Just installed these pipes, and boy I have to say I am impressed!! There has easily been a 10% gain in power for both bikes. Both are bone stock, except the Rancher has 26" Blackwater tires (2" taller than stock, so it effectively raised the gearing). I decided on 6 disks to favor low end over high (they send you 11 with the pipe), and didn't install the Quiet Core. Sorry, I had the dealer do the install, and I didn't get a chance to ask about jetting changes.

This mod really perked up the little Recon! I would say the power increase puts it up with the 250EX. It actually gained some high end even though I was tuning more for low end. The Rancher changes weren't quite as dramatic, but it does a nice little wheelie when you punch it in 1st or 2nd gear (anything helps when you are running those big tires). Anyway, I would highly recommend this modification to anyone, and with some other mods (like a K&N air filter) you should really be able to perk these bikes up!!

 

Glad to hear it went well! I put mine on this weekend, then started with the jetting excercise.
For 6800 ft:
1st pass: dynojet 116 main, and needle on 2nd slot. This is the recommended setup for over 6000 ft. It ran OK, but crapped out a full-throttle, max rpm. Popped alot on deceleration; even after trying to richen up the idle mixture.
2nd pass: dynojet 118 main, and needle on the 3rd slot (higher). Runs much better with fairly stronger pull through the mid-range. I got it to sputter slightly, just occasionally, at full throttle, but since I ride at a higher altitude (8-10k), decided to leave it there. I still have some popping on deceleration to work out.

On the megamax muffler, I started with all discs installed and no silencer (it was missing). I should be able to add the silencer and remove a few discs to fine tune it for this altitude. You mentioned that you only had 6 discs in; better for low end. Is the logic that with increased back pressure, what you lose in the high end is somewhat made up for in the low end?

Thanks!

Mark

 

I guess running fewer disks acts kind of like a torque stuffer and the increased back pressure favors low end power, but at the expense of high end (the Recon actually gained some high end and tons of low end). Utility's have more low end type applications, so I went with that. With 11 disks the thing was wickedly loud, and I really didn't want to run the quiet core. The mechanic suggests starting with 8, then going up or down from there and see how you like it.

 

How long did it take to install the pipe on the Rancher? Who did you order the pipe from?

 

I just didn't have time to do the installation myself, so I had the dealer do it. They charged me 1 hr. labor for installation and rejetting. The pipe is a pretty simple slip on. I ordered direct form FMF.

 

YZGuy,
If you don't mind, and get a chance, would you do me a favor. Look at the connection between your new exhaust and the old. The instructions say to use the exising OEM hardware (clamp with two bolts), but on my rancher, it would not clamp down tight enough to compress it. I had to find/install a 1-3/8" ID / 1-1/2" OD sleeve to install in between. I'm still not sure if it is tight enough and sealed. What does yours have sealing up this connection.

Thanks in Advance,

Mark