Exhaust
systems for Suzuki GSX1400
Akrapovic
4-1 full system
Akrapovic 4-1 full system mounted on a GSX1400. Photo:
John Taylor
Akrapovic
4-1 system review by John Taylor
Suzuki
engines have always been good for extracting additional horsepower
from, and the easiest first step has always been to fit an after
market silence, or better still, a full system. The Bandit 1200
showed probably the best power increase in history by just bolting
the right end can on!
The GSX1400 is no exception: The Akra System is pure quality,
made to fit like a glove and absolutely childs play to fit. As
soon as you have finished bolting the Akrapovic System into place
you press the starter, and my immediate reaction was ”oh
wow”, the sound is beautiful - not too abrasive, but with
a deep throaty rumble that makes the hairs stand up on the back
of your neck.
You can see the difference straight away as the rev counter needle
takes on that extra hint of enthusiasm as the gases escape faster
than a rat up a drain pipe. Once on the road the extra horses
are immediately noticeable as the rear digs and the front end
lifts - ”bloody hell” - ”more hours required down
at the gym”.
The acceleration has been transformed from ”wow” to
”I want my mummy” as the bike tries to tear your limbs
off. It is easy to believe that the system is producing the extra
18-20 horsepower that various retailers are claiming. In addition,
the old system along with the side stand weighed 51lbs, yes 51,
and the Akra system weighs about 12-14lbs, so not only do you
gain nearly 20hp but you loose almost 40lbs of weight - imagine
what that does to the power to weight ratio.
It's very hard to explain the power delivery. At the end of the
day we are talking about a bike that now produces around 120-125
horsepower, which isn't a lot when compared against the 145hp
R1 and the various other plastic rockets, but the sheer grunt
of the machine is like nothing else i have ever experienced. It
is obviously the torque that makes the difference - 93 ft/pound
of torque is second only to the Hayabusa, and with the new system
probably equal to it, and it is this that drags you forward like
a charolais bull on steroids.
Suzuki have created a beautifully balanced machine with big CC's,
fuel injection, monster torque, not to mention gorgeous looks
- the Akrapovic System is the icing on the cake, turning a great
bike into a fantastic bike. OK so £600 isn't exactly cheap,
but believe me I'm glad that i saved the extra £ to get
one.
You only have to look in the paddock of a world superbike meeting
to see what the race teams think of Akrapovic - they are everywhere.
The lads I ride with (Bandit 12 & ZRX1100) had already altered
their gearing in an attempt to keep up with the ”out of the
crate” acceleration, but now the white flags are waving and
there is talk of ZRX 1200's and Big Bore conversion kits, just
to stay in the race.
I can't say that the top end is noticeably improved, but having
said that I haven't really had the opportunity to try it flat
out yet (my arms aren't strong enough yet!). Either way I am happy,
and will settle for the extra low down and mid-range grunt that
has been released. Happy shopping to everyone in Sweden (and anyone
else for that matter), and remember, if you have to, then sell
your grandmother to buy one of these systems.
Regards
John
Taylor, Skipton, North Yorkshire, UK
November 2001
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What
can you say after reading such a review, the guy clearly loves
his new exhaust system. The Akrapovic seem to be great at making
exhaust systems. If you like to looks and have the money, I can't
see why you shouldn't choose Akra. I can only point out that there
are cheaper systems out there as well.
Jarmo Haapamäki
September 2002
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