A Guide On Motorcycle Exhaust

What do you need to know about motorcycle exhaust?

1. Purpose of the motorcycle exhaust
2. Parts of the motorcycle exhaust
3. Types of motorcycle exhaust
4. Materials used for exhaust parts
5. Exhaust pipe discoloration
6. Benefits of OEM exhaust

Whether you’re a new motorcycle owner or a long-time rider that just wants to refresh your knowledge, it’s important to know more about what makes a motorcycle. This will help you out when it comes to maintenance, replacements, and upgrades, while also giving you the chance to appreciate the mechanism behind your two-wheeled vehicle. Today, you will learn about one of the most important components of your ride. Keep on reading for a guide on motorcycle exhaust!

Purpose of The Motorcycle Exhaust

An exhaust system is made to remove the gases that your motorcycle produces while you’re riding. It’s placed at the rear end of the bike, so you won’t breathe in the gases that can be bad for your health. The exhaust system on your motorcycle also ensures the proper airflow in your vehicle. This helps the engine perform better.

But aside from that, your motorcycle exhaust also takes away some noise produced by the engine. Without this capability, you would hear very loud sounds that could affect your hearing.

Parts of The Motorcycle Exhaust

A motorcycle exhaust is made up of a few parts:

• Header Pipes: The gases from the engine enter through pipes before releasing them into the collector.
• Collector: The collector starts converting the harmful gases and also reduces the noise from the engine.
• Catalytic Converter: Located inside the collector, the catalytic converter converts harmful gases into less harmful ones.
• Oxygen Sensor: The sensor monitors the amount of oxygen flowing into the exhaust and sends measurements to the electronic control unit.
• Butterfly Valve and Bafflers (or Silencers): These regulate the noise and the backpressure.

Types of Motorcycle Exhaust

There are two main types of motorcycle exhaust available in the market. Each comes with its own set of benefits, so it’s helpful to know about them.

• Slip-On Exhausts are known for their ease of installation because these can be attached easily. No changes are needed to be made to the existing system and the job can be done in less than 30 minutes. These are also called bolt-on systems. It retains the factory head pipes and only replaces the muffler so it’s called the muffler only.
• Full System Exhausts replaces the setup of your existing exhaust system. Because of this, it opens up the possibility of configuration. With a full system replacement, you can benefit from the maximum performance, weight reduction, and improved aesthetics.

Materials Used for Exhaust Parts

Motorcycle exhaust parts are made with different types of metals. Consider the features of each if you’re planning to replace your exhaust.

• Aluminum is often used in sports bikes because it isn’t too heavy or too light.
• Titanium is lightweight, but it’s also the most expensive.
• Stainless Steel is the most common metal used in motorcycle exhaust pipes because it has good anti-heat and anti-corrosion properties.
• Mild Steel is preferred by some because it is the least expensive to manufacture but has limitations when it comes to withstanding high temperatures.
• Ceramic Coated Steel is when a ceramic layer is added inside a stainless steel exhaust, adding insulation properties and increased durability

Exhaust Pipe Discoloration

The motorcycle exhaust is typically exposed to high temperatures, dust, water, and other contaminants, so you might notice some discoloration after time.

In some cases, you might notice that the exhaust had turned blue. This is a result of the heat going through the pipes. But as you know, this component is supposed to withstand heat, so it’s important to check the cause when this happens. Some exhaust pipes turn blue when the bike is new because it’s still being broken in. But if it happens much later, you might need to get it checked.

Also, remember that not all metals are prone to turning blue because of heat. For instance, chrome can turn blue due to heat. But stainless steel will turn golden if there’s excessive heat.

Benefits of OEM Exhaust

While there are tons of aftermarket exhaust parts out there, you need to be careful when it comes to what you put in your motorcycle.

When you’re shopping for motorcycle exhaust, consider buying Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts, because these can provide you with the best quality. The parts are made by the company that supplied the part to your vehicle maker, which means that it will function the same when fitted in your motorcycle.

By purchasing OEM parts, you can experience the same features that you’ve come to rely on over the years. Aside from performance and durability, this also ensures safety as OEM exhausts comply with emission guidelines.

Key Takeaway

This guide on motorcycle exhaust will help you understand an important component of your two-wheeled ride. This way, you will have an idea of what to buy if you’re looking for a replacement for your motorcycle.

OEM parts for your motorcycle, we can help you here at Roberts! We only supply the best quality products, so we’re trusted by our clients nationwide.