Tech Tips: MT-07LA Project – Akrapovic Full System Fitment

My new Yamaha MT07 (LAMS or non LAMS) could quite easily be mistaken for a Toyota Prius with the awfully quiet standard exhaust system. Just my opinion, but with the amount of traffic nowadays, a louder bike is a safer bike.

For me an upgrade was essential, as I am not into the Prius Scene.

It was not a hard choice to make when looking for an aftermarket exhaust to unleash the beastly noises the MT07 can make as the Genuine Yamaha Akrapovic have the two most attractive exhausts, with a choice of a carbon or a titanium can. I chose the titanium option purely out of colour preference and the way it blends in with the line of the bike.

INSTALLATION
Installation was extremely easy, a half hour maximum with the right tools. However, it’s a different story for removing the decibel killer.

The exhaust was sourced here through my local Yamaha dealer (all Yamaha dealers can help here) from Yamaha Y Shop. At the time of writing the titanium option is priced at $1,255.57 and are worth every cent. The system is so popular that it was on back order for three weeks.

The system was delivered in one box with everything amazing well packed.  Inside came the headers, with the muffler and mounting brackets in a dedicated box. The package includes copper grease (for the O2 sensor), bolt sealant (equivalent to Loctite), exhaust springs, Akrapovic genuine warranty and a comprehensive stock system removal an new system installation guide with clear photos.

Before I got started, it was time to decide if the decibel killer (dB) is coming out or not.  I didn’t see the point in buying this system and leaving it in.

The dB killer fits so tightly into the muffler it seems ridiculous but is testament to how accurately the components have been made. Firstly, I removed the locating screw, then generously sprayed WD40 on the inside and the outside of the dB killer to help lubricate the mating surfaces. After leaving it for five minutes, assistance was necessary for the next part.

One person to hold the muffler and the other to drift out the dB killer from the back with a piece of metal or wood and some serious hitting with a mallet. It’s a pain in the arse but worth the effort. Patience is necessary as it takes a lot of “gentle” persuasion without damaging things.

Once the killer is removed, the rest is simple, just as it would be as supplied. Removing the standard exhaust is so simple and straight forward. A 22mm spanner to remove the O2 sensor for later reinstallation into the new system. Four nuts on the headers loosened with a 12mm socket and a short extension, so they can later be unscrewed by hand. Even the radiator does not need to be removed. Make sure the stud threads are clean so the nuts unscrew easily.

Next up right foot peg assembly needs to be removed to expose the muffler mounting screw. Easy as with only two hex screws holding it on and nothing else needs to be touched here. Now the muffler fixings can be removed, followed by the four headers nuts and the stock system is removed. Put a towel or something under the bike so the stock system does not get damaged.

Still with the towel under the bike to prevent damage to the new system, fit the new headers and collector assembly onto their studs and hand tighten the nuts. Refit the O2 sensor, smearing on the supplied copper grease. A tip here is to first rotate the sensor on its cable about eight turns in the opposite direction to screwing it in and tightening.

Next attach the muffler mounting bracket to the muffler with the four supplied screws, then slide the muffler on to the headers. This next step can be a bit tricky if you do not have a spring puller, as the spring tension is strong. For each spring clip one end onto the headers then with a spring puller or a hook of some sort, pull each spring back to clip them onto the muffler. Now reinstall the stock muffler fixings, make sure everything looks right, then do up the four headers nuts and the muffler mounting fasteners. That’s it, 30 minutes tops without removing the dB killer.

Tip – wipe over the whole system with wax and grease remover to clean it before starting so the system does not stain from hand/finger prints when hot.

Finally, I started the bike and oh my God, never has a parallel twin sounded so good and even my Dad said it sounds better than his Ducati 900SSie with open cans!

Next will be some dyno runs with the stock and Titanium systems, probably derestrict the throttle bodies, then get the gear to log and remap the ECU, which luckily is something my Dad does in his spare time.

TOOLS REQUIRED
17mm spanner
22mm spanner
5mm hex key
6mm hex key
12mm socket and extension
Spring puller or a hook for pulling and mounting the muffler springs

SPECS
Stock system weight 7.4 kg
Titanium system weight 5.8 kg
Carbon system weight 4.4 kg
Power claimed + 1.9 to 2 kW on non-LAMS version at 9250 RPM
Torque claimed + 3.2 Nm on non-LAMS version at 5600 RPM
Closed circuit use only