[64793674]

I had my KTM dealer install the Akrapovic Evolution full exhaust system on my 2020 790 Duke at the same time I had it in for its (first) 600-mile service. The dealer loaded the Akra engine map too. I left from the shop and immediately observed the quick upshifter wasn't working 'right.' While on throttle, the ignition is so delayed after upshift the front end dives and gives an abrupt lurch when power returns. Quick downshift stopped working altogether; soft downward pressure on the shifter does nothing. Should be noted it worked marvelously before this shop visit.

I returned to the shop right then. They called KTM and reported that the Akra map delays ignition "5-10 milliseconds" over stock map and there's nothing that can be done about it. No comment on losing downshift capabilities.

I'm beyond disappointed with this explanation and the result from installing an official KTM aftermarket part. The new pipe sounds amazing and it's got great power, but losing the quickshifter isn't an acceptable trade off.

Anyone else experienced this? Any suggestions for how to fix this?

 

[Pgm]

I’d be surprised if the Akra map caused the shifter blipper problem?

 

[YouWhat]

Did you get the dealer to re-calibrate the quick shifter?

 

[barbagris]

I’d be surprised if the Akra map caused the shifter blipper problem?

I'm not - fitting the COOBER made a huge difference to the quickshifter. Remove COOBER - quickshifter not as good - refit COOBER - better. Well better for me anyway. It's all about ignition mapping.

 

[64793674]

Did you get the dealer to re-calibrate the quick shifter?

No; I didn't think to ask, and the dealer didn't suggest it. They went straight to the phone with KTM and got an ignition timing/map answer.

 

[YoungLion]

The QS is adjustable, it's on the first service checklist for them to do in fact. I'd just ask them to remove the 5-10ms delay and well, not sure about the auto-blip downshift issue but I'd be REALLY pissed if I lost that mod myself.

Keep us posted!

 

[Pgm]

I'm not - fitting the COOBER made a huge difference to the quickshifter. Remove COOBER - quickshifter not as good - refit COOBER - better. Well better for me anyway. It's all about ignition mapping.

Anyone would think you work for coober lol.

 

[barbagris]

Anyone would think you work for coober lol.

I wish. I just want to get in a couple more R&D rides so I can hit them with my attack questions. Some things it really does do well - others seem to be less obviously better, actually almost worst.

tbh - In track mode I think the better solution is to switch QS mode off and use the clutch lever. Even with COOBER. This may also apply to the AKRA tune.

Seems a bit lumpier in traffic etc with the COOBER in Sport Mode when the ambient temp is lowish. Needs a little more revving. Some odd thoughts I need to observe again before writing. But the ruddy weather is really starting to annoy me.

 

[Pgm]

I wish. I just want to get in a couple more R&D rides so I can hit them with my attack questions. Some things it really does do well - others seem to be less obviously better, actually almost worst.

tbh - In track mode I think the better solution is to switch QS mode off and use the clutch lever. Even with COOBER. This may also apply to the AKRA tune.

Seems a bit lumpier in traffic etc with the COOBER in Sport Mode when the ambient temp is lowish. Needs a little more revving. Some odd thoughts I need to observe again before writing. But the ruddy weather is really starting to annoy me.

It’s cold in the uk at the moment but not bad enough to stop getting out, am I right in thinking you’re based in Spain, Madrid?

 

[barbagris]

It’s cold in the uk at the moment but not bad enough to stop getting out, am I right in thinking you’re based in Spain, Madrid?

Just west of Madrid . Had snow yesterday. And today it's been peeing down. We're at almost 800m up so it gets chilly. I'm older and I don't like it. My riding day is usually Thursday.

Worst has been very low cloud - basically like thick and COLD fog. Usually I would have been riding all December but it's been a bad year.

 

[J D]

I'm older and I don't like ii.

Two words: El Sur.. :grin:

 

[Exsportrider]

Glad to see it not just me !

Had exactly the same fault when I purchased my bike late last year .it too has an akrapovic/ slip on rear system but still with cat .

No fault when riding away from dealer BUT fault you complain of occured/developed after a few weeks of non . activity riding due to work commitments

When you went to accelerate from rest & move to upshift ,the engine it would act as though traction control had cut in .?

If you changed up through the gears with the quick shifter you could make progress / increase speed but it was not right .

Another symptom of it I can only describe as a very bad flat/spot on acceleration .changing mode to track etc had no improvement.


Obviously not happy & took back to dealer ...

They too contacted KTM & worked through the electronics package of engine / fueling .

The culprits they said were a complete rewrite of the engine map involving adjustment to the throttle position sensor & recalibration to the engine modes ..as stated mine has only a slip.on akrapovic with cat retained ,so should be ok on std map as only real gain is weight saving /looks over OE exhaust.

They had the bike over_night to confirm all was resolved .
Picked the bike up to test & found a real difference in what had been done .

