FMF power programer

I am looking to get a FMF power programmer. my bike is still bone stock.
Do I need to buy an exhaust system also? = eventually I want to get the megabomb header and Q4; but that sums a considerable amount of $ that I am having a hard time justifying to my wife.... So can I run the programmer only, and will I benefit from it?
I live at 6300 feet and I often ride at 8-9 thousand feet altitude trails... can anyone share experiences regarding programers and altitude?

Pipe question: Q4 or powercore ?

There is going to be differences of opinions on this subject depending on the person, but in my opinion,  you really aren't going to benefit a whole lot on a stock bike.  Sure you can richen the fueling a bit if there is a leaness problem,  but you're not going to get any real performance enhancements.

The same goes with putting on a full exhaust and other items.  My bike has the full monty of external performance upgrades such as a FMF header, can, and programmer along with a airbox mod with No Toil air filter.  I bought the bike nearly new and the previous owner had those items installed and dyno'd at a very reputable dealer.  To me I really don't feel that performance gains are significant enough for the expense incurred since the gain in horsepower and torque was minimal.  I've ridden stock WR's before and they are just fine to me.  Maybe I'm just getting to old for those kinds of things. If I had to do it all over again I would just buy a stock bike and be done with it.

As far as cans go, the powercore might have slightly more HP/torque gain over the Q4 but it comes at a cost of being louder.  

I'd leave the bike stock or sell it and buy something bigger if you are looking for significant performance gains.

Thats my 2 cents.

Hi Velvet, thanks for your reply! I haven't ordered those parts yet because I am afraid it would be quite a bit of money for too little enhancement, exactly what your post stated... I wouldn't chance exhaust for looks (I think it actually looks better with the stock muffler).
I was torn between the DR400 and the WRR because of the power issue. I Love the WRR I just wish I could get a little more power out of it.
I guess I am still torn! Thanks!

I haven't rode these bike stock before but when I bought mine it already had full exhaust, fmf programmer and filter door removed.  But from reading the forums over the years alot of people say these mods really open the bike up.  You also can change the sprockets for more torque if that's what you're looking for.  You also can check the for sale section for deals.

I also bought my bike with programmer, pipe (Q4), K&N filter already installed by previous owner. I cut open the airbox and added a FMF header, but didn't notice too much difference. From reading all of the dyno threads, it looks like the MOST you can get is maybe 4-5 hp over stock without going big-bore piston or turbo. But on a 250, that is a pretty big % increase. I think if you are the type of rider who consistently pins the throttle and bounces off the rev limiter, you will notice a considerable difference. If you are a daily driver who just likes to get around and have some fun, it is likely not worth the $$.

I considered buying the Power Commander to replace my FMF programmer, but for the same reason never could justify the cost for a very slight (maybe) improvement or peak HP gain. I spend most of my time cruising along with traffic at 50-55 mph. I've actually considered going back to stock exhaust, but I'm too lazy to swap it.

250wrx wrote:

 You also can change the sprockets for more torque if that's what you're looking for.

Its definitely worth changing sprokets.  Keep the countershaft sproket at 13 but go up on the rear.  I believe that you can go up to a 46 tooth and still use the stock length chain.

dmmcd wrote:

I've actually considered going back to stock exhaust, but I'm too lazy to swap it.

I've been strongly considering doing the same....but too lazy as well.  



Another thing about installing a programmer and exhaust as well as a airbox mod is that you will definitely have a significant drop in fuel mileage. Here out west, where fuel stations can be far and few at times, I prefer fuel mileage over any meager performance upgrades.

I'd skip the motor mods for now spend your money on the suspension first.

I have no idea how the bike runs at elevation, I don't have any around where I live.

I have a Q4 slip on with fmf programmer and opened up air box.
When riding my bike back to back with a stock bike(my neighbor has one), mines easier to ride off road, it lugs down lower without stalling and pulls a bit harder ever wheres so you don't have to down shift as much, I can go up stuff at lowish rpms in second gear a stock bike needs to hit in first with some revs. (with the same gearing) To some guys this is worth what the hop ups cost, to others its not, that's up to you, when out on the open road theres not a huge difference in stock and modded bikes as you don't notice the extra power at low revs there.

I've been thinking of putting my stock pipe back on as I'm doing a lot more road riding with my bike now and the noise from the fmf bothers me at times.

Biglake wrote:

I'd skip the motor mods for now spend your money on the suspension first.

 


Wise advice!  The rear shock especially.

Everyone is different and everyone riding style is different.
The WR has a good potential of being a great bike because it has modern and solid foundation.
With some money into it for suspension and breathing improvement, it because a capable dirt bike and still maintains the comfort of a d/s bike. The bike is very smooth.
Personally, I did suspension, protection and fuel programmer with an open air box. I noticed some improvement, not much, but I don’t have an exhaust system and not sure I will. I will probably change gearing. 1st is low, but 2nd too high for me on the stock setup. I hope that going to 13/46 will allow me to maintain 60MPH (GPS) and still have grunt and low speed at 2nd gear. This is for trail riding, for easy off road riding and pavement it is really not necessary.

Awesome feedback, thank you guys!

I am definitely going to go with a bigger rear sprocket, probably a 46.
I like to ride mostly off road, I do commute about 4 miles to work a few times a week on non hwy roads, and I am happy with the wrr's performance there.
I'd like to gain more substance on dirt, I was hoping the mods could give me more low end, and it seems that they would but still, perhaps too little for relatively too much $ ?

so I'm thinking suspension works will be a good investment. any two cents on this topic? I looked at go-race.com and racetech.com and they have a lot of technical info on WRR but too technical for me since lots of it I have no idea what it is : /
any good advice regarding what to do with suspension, and soem resources learn a lot more about it?

The WR has a good potential of being a great bike because it has modern and solid foundation.

 That's what I am looking for!

With some money into it for suspension and breathing improvement, it because a capable dirt bike and still maintains the comfort of a d/s bike.   The bike is very smooth.  Personally, I did suspension, protection and fuel programmer with an open air box.

What did you do to its suspension? how do you decide what to do with it?

Basically a revalve job. Mainly to  slow down the rear rebound damping and increase slightly the compression. The guy also did the front for me. Check out my thread on that subject.
https://wr250rforum.forumotion.com/t12879-suspension-work-alternative