There are two common motorcycle exhaust upgrade options: a slip-on and a full exhaust system. Both offer a combination of affordability, ease of installation and sound and aesthetic customization.
Different muffler designs and materials deliver a broad range of sounds from a deep rumble to a high-pitched scream. Choose a sound that aligns with your riding goals, preferences and local noise regulations. For more information, click on Motorcycle exhaust accessories.
Header Pipes
Header pipes increase horsepower and flow rate of exhaust, and can boost your engine’s sound. They can be found in different styles and compositions to fit your performance needs and budget. Ensure that the headers you choose are designed and built for your vehicle. Incompatible parts can cause leaks and other problems.
The scavenging effect of long tube headers can help your engine generate more horsepower at high rpm. However, they are also typically more expensive and more difficult to install than shorties.
Wrapped headers are a great way to add style and protect your header tubes from corrosion and heat. Mechanics will wrap a layer of stainless steel around the tube and then seal it with weld beads and a hose clamp. This prevents heat from transferring to other components and damaging them. The wrap also insulates the pipe, so it doesn’t read as hot on a dyno. It also keeps heat from radiating back into the engine bay.
Mufflers
Mufflers work by using a series of chambers, baffles and tubes to reduce noise. Exhaust gases flow through the muffler and as they do, they create sound waves that bounce around in the chambers and cancel out. This is what makes mufflers quieter than the exhaust system without one.
A good muffler is designed to be quiet and produce a throaty tone. Manufacturers will use different tuning structures within the chambers to manipulate the sound and tone they’re looking for. This is why there are so many types of mufflers on the market.
It’s important to keep your muffler in good condition because a broken or damaged muffler can allow harmful fumes into the cabin of your vehicle. These fumes include carbon monoxide and other chemical gases that are dangerous to your health. They can also reduce your fuel efficiency. This is because your engine will have to burn more gas to generate the same power and speed.
Catalytic Converters
Designed to reduce toxic pollutants in your vehicle’s exhaust system, this important component chemically converts carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen into harmless oxygen, carbon dioxide and water vapor. This is accomplished through a series of simple oxidation and reduction reactions that take place in two different catalyst stages within your catalytic converter.
The first stage of the process takes place when harmful nitrogen oxide gases come into contact with a platinum and rhodium coated honeycomb structure in your catalytic converter. This causes the oxygen molecules to bond with the nitrogen oxide molecules, turning them into carbon dioxide and water vapor.
The second phase of the process is when harmful carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons are oxidized by the oxygen molecules that enter your vehicle’s engine through the air intake. This reduces harmful emissions and enables your engine to run more efficiently by promoting complete fuel combustion, resulting in less engine stress and a longer engine life.
Heat Shields
Excessive heat can damage your engine and other parts of the vehicle that are close to it. Insulation can help reduce this problem, especially when it’s made from materials that are able to withstand high temperatures.
These thermal insulators maintain a significant distance between the exhaust and other parts of your vehicle, keeping the latter cool and helping prevent performance or damage issues. They also come in a variety of shapes and sizes that are tailored to fit specific areas.
A quality wrap will withstand high temperatures without burning or separating from the pipe, providing long-lasting durability and effectiveness. Some brands use volcanic rock, silica yarns, or other high-tech materials to achieve these benefits. They can be installed with a minimal amount of overlap, though over-wrapping may decrease the effectiveness. These products are also available in a variety of colors to match the rest of your bike’s components. They’re perfect for both street and race bikes.