This KTM 1290 Super Adventure has 160 horsepower, so why fiddling with exhaust, intake, injection and ignition?
Well, the reason is… Because I can….
The manufacturers are being forced to commit to Euro 4 or 5 regulations. Currently the only way to meet this, is to use emission control systems (e.g. like catalysator, etc) and inject an extreme lean mixture.
All of this leads to a machine that runs very nervous and lean below 5000rpm. Also are those machines running very hot because of the lean mixture.
To my simple opinion it is all just a political thing. A masquarade for the media to look “green”. But it is NOT. My machine has MORE torque, MORE horsepower, runs smoother, idles better and last but not least: uses LESS gasoline. Less gasoline means less pollution.
But let’s not dive into politics. The technical part is much more fun.
I already did similar thing before with my 2006 BMW R1200GS. (catless pipe, K&N intake system, DynoJet PC-V). After that it ran and performed like the later DOHC GS.