Hey everyone, quick question. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't our catalytic converter in the stock muffler portion of our exhaust? Meaning that slip on exhaust would eliminate it for an 07 SD? If so, would headers even be a decent investment for this bike? I am curious because I got my bike (used) with Leo Vince slip ons and and stock headers that have been coated with...idk...it looks like titanium powder coating. I'm also wondering if that coating is an option that you can have done from the factory or does it have to be done by a specialist? The work looks very professional, which is why I ask. All the mods on my bike look very clean, as if they were all done at a very good shop or from the factory.

Yep, your cat is long gone if you have slip ons installed. Why new headers? The stock headers are beautiful compared to some bikes I've had. Don't know about your coating but it sounds cool. Just ride!

The Akrapovic "full" system has headers that are a larger diameter than the standard headers. These are not to be confused with the exhaust system on some later SDRs which ave the Akra logo etched into the surface of the down pipes - these are still the standard diameter pipes.

There is a slight increase in performance, both power and torque with the full system but I found that the biggest change in engine characteristics was that the engine seems to want to keep on revving right up to the red line. It just keeps on making power.

I don't think you should get fixated about needing the bigger down pipes but they are a nice to have thing if some come up second hand. (Which is very rare but one is for sale now through this forum). Full system in titanium is of course a lot lighter and looks great when the colour effects take hold.

Your coating will be a ceramic coating. Thee was a bit of a craze in doing this a few years ago. Most people, I remember, found that the finish didn't last that well.

The SDR headers of 2008 are the largest of all at around 56mm.
The Akra evo were 50mm? I sold mine so cannot measure

The sdr akra headers next to the standard headers.

The Full Akra evo system has the same layout as the standard headers.
The akra sdr headers have a different layout which makes the oil change it little less convenient.

I don't plan on spending the money for headers. I was just curious. Thanks for the info on them. As for my headers, I thought ceramic coating was smooth? Mine are kinda rough like very fine sandpaper (in a nice looking way), and silver colored. Could that still be ceramic?