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ADV ProductsTested: Scorpion Slip-On Exhaust for the KTM 1090 Adventure R

Tested: Scorpion Slip-On Exhaust for the KTM 1090 Adventure R

Lighter weight, better sound and a little more punch for your big KTM twin.

Published on 09.05.2019

Hand-made in Derbyshire England, the red-accented Scorpion Serket Parallel slip-on exhaust option for the KTM 1090 Adventure R is a svelte upgrade, with both aesthetic and practical benefits.

Primary reasons to modify a motorcycle’s exhaust system are power, weight, sound, and aesthetics. Power delivery is most affected when the full system, including header, is replaced and the engine is re-mapped (or re-jetted) to work with the new setup. When only replacing the silencer with a new slip-on, or “half system”, power differences are typically minimal, but the other three characteristics of weight, sound, and looks apply.

Scorpion Serket Parallel Slip-On Exhaust System

First Impressions

Unpacking the Serket Parallel slip-on, its light weight and high build quality are immediately noticeable. Install procedure on the 1090 Adventure R is seamless, with the pipe’s connecting points perfectly lining up with the bikes hardware. Where the 1090R’s stock silencer is directly connected to the header, the Scorpion incorporates a short connecting pipe, attached to the header with the factory ring clamp and to the silencer using two retaining springs. “Estimated fitting time” shown on the parts diagram indicates 60 minutes. Once familiar with the system and its mounting procedure, that time can easily be cut roughly in half.

Scorpion Slip-on Exahust system for the KTM 1090 Adventure

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Doing away with the factory pipe hanger, the Scorpion features a triangular bracket which is bolted directly to the pipe. Lacking a cage style bracket, there’s nothing to interrupt the look of the pipe. Once mounted, the smaller and thinner design opens up the lines of the bike, and the black finish of the ceramic version echoes the black plastics of the bike. A heat shield mounted with two screws and red fibre washers hides the connector pipe, resulting in an overall design that arguably looks more stock than the factory setup.

How It Performed

KTM 1090 Adventure slip-on exhaust

While Scorpion has yet to do dyno testing of the Serket Parallel slip-on installed on the KTM 1090R, they have run tests on both the 1190 Adventure and 790 Duke. Those tests saw a claimed 7.7 and 5.1 horsepower increase, respectively. Given the 1090 Adventure R falls between these two bikes in terms of displacement, a similar power gain hovering around 6% should be expected.

Perhaps the most important and practical consideration of upgrading the 1090R’s exhaust, is weight savings. Tipping the scales at 12 pounds, 2 ounces, the KTM’s stock silencer weight is more than 50% over the Scorpion. At 5 pounds, 9 ounces, the Serket Parallel slip on sheds roughly the weight equivalent of carrying an extra lead-acid motorcycle battery strapped to the back of the bike.

Weight comparison Scorpion Serket Parallel slip-on exhaust vs stock exhuast
We measured a weight reduction of 6 pounds, 9 ounces after switching from the Stock silencer to the Scorpion slip-on exhaust.

Aside from how that pendulum affects handling when redirecting the motorcycle, in extreme riding situations the stock silencer can strain the KTM’s mounting brackets to their design limits. While exceedingly rare, I have broken multiple exhaust brackets on the 1090 Adventure R with the stock system. The Scorpion exhaust’s significantly lighter weight, and bolt-on style bracket should prove to be a solution for this problem. 

Hidden Feature

Oddly missing from the documentation included in Scorpion’s packaging, was mention of the “racing baffle.” Neither depicted in the fitment diagram nor appearing in the parts list, the only hint of this feature is a vague reference to “dB Killer” at the top of the instructions. Just inside the pipe’s exhaust outlet opening, is a small allen head screw towards the bottom of the circumference. Removing this screw allows one to extract the dB Killer or “racing baffle.”

KTM 1090 Adventure Scorpion Serket Parallel Slip-on exhaust

While no information appears on the UK Scorpion website regarding this feature, some online motorcycle retailers mention a removable baffle for ‘track day use’ and there are YouTube videos floating around out there depicting removal and installation of this baffle. Scorpion’s dyno testing of the KTM 1190 and 790 were done with the baffle installed. While power gains with it removed are an unknown, the exhaust note change is easily heard.

The Serket Parallel slip-on gives the 1090R a deeper, more “rowdy” exhaust note, without being obnoxiously loud. Removing the racing baffle definitely increases volume, but not by much. Where the change from the stock exhaust to the Scorpion is a huge difference, the sound characteristics of the Serket Parallel with or without the racing baffle are more subtle. 

Sound Test: Stock vs Scorpion Slip-On Exhaust with baffle in and baffle out.

Who Is It For? 

In the vast majority of instances, I run stock exhaust systems on modern bikes. Without a pressing need to swap a factory setup, the big twins in general have ample power for my needs. In the “heavyweight” class of off-road motorcycles, the additional weight of stock exhaust systems could be considered nominal in the context of adventure travel. Given the stresses which can be experienced by the 1090 Adventure R’s stock exhaust mounting setup, this is a bike which benefits greatly from a more lightweight exhaust system, especially for those who regularly hammer through enduro-style terrain on the big twin. Achieving a weight reduction, with a handmade silencer that improves the look and sound of the bike, will also be an added bonus for many. 

Our Verdict 

A small power gain, cool look, handmade build, and most importantly, significant weight reduction, make the Scorpion Serket Parallel slip-on exhaust system a good aftermarket choice for most any compatible bike. And on the KTM 1090 Adventure R, potential issues with the large stock can under extreme riding conditions bump the Serket Parallel pipe from “cool mod” to “necessary upgrade.” 

KTM 1090 Adventure Scorpion Serket Parallel Slip-on exhaust

What We Liked

  • Handmade build.
  • Improves look of bike.
  • Drastic weight reduction.

What Could Be Improved

  • Include information about the dB killer in the supporting documentation.

Scorpion Slip-On Exhaust Specs

Finish: Black Ceramic, Stainless Steel, Titanium
Weight: 5 lbs 9 oz
MSRP: starts at $597.91

Shopping Options

Moto Machines

Author: Jon Beck

Jon Beck is fulfilling a dream of never figuring out what to be when he grows up. Racing mountain bikes, competitive surfing, and touring as a musician are somehow part of what led Jon to travel through over 40 countries so far as an adventure motorcycle photographer, journalist, and guide. From precision riding for cameras in Hollywood, to refilling a fountain pen for travel stories, Jon brings a rare blend of experience to the table. While he seems happiest when lost in a desert someplace, deadlines are met most of the time.

Author: Jon Beck
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Andy
Andy
January 17, 2021 6:19 pm

Do they make one for the 390 Adventure?

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