Z650 Yoshimura Alpha Install
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Next dyno scheduled for Wednesday, May 3rd. Look for the results that evening. With the news from Bazzaz yesterday about the controller not being developed until later in the year, Freddie at Superbike Unlimited has found an alternative through Rapid Bike. They are a European company that does high end race tuning, but will have the Z650 and Ninja650 kit shipping out in the next few weeks. Their product is a bit more than Bazzaz, but even more powerful, as it is a direct piggyback to the ECU, instead of to each sensor like most others. It also monitors the O2 sensor and will autocorrect if something goes wrong. I like this feature along with the extremely simple hookup. With them having the dyno, and all the tuning software on hand, I won't be using a preset map.
The european site: Rapidbike | DIMSPORT - ENGINE CALIBRATION SPECIALISTS
The US distributor site: Rapid Bike adaptive fuel injection tuning for all sport bikes.
The one we are looking at is the EVO.
And of course, if you want all the tuning goodies for your bikes, be sure to contact the guys over at Superbike Unlimited Why buy from a regular vendor and get no support, when you can buy from a race team at the same, if not better prices, with all the tech info you need?
The european site: Rapidbike | DIMSPORT - ENGINE CALIBRATION SPECIALISTS
The US distributor site: Rapid Bike adaptive fuel injection tuning for all sport bikes.
The one we are looking at is the EVO.
And of course, if you want all the tuning goodies for your bikes, be sure to contact the guys over at Superbike Unlimited Why buy from a regular vendor and get no support, when you can buy from a race team at the same, if not better prices, with all the tech info you need?
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They included a sound baffle to quieten it down if you need. The noise doesn't bother me. I already have tinnitus and some loss of hearing from my days in a rock band. lol.
The isolator on this exhaust wraps around and has a smaller contact area to the frame, so it actually should be less. The vibration you feel in the seat is from the percussion and bass from the exhaust note. A lot of low end resonance that the baffle will eliminate.
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The baffle feels like an after thought, and I'm sure it is. Considering they originally said there would not be one for this exhaust. That is probably why the first run was put back a couple weeks. They were trying to figure out how to add one. It's a pain in the ass... let me tell ya. I tried to put it in, and it's so friggin tight, that you literally have to wedge it down inside to get the bolt hole to line up. I doubt you would even need the bolt it fits so tight. The problem is, once you get it lined up, getting it out takes a miracle. I had to use slip-joint pliers, stick them inside the baffle, then open the pliers with quite a bit of pressure and wiggle it back out. That's just one challenge. The other, is getting the bolt not only lined up, but threaded into the baffel. The access hole goes through the hollow chamber of the carbon tip, through the stainless internal of the muffler. So, if the bolt falls off the allen key while trying to get it started... guess where it ends up? Yep, at the bottom, inside of the carbon tip. And the only way to get it out? Unmount the rear section of the exhaust, and rattle it around until it comes back out the same tiny hole.. Ask me how I know....
I am going to contact them and let them know what's up. I have a better solution for attaching the baffle, but I'm going to run it by them first. So far, the baffle install and removal is my only complaint. Not that I intend on using it anyway.
I am going to contact them and let them know what's up. I have a better solution for attaching the baffle, but I'm going to run it by them first. So far, the baffle install and removal is my only complaint. Not that I intend on using it anyway.
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I installed the alpha on my Z yesterday and I can confirm installing the baffle is a pain. I took a tiny piece of shop towel and shoved it in between my allen key and the screw to hold it in place. Worked like a charm and kept me from dropping the screw. The much larger issue for me was the rubber plug. I went to push it back into the opening and it immediately fell inside. I tried everything and I didn't even get close to retrieving it. I finally gave up so hopefully there won't be any issues leaving it in there.
I also struggled with chassis bolt removal. The bolt would just spin. The brake side nut is very difficult to get to since it's packed behind the rear brake lever assembly. I was finally able to shove a small wrench (from a small pocket multi-tool) in there after several attempts to fix this.
I also struggled with chassis bolt removal. The bolt would just spin. The brake side nut is very difficult to get to since it's packed behind the rear brake lever assembly. I was finally able to shove a small wrench (from a small pocket multi-tool) in there after several attempts to fix this.
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My rubber plug also fell in the hole and I even took off the muffler to try to take it out. Messed up my elbow wrestling it off and I could not get it out no matter what I tried.
I prefer having the baffle in however so that annoying bolt is staying in!
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My 2017 z650 in the canyons of Mullholland in Los Angeles CA
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Great shot!
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Installation completed! The grin on my face hasn't cooled yet.. this system is just awesome. Easy installation. Took about 20 minutes to install. Everything is well packed and feels high quality... which it is. The sound... O M G... I was not prepared for this! My bike sound like a real bike now. Well worth the money!
Movie quality is compressed and is really bad...
Movie quality is compressed and is really bad...
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Thanks Tremonte! Your videos have made upgrading my bike easy and worry free! It is LOUD!
The only problem I have right now is that my check engine light is on. Anyone know why that would be? Could I have messed up my O2 sensor? It looks like the plastic tubing slipped out from the end where the bolt is and I can see the cable, but not much. I took it off before doing anything. But any tips would be appreciated!
The only problem I have right now is that my check engine light is on. Anyone know why that would be? Could I have messed up my O2 sensor? It looks like the plastic tubing slipped out from the end where the bolt is and I can see the cable, but not much. I took it off before doing anything. But any tips would be appreciated!
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noob question guys.. Do I need to buy a fuel management system for the Yoshi? or i can just install it then not worry about it?
The mechanics in the dealership told me buy the Power commander and also install new air filter together with the new exhaust.
The mechanics in the dealership told me buy the Power commander and also install new air filter together with the new exhaust.
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266 Posts
The Yoshimura Alpha is an approved Kawasaki aftermarket exhaust. It was designed and tuned to run within the stock ECU settings. You do not need an aftermarket fuel controller in most cases with this system. I dyno tested the Z650 stock, and with the Yoshimura Alpha (baffles removed) and it was lean as expected, but within normal limits. I do recommend a fuel controller with this bike though. The difference on a proper tuned setup is amazing!!
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