Pro Circuit Ti-6 Exhaust System for the 2016 KTM 350 SX-F/XC-F

What it is

The Pro Circuit Ti-6 Titanium Exhaust System is designed to provide improved performance plus meet the sound requirements for AMA/FIM Pro level competition. It is equipped with a removable USFS approved spark arrestor, making it easy to alternate between off-road and closed-course racing. The system is built using Titanium construction throughout head pipe, mid pipe, and canister with a carbon fiber end-cap. The header includes the RC-4 Resonance Chamber to reduce noise output. Machined mid-pipe to head-pipe joints are used for a better, leak free fit and TIG precision welding make for a factory look. Pro circuit pipes are made in the USA.

How it works

Spending a grand for an exhaust system is getting pretty normal for a lot of riders looking for the high-end, titanium racing systems and this example from Pro Circuit is no exception. There are a lot more KTMs at the track these days and PC is taking note and really pushing on development of parts for the orange bikes. We tested this system on our 2016 KTM 350XC-F which has an identical power delivery and exhaust needs as the SX-F. The fit of the PC exhaust, like just about every system we have tired from the company was spot-on and as good if not better than stock. In fact you have to remove the shock to get the stock one-piece header off the bike and the two-part header of the Ti-6 allows pipe removal without touching the shock.Though the titanium construction might have you thinking there will be a huge weight reduction, we were surprised that it was only half a pound between stock and the PC system with the S/A insert in.

It is known that getting more power and better performance than the stock KTM exhaust on the 350 is a tough job. The stock pipe is that good and all pipe makers are finding this. We tested the PC system with both the spark-arrestor insert in and out which changes the power delivery and sound a noticeable amount.

First we rode the system wide open at the motocross track. Though we did not have our sound meter we could tell very easily that the Ti-6 is down a few decibels from the stock KTM muffler and has a deeper and more toned down sound at high RPM too. This was definitely a nice touch. Power wise it was really difficult to notice any gains or areas where the pipe did not perform. In fact for most riders, blindfolded, they would say there was no change at all aside from the sound. Very particular riders could feel a slight improvement in the on-off-on pickup in throttle response, as if the bike was “jetted” a little cleaner from bottom to mid. Also on the very top the PC system seemed to let the power run out a little farther and use the very top pull a little better than the stock pipe. Since KTM have been paying more attention to the stock pipes, especially the header design and even including the chamber on the stock header now, getting more through an aftermarket exhaust is tough.

We rode with the S/A insert at the track and again off in the trails and here is where we feel this system really shines. With a single screw the bike becomes spark-arrestor  compliant and the sound really gets toned down significantly to the ear of the rider and to anyone around. But the bike still sounds good and racey even passing the 96 dB stationary sound test. As you might expect there is some change in the power delivery but it was way less than we expected after hearing the bike. Basically at every throttle position and every RPM (except for the very top) the 350 feels like it is making 5% less power and the pick-up is 10% less in boost. For riders who judge everything by whacking the throttle and seeing how hard the bike jerks or how far the front wheel comes up, the insert may be a letdown. But riders who are looking for added traction and are not afraid to rev the bike just a little more will not only see the same power levels, the bike becomes much easier to ride. But on the very top, where fast riders ride a 350 the power felt the same as without the insert even while being quieter. In keeping the bike revving the top-end power lasted longer before hitting the rev limiter even if the snap up there was not as robust as without the insert. There was a noticeable increase in heat in the muffler with the insert but there was no change in the temperature of the engine.

The only issue we had with the pipe was that since the muffler canister was a bit larger (more round) than the stock one it would touch the rear tire from the flex of the sub-frame and wheel/swingarm. Some additional spacers setting the muffler a few millimeters farther out would eliminate most of this. It does not touch when there isn’t a side-load on the bike. Very close inspection of the welds and tabs will reveal that the welders are not artists, but they are not sloppy either. Going to the art level on exhaust systems usually bumps the price another $600-$700. The muffler is rebuildable and we have gotten 20-40 hours of hard use out of PC mufflers before the sound starts to go up. Running the insert in racing conditions usually mandated the repacking more often. The machined fittings stayed tight and we didn't see any evidence of leaking and had no annoying backfires from air leaks. The carbon fiber end cap looks sharp did not seem to be effected by the heat.

If you are buying this pipe for a power increase, there are much more noticeable and cost effective ways to buy power. But if you are looking for a high-quality exhaust system that is very sound responsible and can quickly make your bike legal for the trails, this is a great choice.

Help support this site by purchasing through this link: