2021 KTM 390 Adventure MotoWings Titus Performance Exhaust Review: Introduction

Gallery Introduction The Construction The Promise What’s Next?

Introduction

As strange as it might seem, there are hardly any performance exhaust makers in India who have developed a slip-on exhaust for the KTM 390 Adventure. Google it, and chances are you won’t find anything sensible, reliable, or even known. That’s why we reached out to MotoWings; yes the same company that makes the Trident performance exhaust for the Interceptor 650. You can read our review of that HERE.

But, in a nutshell, MotoWings is a tried and tested brand here at BikeWale. When we ran the Trident on the Interceptor 650, along with MotoWings’ performance air-filter, we witnessed a reduction in weight, a slight gain in performance, and not a significant loss in fuel efficiency. And, of course, it made the INT650 sound absolutely gorgeous!

Now, it turns out, the Coimbatore-based company has a performance exhaust ready for the 390 Adventure as well. It’s called the Titus, and we will be subjecting it to the BikeWale test - much like the INT - in the coming months. But for now, let’s just get to know the exhaust a little better.

The Construction

The Titus is made from 304 grade stainless steel. And that means MotoWings gives a lifetime replacement warranty on the exhaust against rusting. What’s more - and this is true even for the Trident - the matte finish on the exhaust is just lovely. It brings a sense of premiumness to the product.

Furthermore, there are no ugly welds; nothing looks unfinished or as an afterthought; and the overall appearance is of a product that’s most certainly hand-built, but by people who knew what they were doing. It also comes with a heat shield as standard.

The Promise

Now this is a big one. MotoWings claims that the Titus will up the KTM 390 Adventure’s power at the wheel by 2.1bhp! That too with the stock air-filter. It’s also expected to improve the low and mid-range performance of the motorcycle. Could this mean we could now ride the 390 at lower speeds without stalling?

Additionally, it’s expected to be lighter, have a pass-by noise of only 80db, and sound sportier than the stock exhaust. The company also says that riders will find a perceptible improvement in throttle response of the motorcycle. As you can tell, it’s quite a promising proposition. Now add a price of Rs 8,000 to it, and that promise is now a very tempting one indeed!

What’s Next?

In the next report, we will tell you how much does the Titus really weigh and if it’s lighter or heavier than the stock 390 Adventure exhaust. We will also tell you what the db figures are for the MotoWings exhaust compared to the stock at idle and at 3,000rpm. We will tell you if find a difference in low end grunt, in the throttle response, and if there’s any drop in fuel efficiency. And of course, if it has made any difference to the bike’s overall performance.

Photography by Kaustubh Gandhi