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ZRX1200 exhaust system

Thu Jan 24, 2008 8:17 pm

Hi all,

I am a newbie here and looking for a bit of guidance. I have a 2005 zrx1200r and have been having fun with it for nearly two years now. I would like to have a bit more fun with it by upgrading the pipes. I found a local dealer here in Newcastle asking about $900 for an Akrapovic slip/bolt on. I think the full system was about $2,000 or was that $2,500. I'm not too sure because I think I passed out when I heard the cost :?
Anyway, I have found this site where I could purchase from the US an "Akrapovic Sport Production Exhaust System - Kawasaki ZRX1200". The cost is $728 USD plus freight $475 = total $1,203 USD with the exchange rate that would still be around $1,400.

My questions are, 1.) what do you think about this type of system for this type of bike, are they good value, good product or should I look at something else ?
and 2.) If I purchased from overseas, can I take the kit to a shop and they would fit it ? any recommendations in the hunter valley nsw area ? would it need some sort of re-tuning with new exhaust system to get the most out of it ? i love to ride, but I ain't no mechanic :(

Anyway thats about it, I like to commute each day on the F3 and about the only other thing I would change is the seat... ouch.

Re: ZRX1200 exhaust system

Thu Jan 24, 2008 9:06 pm

Howdy. The Akra is a great exhaust .. they look the beez kneez, sound nice and can generally be fitted without requiring any modification to the standard fuelling. It might be worth considering just a slip-on though if you're not going out chasing big horsepower - you'll get the same nice look and note with less likelihood that a re-tune will be in order and for a lot less $$. I got an Akra slip-on for my road bike for about US$350 delivered in about 4 days from http://www.starcycle.com.

As for dealers in Newcastle who can fit it - I like and have used Kawasaki Newcastle and would recommend their service. I think the Kwaka dealer in Cessnock also has a good reputation, but it may be more for their work with chookies than road bikes. The other alternative would be to throw a few snags on the bbq and invite a few of the local boys over - they'd have your exhaust sorted out quicker than you could say 'dinner's ready and you blokes are fantastic'.

Re: ZRX1200 exhaust system

Thu Jan 24, 2008 9:26 pm

Harty64 wrote:Hi all,

I am a newbie here and looking for a bit of guidance. I have a 2005 zrx1200r and have been having fun with it for nearly two years now. I would like to have a bit more fun with it by upgrading the pipes. I found a local dealer here in Newcastle asking about $900 for an Akrapovic slip/bolt on. I think the full system was about $2,000 or was that $2,500. I'm not too sure because I think I passed out when I heard the cost :?
Anyway, I have found this site where I could purchase from the US an "Akrapovic Sport Production Exhaust System - Kawasaki ZRX1200". The cost is $728 USD plus freight $475 = total $1,203 USD with the exchange rate that would still be around $1,400.

My questions are, 1.) what do you think about this type of system for this type of bike, are they good value, good product or should I look at something else ?
and 2.) If I purchased from overseas, can I take the kit to a shop and they would fit it ? any recommendations in the hunter valley nsw area ? would it need some sort of re-tuning with new exhaust system to get the most out of it ? i love to ride, but I ain't no mechanic :(

Anyway thats about it, I like to commute each day on the F3 and about the only other thing I would change is the seat... ouch.


For all things rex related check out http://www.zrxoa.com these guys have an absolute wealth of knowledge and will offer assistance with US purchasing as well, I've got an akra pipe on mine and it gave improvement across the range but I haven't gone the full system. Re the seat it would seem that general consensus is the Corbin but it is exxy and I have had trouble locating them here so it may be another US purchase, but the guys that have them sewar by them. In the interim I use a gelfoam seat and it does the trick except it does put you up higher in the wind flow but then that's why we like nakeds isn't it. The big test will be the ride down to the Supers and back but it did the trick on last year's Snowy ride and that was about 1000 ks in the saddle over 2 days.
Phil will probablay give you some good ideas re the exhaust as well.
:D

Re: ZRX1200 exhaust system

Thu Jan 24, 2008 10:29 pm

yea.. i got a z1000 and i only put slip on cans on... mind u they were pricey..but half the cost of full system... and all the full system gives is an extra 5-10hp maybe, and it will possibly need re-tuning to get that (as previously stated)..

fitting isnt that hard- depending on which way u go, if u go full system u will need new exhuast gaskets... if not, even better...

Re: ZRX1200 exhaust system

Fri Jan 25, 2008 6:51 am

Ask Phil, his Kerker System is rockin'.

Re: ZRX1200 exhaust system

Fri Jan 25, 2008 10:32 am

yep, i have a kerker full system and not only did it add (bottom,mid range and top end) power but it looks horn and really fits the image of the ZRX

BUT

I also have an akra system on my ZX9 and love it too........now most of the time you can just bolt an akra system on and not need to worry about the jetting changes most other full systems require (the kerker did) BUT i have also heard of some ZRX owners say the bike runs lean without the jet kit :? my nine has no jet kit and has ran fine for over 80K

anyway if a did get a pipe i'd go for the full system, the kerker can be had for around the $11-1200 mark including a jet kit, get Kawasaki Newcastle to get a price but also call Serco (aussie distributor) direct and see what they can do.

