We had some time recently to try out some aftermarket components for three of the Japanese literbikes-the Honda CBR1000RR, Kawasaki ZX-10R, and Yamaha YZF-R1-to find out just how much improvement we could get with various bolt-on accessories. The following stories chronicle our experience with a handful of aftermarket items: the Bazzaz Z-Fi system, the Kawasaki race kit ECU, BST carbon fiber wheels, BrakeTech ceramic composite brakes, M4 full exhaust system, Galfer Superbike Wave rotors, and a Yoshimura R-77 3/4 slip-on exhaust for the Yamaha R1
Honda CBR 1000RR
Bazzaz Z-Fi System
Now that we've had a couple of years riding and testing various bikes with traction control, it's become obvious that this particular electronic aid is not the magic go-fast performance upgrade many riders wish for. While the safety benefits of traction control are clearly and immediately realized, turning faster lap times at the racetrack is not as simple as flicking a switch. In our track test of the Ducati 1098R Bayliss Replica LE last year ("Flag Bearer", Oct. '09), Kento recorded his fastest lap at Spring Mountain Motorsports Park with the Ducati's TC system turned off. And in our traction control shootout two years ago ("Red Rockets", Aug. '08), we realized that a lot of work is required to tailor a system to the needs of both the rider and the track.
The Bazzaz Performance software...
The Bazzaz Performance software presents this screen for setting the traction control. The main array allows sensitivity for each throttle position and rpm increment to be adjusted between 0 and 10. On the left, a cut level for each throttle position can be set from 0 to 10. And on the bottom, the entire sensitivity map can be offset positive or negative in each gear.
The basic conundrum is this: If you add traction control to prevent or limit wheelspin in corners, you are also slowing the bike down exiting those corners. Finding the right balance-enough TC for traction, yet not too much to slow the bike down-is a tricky job. Our plan here is to experiment further with a traction control system in an effort to find that balance, using a proven setup along with GPS-based data acquisition to pin down the exact benefits and pitfalls. We've already got some time with Bazzaz Performance's Z-Fi system on a Honda CBR1000RR so we began by duplicating that setup and continuing where we left off.
Trackday rider and local club racer John Reeves rides a CBR1000RR, and we loaded him up with a complete Bazzaz setup: Z-Fi fuel control unit with quickshift and traction control ($1000), the Z-AFM air/fuel mapping kit ($350) and a handlebar switch for making adjustments on the track ($150). We also ordered up the company's Z-Bomb for the CBR ($150), which eliminates the U.S. model's horsepower limitations. To take further advantage of all these tuning options, we ordered an Akrapovic Evolution exhaust for the CBR. The hydroformed titanium pipe is a 4-into-2-into-1 arrangement with carbon fiber canister, mounted up easily enough and retails for $2226.
The fuel injection can be...
The fuel injection can be tuned for each throttle position and rpm, and offset in each gear. Here, the self-mapping feature is being used to determine changes to the map based on the oxygen sensor readings.
The Bazzaz system opens up a slew of opportunities for adjustments and fiddling. The fuel injection can be adjusted using the typical throttle position/rpm array. For the traction control, the Z-Fi provides a map, similar to the fuel control map, which allows you to program a throttle position/rpm array with a TC sensitivity number-0 for no traction control, 10 for maximum control. Additionally, for each throttle position you can program a number-also between 0 and 10-for how much power is cut when the TC activates. As delivered, both the sensitivity and cut levels are pre-programmed with level 5. To help with developing a traction control map, two switches mount to the CBR's handlebar. One is an 11-position rotary dial that allows the rider to add or subtract from the programmed TC map in one-step increments. The other is a toggle switch that selects between two complete fuel and TC maps.
Installation of the entire kit is straightforward enough, but a half-day affair. The Z-Fi unit taps into the bike's fuel injection, ignition and additional wiring connectors, and these connections are all accessed under the fuel tank and/or airbox. The quickshifter utilizes a pressure-sensitive switch that replaces the bike's shift linkage rod. The Z-Bomb installs in the throttle position sensor connections. The handlebar switch mounts to the left clip-on. And the air/fuel monitor takes its cue from an oxygen sensor that installs in the exhaust system-the Akrapovic exhaust conveniently has the necessary adaptor for the sensor. All these electronic devices mean a lot of wires running from the front of the bike to the rear, and a weight penalty of 2.5 pounds.