After using the Barrel Rogue 2.0 exhaust on my KTM Duke 390 Gen 3 for three months, I can confidently say that it’s a great upgrade for those who love an aggressive exhaust note.
With the DB killer installed, the sound is subtle and refined, making it suitable for city riding. However, removing the DB killer transforms the sound completely, giving the bike a deep and loud exhaust note that turns heads on the road.
Cold Start Issues & ECU Tuning Requirement
One thing I noticed after removing the DB killer is that my bike struggles to idle on a cold start. It won’t hold an idle and shuts off unless I give it some throttle. Once the coolant temperature reaches 70°C, the bike stabilizes, and everything runs smoothly.
This issue arises because the engine needs an ECU tune when running the exhaust without a DB killer. Without proper tuning, the air-fuel mixture is unbalanced, causing unstable idling.
Paired Mods – FuelX Pro+ & BMC Air Filter
To maximize the performance of my Barrel Rogue 2.0 exhaust, I paired it with:
- FuelX Pro+ – Helps smoothen throttle response and improve rideability.
- BMC Air Filter – Increases airflow for better engine efficiency.
With this combination, my bike feels incredibly smooth, and throttle response has improved significantly.
The Ultimate Sound Experience – Quick Shifter Pops & Aggression
One of the best things about this exhaust is the sound it makes when shifting gears using the quick shifter.
- On highways, when using the quick shifter, the exhaust makes a pat-pat sound while changing gears, which is super satisfying.
- Without the DB killer, the bike feels aggressive, and the sound makes you want to rev more.
- With the DB killer, the ride is smooth and refined, ideal for daily commuting.
To hear how the Barrel Rogue 2.0 exhaust sounds, check out this exhaust note video.
Affordability & Pricing
Compared to other premium exhaust systems, the Barrel Rogue 2.0 is relatively affordable. Here’s a breakdown of costs:
- Barrel Rogue 2.0 Exhaust – ₹20,000
- FuelX Pro+ – ₹11,000
- BMC Air Filter – ₹7,000
This entire upgrade setup costs around ₹38,000, which is reasonable considering the performance gains.
Impact on Mileage
With the Barrel exhaust and FuelX Pro+, my bike’s mileage has dropped slightly:
- Before mods:
- Highway: 25+ km/l
- City: 20-22 km/l
- After mods:
- Highway: 22-24 km/l
- City: 18-20 km/l
- Aggressive riding: 15 km/l
While the mileage has decreased, the overall ride quality and performance improvement make it worth it.
Final Verdict – Is Barrel Rogue 2.0 Worth It?
If you want a deep, loud, and aggressive exhaust note for your KTM Duke 390, then the Barrel Rogue 2.0 is an excellent choice.
✅ Pros:
✔ Loud and aggressive sound (without DB killer)
✔ Affordable compared to other exhausts
✔ Pops and crackles with quick shifter
✔ Smooth ride when paired with FuelX Pro+ & BMC air filter
❌ Cons:
✖ Cold start issues without DB killer
✖ ECU tuning required for optimal performance
If you love revving hard and getting an aggressive exhaust note, this mod is for you!
