Am i being to picky

[Martin.UK]

So as i have said in another thread, I have bought a pair of new Akrapovic slip-ons for my Gen2. They were not cheap at £1219 ($1470).
I was told that i would not get them untill mid to late September.
But was happy to get a message yesterday telling me that they were here and i will have them today.
So this morning they turn up. The CF cans are great and i'm happy with them.
But the linkpipes i am not happy with, they look no better than the exhaust on my car when it was new.
I have Yoshimura R77 on the bike at the moment, but have always wanted some Akrapovic CF. It took me some time to save up for them and even longer to get the wife around to the idea.
Have a look at these photos and see what you think.

[Hayabusa Wannabe]

I must leave it to those who have purchased Akro for their prior experience, as what would I know. Not knowing such, buying for the first time I would wonder if this is a COVID special where the QC manager retired early.

If this is stainless, and one can polish it like new, despite the ridiculousness of it all, I could then happily live with myself....after getting ripped off for a very high price. Perhaps that is what they are counting on, "Oh well, the customer can fix that like new...no loss."

[sixpack577]

That's the first pair I've seen with tooling marks on them from the pipe bender and expander.
Mine did not have that either.
Otherwise, the finish is flat like that, not polished.

[Martin.UK]

I understand about the flat finish, that is ok. But as you have said it's the scratches and tooling marks i am not happy with.

[sixpack577]

I think you know your only choices at this point.
Send them back for a refund, or wait on an exchange and hope they're better.
Or, have the midpipes polished(and they can be clear ceramic coated to keep the look).
It sucks regardless, as you think when you pay that much, and for Akrapovic, that it will look the part as well.

[mark3evo]

Can you really notice the tooling marks

I think your being picky
But you know me

[Martin.UK]

Can you really notice the tooling marks

Yes you can. as soon as i unwrapped them i saw the marks

[DougE]

Yes you can. as soon as i unwrapped them i saw the marks

I would definitely contact customer service and ask for an exchange if it was that noticeable.

[prg]

Yes.Too picky.
Tooling marks give it that bespoke, engineered look.
If it was deformed or gouged then fair enough.
Even one of the panels on the James Webb telescope has a dent in it. So...

[202mphbusa]

brand new? I would complain

[Bumblebee]

It almost appears to be a quantity over quality issue...the company was probably in such a hurry to get product to the consumer, they didn't take the time to finish it to the normal standard..

I believe we will see more of this in the near future with many other products

[Hayabusa Wannabe]

I have been thinking as of late that I would hate to purchase a high end item today; one that has been on back-order for six months and the company is struggling to meet demand. NOT GOOD. From a camera lens to an exhaust to a new house, it is mystery time folks.

Recall the ol', "Do not buy a car that was made on a Friday?" Welcome to Permanent Friday.

[Martin.UK]

Well Akrapovic won't change the link pipes, they are saying this is normal tooling marks.
This is the first time on any aftermarket exhaust i have bought New or Used that it has marks this bad from tooling.
I have always wanted Akrapovic CF, so i'm going to keep them and sandblast the link pipes and put a heat coating on them. The only downside is the warranty will be void doing this.

[Martin.UK]

Also can i ask if this is normal for Akrapovic metal work to still have the metal pipe info left on it ?

[Bumblebee]

Also can i ask if this is normal for Akrapovic metal work to still have the metal pipe info left on it ?

View attachment 1653848

I've seen a lot of exhausts including a few on race bikes and have yet to have seen the pipe identification marking like that.

This is a clear case of the company rushing to get product out to the market.

[sixpack577]

Also can i ask if this is normal for Akrapovic metal work to still have the metal pipe info left on it ?

View attachment 1653848

Nope, I've owned and seen several Akrapovics, and never seen that.

[murphc13]

Yes you're being too picky

[dave s]

You have paid a lot of money,if you are not happy send them back they might change there tune and replace the link pipes

[Martin.UK]

Going to Sandblast them today and coat them with a high temp paint, and if i like it i will get them ceramic coated. Will post some photos later.
I still feel a bit bitter over this, but in time i will forget. I do know if i every buy a Gen3 or another bike, i won't be fitting Akrapovic's on it.
If it was a full race system for a track bike i don't think i would have been so picky. But as this is there road going slip-ons, i would have thought the QC would have been on par or better than Yoshimura.

[Martin.UK]

Also just for info, The Yoshi link pipes are bigger than the Akrapovic ones. So you can't mix and match them.