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Does Akra system make heat problem worse?

6134 Views 19 Replies 13 Participants Last post by  revoconner
Hoping that someone might be able to tell me whether replacing the standard exhaust system with the Akra full system eases the underseat heat problem by getting rid of the cat or does it make it worse by direct heat onto the legs as the pipes come up close to the seat area. Hoping someone who has experienced both might be able to provide a comparison
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Hoping that someone might be able to tell me whether replacing the standard exhaust system with the Akra full system eases the underseat heat problem by getting rid of the cat or does it make it worse by direct heat onto the legs as the pipes come up close to the seat area. Hoping someone who has experienced both might be able to provide a comparison
Don't know about you mate, but I'm enjoying the warmth in my legs and nether regions on morning rides.....At the moment:smile2:
I agree - at the moment it's fine but last summer I was riding a Panigale 899 around Melbourne, and one of the reasons I sold it (apart from the fact that I wanted to buy the SS) was because of the heat under the seat, which has to be said was a lot worse than the heat which I've felt from the SS up to now, but I'm wondering if the Akra system would cook the legs as they do come up pretty close to the seat, and I don't want to recreate the problem I had with the Panigale
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I dont have the Akra, but I would think the heat is from the upper exhaust pipe, not so much from the cat. At least it feels like that when I get off the bike and inspect.
Old thread pick up. Was the OP's query answered? My guess is that the full akra generates directs less heat at the rear shock but it's a guess.....
So far, the Termi seems to be cooler on the legs. I am glad I did not move that heat to under the seat.
Hi guys!
I can share my two year experience with these cans:
I installed the akra after the first 1000km made in like 8 days, mostly at night or on road trips, so I don't really know how bad the stock exhaust heats, I just assume it's fine.
The akras don't really affect the shock either since mines fortunately came with heatshields and they're not really under the seat. I mean not like 999 under the seat, they're definitely fine.
I guess the issue with them is that since the engine map had to be changed with some "EVO" version provided by Ducati when they were installed, the engine burns more gas or whatever it does to produce that slightly more power and of course it radiates more heat.
Mine was burning more than 500ml of engine oil every thousand km on average. After using 5-6 liters of that Shell Advance they recommend in the user's manual in only 6000 km since the previous oil change, and after having a strong argument with the fellas, in late November I had the engine rebuild on warranty by my local Ducati dealer and after that they switched to using Motul motor oil for most of their customers. It's still too early to say it's fixed but I also don't really have any proof these issues might be related. Perhaps this bike is indeed meant to be ridden from cafe to cafe and I'm abusing it instead.. I just think it's fair to mention it. I plan to do some serious riding next weeks to see how it's performing.
Coming back to the engine remap and heat radiation, even in urban mode you can feel it's more responsive, but the heat from the rear cylinder is almost unbearable in dense traffic to the point that I avoid at all cost riding it at rush hours. It easily gets to 110°C and secondary fan is almost always on. Not really my cup of tea.
In fact after a few horrific experiences in rush hour I just went for my Grom or my Brompton instead of using the SS for my commute. I use it for roadtrips (and of course a little bit for showing off on weekends at cafes).
Once, on what was supposed to be a 1000km ride during one day, thanks to some delays, I kinda ended up riding 300km in 5°C up until 3am (the following day 🙃/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif just to get back home, wearing a casual jacket and jeans. All that heat helped me a bit to keep going so I can't really complain anymore 😅.
I absolutely love the looks of the akra and the sound. I've put the silencers back on though because I cannot stand all the ringing in my ears after each ride in spite of using earplugs. Even that slightly improved engine responsiveness makes enough difference that I'd rather use it only for leisure and track days. I think that's what the bike is designed for anyway.
I admit that perhaps I'm not the brightest crayon in the box to say that given what I've experienced, and I also think that now you might be able to find something just as good and perhaps a lot less expensive than these things. The trouble is that in the end the engine needs a remap and a different air filter if you remove the cat, so you guys need to consider how that remap might fit in your lifestyle.
At the end of the day, I think exhaust systems that are meant for track don't go too well for day to day use, and for sounds and looks only, you can find less intrusive options that may spare you some of the usual Italian bike owner drama. Or go crazy, yolo!
It's all personal this time 😉
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“Mine was burning more than 500ml of engine oil every thousand km on average...”

How hard do u ride the bike?
“Mine was burning more than 500ml of engine oil every thousand km on average...”

