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By:
Chris Hodkinson
The
ATV Source Team
has performed a wide array of testing with different exhaust pipes to improve the performance
of the Honda TRX250R. All the pipes we have tested were designed
to alter the power delivery characteristics by using various
tuned lengths, diameters, and cone angles. These
characteristics are used to control the release of the exhaust
gasses. In testing it has been shown that proper selection of a
tuned exhaust system is very important to ensure the desired
performance
levels. Of equal importance is the selection of the intake
components. The intake components are often overlooked in the
design and modification of high output engines. The intake must
function well to keep up with the demands posed by the engine
and in most cases the installation of an aggressively tuned
aftermarket exhaust system.
Most modern ATV's utilize a reed valve
type intake system. The reed valve operates on crankcase
pressure to open and close the reed petals, providing the intake
timing, much as a cam in a four-stroke engine would do. Reed
technology initially utilized spring steel reeds.
The steel reeds provided good tension, inherit sealing
properties, and long service life, but their drawbacks were
numerous. Emerging from the need for better materials,
fiberglass composite type reeds were utilized until today's new
technology of using carbon fiber reed petals.
 The
actual configuration and geometry of the reed block/cage itself
has evolved as well. The majority of reed cage designs initially
was and continues to be V shaped when viewed from the side
profile. Moto Tassinari was the first manufacturer of
aftermarket reed cages to use what is basically 2 reed cages
stacked on top of each other, much like the shape of a W. The
Motor Tassanari cage was the V-Force reed cage. The benefit of
the W shape is that reeds need only open a very little bit to
allow for the same amount of flow as compared to the more
traditional V shaped reed cage.
 ESR,
through extensive research and testing, has taken this
technology a step further when they introduced their own version
of the W shaped cage. The
ESR
2000 Reed Cage design betters current designs by using 2 - 4
petal reed cages. In doing such with the 4 petal design,
eliminates 2 reed support bridges per cage and in turn increased
the overall area in which the fuel-air mixture can flow through.
Simply put; more flow equals more power. An additional benefit
of the ESR cage we tested is a built in
spacer. The reed spacer moves the reed tips back, with the chief
benefit of allowing increased flow thru the auxiliary intake
ports. Another additional benefit is with the spacer inclusive
of the reed cage itself. There is one less gasket required and
then one less gasket to worry about leaking!
We previously have tested and compared
the V-Force Reed Cage against the Boyesen Rad Valve and in that
test we choose the V-Force hands down over the Boyesen. Could
ESR's new cage dethrone the V-Force as the top cage?
 To
answer this question we set up our timers and spent the day
going back and forth between the 2 reed cages on the same quad.
In 300 ft timed runs,
the ESR cage consistently ran times .1-.12 seconds faster then
the V-Force Cage. That may not sound like a big difference but
in 300 ft runs that is 1-2 quad
lengths. This a major gain for a reed cage only.
The seat of the pants feel says that
the V-Force feels stronger down lower in the RPM range, but then
does not perform nearly as well as compared to the ESR cage in
the mid to upper end of the RPM's.
Additionally the award for quality and
craftsmanship goes to the ESR cage. ESR is famous for their
billet aluminum products on the 250R and this cage is no
exception. You can purchase this cage in 3 colors, Anodized Red,
Black, or plain unfinished aluminum.
Also included in your order with this cage setup is a new rubber
intake boot along with longer mounting screws which are required
for proper installation.
Overall there are many benefits of the
ESR cage. Our testing and evaluation has shown that this cage
out performs others available by a wide margin. The added
benefits of a built in spacer, the attention to detail, the
craftsmanship and quality only bolster the fact that this is the
best available on the market.
ESR
1510 E. Main St. Unit C
Visalia,CA 93292
Phone: 559-625-3157
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