I really like my 2005 TTR250, it was the one bike I have always regretted not buying new when I had the chance. I bought this one 3 years ago having run a TT600RE for quite a few years, I ran them both for while whilst deciding which one to keep. For me, the 250 was the clear winner, lighter, 6 gears, better on the road, spares availability and of course support and knowledge here, but I really missed the exhaust note of the 600 and was sure there was a much better tune in the 250 waiting to be heard.
I decided to fit an after-market exhaust, I wanted to preserve the original so I could put it back on if I wanted to, so started researching what was available and reading reviews. I didn’t want anything too loud, I always stop for horses and nervous dogs when I’m out on the lanes anyway, and kill the engine if needs be. Second-hand options seemed to be non-existent over the months and months I was looking, the limited reviews on the Dominator system I read were not too favourable on fit, but the Phoenix exhaust from Steve at T’TTR’s seemed to tick all the boxes. I had Birthday and Christmas money ready, and I was patiently waiting for availability when a Pro Circuit T4 exhaust popped up on an auction site for a bargain price, it had to be worth a try.
Having only just got around to fitting it after 2 months behind the sofa, I now see Steve has stock of the Phoenix exhausts and Brian is selling a very nice FMF system, talk about exhausts being like busses, nothing for ages then loads all at once!
The Pro Circuit was in excellent condition on arrival, but of course I just had to take it apart to see how it was put together and what packing options there were for sound control. I had picked up some new packing but it looked like it had seen little use since it’s last stuffing so carefully put it back together as it was.
The label says it is tuneable, I guess this is done with the option of fitting the spark arrestor or not, and if so how much packing you wrap around that as the gasses have to pass through that packing before escaping.
I have only managed a 10 mile back lane test ride so far and all seems well on unaltered carb settings, no popping or spluttering, seems smooth and pulls strongly. It sounds faster but probably isn’t, and I’m quite a steady rider anyway.
So, the verdict.
Very easy to fit, 2 bolts and the clamp, no fiddling, it all lines up and takes 5 mins to swap either way.
Big weight saving. Original exhaust weight 4.173 kg, Pro Circuit 1.86 kg (on my old spring balance).
Pro Circuit much more compact, so easy to clean around and won’t rust. Long enough and downward pointing so hopefully won’t cook the indicator or burn the pannier bag.
Noise, (this is just an approximation) I tried several decibel measuring apps on my phone, a Pixel 5, they all gave different results but were consistent in the difference between tick-over and blipping the throttle. Below are the higher and lower App results recorded.
App 1. Standard exhaust 85 Db tick-over, 89 Db on blip. Pro Circuit 88 Db tick-over, 90 Db on blip.
App 2. Standard exhaust 74 Db tick-over, 80 Db on blip. Pro Circuit 78 Db tick-over, 80 Db on blip.
The Pro Circuit exhaust certainly sounds much louder on lower revs and has a very nice bark without being antisocial but seems no louder than the standard exhaust on blipping / higher revs. This may be partly down to the limitations of my phone / App and old deaf ears though. I did start the bike up with the spark arrestor removed but as this sounded like a rapid fire shotgun I switched off before I dared fumble for the decibel app in the interests of keeping peace with the valued neighbours.
Am I happy? Well yes of course! It has certainly given the bike a better and deeper voice but without being so loud as to upset people. In an ideal world it would be nice if it were a bit quieter on very low revs so you could turn the volume right down if needs be though. If I were going to marshal a horse event with the TRF I would put the standard can back on for the duration but as this is only a 5 min job it is amazingly easy. I can now clean up the standard exhaust which is still very solid and give it a well-earned repaint. I did a short video recording of the Pro Circuit but can't seem to attach it here for some reason?
I hope someone will find my ramblings interesting, has anyone measured the sound levels on any other systems in comparison to the standard? If the shorty headers become available again I will probably fit one of those and post an update.
Nice review thanks. I ve had 2 x pro Circuits on a DRZ400 and a WR250F and both were very loud an has shied me away from the brand since because of that. But they were MX systems what was I thinking.!! Maybe you did a good job repacking. Great weight saving over OE no rust and I like your idea of keeping the original.
I have a Staintune on my TTR, fitted the week I bought it new. It is legal here in Australia at 94db & to me it is a little loud but can be ridden under the radar.
Thanks Kaos and TerryK, and Simon, I thought you would recognise your expertly engineered and well tested rack, it is doing a fine job and has been much admired :)
