Which Akrapovic Exhaust?

[Florida Lime]

Originally Posted by Brown Dog

NOTHING sounds better than a SET of Akra's on a 950/990 , except maybe a set of Wings !

Superior Quality, Fit & Finish

Fixed !

[nemesi]

Originally Posted by Treillw

Hello. I have a 2009 KTM 990 Adventure and I would like to purchase a set of pipes for it. I was wondering if anybody could tell me the differences between the two styles of pipes Akrapovic has available for my bike - there seems to be two different pipes that would work, the Titanium Series and the Evolution Series. I haven't been able to find much information regarding the differences between the two. I'm looking answer the following questions: Which is lighter, are they both titanium, what is the sound difference between the two, and are they both street legal in the US? I would appreciate any information. Thanks.

btw, the main difference between akrapovic Titanium and evolution is that the evolution is available also with catalytic converter to fulfill the euro 3 regulation and be street legal in europe.
Titanium version is available only without catalytic converter and it is street legal on 950 and 990 up to '08 version.

Here the ktm codes

60105099000 Evolution without catalytic conv and NOT street legal (in europe) on 990 '09 and later models

60105099100 Evolution with catalytic converter

60005099000 Titanium without catalytic converter


Evolution is sold in slip-on version but it includes an adapter that makes it bolt-on to fit the distributor (w pipe)

[Brown Dog]

Originally Posted by AdvRat

What Akra's? The newer Carbon Tip ones (Evolution) with the spring mount or the older design Oval, bolt on ones? I'm not sure if i like the Carbon Tips, plus I like the idea of being able to install spark arrestors in the older cans from say CJDesigns.

Older Oval Units

CJ's products are in my book

[dabracing]

[Brown Dog]

Dab, Super Nice SE

Folks,
IF your fortunate enough to own a KTM 950/990,
WHY wouldnt you want the Best Exhaust for the Best Dual Sport / ADVenture Bike Made

[Subutai]

Originally Posted by Brown Dog

WHY wouldnt you want the Best Exhaust for the Best Dual Sport / ADVenture Bike Made

Err, because 1200 euro is a lot of money for a stump of stainless pipe? I don't care if there reads NASA on the side of it.

[Brown Dog]

Originally Posted by Autodidact

Err, because 1200 euro is a lot of money for a stump of stainless pipe? ...

I definetly understand that Autodidact.

I Couldn't see paying the $900+ Akra price for my 690 Enduro SINGLE CYLINDER either.

I went with the FMF TI-Q4 for the 690 & very pleased with it

But my SE with Akra's has that Awesome Sound

[Subutai]

For a couple of hundred less you can get for example Mivv Suono set which looks about the same and is TÜV and E-approved. It comes in stainless, titanium and carbon, from 700 to 1000 euro. Still a lot of money for a pipe. My main concern is the weight and the heat generation of the stock mufflers. Around here aftermarket pipes are generally disregarded in the bikes value when you decide to sell it, you could be better off changing the stock mufflers back on and selling the aftermarket ones separately.

However I'll never gonna shed over a thousand for a pair of mufflers as a litre of gas costs 1,6€ here and for that thousand you can get so much stuff and other farkles which make a lot more difference how the bike handles and feels.

[GordonFreeman]

Not sure all the inmates have agreed on the best pipes. Lots of opinions out there on Akra, Wings, FMFs, Leos, etc. Also many opinions on best materials: stainless vs. Ti + carbon. I'm glad you're happy spending 1200 on pipes. I hope the Ti doesn't crack or shred if you drop the bike or take it on single tracks where they get bumped. Same w/ the carbon tips.

I'm very happy with the FMF stainless pipes I have. They are small, light, run cool and sound great. They already have spark arrestors and the map adjusts automatically after a 10 minute idle. The FMFs don't easily scratch, dent or crack. They have a very pleasing rumble, just a little louder than stock, which I prefer. For the difference in price, I added Euro-spec light housing, 50 watt HID hi and lo beams and 24 watt LED spots, mounted on the forks. I still had enough $$ left over to take the family out to dinner.

To each his own.

[veetwo _tls]

TELCO: http://www.telco-exhaust.com/eu/home/main.htm
nice deep throaty sound

[AdvRat]

Originally Posted by GordonFreeman

Not sure all the inmates have agreed on the best pipes. Lots of opinions out there on Akra, Wings, FMFs, Leos, etc. Also many opinions on best materials: stainless vs. Ti + carbon. I'm glad you're happy spending 1200 on pipes. I hope the Ti doesn't crack or shred if you drop the bike or take it on single tracks where they get bumped. Same w/ the carbon tips.

I'm very happy with the FMF stainless pipes I have. They are small, light, run cool and sound great. They already have spark arrestors and the map adjusts automatically after a 10 minute idle. The FMFs don't easily scratch, dent or crack. They have a very pleasing rumble, just a little louder than stock, which I prefer. For the difference in price, I added Euro-spec light housing, 50 watt HID hi and lo beams and 24 watt LED spots, mounted on the forks. I still had enough $$ left over to take the family out to dinner.

To each his own.

You have a very valid point in your statement - are the expensive ones really worth the extra money? I'm not sure about it, which is why I keep asking. I was in the process of placing a huge order for Winter farkles and was going to add in the exhaust system and I figured the bike would be just about done - at least until I wanted something else for it, or decided I need a titanium clutch cover. But the difference in money would allow me to maybe not add hard panniers to the bike but I could get a complete Wolfman Saddlebag & Rack combo or Giant Loop Saddlebags and probably a few other items on top of that. Just for the difference.

