Project Honda CRF450 - FMF Titanium 4 Exhaust System - Testing - - Dirtbike at Off-Road.com
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Project Honda CRF450 - FMF Titanium 4 Exhaust System - Testing
Publish date: Apr 1, 2002
By:  ORC STAFF
Source: Dirtbike at Off-Road.com
 Time to Test
All the technical talk is great, but none of it can be considered valid if the claims don't produce results. Tested was the Titanium 4 muffler with the titanium mid-pipe and a stainless steel Powerbomb™ header.
The Powerbomb™ header contains a pre-muffler as shown in the above photo. This device assists in cooling exhaust temps, which results in a higher power output.
The first session was at a local MX track just north of Vegas as the stock system was swapped numerous times with the FMF Titanium 4 system. The first noticeable aspect was the inevitable louder exhaust note. But again, if you are concerned about a loud exhaust, go with the more quiet 17" muffler. Jetting was left stock, as suggested by the technical staff at FMF.Increased mid-range was apparent as I hit the first 4 foot sand berm. The bike stayed in peak power easier with a light stab of the clutch while exiting the corner. A long, whooped sand hill awaited a few turns later where with the stock exhaust the bike didn't quite reach enough RPMs to easily reach the top. After a few laps with the stock system, we bolted on the FMF exhaust. That same sand hill was attacked again, only this time the whoops were a little deeper and the sand felt bottomless. Don't get me wrong, in stock form the Honda has incredible power, but the FMF system allows the CRF to rev out higher in it's potential range. The higher content of top end made itself quite noticeable due to the allowance of over rev. The bike pulled harder while easily keeping the front wheel up and over the whoops.
Although nearly the same physical size, the FMF Titanium 4 muffler is almost 50% lighter, and with the size and weight of the large 4-stroke mufflers, this is a considerable gain.
As you can see from the chart below, the FMF setup fills in a large dip in power from the stock exhaust. The Flying Machine Factory system instills a greater confidence to hit techical second and third gear jumps where that rise in power can be capitalized upon. Much of the above applies to off-road. The off-road application typically demands usable mid-range, and great low-end. Low-end power really is not adversely affected, but as mentioned above, the FMF system is beneficial for GP style off-road courses. Fit and finish is always important, and the FMF setup brings in a top rating in that department. As you can see in the photo the exhaust kit comes with excellent quality hardware to complete the job. The muffler even comes with a reducer sleeve to allow use of the stock header, if that route better fits your budget. The only negative we saw when installing the system is the method in which the muffler is mounted; the muffler clamp floats on two o-rings. It is not impossible, but the installation of the muffler takes some patience to get everything to line up right (the o-rings, clamp, and the aluminum spacer which goes between the sub-frame and the clamp. Be sure to view the next page to see the photo-illustrated how-to installation).The ORC 450 has seen more MX than off-road so far, but the intention is to prep the bike equally for both disciplines. Many people buy a bike to do just as we are; race off-road, race motocross, and ride for fun anywhere. Motorcycles are a relatively large investment, requiring the addition of bolt-on products to be choosen wisely. At the same time, after spending six to seven thousand dollars on a dirt bike, one may as well get the most out of the bike as possible. The new FMF Titanium 4 exhaust, with the Powerbomb™ header will allow you to have that extra edge of more useable mid-range and top end power than the stock system. Can you get by without the FMF exhaust? Yes of course, but the difference is significant enough to easily justify the purchase.
Page OnePage Two - TestingPage Three -The Installation

Hear the Difference!
(click on the links below to download audio files of the stock exhaust and the FMF system)
VideoFMF Titanium 4Stock
Audio OnlyFMF - mp3 - .wmaStock - mp3 - .wma

FMF= Blue Stock =Red

FMF Exhaust System:
Prices as tested:
Titanium 4 Muffler (14")- $199.99
Titanium Mid Pipe**- $174.99
Stainless Steel Powerbomb Header**- $174.99
Titanium 4 Spark Arrestor End Cap- $49.99
**Also Available in the following:
Stainless Steel Midpipe- $74.99
Titanium Powerbomb Header- $274.99
HoleshotEndo
  • More Power!
  • Titanium = strength
  • Nearly 50% lighter than the stock system
  • Interchangable end caps (including a spark arrestor)
  • Modular system - the mid-pipe and header are available in either titanium, or the more affordable stainless steel.
  • Good fitment of all pieces
  • The muffler can be used with the stock header, by using the supplied sleeve.
  • High quality hardware and components supplied
  • The mounting system of the muffler was the only major downfall of the system. Two o-rings must be carefully placed on the muffler as shown in this photo while placing the clamp and the required spacer in the correct position. The process is not difficult, just time consuming and relatively tedious.
  • Louder exhaust note (but if it really matters, a quieter 17" muffler is available).

Rating System
1 = poor / 10 = excellent
Contact: (310) 631-4363
www.fmfracing.com

If you have any questions, opinions or comments, let us know! Kevin Gorzny
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Source: Dirtbike at Off-Road.com, 4/1/2002
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