[NOVArider52]

Hello all,

Having painstakingly weighed between the Austin and Akrapovic systems for the SDR, I've decided to have a custom system built by a local custom bike builder. The fabricator/owner creates some exceptional designs, many of which have been featured in magazines and PipeBurn:

MotoRelic – Motorelic | Custom Motorcycles & Fabrication

motorelic.com

While I have no doubt the design and sound will be killer, I am wondering about deleting the catalytic converter. I understand that one of the Austin systems for the SDR deletes the cat, but does not require a remap and you retain the stock 02 sensor - which is what the custom system will do as well. The basic design will be two smaller, full through/open race mufflers tucked up under the bike, with a slash Akrapovic tip not too dissimilar from the Panigale basic layout.

Essentially I just want to build a catless system that retains the stock O2 sensor/location, that has a little (a lot) more growl, and not trigger any CELs or limp mode. I think that's possible with the basic layout we've put together, but I wanted to see if anyone knows for sure if deleting the cat requires other mods. I will be doing the Healtech ESE, so that wont be an issue.

Thanks!

 

[Livebreathebleedorange]

Hey Nova I can totally relate.
I recently upgraded my 2014 SDR with a 2020 SDR.
My 2014 SDR had a full de cat Austin exhaust on it that was brutal loud and I loved it.
But with the 14-16 week waiting period from Austin for full systems I’m looking at doing the same.
I have an Austin V3 mini can on order, I already have the healtech ESE kit.
The custom pipe will be made from reusing sections of the original pipe and adding additional sections once the cat is removed.
The Austin can will be directed to the side slightly as a “dumper” style exhaust.

my few questions are:

- can the cat be totally removed and replaced with a straight thru section (straight or a slight S bend) with no additional mufflers added. Or will this effect the bake pressure on the engine and result in damage.

- will the CO2 sensors be an issue? If so does anyone know a suitable hack for this?

- has anyone done anything similar and if so do you have comment and even photos?

many assistance would be greatly appreciated.

 

[NOVArider52]

Thanks for the response LiveBreathe -

I feel your pain on the backorder as well! I am hopeful the cat can be removed and a straight through section added as long as the stock 02 sensor is retained. The logic being the ECU will 'learn' and adjust for the cat delete, and negate any remap. I may call the KTM dealership service department and ask them directly about removing the cat. Worst case I suppose the bike goes into limp mode and requires the arduous remap. I wasn't going to go that route because I personally just wanted better sound and looks and I dont think the bike really suffers from a power deficiency. But if I have to, I guess I will.

 

[NOVArider52]

Update - just spoke the the KTM service dept.

You can remove the cat, and as long as the 02 sensor is retained, no remap is required, but it is recommended that you also add a high flow filter to match the greater exhaust flow. The bike may experience some pops/backfires on decel, and it could trigger a CEL if it reads a condition that is too lean outside of the stock programming parameters. However, the service dept did confirm that the ECU can learn to a degree, as long as the 02 sensor is also retained.

 

[NOVArider52]

Got the bike back from the fabricators yesterday afternoon.....all I can say is WOW. The sound is absolutely monstrous. No CELs with the Healtech ESE and I will do the Akrapovic map sometime in the future. But I can tell a huge difference already, no flat spots in the power curve at all. Just rips. No backfires or pops either.

Didn't fix what wasn't broken, so he repurposed most of the header pipes, but then added flow through race mufflers and tucked everything up very tight under the bike. The design inspiration was loosely based on a Panigale system.

 

[NOVArider52]

Cut it off here....

This thing weighs a ton!

 

[Cpl-Bloggins]

Gorgeous work! I wish I had someone close that can do custom work like that.

 

[spsgold]

Beautiful system. that guy's a master!

 

[Hutch]

That is really nice!

 

[nosurrenda]

That is a work of art. Now if you could please make a WOT vid and post the link!

 

[NOVArider52]

Thanks guys! I will try to capture a sound clip soon....my neighbors will probably come out with pitchforks and torches.

