Initial Impression: FMF Shorty

[Aus_Rider_22]

Hey guys.

This is just my first impression after one ride, with my new FMF Shorty Silencer. A full review will be instore for you to review soon, as Iam in the process of purchasing a Fatty pipe.

FITMENT:
The silencer bolted up pretty well with my stock pipe.
I had to install black rubber piece and metal collar from old stock silencer into new one, but this was a normal thing to do and I hadn't planned on it. Rating: 9/10

PERFORMANCE:
Throttle response is improved. Instantaneously after rolling throttle open the bike revs and begin to make it's power.
It's funny. I wouldn't say there is more power with the silencer. But it certainly hits harder and surprisingly, revs out a bit further. The engine keeps making power where it usually signs off. This is great and something I did not really expect from the Shorty.
Overall the throttle response is crisper, has a stronger surging hit in the mid-range and revs out a bit further than stock silencer.
The main thing I noticed was the stronger midrange. The bike pulls harder in the mid than before! Rating 9/10

BLING FACTOR:
Ok, I know this doesn't really matter really, but I gotta say the nickel plated end cap looks choice! The plated stinger stands out behind the plate nicely. Check below for what it looks like. Sorry for the poor quality! Taken at night with ordinary DigiCam!
Rating:10/10





VALUE:
Normally I wouldn't consider forking out the RRP here in Australia. But I saw it on eBay for cheap and decided why not? I ended up picking it up for $31! For that, this has been a great buy and value is awesome!! Rating: 10/10

OTHER STUFF:
I didn't need to rejet for this silencer. It seems really crisp and responsive with the standard jetting sizes.
However, I did adjust the air screw to 2 turns out.

Just a question for you other guys/girls with YZ125's.
What pipe would you recommend me looking for?
I was looking at FMF Fatty, as it would make the power broader.
But would a Pro Circuit Pipe fit?

I was reading a review of pipes from Dirt Rider a while ago and it read that they noticed a more significant increase with the PC unit.
Also, which platinum finish lasts longer?

Pretty much which pipe would you recommend? PC or FMF??
Thanks!

Hope people considering the Shorty find this evaluation informative and valuable!

Cheers!

PS: I hadn't ridden for about 1 months and my bike decided to show me it's love for the abstinance! I got a nice dirt sample after I grabbed a bit too much throttle while up on one!
:

[grant-me-a-wish]

i mainly like pro circuit pipes as well as there shorty silencer
i put them both on my kx 100, only got one ride out of it befor ei got my new bike, but it made a major improvment

[CR-FLAVOR]

i still feel that a factory fatty and shorty combo is absolutely lethal. I have friends with identical bikes to mine, but with diff exhaust that say mine feels like it pulls harder thru the band.
just my .02

[Mecrazyperson]

Originally posted by CR-FLAVOR
i still feel that a factory fatty and shorty combo is absolutely lethal. I have friends with identical bikes to mine, but with diff exhaust that say mine feels like it pulls harder thru the band.
just my .02

AND WHAT A GREAT $.02 IT IS BROTHER!!! BECAUSE I THINK I WAS THE ONE WHO LOVED IT AND THOUGHT THE WORLD OF YOUR FACTORY FATTY.....


P4L BRO.

[Woody_393]

Awesome Review! Thanks for posting it.

[Aus_Rider_22]

Anytime!

Hope it helps someone.

[Aus_Rider_22]

And one last piece of information.

I have been running at a 12-50 gear ratio for a while now.
I tested the Shorty with that gearing and was impressed with extra snap and slight over-rev.

I remembered I had a spare 13 tooth sprocket. So, I thought it would be great as the bike could still have bottom end response and yet still rev further.

Well immediately after trying the 13-50 setup I was pretty impressed with the small yet significant change.
The bike pulled further and gears spaced more apart.

