MORE POWER PLEASE 2012 GSA

[Pablo1]

Ive already got an Akra slip on can, thinking of moving to the next stage and getting some headers without the cat.
A few things I'd like some advice on please.

A. Akra claim an extra 8bhp from their headers using the can ive already got, am i going to get this sort of result using any headers e.g. keighan or Remus.
Akra ones are fecking expensive.

B. All the blurb on these headers state that no adjustments to the fueling are necessary,(akra and Remus) I dont want the extra expense of a PC anyway, what am i missing out on (more power?), would the set up i'm proposing be fine as it is.

C. Any downsides to fitting the cat free headers ie. warranty, mot etc.
The notes attatched to the Akra headers says something about the EU approval for the end can being invalid if used with these headers, should I be bothered?, whats impact here ?

D. Can I still put any old unleaded in or should I stick to the posh 98ron stuff.

Thanks

 

[Mysticwind]

I had accelerator module, k&n and a full akra system on my 2010 dohc....

the best performance gain by a country mile was taking the huge aftermarket screen off and fitting the standard back.... felt like a new bike

on a more serious note i got 107 at the back wheel on a dyno with all the bits on, power commander may get you over 110?

 

[DrFarkoff]

Sorry mate but really If you are needing more power seriously Buy an R1 or a BUSA

There's a limit to what you can get out of these things

The accelerator module will help the low speed glitchy throttle (in warm weather)

Enjoy!

 

[Ali-bear]

I took the standard screen off my GS and left the exhaust system as it was

 

[cookie]

just keep the throttle open wider, for longer

 

[Richie B]

Sorry mate but really If you are needing more power seriously Buy an R1 or a BUSA

There's a limit to what you can get out of these things

The accelerator module will help the low speed glitchy throttle (in warm weather)

Enjoy!

+1 , I dont see why you need more power I know each to his own and all, but seriously do you need to do more than 120mph ? I like a bit of fun but I came from a ZZR1400 to the world of GS and I wouldn't go back there good luck in your quest

 

[Magnon]

Stick a 1200LC in it

 

[Pablo1]

Sorry mate but really If you are needing more power seriously Buy an R1 or a BUSA

There's a limit to what you can get out of these things

The accelerator module will help the low speed glitchy throttle (in warm weather)

Enjoy!

I took the standard screen off my GS and left the exhaust system as it was

+1 , I dont see why you need more power I know each to his own and all, but seriously do you need to do more than 120mph ? I like a bit of fun but I came from a ZZR1400 to the world of GS and I wouldn't go back there good luck in your quest

FFS I dont get it on here why so many people rush finger to keyboard to comment when they don't have a useful answer for the question, piss taking aside.
I didnt ask DO I NEED MORE POWER

Hoping to learn from others experiences, take the piss by all means but FFS

 

[(RIP) Miff]

My 2005 model has Remus downpipes, Akro race can, OE filter and an accelerator module. These were fitted by the previous owner. It's apparently faster than my old 2005 model that was totally standard apart from having the OE can gutted (for more noise). I say "Apparently" as I haven't really noticed the difference, but a mate following on his Varadero could keep level with the old one, but couldn't keep up with the new one*

I've removed the Akro can and put the OE one back on because it was just TOO loud. I think rather than more power, you'll get a more responsive throttle response and maybe smoother power delivery.


The guy I bought THIS GS from had gone from a GSXR1000 to the GS. He then went to a Multistrada. He obviously wanted LOTS more power.




*He solved that by buying a ZZR1400

 

[DrFarkoff]

Hoping to learn from others experiences, take the piss by all means but FFS

Okay Pablo Old bean

It's a production motor if you start tuning them things go wrong!

One reason being BMW fuel mapping I would strongly recommend the remapping There is a thread on here about it EDIT HERE IT IS

But seriously power commanders accelerator modules all bluff the weaknesses in the BM std fuel maps I think Air fuel mixture sits around 15:1 which is quite weak

And to top it off add more power and all of a sudden the final drives which seem to made of swiss cheese disintegrate

NOW you know why 3 of us said if you need more Power Buy an R1 or Hayabusa We were giving you good advice

Do what ya gotta do But seriously before anything else I'd go for a remap

As it is done on the dyno across the whole fuelling range and is a "Proper" job not just masking it with add on' or accessories!

