ESR ATC5 pipe ride report wanted

[Swinger]

Does anyone run one of these pipes? If so is yours the center mount or regular? How is the top end performance with this compared to some of the other top brand pipes?

[RIDE-RED 250r]

I am running the standard mount version of the ATC5. I really like how it runs. Seems to hit pretty hard in midrange and carry right up into top. But, my big bore is also ported for mid-top so I'm not sure how much of that is the pipe itself.

But, I'm not sure I can make an accurate comparison. I have only run this pipe on my big bore. And the only other pipe I have run is my FMF Fatty and that was on a stock cylinder. I have never run any of the other "top" brands other than the FMF.

Bottom line though, I'm quite happy with my ESR exhaust.

[Swinger]

I have heard alot of good things about their pipes. I am going to be hillclimbing alot this year and going to be throwing my extended swinger on soon and actually thought about going all out top end port work and then running a drag pipe but this is the only trike I have at the moment other than 110s so gotta keep it semi-all around for the woods and MX too. Thats why I am thinking this pipe is probably my best bet...for now

[RIDE-RED 250r]

Well, of the pipes still produced for our R's (besides limited run/custom stuff) I think the ESR is near or at the top of the heap depending on what you want to do. General consensus is the PT Rev pipe is right there too, and probably a little better for dragging and things like that.

Unless you want to get a handbuilt Shearer or NOS350x drag pipe, I would be looking at the ESR or PT for what you want to do..

[bkm]

I don't know how well the ESR pipes fit, but the PT Hi-Rev I have fits horribly. It runs good though.

[RIDE-RED 250r]

I can't speak on fitment of a centermount, but the fitment of the standard mount was great! The entire thing from pipe to silencer is spot on. The only thing that's different is instead of the pipe hanger going to the headstay motor mount, you mount to the front right engine skidplate mounting bolt. It seems sturdier than the pipe hanger farther back. I really like how everything fit up with my ESR system.

With my FMF pipe and Powercore the pipe fitment was good, but I had to use about a 1" spacer between the rear silencer mount and the frame to mount it correct. The forward mount on the silencer isn't even remotely close enough to hook to anything.

[bkm]

My FMF was the same way. The PT pipe mounts up to the right front engine mount. The bracket on the pipe is not right were it needs to be so I had to "massage" the mount to get it to work. The silencer seemed alright, but overall the FMF mounted a lot nicer. I have thought about getting the ESR pipe, but the PT runs as well as I need it so I never saw the need. I would love to eventually get a hand coned pipe for my BB to take advantage of it.

[Swinger]

I have been told that I will need to cut the skid plate to get the pipe to fit too. Not sure if you have to do this with the PT but that FMF fit good on mine with no mods needed. This will be the 3rd pipe on this build and its only seen one ice race for one day and day 2 my stator took a crap on me. I have ran it around the house withthe FMF and the CRF and wanted more top end. The port work done to the top end is a mild top end porting so curious to what this pipe will do to the trike.

[Mosh]

We had a pretty valuable discussion on this a few years ago. Way too much to repeat but here is the link. It may help you.

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/118114-Exhaust-Options-for-a-86-250r...-Need-help!

[ONEBAD350X]

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k196/kjgroen/2013-02-24_16-22-03_235_zpsb0c70b97.jpg i used to stock exhaust mount for my atc5 pipe... the skid plate was tight and i didnt want to hack it so i took it off.. It fit but was touching.. The sound is alot deeper than the ct pipe I had on it before..Ive only ridden on snow/ice so I cant really say the difference from the ct pipe...

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k196/kjgroen/2013-02-20_13-52-10_30_zpse355be30.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k196/kjgroen/2012-12-03_14-59-28_466_zps7ed9b4e2.jpg

different pipe pictures

I would get the atc 5 if I were you..ESR currently doesnt have centermount pipes built but I bet you could order one..

[RIDE-RED 250r]

Yes, I had to take a hammer and "alter" the corner of my skidplate a little bit to clear. It wasn't drastic though. Just a little bit on the corner as I recall....I didn't want to delete the skidplate.

[Mosh]

Looks like they redesigned that lower mount on the pipe in recent years. I wish they had not. The old mount was SO beefy and was a 90 degree angle plate, that I just notched the mount with a cut-off wheel and it cleared the skid plate no problem without compromising strength. Those pics BAD350 posted looks as if that option is no longer there. Even so, I would glady alter some things to run that pipe. It's worth it.

[Marty]

I have owned all 3 the ESR, PT, and the FMF. And i used or rode bike at Glamis and by far the best was the ESR hands down, fitment their all the same little issues with all of them.

[Swinger]

Well I went ahead and ordered the standard mount ESR and paid for the fast shipping so I would have a running trike this weekend. Then I get a call saying that their computers were acting up and not taking orders so I had to redo it over the phone. Ok, lost a day already!! Then a call back a little later to tell me there is no standard pipes in stock and I got a little bent out of shape because I already sold the pipe I had to fund this one. Many appologies and said it would be at least 3 weeks for them to make me a pipe.:( Now even more bent out of shape!!! He calls back and says he found one pipe but has a small blemmish the size of a pen head by the one weld and he would give me a deal on. Said you can barely notice it and once it is on the trike you wont see it. He could have it to me by Saturday if I wanted. So being desperate I went for it. Hope I didnt make a mistake by being impatient. If so they will be getting a call if this has a leak or is a bigger spot than said to be. Kinda dissapointed with ESR at the moment and hoping they can redeem them selves here.

[RIDE-RED 250r]

Looks like they redesigned that lower mount on the pipe in recent years. I wish they had not. The old mount was SO beefy and was a 90 degree angle plate, that I just notched the mount with a cut-off wheel and it cleared the skid plate no problem without compromising strength. Those pics BAD350 posted looks as if that option is no longer there. Even so, I would glady alter some things to run that pipe. It's worth it.

Absolutely! I went with the ESR on your advice to me in the thread you posted and I couldn't be happier with it performance-wise. :beer


Swinger: The "blemish" Tom told you about... Are we talking structural or peeling of the chrome plating?? The one seemingly recurring issue with the ESR pipes is that the chrome plating seems to peel off prematurely. But it does seem to be in varying degrees. I know a fellow who had some fairly significant peeling after just a half hour of run time. But on the other hand, I have probably 10+ hours run time on mine and I do have 2 small spots where I see it beginning to happen, but they are very small and you would almost have to know there are they to even notice. Then again, trikes aren't real easy on pipe finishes to begin with, with the front tire kicking stones up against it as much as they do... Yes, I like a durable finish on a pipe, but it's not the end of the world.. With me performance matters most and my trike is not a museum piece never to be ridden.

But having said all that, there is always the option of getting a chrome pipe stripped and ceramic coated. Good ceramic looks almost as nice as chrome but is MUCH more durable. Concering exhaust, if ceramic won't hold up, nothing will...