just that I'm not sophisticated enough to tell the difference. Or maybe the fuelling on the MY19 is just much improved?

 

[GB.]

When you say 19 model do you mean 1250?

 

[wileeeeeey]

When you say 19 model do you mean 1250?

Sorry, thought bikes followed the same naming convention as cars.

I went from a 66 plate GSA to a 68 plate GSA. Pre-TFT to TFT, but still R1200. First one went to Hilltopp, current one I'm not bothering to go Hilltop.

 

[Schtum]

I'm sure I should have anticipated the comments about fuelling. The bike's booked into Motorrad Central in Dalkeith on Thursday to be Hilltopped.



Not quite Knut and I'm sure this has been done to death. It will only do this when it's running in closed loop mode. To do what you suggest would necessitate a pair of wideband lambda sensors and an ECU programed to suit.

As for the flap valve in the exhaust, I've removed it completely and fitted a Servo Buddy which eliminates and fault codes. https://www.speedycom.co.uk/shop/product.php?productid=19880

Update. some 4 years later:

After having the GS Hilltopped I hadn't ridden it much until recently because of ill health.

This week, I've done some 300 + miles on the bike. I haven't significantly changed the way I ride. The throttle still gets whacked open.
Bottom and mid-range throttle response is excellent in Dynamic mode. Full throttle in 4th gear is good enough to pass anything on the road in a short distance.

There is one very notable difference. Whereas pre Hilltop, the bike was indicating an average 41 mpg, it's now showing an average 51 mpg.

 

[Paul G (BHT)]

Whereas pre Hilltop, the bike was indicating an average 41 mpg, it's now showing an average 51 mpg.

Are these real world figures or just indicated?

 

[Schtum]

Are these real world figures or just indicated?

Good question, Paul. I'm guessing that the original 41 mpg might be optimistic consistent with the %age that the speedo over-reads.

I have experience of overly optimistic fuel consumption figures which were displayed when I fitted a Viezu Tuning Box to two previous VW Tiguans.

The next time I fill the tank, I'll calculate a true figure from the mileage achieved on a brim to brim volume of E5.

 

[Paul G (BHT)]

The next time I fill the tank, I'll calculate a true figure from the mileage achieved on a brim to brim volume of E5.

the only way to get a true figure. It will be interesting to get a comparison.
If you could record the mileage with a GPS even better, unless you know the exact % the clock is out.

 

[r1happy]

I see Geoff at Hilltop is now contracted to BMW UK to look after all the Superstock & Superbike S1000rr’s in BSB.

 

[Schtum]

the only way to get a true figure. It will be interesting to get a comparison.
If you could record the mileage with a GPS even better, unless you know the exact % the clock is out.

I should be able to get a close figure for speedometer error by calibrating it against the GPS at a constant speed on a straight and level road.

Not that I'd want to get too anal about it. Where's the arsehole smiley, Paul...?

 

[Paul G (BHT)]

Not wanting to be anal either but.... it's the odometer you need to calibrate

 

[Schtum]

Not wanting to be anal either but.... it's the odometer you need to calibrate

I know but I reckoned the error would be the same as the speedo. D'you think that's unlikely to be the case...?

 

[Paul G (BHT)]

I know but I reckoned the error would be the same as the speedo. D'you think that's unlikely to be the case...?

With todays electronics anything is possible.