FAQ
Q: First thing's first: what does an exhaust do for a motorcycle?
A: There are no coincidences on motorcycles. Every part is a certain shape, size and material for a reason — exhausts included. In simplified terms, exhaust headers and mufflers transport burnt gases and pressure away from the cylinder and out of the bike. Headers help modify sounds and manage the byproducts of internal combustion as exhaust valves free it from the bore. As for mufflers, given the root word there is “muffle," its job should be obvious — but many of us want the best-sounding motorcycle exhaust. More on that below. Q: How to make motorcycle exhaust sound deeper?
A: Simply removing exhaust baffles will crank up the decibels, but it’s imprecise and affects back-pressure leaving the cylinder head. Straight pipes will make things considerably louder, but not exactly “deeper.” The sure-fire route for the best-sounding motorcycle exhaust — which does come with a larger price tag — is an aftermarket system with pipe shapes proven to produce the signature deep rumble you seek. Noise limits vary from state to state so ensure the legality of a loud system before making major purchases or alterations. Q: Do you need to tune for a motorcycle exhaust?
A: We could write a book on this one, but the following should suffice: Yes. An aftermarket system is going to flow more air and that means a leaner-running engine. Owners of carbureted motorcycles will need to re-jet to richen up the air-fuel mixture ratio; fuel-injected machines can utilize an aftermarket control module to adapt to the new pipes. Q: A word of caution: Just how hot does a motorcycle exhaust get?
A: It only takes a few minutes for your pipes to reach temperatures too hot to touch. While gently feeling the headers is a great way to know if you’re firing on all cylinders, most estimates peg the temperatures regularly exceeding 700 degrees Fahrenheit and capable of being twice as much. It's why heat shields are standard on some pipes. Extreme heat can also lead to discoloration, which we address below. Q: Finally, how to clean motorcycle exhaust pipes
A: Heat and crud takes a toll and those shiny new pipes will eventually need a little TLC. For starters, “bluing” is caused by heat and particularly affects chrome; stainless steel is known for turning gold under these conditions. You can polish up the pipes to remove this discoloration but if excess heat is to blame, it’s worth investigating why the bike is running hot. As for the rest of the exhaust system, mild non-abrasive household soap and some elbow grease will work wonders when removing road grime.
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