Does anyone here have the ZTechnik exhaust on their R1150R?
I'm considering this upgrade on my 2004 R1150R, but I have nothing to compare it to at this time. I know it is a little louder, but that is about all. However , I have read the manufacturers literature that claims
substantial weight loss and horsepower increase .
My Ouestions:
Is the upgrade worth the cost ~ $800 in parts?
How does the ZTechnik exhaust compare to others?
Is repacking these things a pain?
Hey, I've been paitent and waited a year, so I decided to bump this post up to see if anyone here has information, ideas, opinions, or experience with the Z -Technic exhaust?
Your first question is very subjective. Some think its a waste of money and others think that it is not.
Ztechnik is well respected in the BMW world. But lots of other exhaust out there with same high quality.
In general, repacking is a pain. But on higher quality exhaust, it really is not necessary.
Most would agree, not much HP increase if any.
I run a Remus Y Pipe gettng ride of my cat converter and a Remus Ti pipe with the DB killer removed. To some, its very very loud. People say the boxer engine has a nice note to it with an exhaust. I will agree with them. Not the loud scream you sometimes hear with an in-line 4.
Take a stock boxer, remove the cat and the muffler and replace it with any of the various offerings and you will see 3 to 4 hp tops....actually the diference in weight between the original and the aftermarket components is about 3 hp equivalent.
Is $200/hp worth it....absolutely not....but to each it's own.
Last edited by boxermania on Thu Jan 17, 2008 1:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Member #312
06 Suzuki Burgman 650 "state of flux"
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I have a close friend who just last saturday bought his first R. It's an 04 with the exhaust you ask about. I test rode it for him since he had no BMW experience.
My first impression was that it's smaller (in appearance) then the stock and it is noticeably louder. It sounded ok to me but I am a fan of stock stuff at least in terms of sound. I like quiet. You mention that this exhaust is $800----I had no idea!
It looks good and sounds ok--I'm sure there is some weight savings.
But I am not one who spends money for stuff like this. I prefer to spend my money on stuff that makes the bike safer and more useable.
I guess this is not the kind of info you're looking for but anyway that's my take on it.
I have an 02 R1150R with the ZTech exhaust. I bought the bike used from a private party and it had the ZTech on it. I do have the stock exhaust but have never put it on. The ZTech exhaust is louder than stock but it sounds pretty good and is not a lot louder. No one has ever complained to me. It looks good, much lower profile than stock. It is definitely a lot lighter. I can't comment on feeling the HP difference, but all of the literature I've read indicates that good aftermarket exhausts, including the ZTech, bump the HP up.
This past weekend I talked to a couple mechanics about the ZTech exhaust while picking up my bike. The HP increase will not be huge but you will shed over 20 pounds off the bike and the cat will be removed which will get heat away from your tranny. The power increase that you are going to get is in the higher RPM range.
The system is pricey but it's titanium, it's both the can and the y-pipe and it's extremely light!
They had a pile of stock systems in the shop so I picked one up and then I picked up the ZTech system, packaging and all and I can't believe how much lighter it is.
I'll be picking one up this spring/summer...as soon as I can get the funds together! I'm also adding a K&N filter when I put the system on.
I have no experience with the ZTechnik exhaust, but have lots of it with other brands of Titanium exhausts on customer's bikes.
The bad:
--Price premium is tops over carbon fiber or Stainless Steel (SS) systems.
--Traditionally thinner wall tubing dents a little easier than SS systems, especially when hot.
--Welded on Ti brackets moderately prone to breakage on bikes that vibrate.
The Good:
--THE lightest systems made.
--Appearance can be "re-newed" with fine sandpaper.
--Obvious Satin off-grey color has exotic metal appearance.
--Gradient multicolor heat discoloration (violet,yellow,orange,red,blue,green,gold) is absolutely beautiful and visually elevates the bike it's on to a performance machine.
--Any regret over the high price evaporates quickly with ownership.
BTW, Upon installing ANY exhaust system, clean it with alcohol, twice, to remove any/all fingerprints or hand oils before starting the engine.
I rode my friends R with the Ztech rig.....just seemed louder and looked very cool with the side case covering the pipe...wink wink.
IMHO, after market pipes are mostly a gimmick. It's true, if you replace the cat box, the trans stays cooler and exhaust flow better.
Save your money and buy some nice shocks and tires like ohlins and avon storm-STs.
Better yet, buy your wife some flowers first!
However, If you feel the urge to replace anything, just repalce the catbox with the staintune midpipe (reduces heat and increases flow) and use the OEM muffler (100% maintenance-free rig), and it's NICE and QUIET.... like a beemer should be!
