Some perspective on exhaust pricing; Akra

luke · Jun 9, 2014

I'm pissed that on my KTM Duke II (single exhaust but dual cans), it cost me about $100 to have the guys at the shop core out the exhausts and drop (raise? I forget) the needle by one notch, making it sound AWESOME and rev more freely.

I wish we had an adequate alternative :/

Mind you, I also wish that 2-strokes were still a thing, so I may be living in the past.

Trauma · Jun 9, 2014

luke said:
I'm pissed that on my KTM Duke II (single exhaust but dual cans), it cost me about $100 to have the guys at the shop core out the exhausts and drop (raise? I forget) the needle by one notch, making it sound AWESOME and rev more freely.

I wish we had an adequate alternative :/

Mind you, I also wish that 2-strokes were still a thing, so I may be living in the past.

I would love to live in past and ride a Kaw 750 triple again, with expansion chambers no less

DarR · Apr 18, 2016

Trauma said:
I would love to live in past and ride a Kaw 750 triple again, with expansion chambers no less

That was a wild ride. I had a set of those tuned pipes. A lot more engineering went into a two stroke exhaust than a four stroke.

AntiHero · Apr 19, 2016

Another negative to the cost of an Akra system is the fact that it makes stealing a bike so much more profitable to scumbag thieves. For $4k, I think it should come with its own VIN registration system.

youngR · Apr 19, 2016

Wow old thread back alive again...

I will say this. Not defending Akra or the cost but you guys have to remember the unknown variables of $$$ of R&D that cost the company. To make it profitable, they have to set the price at a certain point ABOVE the materials, labor, energy (electric, machine) and etc.

So all that add up with R&D cost + some profit to make money. I mean that is why they do the business right?

Use some high end car manufactures as an example. For Lexus LFA, they LOSE money every LFA Toyota sell. Even at high sale price....

If we do $ analysis on any other high end cars, the materials are probably less than half of what they price the car.

RRnold · Apr 20, 2016

youngR said:
Wow old thread back alive again...

I will say this. Not defending Akra or the cost but you guys have to remember the unknown variables of $$$ of R&D that cost the company. To make it profitable, they have to set the price at a certain point ABOVE the materials, labor, energy (electric, machine) and etc.

So all that add up with R&D cost + some profit to make money. I mean that is why they do the business right?

Use some high end car manufactures as an example. For Lexus LFA, they LOSE money every LFA Toyota sell. Even at high sale price....

If we do $ analysis on any other high end cars, the materials are probably less than half of what they price the car.

From what I gather, the old Termi and Akra had contracts with Ducati; therefore their design, their rules and their premium. After Akra was contracted to design their exhaust, Termi was free to make a better flowing front exit muffler without the u bend.

neilbron · May 14, 2016

Hi RRnold,

That new Termi design sounds interesting. Do you have a link? I didn't have much luck googling it.

Thanks,

Neil

Jake213 · May 14, 2016

Build your own. Then you have more tools when it's done and still didn't spend half as much.

Rogue · May 14, 2016

Jake213 said:
Build your own. Then you have more tools when it's done and still didn't spend half as much.

TIG welder, tanks, helmet, cutting tools, Ti materials, and countless hours cussing in the garage...

I'm good with the $3300 I spent.

A really good friend of mine builds custom Buell exhausts (KEDA). Almost half of the exhausts costs are materials alone and we're talking SS.

bradp51 · May 15, 2016

youngR said:
Wow old thread back alive again...

I will say this. Not defending Akra or the cost but you guys have to remember the unknown variables of $$$ of R&D that cost the company. To make it profitable, they have to set the price at a certain point ABOVE the materials, labor, energy (electric, machine) and etc.

So all that add up with R&D cost + some profit to make money. I mean that is why they do the business right?

Use some high end car manufactures as an example. For Lexus LFA, they LOSE money every LFA Toyota sell. Even at high sale price....

If we do $ analysis on any other high end cars, the materials are probably less than half of what they price the car.

I agree.

For my money. I think it was worth it. I fitted mine to my bike myself and saw first hand how well it is made and how well it fitted. No issues with melting fairings. Bike sounds like I am riding a WSBK. Took a heap of weight off. Instructions were great and detailed. Came with copper and ceramic grease for certain bolts. The carbon shield is first class quality. And I reckon there is about 2 hp in it some where. Not that I felt that.

Do I wish it only cost $1500 ? You bet but it did not so I made my choice and have been enjoying it for nearly two years. My 2 cents.

Some perspective on exhaust pricing; Akra

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