MXA TEAM TESTED: FMF CRF250 SINGLE-SIDED EXHAUST

WHAT IS IT? The FMF Factory 4.1 RCT anodized full system is FMF’s top-of-the-line single-sided CRF250 exhaust.

WHAT’S IT COST? $949.99 (Ti exhaust), $699.99 (stainless/aluminum exhaust), $599.99 (Ti slip-on).

CONTACT? www.fmfracing.com or (310) 631-4363.

WHAT STANDS OUT? Here’s a list of things that stand out with the FMF Factory 4.1 RCT anodized single exhaust.

(1) Dual exhaust. For 2014, Honda made the decision to equip the CRF450 and CRF250 with dual exhausts. They did this to improve mass centralization. Dual exhausts add weight, are more complex, cost more to maintain, make the bike wider and are more prone to damage. Aftermarket companies, like FMF Racing, understand the downsides of the dual design. MXA test riders preferred the increased performance, lower cost and weight reduction of single-sided CRF exhausts.

(2) Installation. The singled-sided FMF system aligns perfectly and requires less hardware than the stocker. Just remember to have every fastener started before tightening down the exhaust. Failing to do so will bind up the installation process.

(3) UFO side panel. FMF includes a low-profile, left-side UFO number plate with each singled-sided CRF exhaust. It eliminates the now unnecessary bulge where the extra muffler used to be. The FMF system comes with a quiet insert. It’s not advantageous for serious racing, but it’s handy for trail riding and in noise-ordinance areas.

(4) Performance. The stock 2014 CRF250 powerband is not a rocket ship. We will politely state that it is smooth and manageable. Translation? Slow. Fortunately, the FMF Factory 4.1 RCT single-sided exhaust delivered vastly improved mid- to top-end power. Perhaps you’ll recall that MXA tested the FMF dual exhaust in the April 2014 issue. The dual was an improvement over the stocker, but the single-sided FMF pipe is far and away better. The Factory 4.1 RCT single made a significant increase everywhere in the power range.

(5) Weight. The titanium FMF RCT single weighed 5.8 pounds. That is over 2 pounds lighter than the FMF dual pipe and 4 pounds lighter than the stocker.

WHAT’S THE SQUAWK? No complaints.