MXA TEAM TESTED: PRO CIRCUIT TI-6 KTM 450SXF EXHAUST

 

WHAT IS IT? Built for the 2016 KTM 450SXF, the T-6 and Ti-6 are the sixth generation of Pro Circuit’s four-stroke exhausts. The T-6 is built from stainless steel, while the Ti-6 is titanium. There is also a slip-on version and AMA/FIM-legal 112 dB Pro Series.

WHAT’S IT COST? $999.95 (Ti/Ti/carbon end cap); $779.95 (stainless/aluminum); $464.95 (stainless/aluminum slip-on).

CONTACT? www.procircuit.com or (951) 738-8050.

WHAT STANDS OUT? Here’s a list of things that stand out with the Pro Circuit T-6 and Ti-6 exhaust systems for the 2016 KTM 450SXF.

(1) Options. Pro Circuit sells the Ti-6 for $999.95 (with Ti header, titanium muffler and carbon end cap) and the T-6 for $779.95 (with stainless steel tubing, aluminum muffler and stainless end cap). Both pipes, save for the Ti-6 Pro Series, come with a removable spark arrestor. If you are wondering what the differences are between the T-6 and Ti-6, besides the obvious metal choices, which result in the Ti version being lighter, there are none. Both pipes share the same dimensions, horsepower and design.

(2) Sound debate. The AMA Pro sound limits are constantly changing. They have gone from 99 dB to 94 dB to 115 dB (at 2 meters) to 112 dB (at 2 meters). To its credit, Pro Circuit has built every system to meet the AMA Pro sound limits; its competition didn’t. Pro Circuit’s new T-6 and Ti-6 systems aren’t choked down to meet the AMA Supercross standard, which only affects 500 Pro riders. They are equipped with a larger perf core and end cap for improved throttle response—and they still meet the AMA Amateur sound limit. AMA Pro riders can order the Ti-6 Pro Series, which meets the current 112-decibel two-meter-max standards.

(3) Fitment. The biggest problem with installing the Pro Circuit Ti-6 is that you have to remove the stock system first. KTM uses a one-piece head pipe that runs all the way to the muffler. It’s cheaper to make but a major pain to deal with. Pro Circuit has a slip-fit between the head pipe and the mid-pipe that makes installation and removal much easier. The Ti-6 weighs 2 pounds less than the stock KTM exhaust system.

(4) Performance. This is an incredible exhaust pipe. On our dyno tests, it pumped out 61 horsepower over the stocker’s 58 horsepower. This pipe romps. It made more horsepower at every point on the powerband—from 6000 rpm all the way to the 11,000 rpm rev limiter. Best of all it mimicked the stock curve, but with 1 horse more at 7000 rpm, 1.5 horses more at 8000, 2.3 horses more at 9000 rpm, 3.7 horses more at 10,000 rpm and 3 horses more at peak (9600 rpm). With the stock exhaust on our 2016 KTM 450SXF, we ran one tooth more on the rear sprocket to up the oomph from gear to gear. With the Pro Circuit Ti-6, we could easily run the stock gearing to the same effect. Every test rider appreciated that the Pro Circuit exhaust kept the same smooth powerband that he liked so much, but with the added benefit of magnifying the power at every step along the way.

WHAT’S THE SQUAWK? To install the Pro Circuit pipe, you have to remove the stock one. That means removing the shock first. Additionally, the $220-cheaper stainless steel T-6 makes the same power as the Ti-6.

If you’re a 2016 KTM 450SXF owner, you should want this pipe and the power increase that comes with it.