SEPTEMBER 20, 2005
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Racer X Canada's head test pilot and all-around good guy, Rob McCullough, lined up a group of test riders to perform the first product test. |
Review by Rob McCullough
Photos: George Constantine
The Weapon: 2005 Suzuki RM-Z450
The Victim: Pro Circuit Ti-4 Exhaust
CDN$ Price: Silencer $728.95, Header $400.95
Manufacturer: Pro Circuit www.procircuit.com, 951-738-8050
Canadian Distributor(s):
Six Six One Racing Canada: 604 278-5775
Parts Canada: 403 250-6611
The Unusual Suspects, riding abilities and current rides:
Jay Burke, National number 22 [Honda CRF 250 & 450]
Ashley Adams, Intermediate [Yamaha YZ 250F]
Steve Boyd, Intermediate [Suzuki RM-Z450]
Rob McCullough, Vet Master/Pro [Suzuki RM250 & RM-Z450].
Weather:
25C Sunny
Location:
Private test facility.
Fit & Finish:
Upon receiving the system, it was immediately obvious that Pro Circuit has perfected their quality control as the entire system was a thing of beauty. The welds were perfect and the mounting brackets/flange allowed the pipe to fit better than the stock Suzuki exhaust. In addition, our crude RXC scales indicate a weight savings of almost one kilogram (approximately two pounds). Most of the weight savings is in the can/silencer, thereby lowering the overall center of gravity of the motorcycle.
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The Pro Circuit Ti-4 system has that factory look and and bolts onto the 2005 RM-Z450 easier than the stock system. |
Track Tested:
The first tester to ride the RMZ was Jay and after spinning a few laps, he pulled into the pits to add his input. Unfortunately for us, Jay started complaining about the handling and soft suspension and had forgotten what he was actually supposed to be doing—testing the pipe! Once we got Jay back on the program, he rode some more and focused on the task at hand.
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Boyd rips it up on the 450 (once he finally got it started). |
Next to ride was Ashley, who has spent very little time riding 450s, but you would never know it by the way he stomps on the shifter and races through the pits… Finally Steve took to the track but his ride was delayed only because he couldn’t start the bike, even though he has owned one since January. You know the rule: If you can’t start it, you can’t ride it!
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Rob already has quite a few hours on our trick new graphics from Factory Effex! |
What the riders said:
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Jason Burke: “Extremely smooth power delivery with tons of over rev. The Pro Circuit system adds significantly more power throughout the range, allowing me to ride a gear higher in most corners.” |
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Ashley Adams: “Who took the sock out of the pipe? This is a lot better, it suits me more.” When pressed for additional information he succumbed to the intense pressure and wanted to wait to hear what Steve had to say... |
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Steve Boyd: “I felt the Pro Circuit pipe created an almost two-stroke-like powerband without the hit. It feels as though the bike revs much quicker and I was both surprised and impressed with the difference the header makes, as I have only the can [silencer] on my bike.” |
Rob's Summary:
If we used a rating system, the Pro Circuit Ti-4 exhaust would receive a nearly perfect score for performance. The beauty of this pipe is that it has no downside and it doesn’t change any of the bike’s already appealing characteristics. The pipe helps to enhance what is already a great motorcycle by adding power everywhere within its range. For perspective, Ewald (the track owner) recently added a 100-foot step down to his facility and if you don't clear the jump, you are met with an an unpleasant impact. With my average cornering ability, I had no chance of clearing the jump with the stock setup. Once the Pro Circuit system was installed, I was able—assuming I didn’t butcher the corner—to clear the obstacle consistently, thus proving our thoughts with respect to power gains and usability. The price is steep but average for a titanium system and it has proven to be very durable over the past month. In addition, the header is tucked in nicely around the engine which reduces the risk of dents and crash related damage to the titanium header.
Having personally tested and raced this system for the past month and then riding with the stock pipe again, I was surprised how sluggish the bike felt in comparison when the stock system was installed. This pipe is a winner in every way and we at RXC highly recommend it. By the way Ashley, I think I found your sock!
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McCullough says the Pro Circuit system helped him to clear a 100 foot step-down, that he couldn't conquer with the stock pipe. Kids these days, eh? They just want to learn how to do the jumps and forget that races are won in the corners. |
Special thanks: Ewald & Helga Rothmaier, Travis Wicks and Pro Circuit and our guest photographer George Constantine.
