Having ridden my R6 for a little while, I felt it was time to swap out the boring stock exhaust for a high performance aftermarket pipe. Looking at the options, I saw few that met my standards for performance, sound and build quality.
As such, I compiled a list of my top picks for Yamaha R6 exhausts and what made each offering stand out. My R6 will is now mated to an Akrapovic Slip-On exhaust because of the balance of quality and performance that this exhaust provides, but other options also tempted me, so here’s a list of the best exhausts for the Yamaha R6.
Best Slip On Exhausts For The Yamaha R6
Overall best
Akrapovic Slip-On Exhaust
Akrapovic Slip-Ons are the go-to for aftermarket Yamaha R6 exhausts. They offer premium build quality alongside modern design and construction while being some of the loudest and most unique sounding options available. The use of premium materials is another plus point. All this at a more competitive price.
Starting with the design, these Slip-On style mufflers are known for their liberal use of carbon fiber and titanium. Lightweight materials not only fit well with the R6’s design but also help reduce weight, improving handling and agility. Akra’s slip-on offering for the R6 is a ‘shorty’ style exhaust that is minimalist and unobtrusive, giving your bike that signature race inspired look.
Don’t let the small size fool you though. These exhausts are loud! Our testing showed a decent increase in sound output. Moreover, this increased sound has Akra’s classic high pitched quality, perfect for the R6’s high revving engine. At idle, the exhaust note is deep and menacing. Crank the throttle and it becomes sharper and more shrill.
Akrapovic doesn’t disappoint when it comes to power gains either. We were able to extract a cool 5 HP more than the stock configuration, all of which is noticeable when you ride the bike. Coupled with the decrease in weight, these power gains improved the performance of the R6 quite a bit, especially when it is used flat out on a track.
Pros
- Premium quality
- High quality materials such as titanium and carbon fiber
- Lightweight construction
- Reduces the R6’s overall mass
- No need for remapping or flashing of ECU
- Decent power gains for a slip-on
- Loud, high pitched sound
- Makes the more agile
- Torque output also sees some improvement
Cons
- May not be legal for street use in some regions
Two Brothers M2 Slip-On Exhaust
Two Brothers’ racing heritage and experience enable them to make some awesome performance parts. Their M2 Slip-On for the R6 is a great exhaust that boasts more than just good looks. It brings massive performance gains and a nicer exhaust note to the table as well. The M2 gets points for ingenious construction as well.
This slip-on evokes fighter jet design with its carbon fiber muffler and stainless steel piping. It benefits from the proprietary V.A.L.E system that Two Brothers uses. This allows the various components to be lined up more accurately before they are fixed in place, ensuring a perfect harmony between bike and exhaust.
The M2 is not as loud or ‘in your face’ as other exhausts, which some riders will appreciate. The sound from this pipe is more refined; heavier and more imposing than stock, but without the harsh and obnoxious quality some products are plagued with. It is perfect for those of you who like to enjoy their daily commute and require a softer exhaust note.
However, the refined exhaust note is just a ruse. Beneath the lightweight carbon, you’ll find a high performance exhaust that hails from the MotoGP world. Our testing with the M2 yielded a very nice horsepower and torque gain that is usable throughout the rev range.
More torque down low means you don’t have to rev the bike as much, helping with low speed stability and maneuvering. Our bikes power to weight ratio also improved thanks to the exhaust’s compact size and design.
Pros
- Lightweight build
- High quality carbon fiber muffler
- 304 stainless steel piping and inlets
- Higher power output than stock
- More torque, lower in rev range
- V.A.L.E system makes the components fit perfectly
- Sound is much better than stock
- Exhaust is not too harsh or obtrusive
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Sportbike riders might prefer even louder exhausts
Best Full System Exhausts For The Yamaha R6
LeoVince Factory S Exhaust System
LeoVince’s full system exhaust for the R6 combines Italian styling and design with SBK level performance. It is a complete package exhaust that dramatically improves sound, adds a lot of horsepower, reduces weight and gives your bike a race ready look.
Carbon fiber and stainless steel are heavily featured on this exhaust. Ironically though, heavy is not a word we would associate with this pipe. The header pipes, muffler body and internals are made of high quality stainless, with carbon fiber accents and slash-cut endcap, making the
The Factory S significantly lighter than the stock pipe. And this reduced weight definitely makes a difference. I took the R6 to the track with this pipe installed and managed to beat my personal best time by quite a margin.
This improved performance is thanks to the combination of reduced weight and increased power output. I can say with confidence that this setup gave my R6 the biggest power up. The bike was more nimble, the engine more responsive and the louder sound actually helped me get a better idea of what the bike needed to perform.
Speaking of sound, this full system makes a sound like no other. It is louder, more aggressive, and more raw than any slip on. Coupled with the superior power gains and lightweight construction, this is the perfect exhaust to accompany your R6.
Pros
- Highest power gains for the R6
- Lightweight construction
- Dramatic weight reduction
- Massive difference in performance
- Loud sound
- Awesome design and styling
- Premium 304 stainless
- Carbon fiber accents
- Slash-cut style carbon end cap
Cons
- Full system exhausts can be a bit expensive
