Baffling technology: Yamaha and Akrapovic up the power without breaking noise limits on GYTR project

Yamaha’s track-only R1 GYTR will arrive in dealers for 2023 with a new Akrapovic Mid Muffler System promising more power, less weight and a noise level below 101dB.

Available across Yamaha’s entire race-focused GYTR line-up (Genuine Yamaha Technology Racing) the system was developed to help meet circuit noise regs – with some standard road machines even falling foul.

“It all started because I race myself and we have a huge issue in the Netherlands with noise regulations,” GYTR on- and off-road product specialist, Rob Juwett told MCN.

He said: “I was so fed up with getting a black flag or a warning over noise. I contacted Akrapovic, who we have worked with for a long time and said: ‘We need something that track riders can put on their bikes. The first priority isn’t that it’s beautiful, it must be silent. I don’t care how it looks.’”

What followed was a lengthy process that took over a year, experimenting with prototype long mufflers, short mufflers, mid-pipes, different exhaust baffles and more.

This process was carried out in tandem with Yamaha, despite Slovenian firm Akrapovic traditionally doing everything inhouse. What was created eventually became known as the Mid Muffler System.

It works with the existing Racing Line or Evolution Line end cans and weighs in at a claimed 3.8kg on the R1 – over 5kg less than the standard road system.

Using the standard R1’s titanium headers, Yamaha claim a noise level of less than 101dB – producing as little as 97.4dB in certain configurations when tested static indoors at 5500rpm.

“When we developed the GYTR for 2023 we had super nice titanium headers. Why throw them away and put a full system on it?” Juwett continued.

“So, we have the mid-pipe system and a trackday muffler. It’s not like you’re getting five horsepower more, it’s just that you don’t lose any and gain a little bit more power with the mid-pipe system. But it’s a lot quieter,” he said.

The mid pipe itself is divided into two chambers, which flow in directly from the headers. This is where the first level of noise reduction is achieved, with a further baffle in the end can.

Should you be on a noisy trackday, this dB killer can then be removed, with Juwett claiming this could then gain more power – especially in the higher revs.

“It’s getting stricter every year, so every time we keep challenging our suppliers,” Juwett added. “And it’s not like this is silent and super ugly. We’ve still managed to bring you a proper nice exhaust. We’re actually quite proud of it.”

Although not road legal and requiring a re-jig of the fuel mapping when fitted to the R1, the Akrapovic exhaust is also compatible with the R6 and R7 models, the latter not requiring that bothersome fuel re-mapping.

The exhaust system and all the other bolt-on GYTR features can be purchased in limited numbers at the 17 Pro shops across Europe with more shops on the way.