[christph]

I just got my 525 XC last week and am already starting to think about an aftermarket exhaust. I know the engine has a lot of potential but it feels more corked-up than I thought it would, but maybe that is because I'm comparing it to my tricked out Raptor and LTR. Has anyone tried the Akrapovic slip on or full system? If so, I'd appreciate a few comments on the performance gains, especially since they want $750 for the silencer and $800 for the header. I've never see a full system cost that much--perhaps it is the low dollar. For that much money it had better be good.

 

[SCLATER29]

I just got my 525 XC last week and am already starting to think about an aftermarket exhaust. I know the engine has a lot of potential but it feels more corked-up than I thought it would, but maybe that is because I'm comparing it to my tricked out Raptor and LTR. Has anyone tried the Akrapovic slip on or full system? If so, I'd appreciate a few comments on the performance gains, especially since they want 0 for the silencer and 0 for the header. I've never see a full system cost that much--perhaps it is the low dollar. For that much money it had better be good.

ive got the full system heres my 10c worth. i cant comment on gains as i had it since new, looks awsesome cause it titanium and it colours, its lighter than stock, has a good note, has excellent construction, the company is renowned for best pipes on market beter than yoshis and all other pipes, my opinion is dont put a slip on get a full system as its normally the header that does most of the "power work", as for power i got the jetting kit full pipe and unplugged the ignition map and i must say on the track you dont need any more power, i can beat all bikes except a 08 raptor at top end. like many guys are saying, you;ve bought the best quad on the market why go and bolt the cheapest parts onto it. if your on a budget unplug the cdi and see if you need anything more after that it will probly make a bigger change than a pipe.

 

[christph]

I started this thread a few weeks ago. Since then I got an Akrapovic slip-on, so I thought I provide a review for those thinking about buying one. I'll probably get the header eventually. The header has a larger diameter than stock, as the slip-on requires a reducer that is not needed with the full system.

First the basics. The Akrapovic is titanium and extremely light. I'd guess it weights about half as much as the OEM exhaust. The box it came in weighted 6.5 lbs., so I'm thinking the exhaust weights around 5 lbs. With it you get a spark arrested quite core (94 db) and a standard spark arrestor (96 db). The fabrication is top-notch. The welds are immaculate. The carbon fiber hangers are trick. In terms of looks--WOW! I can't imagine a better looking exhaust on the KTM. It just goes with the machine. It has a nice bark too.

Now for the performance gains, I'm very impressed--especially for just a slip-on. I wish I had the actual dyno numbers, but the only thing I can rely on is the good-ol butt dyno. The most noticable difference is on the bottom end to midrange, although it also improves the topend. With the stock pipe I thought the bottom and midrange were a little tame, while the topend was impressive. Now the bottom and midrange stretch the arms and it actually needs the gripper seat. The power is more violent and the front end is much easier to loft. Most importantly, it raises the machine's fun factor by quite a few points. You'll be grinning a lot more.

Now for the downside, and I'm not talking about the price which is too high (probably because of the weak dollar). They ship it with the quiet core installed. This wouldn't be a problem if the damn thing wasn't (apparently) press fit into the exhaust with no way extracting it. Its not like there is much to grab onto, and I didn't want to crush it with a vice grip. After a great deal of frustration I finally drilled out the pop rivits, pulled off the end cap, and tried to push it out. That didn't work either, even with penetrating fluid and a mallet. Then I tried the hot/cold technique for installing crank bearings. I put the end cap in the freezer, heated the outside with a torch, and it finally came out. I wont be using the quite core anytime soon, but I can't imagine being able to switch back and forth without it being a real hassle. Learn from my experience. If you get this exhaust, expect to have "fun" getting the quiet core out.

With that frustration over, I'm very happy with the exhaust. I'm anxious to see what the header does.

 

[polaris bob]

Did you have your bike jetted in when you had the stock systen on or were you running the stock jetting before????

 

[christph]

Did you have your bike jetted in when you had the stock systen on or were you running the stock jetting before????

A few weeks back I increased the pilot jet to 45 to fix the exhaust pop, which I thought was a lean pop. Turns out it is probably a leaking header manifold, hopefully the Akrapovic header will fix that. Anyway, I kept the jetting and it seems to work fine. I may get a JD jet kit as it is getting good reviews.

 

[Bronson90]

nice review... i think i have decided to get the arkopovic system. first i will get the slip-on and go for the header at a later date.

from everything i hear, the power is unmatched by any other system currently available.

 

[MORGANpl]

I got the Arkopovic back box and its poping like mad!! Hope to get the pipe or re jet soon so It maybe solve the problem

 

[OldDirty]

If your running the stock header with the Akro pipe its your header your problem. The header leaks from factory. Check out this thread http://www.ktmatvhq.com/forum/xc-engine-carb-drivetrain/12482-universal-exhaust-flange-gasket.html

 

[MORGANpl]

If your running the stock header with the Akro pipe its your header your problem. The header leaks from factory. Check out this thread http://www.ktmatvhq.com/forum/xc-engine-carb-drivetrain/12482-universal-exhaust-flange-gasket.html

So If I order the universal exhaust flange SXS02540506 that would fit my quad and should solve the problem?

 

[OldDirty]

Yes

 

[quad97]

I haven't been back to the site here for a little while (snowmobiles had my attention for the last 6 months) but I figured I would add my input about the Akrapovic system. We have a 540 and a 525 with this system and they flat out work. I have run my 525 back to back with just the slip on and with the head pipe added and the head pipe gives you even more bottom end and mid-range. If you compare it to stock, the akro header is noticeably longer. If you are impressed with the quality of the silencer, the workmanship on the head pipe will amaze you. Very nice piece and there are no leaks between sections. Fitment is spot on too. These pipes have also held up extremely well with no broken hangers and they have not gotten sloppy with age. You do have to make sure you use the ceramic grease they provide at the pipe joints or else they will start to weld themselves together. I haven't had any issues with removing the spark arrestor/quiet cores, but we typically don't use them. I suspect that if you do install them, you might want to put some of that ceramic grease around them to make removal easier. If you want a good system that will last for years, the price tag is worth it.