Stock bike vs pipes and tune

After finding this site and reading what i think is most material(days!it took)
I'm at an impasse.
The stock bike works really well, even with its glitchy touchy FI. After reading a lot of posts Im wondering if putting pipes on and fruckering around with the flies , mapping etc is worth the effort.

I'm probably a minority here, the bike has great power, enough for me, I just want to smooth out the FI.
AND
If every other manufacturer can do FI right ,KTM.... whats up????
After owning 29 bikes Id have to say this SD always makes me smile.

this will be relevant - are you not influenced by the looks, and extra noise produced by aftermarket exhausts?

The stock pipes look great, some of the slip ons look like an after thought.
As far as noise, something a bit deeper but I live in the city so I cant have it to loud.

I can relate to this question.

I bought a 2nd hand SD990 05 in 2009 and was smacked by the handling ( suspensions, brakes, weight distribuition ) and more than enough power.

Found some good business and bought a lot of bling ( carbons and anodised parts ).

But now have just bought a set of round akras and I'm very happy for the following reasons:

- better looks
- less heat for pillion
- less weight
- better performance

Got a tunecu cable and I'm looking for an air filter/box to upgrade and going to get it remaped by a pro.

Not looking for mega horses, just a good clean combustion and smooth riding.

I'm sure the €/pleasure ratio can't be rational but for me bikes is about feeling and emotions, not bank account LOL

So, you're perfectly right when the stock bike is enough for some good riding, but some people just want more (more bling, more performance etc )

I'm also in the minority for this site. My engine mods consist of removing the SAS, adding Leo Vince slip ons, a DNA filter (stock air box) and KTM Akro remap. The bike runs pretty smooth. It holds its speed under 45mph. Its not perfect, but its pretty good.

It lost a little down low grunt, but gained top end (seat of the pants dyno only) and the power delivery smoothed out tremendously. My bike is presently at Bazzaz Performance to get a FI module. The FI module will likely resurrect the low end power because I think the bike is running too rich.

I hated the stock cans. They got hotter than hell and weighed 44 lbs. 44 freaking pounds!!! When I got rid of them, I wasn't looking for more sound. In fact, I run my LVs with the baffles in.

If your bike makes you happy, leave it alone. But, if there is that niggling feel that it could be better, there are alternatives to the full engine mods.

Great response guys.
before I switch, IE to slip ons and a motobox id have an appropriate map ready.

I dont want to do a rash of changes to solve a fueling issue and end up with other fueling issues.
There are a few here who solve a problem to trade it for another.

Pipes are a must do mod it moves the SD closer to what KTM intended (Akrapovic pipes are considered by KTM as a standard part..so no warranty issues ....KTM even make a ECU custom map for these pipes)...the smile will just get bigger

Levert, I gotta tell ya - I too like the look of the stock exhaust. If it wasn't in attempt to reduce the snatchiness (w - ?) at lower RPMs, I'd have never changed 'em out. Like you - a couple of horsepower more, I could pretty much care less about. If I felt the need for more, I'd have bought a different bike.

Yeah, the stock can gets hot. Never really felt its effects frankly.

As for noise and weight: I went with the Akra EVO slip ons (Ti w/CF end cones) and did the remap myself, applying the KTM map for these cans. All else is stock. The Akras are an improvement in virtually every way. Snatchiness is certainly reduced. Not perfect, but acceptable (and manageable). These have the removable baffles, and according to friends and neighbors I've asked - with the baffles IN - their perception is that its more quiet than stock! I think that its a little more "basso" in sound, and not quite as tractor-ish. Sound energy is likely higher, but bias is toward lower frequencies. I too perceive it more quiet except at very high (track) speeds. At very high speed, I can now hear the engine/exhaust - where I couldn't with the stock exhaust. Remove the baffles and whack the throttle WFO however ... well that's another story.

The Akra EVOs look great too. Fit and build quality are superb. As good as I've seen on any exhaust ever (Leo Vince being my historical benchmark). I weighed the bits, and the bike lost just shy of 14 Lbs. So what, right? Well, that 14Lbs. is up high and pretty far up and back - mass effectively cantilevered pretty far out WRT the rear suspension.

They are expensive. Do you get what you pay for? A matter of opinion. For me, yes. As many will attest, the FMF look great and are well-priced. They are stupid loud (see mods to quiet them in other threads here - lol - not kidding). Build quality is marginal, and they have a mixed reputation WRT durability, particularly with the thumper crowd.

Good luck with your decision.

This is the info I needed.
If it cures the dreaded snatchy ride off the corner and its not obscene loud Ill do it.
As far as removing the secondaries, id go first with the stock set up. I just did not want the bog down some are getting.
My tuneecu cable is on back order and this will be a winter project.

It is a piss off that everyone elses bikes dont have this issue. Overall the bike is still two thumbs up in my book and is what I wanted, fun to ride.

What also pisses me off is people asking what bike it is and I answer "KTM" Then they say does BMW make it??????
Next time Ill just say yes, KTM is BMW in french

Changing the pipes make about 7% difference to snatchy throttle

PC111 about 30%

Removing secondarys and Air Filter (Either MH or DNA) custom map 55%


.....its the Holy Grail....so its not easy...but worth it

I had my first SD for 10 months with stock pipes, they do look really nice.

I've got to say the fueling was pretty good as stock on that bike.

I'm with you Agro, I couldn't believe the difference in temperature between the stock pipes and the Yoshis.
Even the so called heat shields on the stock pipes would take your skin off if you got too close.

Sold!
When the time comes Ill hit you guys for the map.
Funny as I had a stock 2008 SDR for some track time and it did not have as much herky jerky?

Thanks for the opinions and info.

Some ladies fit cams with less agressive profiles.

Men fit more aggresive one for a quick action feel.

Slip ons and download a new map should do ya'. Going down one tooth on the front;Or up two on the back sprocket will pick up the RPMs at in town speeds and make it smoother as you pick up the throttle at parking lot speeds.
You're right, the SDR on track works stock.(It can be a LOT BETTER)
It's a stone bitch, stock, in traffic.
Jeff