I understand that the bike probably needs something to lower the temp and lighten the rear end, but it makes me wonder where the dividing line is between quality and status. Don't get me wrong the Akro's & Wings are very nice looking. And made very specifically for the KTM brand. But even the Wings I think are a little better value than the Akro's are. Maybe not if you don't compare the carbon tipped one, but there's a huge swing in prices in the carbons ones - maybe $400 or so. And maybe $200 or so in the standard Akro Oval ones. And that's a lot of farkles just for a carbon tip.

I have heard the FMF's just don't have the quality or durability as the Akro's, Wings or Remus ones have tho... I have heard after time the rivets will come loose?? But you can get almost 3 sets of the standard FMF's (and 2 sets of Q4 Ti's) for what a set of Akrapovic Evo's cost - it's probably cheaper to replace the whole FMF system than to repack or replace pieces on the Akro's - damn!

So if you still wanted the Euro brand ones still - Akro's, Wings or maybe Remus - what company and what cans are the better ones? Better for repairing or servicing, customer service, durability, etc.? Because even in the end, after saving money or not saving money, most people would not be putting serious farkle bucks into an exhaust if it wasn't a little for the bling factor - sorry! People spend serious money on exhaust systems for cars just to see the muffler tips (only the tips) hanging out the rear of the car and having the sticker to show it. I understand the big benefits to them, I grew up in the muscle car days and had them on my cars and trucks, but the bling & status factor always contibute. But you still may need to repair or work on them so what is the better system or company for that.

So if you didn't want to spend $1350+ for a carbon tipped Akro system - is a Wings system for between $850-950 or a Akro Oval Titanium system in the 950's worth the extra compared to the FMF Q4 Ti's. Or what if you could get the Akro Carbon Evo's in the $1100 price range on sale or discount - then would it be worth it? I mean what is the break point between status and the best system available for your money? Sorry for rambling!

[GordonFreeman]

You've hit on one of the most recurring topics in the forum: best exhaust for the 9xx. While there are many strong opinions, I don't think there's a conclusive best brand. I read a lots of posts and asked a bunch of questions last year when making the decision myself. The only uniform agreement I found was that the stock cans blow and almost any aftermarket slip-on is a substantial upgrade in terms of heat, weight and sound. I don't think any slip-ons offer major performance enhancement by themselves.

I'm not critical of anyone who goes with Akra or Wings. I looked at them and think they are great pipes. If someone wants to pay for the bling, god bless. I just didn't think they were any better than most cheaper brands on the measures that were important to me. I specifically didn't want the Ti or carbon b/c I value durability much more that literally one pound difference in weight. I ended up choosing FMFs b/c they dominate the dirtbike exhaust market and are engineered and built to take extraordinary punishment. KTM uses them on its higher-end dirtbikes. IMHO, the build quality is superior. Not sure where you got the concern re rivets or welds failing.

I also like the clean (and slightly smaller) look of the FMFs:


I'm not a label buyer. My only advice is to figure out what's important to you then find a bunch of different pipes to actually see in person to make your own call on issues of weight, sound, heat, looks, etc.

[AdvRat]

I got that info from the people/companies selling the other brand systems. KTMTwins did tell me that the Akrapovics are probably their favorite and the "standard", probably highest end system they sell - either the Evo's or the Oval systems - but if I need something with a spark arrestor I couldn't go wrong with the FMF Q4 system. And they sell the Remus and other higher end ones also. I might have ordered it from them except that FMF has them on sale thru the end of February at 20% off so the price is better thru the factory.

Thanks for the comments and help.

[Infracaninophile]

I defy anyone to say that one exhaust or the other is the best for everyone. That simply can't be true.

I'm an IT guy who works on huge infrastructure projects. Lots of money on the table. In order for a project to succeed you need to define success right up front. If you don't, then you can't tell me how to meet the objectives.

This definition of what's best for the 950 (or any bike) has a bunch of different ways to define "best".

Examples:

1. Best Price - Cheapest Wins? Most Expensive Wins?
2. Loudest?
3. Quietest?
4. Lightest?
5. Best Looking (would need a whole big discussion as that is so subjective).
6. Best made (same as #5. Very subjective).
7. Most HP gained? - Need Empirical data. Must show dyno runs.
8. Most Torque gained?
9. Best "Bling" Potential (somewhat subjective... :-)

Or, as most would assume here, including me, some combination of all or most of the above. You'd have to do some sort of weighted value for each of the variables above.

But, for each individual owner.. you must decide your criteria. And I'm pretty sure your criteria won't match everyone else's.

I just got a used 2004 950 with < 7500 miles. It has a pair of Remus Aluminum cans with inserts that is way too loud for ME. I snagged a pair of nicely used Akros here for $600 to my door. I've had Akros before and like them a lot for their quality of construction, appearance, and mostly the sound. I like them with the inserts in. So, my "which one" is based on a few of the factors above but not all. Cost was a factor as well and I didn't want to spend $1100 for new ones. I've never seen a dyno run for the Akros. I just know I don't want to put the stock exhaust back on (I have it) because of the cats/heat issue.

Being the geeky engineer-type that I am.. it is impossible to define "best" that works for everyone.

Tom [Stating the Obvious as usual]

[Sapling]

Good weighted opinions here.....