 

[Livebreathebleedorange]

This is beautiful work and much what I have been thinking about myself.
I was looking at a single muffler not twin.
I like the twin idea could I steal a few ideas off you?
Can you name the two mufflers or atleast the sizes of them?

 

[NOVArider52]

LiveBreathe - the pipes and mufflers are from Cone Engineering: Megs Exhaust Warehouse-Exhaust Systems, Exhaust Collectors, Components, Exhaust Conical, Mufflers, Exhaust Tips

Motorcycle Components-Cone Exhaust Stuff

Motorcycle components and Cone Exhaust Stuff. Manufacturer of motorcycle components and parts specialist

coneeng.com

I don't have the exact sizes of what he ordered, but I can ask. Interestingly enough, the stock header pipe you see on the right side of the bike that snakes around, is 3 inches and the other one is slightly smaller, I think 2.5 inches. You can see the differences in diameter when they go into the stock collector and into the cat. The fabricator spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to incorporate a twin muffler design; in reality a single muffler might have been easier - but he wanted the challenge!

I posted a pic of the box of components he ordered from Cone, as well as a close up of the differences in sizing on the two pipes as they enter the stock collector. If you look closely, you can see the "top" pipe diameter is smaller than the bottom.

 

[lamuraz]

Thanks guys! I will try to capture a sound clip soon....my neighbors will probably come out with pitchforks and torches.

Hi, Can I ask you what is the cost for this full system? I am interested. On the market now for a full system.

 

[2cati]

What a great looking and compact set up!

 

[NOVArider52]

Thanks Lamuraz/2cati!

Total cost for the custom system with materials was about $1400. Another few bucks for the Akra tip and Healtech ESE, still below $1500.

 

[lamuraz]

Thanks Lamuraz/2cati!

Total cost for the custom system with materials was about $1400. Another few bucks for the Akra tip and Healtech ESE, still below $1500.

I am impressed. Is it Tatanium? What is the lead time?
If I understand correctly You are using the bike without remapping. How is it running? The problem with the Akra remap you lose your blinkers.
How much louder is it vs the stock exhaust? Would it be possible to hear it. Can you please give me the contact information?
Thank you.

 

[NOVArider52]

Hello Lamuraz-

Is it Titanium? No, it is stainless.

What is the lead time? It took about two weeks. I dropped the bike off and the builder kept the bike and mocked it up physically on the bike since it had to be built from scratch and it's a one off.

If I understand correctly You are using the bike without remapping. How is it running? The problem with the Akra remap you lose your blinkers. That is correct, I'm not running any remap. Bike runs great, put a couple thousand miles on it since the exhaust, no issues, CELs or any problems. Pulls hard, no hiccups or flat spots in the rpms.

How much louder is it vs the stock exhaust? A lot louder, and deeper. Pure unadulterated ear sex.

Would it be possible to hear it. I don't have a mic, and the cell phone video I did make wasn't very good at capturing how deep the sound is; the bike almost sounded stock in the video. To do it right I'd need a second person who could let me do some passes and they record while I go by with the bike going through the gears. So, probably not anytime soon. Sorry.

Can you please give me the contact information? Sure: MotoRelic – Motorelic | Custom Motorcycles & Fabrication

Hope this helps!

 

[NOVArider52]

Here's a side pic. I wanted to make sure the system did continue not pass the back wheel area. Since it has a single sided swingarm, I wanted the rear wheel to be completely exposed. While I love the Akro and Austin systems, but both intrude on the back wheel and I wish they'd shorten the tailpipe to make it clear the back wheel area.

 

[HBG]

I've already complimented your exhaust on the other topic @NOVArider52 and I'm really tempted to do it the way you did. The only thing that's holding me back is cutting the original exhaust down. I always keep the stock parts of my bikes for future owners that might have different tastes and would want to revert to the original setup (for the last bike I sold this was actually helpful). But one way or the other, that underside cat has to go.