Published on November 17th, 2022 | by Joe
HMF Can-Am Renegade 1000R Titan QS Exhaust and Fuel Optimizer Test Review
HMF Can-Am Renegade 1000R Titan QS Exhaust and Fuel Optimizer Ratings
Summary: Choosing the Titan QS, we went with maximum power gains without much added sound output, which we feel good about. Although, our decision to use the less expensive and easier to install slip- on version could have left a little more horsepower on the table, we still enjoyed more power out of the Renegade 1000R, focused in the area of the power curve where the rider can best make use of it.
4
1 Year Test
Based on the number of comments on our 1000cc Can-Am ATV test videos, there are a number of you out there craving even more horsepower from your 1-liter Rotax engine. We won’t lie. We’re trying to be careful with the throttle on the 1000cc Can-Am’s at times. But we also understand that when you’re trying to win a drag race against some guy on a hopped-up sport quad or one of those lumbering caged vehicles, a little more horsepower never hurts. It’s also a benefit when ripping big mud tires.
Construction
The easiest way to access more horsepower is typically by installing a good aftermarket exhaust and fuel controller. We often chose the HMF Titan Quiet Series for our 4×4 ATV builds and testing because they work to maximize horsepower gains while maintaining sound output typically within 2 to 3db of stock. Keeping sound down keeps riding areas open and more welcoming to ATVs.
HMF’s Titan series exhausts are available in full systems from the header back, or as a slip-on system like the one we’ve been using. The Titan series is constructed of corrosion resistant stainless steel, utilizing a single 14” stainless steel silencer. The Titan’s silencer core and combination steel wool with a glass pillow wool packing greatly reduces the frequency at which the silencer needs repacking unless you frequently submerge it.
Definitive horsepower gains were hard to come by with HMF telling us that typical horsepower gains are in the 10-15% range depending on if you go with a slip-on or full exhaust. The Titan QS sacrifices a small amount of power for its quieter sound output.
HMF’s Titan exhausts are available in a stainless steel finish, or can be blacked out with a black ceramic finish that does well at resisting staining and discoloring. We’d strongly consider adding it, especially if we were going with a full system as it helps dissipate heat.
HMF’s freer flowing exhaust requires the addition of a piggyback fuel controller like the HMF Fuel Optimizer we installed, or the more powerful Dynojet Power Vision also available through HMF. Fuel Optimizer allows tuning of the air/fuel ratio, sufficient for most riders. The Power Vision allows you to flash the ECU controlling fuel, timing, rev limits, fan temperatures and much more.
For racers, or those operating on private land without neighbors near-by, you might want to look at HMF’s even freer flowing, stainless steel Titan XL exhaust. You can save a few extra pounds by going with their Performance series which is constructed of stainless steel with dual aluminum silencer bodies which can be powder-coated a number of colors to match your Renegade. It can also be ordered with a number of different end cap styles, and any part of it can be blacked out. For serious mudders, HMF also offers their swamp Series. It’s constructed of stainless steel and can be ordered with a quiet or loud core. What sets it apart from the Titan series is an included, removable snorkel.
The Test
The Renegade roars to life emitting a pleasant v-twin, four stroke sound that’s pleasing to a motor-head’s soul while remaining relatively easy on the ears of others. We found our machine running hot and backfiring occasionally with the Fuel Optimizers base settings. Working on its Modes 1, 2, and 3, (the solid green, yellow or red lights), we increased fuel delivery on Mode 1 from 1.5 to 4. Mode 2 went from 2 to 3, and we increased mode 3 from 0 to 1. The need for more fuel at lower RPMs was apparent. We felt the engine ran a bit better with the midrange and upper RPMs richened up a little as well. After a little tuning we were running smoothly up and down through the RPM range and our machine was running notably cooler than stock.
We saw in our Renegade 1000R vs Outlander 1000R shootout with both machines equipped with HMF Titan QS slip-on exhausts and Fuel Optimizers, that the Renegade enjoys a slight performance advantage over the Outlander because of its 100 lb lighter weight. Our shootout was also our first time riding with the HMF Titan QS on our Renegade.
The “seat of the pants” feel, low RPM power feels similar to stock. When the hard hitting Rotax V-twin and snappy clutching already have you carefully regulating the throttle at low speeds and RPMs, subtle differences in performance could be hard to pick up on. The gains were most noticeable in the midrange. As speeds begin to pick up and the front end settles, our riders noticed a bit more potency when they squeezed the throttle. Its beneficial when lightening the front end for bumps in the trail at speed, accelerating out of corners, pulling long hills, or when putting other big bore machines in their place. Any gains in top-end power felt less pronounced, although it was every bit as impressive as stock. Running a full Titan QS or switching over to a Performance or Titan XL could yield more noticeable gains on top.
Compared to the heavier Outlander 1000R, the lighter, stiffer suspended Renegade is a bit of a wilder ride. The addition of more power and a sweeter sounding exhaust tone adds to the Renegade’s racy appeal.
Conclusion
“A bit more too much”. “A little more over the top”. “More excessive”. You could describe it a lot of ways but we made more power that we could feel by adding the HMF Titan QS exhaust and Fuel Optimizer. Our Renegade ran cooler which should help the engine last longer.
Choosing the Titan QS, we went with maximum power gains without much added sound output, which we feel good about. Although, our decision to use the less expensive and easier to install slip- on version could have left a little more horsepower on the table, we still enjoyed more power out of the Renegade 1000R, focused in the area of the power curve where the rider can best make use of it.
With only complements on the deep throaty sound of the Titan QS exhaust, you’ll at least retain the appearance of sensibility as you make your Rotax even more insanely fun to ride.
For more information on HMF exhausts and Fuel Optimizers log on to HMFracing.com
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