If you have a YZ125 and are running a Shorty, I strongly recommend going no lower than 13 on the front. Unless you are on a really tight track that has jumps right after corner.
There was one such corner like that on my track. You came into tight powdery corner than about 2m run-up before hitting a small tabletop. With the 12-50 setup, I never really realised how easy it was to clear it. But now with the 13-50 you have to make sure you are smooth and apply power a bit more earlier.

Previously you could brake really late, then line up, then give it WOT with some clutch. Now, you have to set yourself up earlier and gas it slightly earlier. This was the only time that I really had to adjust to the wider gears.

For the rest I was loving the extra space and rev. You could hold gear longer and enjoy riding the powerband rather than changing.

[Woody_393]

Right on. I just got a Dr D full system, and I'm really hoping to change my gearing to 14/51 (13/48) instead of the 13/51 I run now. I'm trying to 4 speed-ize my 5 speed. the '04 and '05' CRF has that gearing, but they are a bit faster then my bike too.

[zuki]

How much louder was it than stock?

[OlSchoolFool393]

Sounds about like I was telling You
And the 13 tooth sprocket is what we run on his bike
I couldn't really tell you about the pipes
His aftermarket pipe is a Aluminum something the
name is rubbed off but it really helps on long fast
tracks
But the bike is better on smaller tracks with the
stock pipe
Enjoy
Don W.

[Aus_Rider_22]

Originally posted by hondamx
How much louder was it than stock?

When I originally repacked and put the silencer on, I was not able to ride the bike due to a punctured tube.
I started it up on the stand and could not tell much difference between stock and Shorty.

However, once out on the track when you are revving it out it definetly is louder. Has a nicer deeper tone to it as well.
The bike sounds best when it is being revved right out.
While the old stock silencer would make a tinny kinda raspy sound, the Shorty has deeper sound and just generaly has a good sound when being revved.

I don't know how to say it but it sounds real good!

[DCox]

Good review.

Particularly interesting how you described further flexibility the silencer offers you to work with gearing changes and find the power delivery that suites your riding style best.

Can't wait for a full write-up when you get your pipe.

[brokenbones]

Originally posted by aus_rider_22
... Has a nicer deeper tone to it as well.
The bike sounds best when it is being revved right out.
While the old stock silencer would make a tinny kinda raspy sound, the Shorty has deeper sound and just generaly has a good sound when being revved.

I don't know how to say it but it sounds real good!

Nice review! I just put a PC shorty on my YZ and had the same results as Geoff. I love the deeper tone the bike makes now, sounds pretty cool.

[Aus_Rider_22]

Just an FYI if anyone is interested.
I purchased a FMF Fatty pipe off eBay.
After I won it the seller informed me that he would throw in a Titanium2 silencer for free if I was interested.

Of course I said yes. The Titanium2 is the same size and shape as a FMF Shorty, except that it is built with a titanium performance flow end cap, titanium stinger, and anodized canister. You can tell the weight savings easily by holding one in each hand.

THe anodized canister looks awesome, as well as titanium end cap and stinger. I was not able to find any performance differences between the Ti2 and Shorty. But I am keeping Ti2 because of the bling factor!

I will post pics in a thread I will make with graphics, pipe and silencer.

[MotoMan]

Awesome write up!!!

[FoxRocket]

Originally posted by CR-FLAVOR
i still feel that a factory fatty and shorty combo is absolutely lethal. I have friends with identical bikes to mine, but with diff exhaust that say mine feels like it pulls harder thru the band.
just my .02

I totally agree!

[nathan]

i have a 99 cr250 and i have a shorty with a ngarly headpipe and is awsome i hve all the power ill need i thougth a bout a fatty but fmf said i gained more bottom from the ngarly so that what i went with . but love the fmf shorty and u cant beat the sound of it

[Aus_Rider_22]

That was a blast from the past!

Can still remember picking up the silencer from the PO and throwing it on.

[Jethro]

Did you ever but an aftermarket head pipe? If so, which one...?

[wFo250]

Yeah, wow I clicked on this thread thinking you were back in the saddle again Geoff! Your still 'retired' for the time being, yes?