Just fitted Akra - some questions

[JulieBahrain]

Hi,

Newbie from Bahrain here....

Hubby has just finished running in our 2008 1200 GS, so a few evenings ago we fitted the Akra.

Our local dealer says we don't need a PC.

Also planning to fit a K&N air filter - do we need to fit a PC or do any other mods?

Have heard the bike runs lean with the K&N installed.

We are in the Middle East - so have the heat, dust and humidity to content with. On our ride last weekend the outside temp was 44 degrees C at 10 in the morning!

 

[Schtum]

It depends on what flavour of Akrapovic you've fitted, just an end can or a full system. If it's just an end can, you shouldn't have any problem. A full system might be a different matter.

I don't know if OE fuel maps have got progressively leaner.....I ran a full Remus system on my late '04 GS without any problems and a significant performance gain. I then transferred it to my '07 bike which undoubtedly had higher exhaust gas temperatures than the '04 bike. Recent discussion with my local Dynojet Centre on the day when they'd just mapped a Power Commander on an '07 bike led to some horror stories of far too lean an air/fuel ratio.

I believe that '08 / '09 bikes run even leaner as stock and produce more horsepower by virtue of a higher compression ratio and an extra 500 rpm to the redline. I'm planning on fitting a Power Commander and having it mapped on the dyno after I've run in my new '09 GS and fitted it with the same old full Remus system.

I wouldn't fit a K&N filter, especially in your environment. All the recent research I've seen suggests that would only make the fuelling even leaner and provide less effective filtration than an OEM filter.
As ever, YMMV.....

 

[JulieBahrain]

Thanks for your input. I should have mentioned - it's the full system.

 

[Decster]

Thanks for your input. I should have mentioned - it's the full system.

If you have panniers, it might melt the left hand (exhaust side) or if metal heat it and melt whatever is inside.....

Also why K&N, it does not improve the performance of the bike noticeably according to the wisdom on here?

 

[Rich ZX12R]

Hi

My understanding is you don't need power comander. I have Akropovic can and remus headers to remove cat on 08 GSA. Got 12,000 miles on it with no real problems. As long as the sensors are still in the front pipes then the bike will compensate if running "lean" as it will know.

The only issue I have had is; I run the baffle in the can as it is very loud and the complete lack of back pressure causes a hiccup on fast throttle openings without it.

 

[AdamA]

Hi

My understanding is you don't need power comander. I have Akropovic can and remus headers to remove cat on 08 GSA. Got 12,000 miles on it with no real problems. As long as the sensors are still in the front pipes then the bike will compensate if running "lean" as it will know.

It will, but there is always a but....


There is only so much adjustment that can be done to the fuelling by the standard ECU. It's not an infinite thing.
So if your bike is TOO free flowing of gasses both in and out (freer flowing air filter and complete system without cat and baffles) then it may not be able to richen things up enough so the bike will run lean.

A dyno run is relatively cheap and will let you know if this is the case, and so whether you need to shell out for a PC or similar

 

[Schtum]

My understanding is you don't need power comander. I have Akropovic can and remus headers to remove cat on 08 GSA. Got 12,000 miles on it with no real problems. As long as the sensors are still in the front pipes then the bike will compensate if running "lean" as it will know.

The lambda sensors only affect the air/fuel ratio while the system is running in closed-loop mode. I believe this is < 4K rpm although it might also be at some fairly wide throttle openings. So you've still got the top 50% of the available rev range in which the fuelling can get much too lean.

 

[elefantmanshawn]

don't waste your money on loud tat,if you want real improvements get a power commander v,get the fuelling right and the bike will run better,they are lean[not enough petrol] as standard to squeeze them through emissions thats why they have knock sensors to try to stop them holeing pistons