 

[AndyC62]

More power please

What Miff says.
I too have a 2005 with remus down pipes and can (baffle removed - I came to it from a buell ulysses with a VERY loud can - and it's still too quiet for me!). Sounds great apparently.
I also have the accelerator module and K & N Filter - I fit K&Ns to all my vehicles! I couldn't tell you how much quicker it is, it feels it, but it definitely runs smoother. Must admit I've also tended to chip all the turbodiesels and turbo petrol cars that I had - helped improve their useability - I've just take delivery of a Focus ST - I may chip that but it seems powerful enough just now.
Oh and I'm a long way from being a boy racer!

Why would you want a Busa when you can surprise people with a "modded" GS!!
Go for it - if you don't like them take them off and flog them in this parish or on eBay

 

[Giles]

Ive already got an Akra slip on can, thinking of moving to the next stage and getting some headers without the cat.
A few things I'd like some advice on please.

A. Akra claim an extra 8bhp from their headers using the can ive already got, am i going to get this sort of result using any headers e.g. keighan or Remus.
Akra ones are fecking expensive.

B. All the blurb on these headers state that no adjustments to the fueling are necessary,(akra and Remus) I dont want the extra expense of a PC anyway, what am i missing out on (more power?), would the set up i'm proposing be fine as it is.

C. Any downsides to fitting the cat free headers ie. warranty, mot etc.
The notes attatched to the Akra headers says something about the EU approval for the end can being invalid if used with these headers, should I be bothered?, whats impact here ?

D. Can I still put any old unleaded in or should I stick to the posh 98ron stuff.

Thanks

A/ I would have thought (I don't know - it's just an opinion..!) that you wont see much of a difference in performance between different header pipes. The price difference will probably be a reflection of the quality of finish.

B/. The boxer engine runs very lean straight from the factory, and flirting with decat headers and end-cans could make this even worse. Personally, I'd want to sort out the fuelling and sleep easier at night.

C/ Again, just a personal opinion, but I wouldn't alter the exhaust system whilst my bike was in warranty. If your bike did drop a valve or worse you can bet yer bottom dollar that BMW would immediately wash their hands of any warranty work on the grounds that you've altered the bike. Currently there is no emissions testing at MOT's for bikes, and if it did come in it would most likely be date specific, (all bikes manufactured after set date must comply ...etc), so I wouldn't worry about that too much.

D/ I stick 95 in most of the time


If you've got a spare £350 or so I highly recommend you read through this; http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=301959

I have forked out at Hilltop and think it's money really well spent. (towards the end of the thread I've posted my thoughts..). I did it after my warranty had expired.

 

[APE]

I wouldn't put a full system on without remapping

 

[Nick dj]

De cat

De-cat the standard headers it will get you close to the Acro`s will pull better.

Or buy a multistrada 150 bhp?

But how much power can a large adventure bike take or need?

 

[Pablo1]

Okay Pablo Old bean

It's a production motor if you start tuning them things go wrong!

One reason being BMW fuel mapping I would strongly recommend the remapping There is a thread on here about it EDIT HERE IT IS

But seriously power commanders accelerator modules all bluff the weaknesses in the BM std fuel maps I think Air fuel mixture sits around 15:1 which is quite weak

And to top it off add more power and all of a sudden the final drives which seem to made of swiss cheese disintegrate

NOW you know why 3 of us said if you need more Power Buy an R1 or Hayabusa We were giving you good advice

Do what ya gotta do But seriously before anything else I'd go for a remap

As it is done on the dyno across the whole fuelling range and is a "Proper" job not just masking it with add on' or accessories!

Thanks for this really helpfull, I love the bike I have for the comfort and flexibility, Ive had a K1200s which was fab but not as comfortable and allround practical as the GSA.

 

[Pablo1]

A/ I would have thought (I don't know - it's just an opinion..!) that you wont see much of a difference in performance between different header pipes. The price difference will probably be a reflection of the quality of finish.

B/. The boxer engine runs very lean straight from the factory, and flirting with decat headers and end-cans could make this even worse. Personally, I'd want to sort out the fuelling and sleep easier at night.

C/ Again, just a personal opinion, but I wouldn't alter the exhaust system whilst my bike was in warranty. If your bike did drop a valve or worse you can bet yer bottom dollar that BMW would immediately wash their hands of any warranty work on the grounds that you've altered the bike. Currently there is no emissions testing at MOT's for bikes, and if it did come in it would most likely be date specific, (all bikes manufactured after set date must comply ...etc), so I wouldn't worry about that too much.

