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The Akrapovic Evolution muffler system is one of the most beautiful looking systems out there in the market today, is well built, and has quality welds all the way around it. The change of shape in the Evolution muffler might take some getting used to but to me, it is one of the most under rated systems here in the North American market today. Great manageable power, with excellent durability makes this an expensive purchase (retail roughly around 1600.00), but holds up to the price once you’ve lived with it for a while. Once hot, the titanium color of the headpipe is the most dynamic blue you will ever see from any muffler manufacturer, which just makes you feel that much more factory on the starting line right? The Akrapovic Evolution titanium muffler system is 1.9 pounds lighter than the stock YZ450F system (stock 9.2, Akrapovic 7.3 pounds) and tucks under the right side panel fairly cleanly even with it’s new/larger muffler shape. When putting on the system, make sure to leave the headpipe loose and then connect the mid pipe, so that the slip fit joint slides in easily. Once those two pieces are connected, tighten the headpipe bolts and mid pipe bolt just snug. The Akrapovic uses your existing stock heat shields or you can purchase carbon heat shields separately. The Evolution muffler uses an aluminum spacer in the rear hole to give the muffler enough clearance (from the brake caliper) once the suspension is fully collapsed. This system is one of the easiest to install and I have been putting a ton of systems on this blue bike lately. I did notice that there is a small screen deep inside the core of the muffler, however I was told that this isn’t a spark arrestor, but a noise insert. Note: Leave this screen/insert in, as the muffler performs better with insert in and is much pleasant to the ear. Once rear section (muffler) was installed, I went around and tightened up the remaining bolts. Doing it this way ensures there is absolutely no binding going on between each slip fit joint.
Out on the track the Akrapovic Evolution muffler. felt similar to the system I had on my 2022 YZ450F. It has a deeper sound and is much quieter than the stock system. I started the test with the Controlled Torque and stock maps installed inside the 2023 YZ450F (if you don’t know what the Controlled Torque map is, email me at kris@keeferinctesting.com). Roll on power delivery was smoother than stock out of corners (with either map) with the Akrapovic, compared to the stock system. I have grown to love the smoother roll on power that the Evolution system delivers as it really helps me roll my corners better without getting the chassis upset. Even the the 2023 engine character is slightly smoother down low than the 22, the Akrapovic muffler feels more connected to the rear wheel so that little extra smoothness this muffler provides helps me “control” the bike more. The connectivity of the Akrapovic muffler is second to none as you will notice more rear wheel connection under heavy throttle without breaking the rear end loose as much.
The Akrapovic system really comes to life once out of corners as the Yamaha now starts pulling harder and longer than the stock system down straights. Second and third gears can be stretched longer by the rider with the Evolution system and rolling third gear in corners is slightly easier on the rider as well (with stock gearing). Over-rev is better through each gear with the Akrapovic and the overall engine feels like it revs a little quicker/freer yet has more rear wheel traction. The freer feel takes away some engine braking sensation on de-cel and also helps the Yamaha handle slightly better coming into corners. Yes! All from a muffler!
In conclusion, I feel the Akrapovic Evolution muffler system is an excellent system once you can dial in your favorite desired Yamaha Power Tuner App setting. You will not be getting more low end RPM response than a stock system, but the gains through the mid-top end are a noticeable difference and who needs more response from this bike anyway? Not me! It will be up to you if that difference is worth the $1600.00 price tag that the Evolution titanium system comes with. However, in this case, you get what you pay for! Akrapovic’s website is a very informative, clean, and one of the best aftermarket muffler websites to browse around on if you have the time. There are dyno charts, a sound tool that lets you compare the stock system to Akrapovic’s muffler pitch, documents of replaceable parts, and technical data about the system itself. You can head over to akrapovic.com and punch in what bike you want to geek out on. I did, for a while!
Email me if you have any questions or concerns about this test kris@keeferinctesting.com.