How hard do u ride the bike?
His consumption sounds excessive regardless. I ride mine hard, hitting redline somewhat frequently. I've never had to top up between changes and I'm at 11,500km.
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I don't ride it that hard.. I hardly hit redlines if ever.
I usually shift between 6-7 thousand rev/min, so I do rev it a bit.
Mine is also the only Ducati I know of burning oil at all. This is specific to track bikes where oil is changed much more often.
Mine is also the only one with the engine remap. When they rebuilt the engine, they said it was some leaking gasket in there, but the bike is spotless. Only thing is the break side exhaust, it smells like ****. It's noticeable when you park. So it was burning it all up.
But this is still unfolding. I hope it ends well for Ducati 👿
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I live in Florida so any lump between your legs is going to be hot at a stoplight.

However, I do think the full Akra runs cooler although I haven’t checked with an infrared thermometer.
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I don't ride it that hard.. I hardly hit redlines if ever.
I usually shift between 6-7 thousand rev/min, so I do rev it a bit.
Mine is also the only Ducati I know of burning oil at all. This is specific to track bikes where oil is changed much more often.
Mine is also the only one with the engine remap. When they rebuilt the engine, they said it was some leaking gasket in there, but the bike is spotless. Only thing is the break side exhaust, it smells like ****. It's noticeable when you park. So it was burning it all up.
But this is still unfolding. I hope it ends well for Ducati 👿
Mine burns about 200ml per 1000k - Ducati Dealer says normal and won't due anything. Usual BS Ducati/Crap Dealer. At least yours tried to fix.
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As to original question - only ever rode mine with Akra system on. Normally it is fine for heat but in stop and go can feel it even through my leathers - in particular on left leg. However I don't generally ride City roads or get stuck in stop and go so for me is liveable. My Ape will roast your butt in stop and go traffic but is fine as long a you are moving.
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His consumption sounds excessive regardless. I ride mine hard, hitting redline somewhat frequently. I've never had to top up between changes and I'm at 11,500km.
Yes, agreed... but it depends how one defines "ride hard". Hitting red line frequently is not necessarily riding hard. But sustained (hours) high RPM, with loaded bike, is another way of thinking of riding it hard.

The reason I mention this, is that my bike barely consumes a drop when I sport ride frequently hitting high RPMs, but when I went on an extended trip and sustained high RPM for hours with loaded bike against significant headwinds at also high MPH, mine consumed quite a bit of oil. And, it has not consumed a drop since then with spirited sport riding all the time.

Nevertheless, agree that it seems like badmistake has another issue.
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His consumption sounds excessive regardless. I ride mine hard, hitting redline somewhat frequently. I've never had to top up between changes and I'm at 11,500km.
Yes, agreed... but it depends how one defines "ride hard". Hitting red line frequently is not necessarily riding hard. But sustained (hours) high RPM, with loaded bike, is another way of thinking of riding it hard.

The reason I mention this, is that my bike barely consumes a drop when I sport ride frequently hitting high RPMs, but when I went on an extended trip and sustained high RPM for hours with loaded bike against significant headwinds at also high MPH, mine consumed quite a bit of oil. And, it has not consumed a drop since then with spirited sport riding all the time.

Nevertheless, agree that it seems like badmistake has another issue.
That's good to know, did you carry oil with you on the trip?
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That's good to know, did you carry oil with you on the trip?
Normally I do bring oil on trips, but my panniers were already overloaded on the 3 week journey and didn’t this time.

I had preplanned though, where a dealer was located in the Nova Scotia area, in the middle of my trip, and did a pit stop there. The dealer was great and topped it off at no charge. I managed to cram a quart in the pannier after that, and it did continue to consume when riding under similar load conditions.

I had a similar experience many years ago with my K1200S... never consumed a drop of oil when sport riding the heck out of it. However, when I was riding approx 120 mph for a few hours against a strong headwind in the middle of the Nevada Desert at about 95F, the bike consumed quite a bit of oil. I was alarmed at the time because the K never consumed a drop with heavy, sport riding, but did in the desert. Like the SS, it never consumed again after that heavy riding/load combo.
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Let's face it, if you put your pipes under your seat- it's going to add heat.
Let's face it, if you put your pipes under your seat- it's going to add heat.
Well as you can see, they're not really right under the seat, they are 4 inches above the pillion pegs level at most. They get plenty of air flow even in stand still traffic and the ends are titanium, so they cool a lot quicker than steel. 30 seconds after switching the engine off you can touch them and they just feel warm, while the steel pipes still radiate enough of heat to deter you from coming into contact with them.

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The catylitic converter retains heat whereas the akra race is designed to push the hot gases out.
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His consumption sounds excessive regardless. I ride mine hard, hitting redline somewhat frequently. I've never had to top up between changes and I'm at 11,500km.
You wut? I guess its the tropical heat here but I have to top up 200 ml in every 500-700 kms or so. I dont even ride that hard.
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