SEARCHING
FOR THE ULTIMATE
2013 YZ250
EXHAUST
PIPE
WE TEST FIVE YZ250 PIPES, AND
YOU ALREADY OWN ONE OF THEM There is a caveat to every exhaust pipe test: Don’t be too enamored with big dyno numbers. The dyno is just a tool that allows us to gauge the shape of the curve and see some comparative figures, but it does not go to the starting line with us. What really counts isn’t which pipe makes the biggest numbers, but which pipe has the most usable power, quickest rev, most throttle response and best power curve. Plus, during testing, we discovered that riders of different skill levels preferred different types of powerbands. The favorite pipe of the Pro test riders wasn’t always the first choice of the Novices, while the Intermediates always seemed to seek the middle ground. You have to have an inner dialogue with yourself about what you really want from a pipe. 8 IMPORTANT TEST FACTS (1) We tested the exhaust pipes as they were sent to us, and we asked each company to send us the pipe they wanted us to test. This require- ment didn’t matter with the stock, DR.D or Scalvini pipes, since they only have one pipe, but Pro Circuit and FMF offer several different models. We were sent the FMF Fatty pipe and the Pro Circuit Works pipe. ( 2) We ran each exhaust pipe with its companion silencer (and did not run the aftermarket pipes with the stock YZ250 silencer). ( 3) The supplied silencers varied in length—from 12 inches (FMF and Pro Circuit) to 14. 75 inches (DR.D) to 15.5-inches (Scalvini) to 19 inches stock (YZ250). ( 4) We sound tested every pipe combo, but since every one easily passed the AMA Amateur 94 dB and AMA Pro 115 dB tests, we didn’t waste time reporting the results. The two smallest silencers were the loudest, but both FMF and Pro Circuit offer longer and quieter silencers for offroad riding. ( 5) We dynoed each pipe on the same dyno at the same temperature on a brand-new 2013 Yamaha YZ250 (with less than an hour of time on the engine) and within a three-hour time window to ensure accuracy. We ran 91-octane pump gas and Yamalube R premix. ( 6) We raced the bike with numerous test riders over the course of two months, but for the final round-robin showdown, we used four test riders—a Pro, a Vet Pro, an Intermediate and a Novice. ( 7) We never let the test riders talk to each other during test sessions. ( 8) These are our results. The best 2013 Yamaha YZ250 pipe for you is in here—find it.
