At a whopping 22hp in stock form, the power to weight ratio is
pretty sad if you are used to riding an ATV or sand rail. The 660cc engine is
the same one that Yamaha uses in their Grizzly ATV (probably weighs half of a
Rhino).
If you buy a Rhino to cruise the hard pack or maybe just use it
to go camp to camp on the sand dune flats, it will be more than capable. On the
other hand, if you want to really dune with your Rhino, you will be looking for
more power real soon.
Intake, exhaust and jetting are very typical bolt-on type
improvements that have been made to ATVs and motorcycles for years. Since the
Rhino has an ATV engine, it is not surprising that most of the same aftermarket
exhaust manufacturers now have offerings for it. The Rhino has different
power/torque needs and also has a bit more space to work with so some companies
have some unique solutions.
The biggest problem with changing out your OEM exhaust is to
combine strong performance while minimizing noise output. On USFS land and in the state of California, off-road motorcycles are required to
operate at 96db or less when tested with SAE J 1287 standards. Other states like
Oregon (at the Oregon Dunes) have a 93db level. Noise regulation and enforcement
is becoming a popular issue among non-riding residents, state forest personnel
and legislatures looking to constrict the rapidly swelling ATV industry.
Many exhaust manufacturers are focusing resources on producing
quiet exhaust products because they know their survival depends on quiet
technologies that will increase the ever-sought-after horsepower.
For our Rhino Exhaust Buyer's Guide we will focus attention on
the manufacturers that provide the best performance with USFS compliant noise
levels. The list below lists advertised noise level output. From our
experience, the advertised levels for most if not all of these pipes is not
accurate. Do your homework and ask questions before buying. If possible,
listen to different pipes first hand before buying.
Also be aware that to achieve the most power improvements,
aftermarket exhaust requires re-jetting the carburetor and opening up the air
filter and intake.
Model: EVO
Sport Utility
Claimed db level: 94db - 96db with Big Gun Quiet Core
Claimed HP Gain: 4 HP
Exhaust Type: Slip-on + mid pipe
Retail: $329.95
Built and designed for Sport Utility. Comes standard with USFS
approved screen type spark arrestor, Big Gun Quiet Core meets 94db and below
state park requirements.
Model: BRP/FMF
Dual Power Exhaust (Exclusive to Black Rhino Performance)
Claimed db level: 96db with Quiet Core
Claimed HP Gain:
Exhaust Type: Dual Exhaust Complete (available with FMF Powercore or FMF
Powerline silencer)
Retail: $799.00
A Forestry approved spark arrestor is included with each system.
Many of the exhaust systems built for
Yamaha Rhinos use packing material to reduce noise output. The packing material
does not last forever, and must be replaced.
Repacking your silencer regularly is
important to maintain power and reduce unwanted noise. Don't think that louder
is better for power. Too much air past the holes in the core of the silencer
will make your performance suffer.
Dasa Racing
Model:
Claimed db level:
Claimed HP Gain:
Exhaust Type:
Retail: $
Model: Afterburner
Quiet
Claimed db level: less than 96db with S.O.S. (Save Our Sport) quiet insert
Claimed HP Gain:
Exhaust Type: Complete and Slip-on
Retail: $539.95 (complete), $329.95 (slip-on)
Complete system is over 5 lbs. less than OEM. Includes U.S.
Forestry approved spark arrestor and DMC S.O.S. (Save Our Sport) quiet insert.
Model: DragonFire
Racing Dual Guns
Claimed db level: 96 db with SuperTrapp disc diffusers
Claimed HP Gain:
Exhaust Type: Complete - Dual pipes
Retail: $899.00
Model: DragonFire
Racing Single Gun
Claimed db level: 96 db with SuperTrapp disc diffusers
Claimed HP Gain:
Exhaust Type: Slip-on - Single pipe
Retail: $425.00
Standard system includes DragonFire Racing silencers which are
louder than the optional SuperTrapp setup.
Dubach Racing Development (DRD)
Model: SA
System
Claimed db level: 96 db
Claimed HP Gain:
Exhaust Type: Slip-on
Retail: $334.95
Includes spark arrestor and meets USFS sound requirements.
Model: MACH-1 EXHAUST SYSTEM
Claimed db level: Adjustable sound suppression system and Ultra-Quiet Insert
available
Claimed HP Gain: 23% gain
Exhaust Type: Dual Exhaust - Complete
Retail: $879.00
Model: IDSX
Claimed db level: 94 db
Claimed HP Gain: 5-7%
Exhaust Type: Complete
Retail: $494.00
IDSX features SuperTrapp's signature tunable disc diffuser
exhaust systems. This system allows the rider to add discs to the IDSX to
increase horsepower or subtract discs to increase torque and lower sound
levels. Diffuser disc system doubles as a US Forest Service approved spark
arrestor.
