Well it been two weeks now that I have been able to really test it so it about time I give it a little review.
The Install
I opened the box on christmas and started the installation process. I took the stock pipe off easily and unbolted the stock silencer. Everything on the ESR pipe lined up right. I put the head piece on first then the expansion chamber and finally the silence. I had to wiggle and twist everything around until I had a small gap about 1 1/2 from the front motor mount. Using the one of your old exhuast hanger you fasten it to the motor mount using a spacer provided with the pipe. It was simple enough to figure out but I wish it would have come with instructions. Once installed the pipe fit perfectly, it didn't touch the brake line of any part of the frame.
The Sound
I gave her a kick to hear what she sounded like, she came to life on the second kick. The note was slightly louder than the stock exhaust which was amazing considering the size of the silencer. I would discribe the tone as deeper and more abrupt than the stock silencer. Some people sayed they thought it sounded like a Banshee with pipes.
The Ride
On the initial ride I took it out to a flat field and ran the R up and down to get a plug reading. After several runs I was confident the jetting was right, I was running it a little rich before but now it was right on. Then I gave it a top end test. The previous week using my Trail Tech speedometer I was able to get 65.1 mph running MX gearing 14/39 running 18" fasttrekkers that actually measure 17.4 inches. This time I was able to get up to 66.7. not a big improvement but keep in mind this is a low-mid range pipe. I was happy with the new found wheelies in every gear and strong 3rd gear takeoffs but the pipe would sign off quickly.
The next week I took it out for a spin not sure if I had made the right choice of pipe, I wondered if I should have gotten the trx-5 because i hear so much about it. I took my wife out to an area that has some hills and sand to really put it to the test. This time I had the right gearing 15/38. All I could say was WOW! The low to mid was mindblowing. I was able to ride up a 30-35 degree incline with the wife riding in the back just off idle, this was impossible before even with MX gearing. I would have had to rev it high, dump the clutch and hold on. Not any more. Out in the sand the responsiveness and power was amazing. I was playing in this sand pit where I would stall the bike every now and then with the stock pipe and the FMF gold series I used to have. With the trx-6 with was almost impossible to stall. Just give it the slightest gas and let out the clutch. The takeoffs where much stronger too, asphalt burnouts and doughnut are second nature now where before I would have to set up for them. The new gearing had made the powerband extremely wide, there was power everywhere. I ran it on a small makeshift track and found the bike to be more forgiving, I could power out of corners even if i was one gear high without slipping the clutch, almost 4stroke like. Finally I took it for a top speed run again using the trail tech speedo, the top speed was 72.4!!! In real life the top speed is probably higher but due to tire stretch the speedo will not pick it up,I just use it (trail tech)as a reference.
Final Impression
ESR really did their homework on this one. I can't imagine a better pipe for trick and mx riding. If you are looking for top speed the trx-5 might work out better for you but if you like to throw dirt around and ride wheelies on your 250r this is the pipe to get. I had contacted ESR about returning the trx-6 pipe and getting the trx-5, they said it was no problem, just send it back and they would send me the trx-5. But after putting some riding time on the trx-6 I wouldn't trade it for anything.
cool...I really like my TRX5...I trail ride with it all the time. Sounds like the 6 is the opposite of the 5..the 5 has good low, and sweet mid/top, and the 6 has sweet low/mid, and good top.
trx250Rob, congradulations. I will be purchasing a new pipe just as soon as I can, and was planning on going with ESR. Your report just made the decision VERY simple for me. Thanks again,
Dill,
Could you do a report on the TRX 5 like TRX250ROb did on the the TRX 6? That would great help me out. I"ve got a 250R and need a pipe, and know i'm going ESR, but i'm not sure which one. Thanks
I remember hearing of an ESR adjustable exhaust flange or something, maybe it was just a longer one. Anyways, buy changing the length of the flange you can slightly change the powerband of the pipe.
So with the flange being longer and the TRX5 pipe, you could gain bottom end or something. It's like having 2 pipes?
ERIC
