just wondering if anyone has had a chance to visit any of the OHV parks in CA, and if they were sound tested. if so, did you pass? what were you running? thanks.

Tested my '03 CRF450 in Hollister a couple of times:
97.5dBA stock muffler with PMB endcap
96dBA 10 minutes later after adding Silent Insert
94.5dBA same setup but 2 months later

Tested my XR250 with XRsOnly pipe at Metcalf last week:
106dBA -- yikes!

The problem with the XRsOnly pipe is that it has side-facing exhaust exit baffles (the kind that go all the way around the pipe), and this is bad news since the test procedure has the sound meter sitting out at a 45 degree angle pointed at the pipe. The XRsOnly exhaust setup is exactly what you don't want to do for a pipe design, given this new test procedure. As the ranger said, look for an endcap that is aimed back and down in order to aim the noise away from the meter. I've started looking at the XR TT forums for ideas on different endcaps -- guess I need to call XRsOnly to see if they make one.

I think that most CRF450 riders who stay with the stock muffler and use the PMB endcap and Silent Insert are making 96dBA or better. It would be cool if there were some perfomance pipes that would make it too, though. I think I've seen some mentioned in other threads -- maybe try a search on 96dB and performance or something. Good luck, Mike.

thanks for the info. Mike. actually, Bob at Thunder Alley is working on it as we speak. i just got off the phone with him, and he's still testing different setups with different bikes. he'll get it dialed in though. the bad thing is that these park 'tests' could be different each time. it's quite subjective and inconsistent from what i hear. they hang a meter on your radiator that detects vibration and thereby determine RPM's? sounds like a bad design. anyway, when you mentioned certain style pipes, were you talking about the kind like the old supertrap design? with the disc system?

The ProMoto Billet end cap with silent insert will pass, and so will the FMF Q. However, from what I have heard from several people using the "Q" on their CRF, it's worthless. It passes the sound tests, but robs power. I'd stick with the stock set up with PMB S/A and silent insert for off road riding. I have heard that the Big Gun Quiet Series pipes pass, but have not witnessed it firsthand. Someone also said that the Yosh Comp system passes with the smallest TEC insert being used. I kinda find that hard to believe, due to that fact that the Yosh. system is LOUD. If we give it a few more months, I bet there will be several pipes to choose from that will pass the sound tests.

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Yeah, the Supertrap with discs. I have about 10-12 discs in mine, but even taking some out won't help much with the present test procedure. Have you seen anybody change the discs to a regular endcap before?

BTW, the rangers at Metcalf use a pretty modern electronic RPM meter. They showed me one of the resonant wire things and said I could get them at hardware stores, but they weren't accurate enough for their measurements. The spec is 4500RPM for the CRF450, and 4000RPM for the '01 XR250.

I've heard that currently, only 2 mufflers pass the sound test at Hollister. The FMF Q and the Big Gun Quiet. I have a Big Gun Race which improved power everywhere. The Quiet baffle bolts right in. I'll report back as soon as I get a chance to ride it. I'm hoping it just loses a little top end but maintains all the ridability because it's running sweet right now.

My '02 with an FMF Ti4, spark arrester end cap, and quite core insert tested at 94db. The test was performed by COHVCO on the RM300 ride in Colorado. I've only ridden my '03 once since I moved back to SoCal and that was on private property so it's still stock. I'll be installing the FMF setup next week.

Kevin
motorep146@msn.com

Kevin,

Did you ride the '02 without the quiet core? Did the quiet core reduce power or change the power band/ridability?

This whole decibal thing is freakin stupid! First it was the two-smokes so everyone went thumper. Now they are after the thumpers. Just like the Ca smog law, they will lower the decibal rating every year or so until thumpers are useless. I will take the fine, screw'em!

JUST GOT MY PMB ARRESTOR AND SILENCER, I CAN RIDE IN A LITTLE SPOT TWO MILES FROM HOME WITHOUT ANYONE THROWING ROCKS AT ME AS I RIDE BY. DID NOT NOTICE ANY REDUCTION OF LOW END OR MID, THE THING IS STILL A ROCKET, JUST A LITTLE STEALTHY NOW. TRIED A FRIENDS SUPER TRAP, HEATED UP MY FENDER AND TOOK IT OFF. THE PMB IS THE BEST ALTERNATIVE RIGHT NOW BUT LIKE SOMEONE ELSE SAID GIVE A COUPLE OF MONTHS AND THEYLL HAVE SOMETHING BETTER.

i'm not sure it's a matter of fines anymore. supposedly, they'll be testing when you enter the park. if it doesn't pass, you don't ride. you get a sticker, and i think it's good for that day/visit only.

Wonderfull, so if I want to ride fire trails, or OHV park (where sound shouldnt matter anyways) and lucky enough to find a red sticker area like Stonyford, I still cant ride because my pipe is too loud! Those Militia's are looking better and better all the time. 9 more years to retirement and its "adios California" and all its liberal daisey sniffing tree huggers!

just put on a FMF Q with a powerbomb header and you will pass the test

How's the power with the FMF Q vs. stock? Did you lose any with the Q?

Actually, the only time I rode with it was in Colorado. At 8000 plus in elevation the bike would be lacking some power no matter what. That said, it was still plenty fast and didn't feel like I lost too much overall. Once I got back to SC and ran it with just the spark arrester it picked up quite a bit in lowend punch. I was able to ride a gear higher than with the stock pipe. Overall I was quite impressed with the output. That's why I'm going to use it again on my '03. The '03 already runs like the piped '02 so it should be even better with the Ti4.

Kevin
motorep146@msn.com