Although wearing different boots I found that it was all too easy to fool the quick shifter into premature changing up / down .

So the dealer kindly adjusted the gear changer heigth which was not as simple as you might expect ! Both upward & downward changes have to be adjusted evenly to ensure the shifter responds correctly.

Since then no issues with the bike or its performance/ ,gear change quality .

Hope you get it sorted asap .

Must admit to feeling slightly disappointed at some of the issues my KTM 790 Duke has suffered with ..

Perhaps having had so many fault free years on Japanese superbikes has spoilt me ...?

 

[64793674]

So you fixed the problem by going back to the standard map?

What would the performance effect be of running standard map with a no-cat Akra system? Is it worth it to have a working QS?

 

[Stephano]

I have the Coober and my quick shift is absolutely smooth with no pause.
Prior to the 600 service the QS was very unrideable. The 600 service work the dealer did fixed it and all the other irritations. The bike runs smoothly and beautifully. Obviously most of the issues with the bike are software related.

 

[Stephano]

BTW the KTM tech at the dealer told me to bring the bike back in for a quick hook up to the KTM software as the QS can go out of “ sync” I’ve not had the problem but it is interesting that he’s mention that. I’ll add that I’ve had a variety of KTM techs. Some aren’t very knowledgeable on road bikes as the shops sell mostly dirt bikes. This shop sells lots of road bikes and the tech has been to every school has offered. Plus he’s thorough. A rarity these days.

 

[98741]

I had my KTM dealer install the Akrapovic Evolution full exhaust system on my 2020 790 Duke at the same time I had it in for its (first) 600-mile service. The dealer loaded the Akra engine map too. I left from the shop and immediately observed the quick upshifter wasn't working 'right.' While on throttle, the ignition is so delayed after upshift the front end dives and gives an abrupt lurch when power returns. Quick downshift stopped working altogether; soft downward pressure on the shifter does nothing. Should be noted it worked marvelously before this shop visit.

I returned to the shop right then. They called KTM and reported that the Akra map delays ignition "5-10 milliseconds" over stock map and there's nothing that can be done about it. No comment on losing downshift capabilities.

I'm beyond disappointed with this explanation and the result from installing an official KTM aftermarket part. The new pipe sounds amazing and it's got great power, but losing the quickshifter isn't an acceptable trade off.

Anyone else experienced this? Any suggestions for how to fix this?

I had the exact same problem after the Akra map was installed on my bike and despite the dealer trying multiple times to fix it including installing new sensors from a demo bike on the floor, i lost functionality of the quickshifter, even after the stock map was loaded back on. Result was a brand new motorcycle, because they wanted to pull the engine and split the casings to see if the internal QS sensor had failed.

 

[64793674]

I had the exact same problem after the Akra map was installed on my bike and despite the dealer trying multiple times to fix it including installing new sensors from a demo bike on the floor, i lost functionality of the quickshifter, even after the stock map was loaded back on. Result was a brand new motorcycle, because they wanted to pull the engine and split the casings to see if the internal QS sensor had failed.

Well, that's not really encouraging. How long did it take to convince KTM to replace the whole bike?? What was it that got them to agree to that?

 

[J D]

Well, that's not really encouraging. How long did it take to convince KTM to replace the whole bike?? What was it that got them to agree to that?

Lotsa variables have occurred for many people here with similar, but different issues, many handled differently. Until you know what the situation is, no need to get too excited. :nerd:

 

[barbagris]

Although wearing different boots I found that it was all too easy to fool the quick shifter into premature changing up / down .

Key here is understanding HOW the QS works.

If you are the sort of rider who places toe on/under lever and lightly eases into the lever to get rid of free play - Then this will backfire on you. The QS senses lever movement before you actually reach the point of actuator drum rotation and cuts ignition. If you are eased into the lever just a fraction too much - the ignition cut frees the actuator drum to flip with no resistance. That easy.

My other bikes have long slow gearboxes and this is my practice riding them - On the KTM you have to learn to ride the gearbox differently.

On the KTM you have to build some new muscle memory for shifting - swift single smooth circular motion - Toe in and under (or over) and lift (or push) - toe out. This alone will make a huge difference.

What has (I've mentioned often) is how much better this all is with a COOBER box in the system. Why? - no idea: but much of what the COOBER does is based on RPM and, from personal observation, the rate of change in RPM. My gut says it actually feeds different RPM data to the Bosch ECU than it detects. This can be seen in rev counter behavior. One day I may add a revcounter with direct feed from the coil feeds - and compare - but I've more important things to do first.

I have NOT ridden much in TRACK MODE - but ime the QS seems NOT to operate as well - maybe because of how TRACK mode delivers. I found it's way smoother to use the clutch in Track Mode. COOBER or NOT.

 

[64793674]

Dealer called this week and told me to bring the bike in because KTM has sent them a "new map." Could be big! Haven't read of any other KTM engine maps coming from the factory.