Motorcycle Exhausts
Motorcycle Exhausts – The Basics
By Engines make noise. Even after a century of progress and new technology combustible engines (often found in street motorcycles, racing bikes and cruisers) still use exhausts, exhaust pipes and mufflers (or silencers) to reduce the amount of noise being emitted from an engine as well as to steer the exhaust gas away from the engine. There are several different types of exhausts that can be used for specific motorcycle models as well as a variety of metals and carbon fiber materials to make exhausts with.
Though an exhaust is an individual part of the engine it is usually attached to a system that can include mufflers, cylinder heads, exhaust manifolds, turbochargers, and catalytic converters and drag pipes. All of these parts act together to guide reaction exhaust gasses away from an engine. This helps to keep the engine cool and quiet and also protects riders from inhaling noxious carbon monoxide fumes while riding.
You will notice exhausts and drag pipes are always located underneath and slightly behind the rider’s seat and pointing away from the engine and bike. Depending on the bike you have you may adjust the height of your exhaust. Racing bikes that take close hairpin turns will often place their exhaust higher up on the bike to avoid scraping the part when turning.
Motorcycles will usually include one of the following exhaust types: a twin cylinder with separate exhausts or one that guides exhaust gas into a single section, also known as a two-in-one or 2-1; a 4-cylinder twin exhaust system that is often found on larger motorcycles and the full system exhaust also known as a four-to-one on 4-1.
Regulations limit the types of exhaust systems manufacturers can install on commercial motorcycles but aftermarket exhausts can be found in several high quality materials including aluminum, steel, titanium, carbon fiber and even Kevlar. Many motorcyclists will opt to swap out the OEM exhaust on their bike and install either a full system or slip-on exhaust to get better performance and in some cases to make the bike louder. There are laws limiting the noise decibels of motorcycles so if you are replacing a motorcycle exhaust know the laws of your state or town before tearing off in a big bang of noise that is sure to attract the authorities.
Fines can vary from state to state but generally speaking the laws against noise levels on bikes is mostly to keep large cruiser bikes and the infamous “crotch rockets” from roaring through neighborhoods and essentially disturbing the peace. The common complaint against loud motorcycles is that when they travel down a road with cars parked on the sides the roar and vibrations from the engine can easily set off car alarms and cause a ruckus. If you race on a track or have a designated area for motorcycle riding the sound of your exhaust should not be a problem.
Read my other review on Kawasaki Motorcycle Accessories
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