CARL KTM 390 DUKE
THIS MONTH I HAVE MOSTLY BEEN… “Living life loud!”
Afew horsepower here and there never sounds like a lot, but when you’ve only got about 40 to start with it makes a bloody big difference. So, what better way to kick the month off than with a sneaky slip-on exhaust system from Akrapovic?
Being KTM’s official exhaust it seemed only right to go with one, and if you get a KTM dealership to stick it on it’s ready in no time, as I found out to my delight. I opted for a slip-on end can which meant my bike didn’t need any pricey dyno time to get the thing remapped – it was literally a plug and play scenario. It’s made a good amount of difference, too. Not least of all to the noise that’s kicked out, which now resembles an angry Rottweiler instead of a three week old puppy.
The little KTM now sounds like it has some berries when you get on the throttle, which has had me being a bit extravagant with my downshifts so I can hear this beauty roar. And it’s not just the growl of the bike that’s taken a step in the right direction, as the power on tap has also been cranked up (a bit). In reality, the bike’s breathing a bit easier and that’s helped with the way it accelerates, as much as anything. Katie (that’s the 390’s name. Cute, innit?) now feels a tad more lively on initial pick-up, though it’s near impossible to tell exactly the difference it’s made up the top. One thing I have noticed though is that the midrange has suffered for the bottom-end’s gain. There was always a bit of a flat spot around 6,000rpm, but that’s now a lot more noticeable. It’s a shame, but I’m sure if you had the time (and dollar), you could get that improved by mapping the fuelling to perfection. I’m going to look into that as I’m sure it will be worth the outlay.
As well as indulging in the KTM’s new found noise, I’ve also been getting stuck in (once again) to the PowerParts catalogue. It’s addictive as it’s rammed with so much good stuff. I wanted to pimp the aesthetics of the bike, so I ordered some new wavy discs and they look a treat. And my shopping spree didn’t stop there, as I also opted for an orange chain and sprocket kit. Just coz’, why not? I like a bit of bling, and it’s gone down a treat on the little 390. Well, in my eyes anyway.
We’re now almost 3,000 miles into our relationship, yet the little 390 Duke has continued to keep me content. The pipe has made a massive difference and so have the handguards; not only do they keep you protected but they actually do a bloody good job of sheltering you from the wind on those long journeys. I’m getting very practical in my old age.