The Yamaha R9 is hands down the coolest sportbike to come out in years. Yeah, I’m biased, I’ll admit that upfront, but tell me another manufacturer that’s done what Yamaha just did. Instead of watering down a middleweight with budget components or an uninspiring engine, they went all in and built a proper supersport with one of the best motors in the game.
That’s right, the R9 gets the CP3 engine. If you’ve read my review of my own XSR900, you know how much I love this thing. It’s got punchy low-end torque, a wild midrange, and a top-end scream that makes inline-fours sound boring. And the sound? Pure magic. That offbeat triple-cylinder bark is one of the best noises you’ll ever hear from a motorcycle, and it deserves to be heard properly.
Which brings me to my next point. Leaving the stock exhaust on this bike would be a crime. The R9 was built to be ridden hard, and it needs an exhaust that does it justice. That’s where Akrapovič comes in. They just dropped two new full systems for this bike, plus a stainless steel link pipe for track use. And all of them look and sound incredible.
For those who want the lightest and most performance-focused option, there’s the Racing Line (Titanium) system. This one replaces the entire exhaust with stainless steel headers and a titanium muffler, cutting weight while improving power and torque. On the dyno, Akrapovič claims a gain of 2.2 kW (around three horsepower) at 10,000 rpm and an extra 2.6 Nm (around 1.5 pound-feet) at 9,500 rpm. That might not seem like much on paper, but in the real world, it sharpens the throttle response and lets the CP3 breathe the way it was meant to.
Plus, it gives the R9 a deeper, throatier exhaust note—exactly what you want from a triple. But there’s a catch—this system isn’t road legal. It’s strictly for track use (or for those willing to take their chances).
If you want to stay legal on the street, Akrapovič also offers a Euro 5+ compliant version of the Racing Line (Titanium). It’s still a full system with the same high-quality materials, but it meets emissions regulations so you won’t run into trouble with authorities. It won’t be as loud as the track-focused version, but it still gives the R9 a much-needed sound and aesthetic boost.
For track riders looking to lower noise levels while keeping a sporty sound, Akrapovič also offers a stainless steel link pipe with a built-in resonator. It’s designed to work with the Racing Line (Titanium) exhaust but is meant exclusively for closed-course competition.
This pipe helps bring down the static noise level at 5,500 rpm while keeping the exhaust note aggressive. However, installing it requires a remap, so it’s not just a simple bolt-on. And just to be clear—this one is definitely not street legal either.
At the end of the day, an Akrapovič exhaust is more about experience than just raw performance. Sure, the extra power and torque are nice, but let’s be real—most people are buying this because it looks stunning, sounds amazing, and makes the R9 feel even more special.
If you’re getting this bike, you’re already making a statement. Might as well make sure everyone hears it too.
Source: Akrapovic
