Yoshimura Zyclone Slip-On Mufflers

YOSHIMURA ZYCLONE SLIP-ON MUFFLERS

CW EVALUATION

FOR SOME RIDERS, THE COST AND COMplexity of installing a complete replacement exhaust system just isn’t worth it. Slip-on mufflers address this very issue and offer a viable alternative that still gives your bike a visual snap and an authoritative sound.

We outfitted a 1992 Kawasaki Zephyr 750 with a pair of Zyclone slip-ons from Yoshimura (4555 Carter Ct., Chino, CA 91710; 714-6284722). Removing the Zephyr’s stock mufflers and installing the Zyclones consumed less than 15 minutes and required minimal tools and mechanical ability. The task merely involved loosening a clamp and removing a mounting bolt on each muffler, slipping a Zyclone silencer onto each stock collector pipe, tightening the pinch clamps and installing the mounting bolt to each. The Zyclone slip-ons fit perfectly. Yoshimura recommends replacement of the muffler gaskets (not supplied with the mufflers but available from Kawasaki dealers). Reusing the old gaskets, however, isn’t out of the question if they are in good condition.

Our Zephyr ran crisp and clean without any change to the stock carburetor jetting. Yoshimura makes no power-gain claims for its slip-ons, but we performed back-to-back dyno runs with the stock mufflers and the Zyclones anyway. Surprisingly, the Zyclones provided a 2-horsepower gain throughout the Zephyr’s power curve.

Even if the Zyclone slip-on system doesn’t boost the power output of your particular bike, these mufflers are worth their price for the decrease in weight alone-20 pounds in the case of the dual-muffler Zephyr 750.

Yoshimura exhausts are normally quieter than many other replacement systems, and the Zyclone maintains that reputation. It produces a deep, mellow note that doesn’t become raspy at higher engine revs.

We found the Zyclone slip-ons to be well-finished, especially the 6061T6 extruded-aluminum canisters. A polished finish is standard, with black powdercoat finish a $10-per-canister option. Twin muffler systems retail for $263; single-canister set-ups go for $199. Zyclone mufflers are available at motorcycle dealers and accessory stores, or directly from the manufacturer.