A Kawasaki ZX10-R Exhaust Upgrade by Sportbike Dynamics

by Alan A. Sapega, Owner of Sportbike Dynamics

All the major manufacturers are clawing at each other as they shoot for the top spot on the superbike mountain.

Kawasaki has just become a serious contender with their brand new 2011 ZX10-R.

A customer called me at my shop, Sportbike Dynamics, and said he had just purchased this beast. He also said he now wanted the quickest bike on the block. He's a 65-year-old grandfather with a horsepower gene woven into his DNA. He's also a private pilot. His son is a prominent Indy Car racer. Speed obviously runs in the family.

Doing some research, I found that the front part of the stock ZX10 header was an exceptional piece, but to get the power we wanted I would either need to install a full system or find a high performance alternative. I contacted Tim Calhoun, Executive Vice President of LeoVince USA, to ask him if they had come up with any 'go-fast' stuff for this bike. I could hear him smile through the phone. He said they had worked with the Kawasaki Factory Racing Team to develop this bike and their new Factory R EVO II carbon muffler (8420) and link pipe (8058) was the way to go on this bike.

He was so right.

My experience with the LeoVince product line over the years has always been positive. They don't disappoint. The fit, finish and production quality of the LeoVince pipes are all first rate. The sound, appearance and performance gains are significant.

The installation process was straightforward. One very noticeable gain right off the bat is the significant weight reduction. Lifting the stock exhaust feels like workout equipment at the gym. Seriously. The LeoVince parts are featherweight by comparison. This particular application does not call for a full system, as the large diameter titanium headers right from Kawasaki are awesome. They flow extremely well with fluid lines and a graceful appearance. Adding the back half LeoVince parts essentially gives you a full system and saves you money.

The bike also received a complete fuel management system upgrade to take advantage of the improved flow and volumetric efficiency.

The results are simply jaw dropping. The performance increase is not only well beyond expectations, but the way that power comes on is silky smooth. The authoritative yet refined growl of this system lets everyone know it means business. Serious business. The bike hits like a runaway freight train. This apex predator is pure civilized brutality. It's like putting Hulk Hogan in an Armani tuxedo. If you want major horsepower, look no further.

Alan A. Sapega, Owner
Sportbike Dynamics
Petaluma, CA
707-762-6700
www.sportbikedynamics.com

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