I took my spark arrestor and tip off today for a 25 second idle to see what it sounds like and it sounds amazing. I dont ride on state parks really anymore so the spark arrestor isnt needed for me. Just wondering if it will burn up a valve or blow up by not having the tip in and flowing too much? It sounds so good and suzuki should make them sound like it does normally. Also, my pipe was HEAVILY sooted, meaning its running overly rich. So by running without the tip im thinking it should equal out. I have like 130 miles on this quad, as my outlander 800 has 150 miles and this sees a little less use. So it probably has been running real rich since new. Just wondering on anyones educated or uneducated opinions/experiences/blow ups

 

its not likely running rich unless you at or above 4000 ft. if you remove the cap and the air box lid you will want to rejet to a 142.5

 

It runs rich, I can smell fuel when I have someone else ride it and they go by me. The dealer says its within specs, so I let it go. I did ride it for about 15 minutes with lid on and tip off. It started steaming right when I got home, and noticed a hole in the radiator. It broke a cooling tube off 1/4 inch long and seperated from the radiator ends. I dont know if it busted from overheating (which it never did before) or If something flew into it. It looks like a small pebble hit it and pushed it up seperating it, but im not really sure. I was pissed when I saw how much radiators are, so hopefully I can get it replaced, but I dont really think its fixable because of where it is and what it did to it.

 

You might be able to get it repaired at a radiator shop. Replacement is done usually when it is crushed or smashed from crash. Of course I cant see it so we cant really tell what your talking about.

 

if you think its running rich remove the air box lid ,in short order you'll know . it will either run better if its rich or it will falter if its lean

 

The real questions here are...

1 - Will it hurt anything?
2 - Does it really gain any performance?
3 - Does it really sound good or is it thumping loud?... that can be heard for miles?


Myself... I have problems with stuff being all corked up when there is no need for it.


But I also have mixed thoughts on noise and spark arrestors.
A loud pipe may sound better to some... but for the sport and for open riding places... it's just noise.
I don't like spark arrestors for obvious reasons... but I have seen forest fires started from things without them.

 

My two cents.... Spark arrestors are required on all public lands, not just state parks. Private land owners may also require riders to have them. And just one small word of warning - if your bike starts a fire... quess who gets sued for damages...

You'd be better served by buying an aftermarket exhaust w/spark arrestor. Other's opinions may vary.....