If you did get an akra i'd also consider cutting it down like Rob Racers one on his z750, looks trick as.

and as Eric suggested the ZRXOA is a great source of info ;)

also beware of the import thing, items not marked "gift" over (i think) $1000 attract import duties - this can make it prohibitive ;)

go the ZRX

Re: ZRX1200 exhaust system

Fri Jan 25, 2008 7:45 pm

Hi, I've got a ZRX1100 and with a full Akra, 4degree advance, K&N filter and jet kit, its putting out just on 120hp at the rear wheel. I don't know what difference the Akra made as it was on it when I bought the bike. I reckon it looks & sounds great though. I was given all the receipts for the bike when the guy bought it and back in 2000 the full Akra was just on $2500 so I would assume it would be at least that now. Heres a photo of the bike with the full Akra.
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Re: ZRX1200 exhaust system

Fri Jan 25, 2008 8:05 pm

Guys, I have to tell ya, you have all been great. Real informative and you have given some great ideas and tips.
It's got me thinking that I might just go with an Akra slip on.
Not so expensive, no major tinkering required, and maybe less dramas with import.
Since I'm not screaming out for more horses (I'm looking for a nice growl from the pipe) It's probably overkill for me to go full system.
Not to mention trying to budget home renovations at the same time etc etc. Hang on, I did mention it....

Now I'll go and hunt down a good price for the slip on, and set my sights on a corbin seat......hmmm what else ????

Thanks again fellas. :D

Harty

Re: ZRX1200 exhaust system

Sat Jan 26, 2008 8:37 am

ohlins shocks,
revalve front suspension
Greg Couch 2 piece front sprocket cover
wave disks
braided clutch and and brake lines
braided engine oil hoses

check out mine in this thread

http://www.ksrc-au.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=18376

also have a look at the zrxoa, there is a veritable plethora of mods to the mighty weapon.

as their motto says....making your zrx better - one bolt at a time ;)

Re: ZRX1200 exhaust system

Sat Jan 26, 2008 8:44 am

Good choice on the Akra slip on Harty you can pocket the rest of the cash for other mods 8)

Re: ZRX1200 exhaust system

Sat Jan 26, 2008 11:15 am

Harty64 wrote:Guys, I have to tell ya, you have all been great. Real informative and you have given some great ideas and tips.
It's got me thinking that I might just go with an Akra slip on.
Not so expensive, no major tinkering required, and maybe less dramas with import.
Since I'm not screaming out for more horses (I'm looking for a nice growl from the pipe) It's probably overkill for me to go full system.
Not to mention trying to budget home renovations at the same time etc etc. Hang on, I did mention it....

Now I'll go and hunt down a good price for the slip on, and set my sights on a corbin seat......hmmm what else ????

Thanks again fellas. :D

Harty

braided lines are only abt $200 and well worth it!!

oh and if u bring in ur own can from o/s, make sure they mark it as gift, OR they dont send the paperwork with it!!
i had my $1600 exhuasts turn up.. then a week later my receipt turned up!!

Re: ZRX1200 exhaust system

Mon Jan 28, 2008 10:36 pm

One of the nicities of a full system over slip-on's for the ZRX is the 10kg weight saving.. ;)

Still, laying off the Tim Tams for a while could get you that weight saving too! :P

Cheers,
Pete
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My Old Girl Turns 9 in May
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Re: ZRX1200 exhaust system

Wed Jan 30, 2008 5:26 pm

But I really love my Tim tams too.....

you know, what I have found in the last week or so, is that this bike, completely stock, has got more than enough grunt for my abilities.
God knows what it would be capable of with akra full system etc etc. Less weight , more horses.
It can scare me as it is.....I nearly slid off the back last week when I grabbed a bit of a handful and dropped the clutch a bit quick at the lights. Next thing I knew I was hanging on for grim death, the front wheel was off the ground and I might have even let out a bit of a scream.

i just love my zrx :D

Re: ZRX1200 exhaust system

Thu Jan 31, 2008 7:45 pm

Harty64 wrote:But I really love my Tim tams too.....

you know, what I have found in the last week or so, is that this bike, completely stock, has got more than enough grunt for my abilities.
God knows what it would be capable of with akra full system etc etc. Less weight , more horses.
It can scare me as it is.....I nearly slid off the back last week when I grabbed a bit of a handful and dropped the clutch a bit quick at the lights. Next thing I knew I was hanging on for grim death, the front wheel was off the ground and I might have even let out a bit of a scream.

i just love my zrx :D

ya big girl!!

ive been known to do similar things ... but its more of a giggle than a scream!!

Re: ZRX1200 exhaust system

Thu Jan 31, 2008 11:18 pm

Harty - if you do decide on importing a full system from the US, its easy to beat the $1000 import duty limit......

get the shop to ship it in 2 seperate packages - both of which will come in at well under $1k, and post them a few days apart. Otherwise you could end up paying a few hundred extra bucks in duty........

Nice bike BTW, we like our big Kwakka nakeds around this place..... ;)

8)
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