de cat

[keith zx]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kawasaki-H2- ... Sw1YRcoIjO
just seen this on ebay anyone on here removed the ugly cat box and fit one of these , certainly looks much better , and would improve the sound , any pros cons

[Zdude]

This is a great find Keith. Wonder how this would compare to the fitting of the 2011-2015 ZX10R oem headers. I would think that Kawasaki would have optimized the stock headers to work with this particular motor including the supercharger. I know factories spend enormous amounts to give the best performance possible with stock pipes but are limited by emissions and sound level requirements. I'm running a Yosh Alpha slip-on, Sprint filter and Vcyclenut flash so I know it would require a reflash from David but wonder if the flash he has developed for the ZX10 header kit he sells would be right for this configuration? The only real benefit I see with the ZX10 header over this would be that they are Titanium and would be a few lbs lighter.

[cOoTeR]

One of the cons of this de-cat is you have to cut the stock header to get the cat off.

[Zdude]

That shouldn't be too hard with a small cutting wheel but of course you couldn't go back very easy if you wanted to go back to the cat for some reason. One advantage to me is that I wouldn't have to take so much off to install a new (or used) header which I've done on just about every bike I've owned and I just really don't want to do it with this one if I don't have too. I know I'm being lazy but at 65, I'm a little weary of that much dis-assembly and the re-assembly, I'd rather just ride but I still like the performance and sound upgrades, not as concerned as I used to be with weight loss, if I was, I'd strive to lose about 40 lbs and 2 or 3 pant sizes LOL !!! But, point taken Cooter and 10 years ago I'd have not hesitated in a complete system conversion.

[cOoTeR]

That shouldn't be too hard with a small cutting wheel but of course you couldn't go back very easy if you wanted to go back to the cat for some reason. One advantage to me is that I wouldn't have to take so much off to install a new (or used) header which I've done on just about every bike I've owned and I just really don't want to do it with this one if I don't have too. I know I'm being lazy but at 65, I'm a little weary of that much dis-assembly and the re-assembly, I'd rather just ride but I still like the performance and sound upgrades, not as concerned as I used to be with weight loss, if I was, I'd strive to lose about 40 lbs and 2 or 3 pant sizes LOL !!! But, point taken Cooter and 10 years ago I'd have not hesitated in a complete system conversion.

The first post asked about pros and cons I was just pointing it out. It's an option for anyone that wants to go that route. But if you cut it too short you might need to buy a new header. I personally would not feel comfortable running a cutting wheel that close to the engine and would remove the header to cut it.

[Zdude]

Not to worried about cutting the pipe on the bike but I can see your concern Cooter. And I agree, it's a con for many, just a pro for me at my age not really as agile or flexible as I used to be - LOL!!!! Thank God for a full bike lift, I remember when I had to roll around on the garage floor to do any work on it - AAARRRGGG!

[Palmer812]

That decaf pipe just went on sale today. The manufacturer posted it on Facebook yesterday saying they were making it that day and it would be on sale starting today so nobody has received one yet. I’m very interested if it can be installed without removing the header. If not I’m just gonna buy a new header.

[57x]

I'll keep asking silly questions. If people are getting 235+ rwhp from a ZX10R header, which is titanium, with tune why would you go through all this effort to keep your steel header? This bike with a ZX10R header and vcyclenut tune with sprint filter will give most people more than they will ever need with a much nicer weight loss. It just seems like overthinking this. I'm extremely happy with my setup.

[Zdude]

I'll keep asking silly questions. If people are getting 235+ rwhp from a ZX10R header, which is titanium, with tune why would you go through all this effort to keep your steel header? This bike with a ZX10R header and vcyclenut tune with sprint filter will give most people more than they will ever need with a much nicer weight loss. It just seems like overthinking this. I'm extremely happy with my setup.

For me 57x, if the pipe can be cut without removing all the parts that have to come off to install a header that probably saves 5 or 6 lbs compared to the stock header without the cat, I'd rather go this route. I've put aftermarket headers on nearly every one of the 20 or so bikes I've owned but I'm just getting older and the idea of going through all that sounds worse than cutting the cat off if it can be done on the bike with a small cutting wheel. Not sure if it can be done, I'll have to look at it or wait till somebody does it but I'm not in a hurry as I'm pretty happy with the way it is performing now with slip-on, Sprint and Vcyclenut tune. The other thing is, maybe a header designed for a supercharged bike would provide even better results then a pipe designed for a normal aspirated bike. Anyway, I certainly understand why people go the full replacement route and in years past I would have too so I suppose my answer is a silly one to a silly question - LOL!

[57x]

I just can't see how welding in blind areas is easier than a header replacement. You already have most of the fairings off for the header and ECU.