D/ I stick 95 in most of the time


If you've got a spare £350 or so I highly recommend you read through this; http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=301959

I have forked out at Hilltop and think it's money really well spent. (towards the end of the thread I've posted my thoughts..). I did it after my warranty had expired.

Thanks Giles, really helpful stuff, much appreciated.

I'm interested in the remap thread, sounds a lot simpler to me, I'm kinda then interested to know what bhp improvement and other benefits are to be had from this with just the standard exhaust headers, I'll read the thread but if theres a short answer I'd like to hear it.
Thanks Again

 

[Ali-bear]

FFS I dont get it on here why so many people rush finger to keyboard to comment when they don't have a useful answer for the question, piss taking aside.
I didnt ask DO I NEED MORE POWER

Hoping to learn from others experiences, take the piss by all means but FFS

Sorry dude just having a Friday beer

I was all set to replace my downpipes with (probably) Remus but I need to get my final drive re-built so there goes the £350-odd or at least it will when I finally get it done. Then I'm going to need a GPS for it so thats another £350+ up the chimney. Then it'll be tyre time.

 

[GedJack]

Take it to Geoff at Hilltop Motorcycles. Job done.

 

[Giles]

This was one of my comments in the Hilltop thread (no pics in this copy and paste!)






...... just got back from a couple of days away which included an afternoon at Geoff's.

In a nut shell, the bike was making 80.7 bhp and 71.01 ft/lb and it now makes 105.6bhp and 81.78 ft/lb.

Worthy of note is that my fuelling was very very lean My bike was way out of the optimum air / fuel ratio. This should be between 12.5 and 13.5 micro parts per oojimy wotsit thingy () but was infact up in the twenties at lower revs and for the rest of the rev range around the 15's and 16's. So definitely running far far too lean.

I've blagged the gasmans images of his bhp and torque through the gear box (which are pretty similar to mine...)
If you look at the first graph, see the pointy profile in each 'tooth' .. ?

The bike is only making it's max torque and bhp at the end of the rev range in each gear .. just as you change up. Hence the 45 degree line through each gear.

Look at the second graph - the teeth have a flat top and are much wider. The flat top shows that each gear is instantly making it's max bhp and torque, and the wider 'teeth' show that that spread of power and torque goes on for longer.

But that's all numbers and mathematics. How does it affect you on the road?
It's like the bike has been asthmatic, and now you've given it new lungs. The throttle is crisp and responsive. Little things like a blip between gears on a down shift, town work and filtering, trickling into a roundabout and driving out in third at low revs.

The throttle response and pick up is now just liquid nectar and a real joy to use. Remember the flat top graph through the gears - on the road that manifests itself as instant pick up and drive in a given gear - take the next gear and pin it ... instant crisp throttle response.

Money very well spent - a huge improvement on the original.





6 months on and having read it again, I still agree with what I've written

Some peepes on here are asking 'Why would you want more power?'
Well I would! I still occasionally want that Multistrada / K1300 3rd gear rush that's missing on my GSA. A remap won't give it to you, so don't think it will. Nothing is going to radically transform the performance of your 1200, but as above, the re-map will turn your limp lettuce into a crisp fresh iceberg, blunt scissors into razor sharp blades.

I also have an after-market quick action throttle. (£50 odd - have a search and you'll find a thread on it..). That and the re-map is probably as good as you'll get!

 

[Pablo1]

6 months on and having read it again, I still agree with what I've written

Some peepes on here are asking 'Why would you want more power?'
Well I would! I still occasionally want that Multistrada / K1300 3rd gear rush that's missing on my GSA. A remap won't give it to you, so don't think it will. Nothing is going to radically transform the performance of your 1200, but as above, the re-map will turn your limp lettuce into a crisp fresh iceberg, blunt scissors into razor sharp blades.

I also have an after-market quick action throttle. (£50 odd - have a search and you'll find a thread on it..). That and the re-map is probably as good as you'll get!

That will do for me thanks, I'm leaving my headers as they are and I'll spend the dosh at Hilltop.
Pity there doesnt appear to be anyone nearer to scotchland

Thanks again