Written by: Randy White - randy@offroadviking.com

This month’s product highlight is from a company that everyone in the off road game has heard of, FMF Racing!

FMF PowerCore2 Silencer

If you ride anything in the dirt and you haven’t heard of FMF then you must be living under that rock that the rest of us have been riding across. FMF Racing was started in 1973 by Don Emler and for nearly 40 years has been an industry leader in motorcycle and ATV exhaust systems.

I had the pleasure of testing their “Fatty” pipe and Power Core 2 silencer on my 2009 YZ 250 2 stroke. I have purchased new bikes in the past and right away put on the complete FMF exhaust system without ever really riding the bike with the stock exhaust. With this particular test I had actually been running the stock exhaust for quite some time before replacing it with the FMF system. All I can say is WOW what a difference. Having ridden and raced the bike with the stock system for so long I had gotten a good feel for how the bike reacted in many different situations. The first ride with the new exhaust was surprising to say the least!

The first thing you immediately notice is the different sound, more clean and crisp, even a bit quieter which is good for the neighbors of our riding areas. So after a little warm up period, I was ready to see what this baby felt like. I literally ran out of real estate on the trail before my bike would quit pulling! I went to a section with a long wide uphill so I could see what the full range of the throttle felt like. Very good response on the takeoff, smooth power flow through the mid-section, and a blast of torque any time I wanted to “twist her on”. Again the only thing that stopped the top end pull the bars out of your hands power was me getting scared of not being able to stop before the upcoming barbed wire fence. Guess my next product highlight needs to be on some better brakes! So the next section I wanted to try was one of those bark buster to trees tight woods trails where you’re on and off the gas and need good, never falling on your face throttle response. FLAWLESS! I know you can imagine it, burp, burp, burp, BRAP!....... burp, burp, burp, BRAAAAAPP!! (please excuse my sound effects, couldn’t resist). Now out to the motocross track. Again, really great pull through the corners, quick response on those too close to the corner not enough run at it hope I can clear this doubles. Overall better throttle feel on everything that I could find.

The tested YZ 250 Before and After the Install

Granted, the ole YZ was pretty strong before the exhaust change but the FMF system gave a “tuned to perfection” feel to the throttle. FMF’s website has a great Jetting Center section which will get you close to the right settings but a lot depends on your personal riding style/ability and the type of riding that you do, whether motocross or woods racing or just trail riding, you will get a broader more useable power feel. Guess that’s why they advertise “FEEL THE POWER”.

Absolutely no complaints on this whole experience with the FMF exhaust system. Very easy installation, perfect fit with no tweaking, cleaner look to the bike, better throttle response, smooth power delivery, a must have for your machine as far as this rider is concerned. (And, believe me; this rider needs all the help he can get)

The crew at FMF was nice enough to send some other products for us to highlight and you will be seeing them in future articles, so be sure and check back to www.offroadviking.com often to see what is coming next!

Also, head over to www.fmfracing.com to check out their full range of products for your machine!

FMF Fatty Pipe

Thanks to everyone at “Uncle Donnie’s Flying Machine Factory” for everything that they do to support our sport! Now I’m gonna close with a quote directly from their website:

 

Over the decades, we’ve seen an amazing transformation in the world of motorcycles and ATVs. The progression of the technology is one of the challenges that keeps us going. FMF was there in the days when the singleshock and watercooled engines were huge innovations and we’re glad to be here now for the aluminum chassis and electronic fuel injection. Our goal will never change - take the most advanced machinery to its limit by building the world’s best performing exhausts. And its a fact, we build every exhaust by hand from start to finish right here in the U.S.

At the end of the day, there is always one major force keeping us motivated–throwing a leg over the bike and heading for the trails or the track. The biggest reward for us is knowing we’re helping our customers get the most out of their riding experience. We still ride every chance we get so we never forget why we got into this business in the first place.

Especially that part about made by hand right here in the U.S.A!!! I say you can’t beat a product from a company whose workers and designers are riders too! Keep up the good work guys!

Until next time!

Randy

 

 

Have a product that you would like to see featured in our monthly product highlight?

E-mail me at: randy@offroadviking.com

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