Barker's Official Blog

It's about time to bust out the snowmobiles, and what a better way to welcome the snow and cold with an impressive addition to your sled – a Yamaha Nytro exhaust. AJ from Dirt Trax shows us how to install one properly in this video, but we've broken it down for you in a step by step format, too.

Watch Video Courtesy of SnowTrax Television - http://youtu.be/gKWnPv5qAt0

1. First, determine if you can use a performance exhaust. It is illegal in some areas.
2. Remove side panels with a 10 mil bolt.
3. Next, move to the back side panel and remove button snaps.
4. Take off the seat using a 12 mil wrench – there are 2 bolts. Slide and lift away the seat.
5. Remove rear fascia piece using an allen wrench.
6. Take off heat shield. Remove the 8 perimeter bolts. Take rubber grommets off top of heat shield and remove those bolts. Once done, exhaust pipe should slide out, followed by the heat shield.
7. Before installing exhaust, there's a few things to do to the Barker's Exhaust first.
8. Place main clamp piece over pipe.
9. Take exhaust clamp and slide over silencer.
10. Put silencer on main exhaust pipe and tighten down clamp.
11. Once installed and clamp is torqued down, start up the sled. Check for air leaks. Make sure you're in a well-ventilated area as the fumes are noxious.
12. Put rear fascia piece back on the sled. Barker's Exhaust have a special tab to hold fascia at correct distance so it won't melt.
13. Adjust nuts and bolts to pipe fits properly.
14. Place heat shield back on.
15. Place rear upper fascia piece on and mount with the 2 phillips screws.
16. Place 2 side fascia pieces on and align the tabs properly.

Go from 0-70 mph in 4 seconds Versus 0-70 in 5 seconds, great low and mid range torque. 

• Construction: 304 Stainless Steel, tig welded with seam-reduced interior surfaces for smooth flow
• Power: Reverse-cone megaphone with pulse-wave tuning technology for superior peak horsepower, enhanced over-rev and improvements throughout the rev range. Typical peak HP gain is 7-10%
• Weight: Significantly less than the stock system.
• Features: Riveted aluminum Barker's badge. Optional Quiet Core and spark arrestor inserts.Sound level:Typically 103 dB without the silencer, and 94 dB with Quiet Core insert (with a loss of only 1.5 HP you might want to run the Quiet Core all the time!).
• Options: Black Powder coating for silencer.

There are many different ways to use an ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) or a UTV (Utility Vehicle), but how do you know when's the best time to use each one?

ATV's (Above: Suzuki LTZ 400) 

If you're looking perform in a race, be agile, or simply looking to save a few bucks, an ATV is the way to go. Although more physically demanding to ride, the ATV works great on winding trails and is easy to tow. It's also more sportier than riding a UTV, as you can manipulate turns easily. They also cost significantly less than an UTV, usually in the range of several thousand dollars cheaper. Some ATV brands can also be modified for races and also used around the home for smaller projects. And last but not least, they are smaller and lighter than their UTV counterparts. Artic Cat DVX 400, Honda TRX 450, and the Suzuki LTX 400 are just a few of the many machines Barkers carries exhausts for in the ATV line up.

UTV's (Above: Polaris RZR 800)

UTV's are best used for hauling large loads (much larger than an ATV), as a work vehicle, or if you're looking to add tons of accessories. With a starting price around $10,000 and customization options including heaters, LED lights, and stereo systems, these vehicles aren't cheap but can make riding fun. The UTV also has upright seating, which is more comfortable than most forward leaning positions on ATV's, therefore making this an excellent option for anyone that has to cover many miles of turf or for older riders. Also, many UTV's have a wide rear platform, which is great for hauling items to a fro without the addition of a trailer. The Polaris RZR 800, Yamaha Rhino 660 and Kawasaki Teryx UTV's are all models that Barkers carries exhausts for.

If you can afford to have both, you're in a pretty great spot. However, if you're stuck between purchasing an ATV and a UTV, really take a look at what you would be using it for to make sure you get the most bang for your buck. And Barker's Exhaust is here to make whatever vehicle you choose perform at its best with our high performance exhausts.

Check out the many ATV and UTV exhausts we have available at www.barkersexhaust.com.

If you're looking for a peak in power without majorly re-modifying your engine, the Yamaha's YFZ 450 exhaust system is a quality exhaust that not only gives you a great horsepower gain, but is built to last.

