The short version: choose an Akrapovic Slip-On if you want to keep the stock headers and mainly replace the silencer, and a Racing Line or Evolution Line if you want to replace the whole system from cylinder head to silencer. Beyond that, the material, the homologation and the type of bike determine which version suits you.
In this buying guide we list the lines from the Akrapovic collection, so you can search specifically for your make, model and year.
Which Akrapovic lines are there?
Our catalogue contains four groups:
- Slip-On Line – a silencer that connects to the stock headers, often with a matching link pipe. Available with silencers in titanium, carbon, stainless steel or black stainless steel. This is by far the largest group, for road bikes, adventure models and scooters.
- Racing Line – usually a full system (for example 2-into-1 or 4-into-1) with headers, collector and silencer. There are also separate replacement silencers from this line.
- Evolution Line – full systems, often with titanium headers, for sporty road bikes as well as for motocross and enduro bikes.
- Link pipes, headers and separate parts – link pipes and headers to complement a Slip-On, plus maintenance and replacement parts.
Slip-On or full system: what is the difference?
A slip-on replaces only the last part of the exhaust: the silencer and, where applicable, the link pipe. The stock headers (and on many modern bikes the catalytic converter) stay in place. This makes fitting relatively easy, and according to the manufacturer many Slip-On versions do not need a new map.
A full system, such as the Racing Line or Evolution Line, also replaces the headers and the collector. That saves more weight and gives a different sound, but it is a bigger modification. For a number of systems the manufacturer requires or recommends a modified ECU map.
| Slip-On Line | Racing Line | Evolution Line | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What is replaced | Silencer (+ link pipe if applicable) | Usually full system, also separate silencers | Full system |
| Materials in catalogue | Titanium, carbon, stainless steel, black stainless steel | Titanium, carbon, stainless steel (often combined) | Titanium, carbon |
| Riding style in catalogue | Road, adventure, some off-road | Road, adventure | Road, off-road |
| Mapping | Often plug-and-play | Varies by version | Often required or recommended |
Titanium, carbon or stainless steel?
Akrapovic works with three main materials, which you will see in the specifications of each product:
- Titanium – light and heat-resistant. The most widely used silencer material in our Slip-On Line and standard on the off-road systems.
- Carbon – mainly for silencer sleeves, end caps and heat shields. Gives a sporty look.
- Stainless steel – robust and widely used for headers and collectors, but also as black stainless steel for silencers.
Many systems combine materials, for example stainless steel headers with a titanium silencer and a carbon end cap. So check the silencer, pipe and end cap material fields in the product description.
Road legal or track only?
Not every Akrapovic is intended for public roads. Part of the catalogue is marked as EC/ECE type-approved, some systems have an integrated catalytic converter, and other versions are explicitly described by the manufacturer as for closed-circuit use only. The same applies to various separate link pipes and headers.
So always check whether the exhaust is road legal for your country and bike. Race versions are intended for closed-circuit use only. For some exhausts, noise damper inserts (Decibel Killer) are available to lower the noise level; for silencers with a spark arrestor, a replacement spark arrestor is available.
Which exhaust suits your type of bike?
Road bikes
Most of the catalogue is for road bikes from brands including Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki, BMW, Suzuki, Ducati, Triumph and Aprilia. For sports bikes such as the Yamaha YZF-R1 and R6 or the Suzuki GSX-R1000 you will find Slip-On, Racing Line and Evolution Line options. The catalogue also includes versions for scooters such as the Vespa and the Yamaha T-Max.
Adventure and dual-sport
For adventure bikes the range mainly includes titanium Slip-On silencers, for example for the Yamaha Ténéré 700, Honda CRF300L and Harley-Davidson Pan America. Racing Line systems are available for the Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L and the Suzuki V-Strom 650. There are also titanium Adventure footpegs.
Off-road: motocross and enduro
For motocross and enduro bikes there are titanium Evolution systems (1-into-1), including for the Honda CRF 250/450, Yamaha YZ/WR 250 F and 450 F, Kawasaki KX 250/450 and Suzuki RM-Z 250/450. According to the manufacturer these systems meet the FIM noise limits for competition use and are intended for closed circuits.
Separate parts and maintenance
A silencer wears out: the packing burns away and the sound gets louder. That is why the Akrapovic collection also includes repack kits (Pillow Pack with packing, insulation foil and rivets), end caps, silencer sleeves, clamps, brackets, heat shields, gaskets, exhaust wrap, catalytic converters and mounting hardware. That way you keep an existing exhaust in top condition without replacing it completely.
How to choose in 3 steps
- Decide what you want to replace. Just the silencer? Choose a Slip-On Line. The whole system? Look at Racing Line or Evolution Line.
- Check use and homologation. If you ride on public roads, choose a version that is approved for your country and bike. Race versions are for closed-circuit use only.
- Choose the material and check the fit. Choose titanium, carbon or stainless steel and check the ‘Fits’ list to see whether your model and year are included, along with any link pipes or mounting kits you may need.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an Akrapovic Slip-On and a Racing Line?
A Slip-On Line replaces only the silencer (sometimes with a link pipe) and connects to the stock headers. A Racing Line is in most cases a full system: headers, collector and silencer are replaced together. That makes the Racing Line a bigger job to fit, but also more of a complete package.
Is an Akrapovic exhaust road legal?
That varies by version. Part of the catalogue is marked as EC/ECE type-approved; according to the manufacturer, other versions are intended exclusively for closed-circuit use. Check for each product whether it is road legal for your country and bike.
Does my bike need to be remapped after fitting?
For many Slip-On versions this is not necessary according to the manufacturer (plug-and-play). For a number of full systems, especially Evolution Line and race versions, the manufacturer requires or recommends a modified map. Read the product description of your version.
Which Akrapovic exhaust fits a motocross or enduro bike?
For off-road the catalogue mainly includes titanium Evolution systems, including for the Honda CRF 250/450, Yamaha YZ/WR 250 F and 450 F, Kawasaki KX 250/450 and Suzuki RM-Z 250/450. There are also noise damper inserts and replacement spark arrestors for these exhausts.
Titanium, carbon or stainless steel: which is the best material?
Titanium is light and heat-resistant and is common on silencers and off-road systems. Carbon is mainly used for silencer sleeves, end caps and heat shields. Stainless steel is robust and often found in headers and collectors. Many systems combine the materials.
Can I order separate parts for my Akrapovic exhaust?
Yes. The catalogue includes end caps, clamps, brackets, heat shields, silencer sleeves, gaskets, catalytic converters, noise damper inserts (Decibel Killer) and repack kits with packing, insulation foil and rivets, among other things. That way you can maintain an existing exhaust without replacing it.
Find the right Akrapovic for your bike
Browse all Slip-On, Racing Line and Evolution versions and separate parts in our Akrapovic collection, shipped from the Netherlands. Not sure which version fits? Send us a message with the make, model and year of your bike, and we'll look it up for you.