Made with TIG Welded 304 Stainless Steel, which is used for its long-term cost effectiveness and inherent corrosion resistance, the YFZ 450 boasts an impressive 94 dB with a Quiet Core (or 103 dB without) and easily slips on within a few minutes. It also provides a 10-25% gain in overall HP. This exhaust works both for professional riders and weekend riders alike, and gives off that great sound you'd expect from a performance exhaust right out of the box. It's also lighter than a stock system, which makes this exhaust an easy improvement to make your machine faster. 

Some of the YFZ 450's features include different color options for the billet muffler clamps, the powder coating available on the pipe, and the ceramic coating on the silencer. It also has removable aluminum heat shields to protect your pipes. Bottom line - it's a visually appealing exhaust that's gonna last through several rides. Check it out and let us know what you think!

Did you know that in 2010, 115,000 people were injured riding ATV's? When used correctly, ATV's are a great tool to explore to outdoors and have fun – but when used incorrectly, can be a deadly weapon. Take these tips from the ATV Safety Institute to keep yourself and your family safe while riding year round:

1. Always wear a DOT-compliant helmet, goggles, long sleeves, long pants, over-the-ankle boots, and gloves.

2. Never ride on paved roads except to cross when done safely and permitted by law - another vehicle could hit you. ATVs are designed to be operated off-highway.

3. Never ride under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

4. Never carry a passenger on a single-rider ATV, and no more than one passenger on an ATV specifically designed for two people.

5. Ride an ATV that's right for your age.

6. Supervise riders younger than 16; ATVs are not toys.

7. Ride only on designated trails and at a safe speed.

8. Take a course on safety!

We have decided to extend our Tax Return Sale through June 17^th – and you know what that means. With the sale ending on Father's Day, now would be a great time to buy an upgrade for dad's machine! Check out two amazing exhausts that are part of the sale:

Yamaha Raptor 700 In-Frame Dual Exhaust – Regular Price $816, on sale $725 - *Free Shipping

Barker's Made in the USA full systems and slip-ons improve peak horsepower without requiring major engine modifications, and eliminate the sudden fall-off that afflicts most stock systems near redline. This increased over-rev is particularly useful in competition.  These systems have been designed to bolt in easily. This is the quickest, most cost-effective improvement you can make.

• Construction: 304 Stainless Steel, tig welded with seam-reduced interior surfaces for smooth flow

• Weight: Significantly less than the stock system.

• Features: Removable aluminum heat shield standard, riveted aluminum Barker's badge. Optional Quiet Core and spark arrestor inserts.

• Sound level: Typically 103 dB without the silencer, and 94 dB with Quiet Core insert (with a loss of only 1.5 HP you might want to run the Quiet Core all the time!).

• Options: Ceramic coating for pipe. Powder coating for silencer. Ask us about colors.

Polaris RZR 900 XP Dual Exhaust – Regular Price $859, on sale $775 - *Free Shipping

• Construction: 304 Stainless Steel, tig welded with seam-reduced interior surfaces for smooth flow
• Power: Reverse-cone with pulse-wave tuning technology for superior peak horsepower, enhanced over-rev and improvements throughout the rev range. Typical peak HP gain is 10-25%.
• Weight: Significantly less than the stock system.
• Features: Riveted aluminum Barker's badge. Optional Quiet Core and spark arrestor inserts.
•Sound level: Typically 103 dB without the silencer, and 94 dB with Quiet Core insert (with a loss of only 1.5 HP you might want to run the Quiet Core all the time!).
•Options: Ceramic coating for pipe. Powder coating for silencer. Ask us about colors.

We also have quiet cores for riding in quiet zones, spark arrestors for riding in public areas or state land, and muffler re-pack kits to maintain the power and performance of your machine. Shop online now at www.barkersexhaust.com! *Free Shipping in lower 48 continental states only. Ends June 17, 2012.

Repacking your muffler is a yearly necessity. Why you say? Because most modern engines produce exhaust gas temperatures that exceed the temperature limits of traditional packing. Once a fiber's temperature limit has been passed, it becomes brittle and breaks down into particles that get blown out of the muffler. Spec 30 is different because it maintains it's strength in temperatures up to 1400F. With proper repacking, your throttle response remains crisp, your power output and fuel efficiency is maximized, and your noise reduction and exhaust tone are maintained. It also provides vibration absorption and baffle support.