Motorcycle exhausts normally have three parts. There is a header (s), which collects exhaust gases directly from the cylinder(s). The header is connected to a midpipe , which runs the fumes toward the back of the motorcycle. If the bike has fuel-air sensors, exhaust management cables or a catalytic converter, these components will normally be incorporated here. Eventually, the midpipe connects to a muffler . This is the wide bit, where baffles and interior diameters will modify your engine sound. Because of their appearance, mufflers are affectionately known as “cans.”
There are two types of aftermarket exhausts. A “slip-on” replaces only the muffler, while a “full system” replaces everything: header, midpipe and can.
At a few hundred bucks, slip-ons will supply the most bang for your buck (literally). In many cases, they have all the sound and style benefits of a full system. However, slip-on exhausts won’t do much for performance. Because the midpipe and headpipe remain stock, the weight-saving numbers aren't extraordinary. Likewise, a slip-on exhaust won’t achieve large horsepower gains.
Of course, that last downside is actually an upside for some people. If you want awesome sound and style without having to install a jet kit or a fuel controller, the lack of performance is probably a good thing. For the most part, you can install a slip-on exhaust without having to change the air-fuel mixture. That said, slip-ons will offer a couple horsepower to anyone enthusiastic enough to do the tuning.
The other advantage of slip-on exhausts is the easy installation. In many cases, it’s as simple as it sounds. Remove the stock muffler, slip on the new one, and tighten some clamps. Road-going motorcycles might require some bodywork to be removed first, but that’s no biggie.
A note for off-road riders: Many dirt bike slip-ons replace the muffler and a good chunk of the midpipe. Installation is still simple, but the horsepower and weight-saving gains are more substantial. As you might guess, this brings us into a grey zone where jet kits and fuel controllers are necessary-ish.
Shop all slip-on exhausts here.
When you replace more pipes, you have to buy more metal. Full exhaust systems commonly run around $1000. Some are less. Many are more.
Of course, full systems give an awesome noise and look. But what you’re really paying for is performance gains. In some cases, full exhaust systems can shave nearly 20 pounds off the stock numbers. And with the obligatory air-fuel tuning, horsepower improvement can reach 15%. Of course, these kinds of numbers often require the removal of a catalytic converter. In the previous section, we discussed the legality of this (or lack thereof).
There are a few complications with full exhausts. As we mentioned, you’ll almost always need a jet kit or a fuel controller to get your bike running properly with the new system. Also, replacing the full exhaust will often effect (for better or worse) the available lean angle of your motorcycle. You should think about that before edging into the first post-mod corner. Finally, you might have to remove your motorcycle’s centre stand or passenger foot pegs. Obviously, this depends on which motorcycle you have and which exhaust system you choose.
In terms of installation, full exhaust systems are more complex. The average tinkerer can get it done, but many people will hire a mechanic for peace of mind. Our installation section gives a few details on what to expect.
So, should you get a slip-on or a full system? Well, it depends what you’re looking for. If you just want an awesome sound and style, get a slip-on. If you’re looking for performance gains – or if the midpipe and header on your bike are particularly ugly – get a full system.
Shop full exhaust systems here.
So you want to upgrade your motorcycle’s exhaust system. Classic. Now, there are many reasons why one would want to slap on an aftermarket pipe, just as many as there are reasons why you shouldn’t. Regardless, here we are, and you’ve chosen to go down the aftermarket exhaust route. What are some things you should consider? Most importantly, which one should you buy? A slip-on exhaust system, or a full-system exhaust? Let’s dive in a little deeper.
Let’s start off with the easiest, most commonly chosen option: a slip-on exhaust. Now, a slip-on exhaust makes perfect sense for most motorcycle enthusiasts who consider themselves casual riders who ride mostly on the street. Why? Well there are a few reasons why. For starters, a slip-on exhaust is obviously a lot more affordable than a full-system, simply because there are fewer parts. A slip-on exhaust, well, slips onto your bike’s existing exhaust hardware, and usually just replaces the muffler, or tail pipe. Oftentimes, a slip-on exhaust system comes packaged with a link pipe, as well as all the bolts, washers, and mounting hardware needed to install the part.
Another reason why slip-on exhaust systems are more ideal for the casual motorcyclist is because it’s more often than not a plug-and-play accessory. This means that no alterations or tuning work needs to be done to your bike’s engine. Unlike a full-system exhaust which would require an ECU reflash and sometimes even dyno tuning, most reputable slip-on exhaust systems are designed to work optimally with your bike’s stock ECU settings. Lastly, given the fact that slip-on exhaust systems replace only the tail section of your exhaust, you get to retain your stock catalytic converter and resonator, meaning you don’t get an obnoxiously loud exhaust, and your bike will continue to pass emissions regulations.
A full-system exhaust is a lot more complicated than a slip-on exhaust system. Not only that, it also requires a substantially bigger financial commitment, as well. However, if you’re a performance junky who’s eager to get the most performance out of your motorcycle, then a full-system exhaust is the way to go. As the name suggests, a full-system replaces the entirety of your motorcycle’s exhaust system from the headers all the way back to the tailpipe. More often than not, it forgoes the silencers and catalytic converter in order to achieve a free flowing design to optimize exhaust velocity. This results in a very loud exhaust system, which oftentimes goes well beyond what most people would deem sensible.
Another thing to consider when upgrading to a full-system exhaust is that most of the time, it’ll be essential to have your motorcycle’s ECU reflashed in order to optimize your engine performance to accommodate the modified exhaust system. If you install a full-system without remapping your ECU, you could experience some throttle issues, backfiring, or even get error codes thrown out due to the inconsistent readings detected by the O2 sensor.
When upgrading your motorcycle’s exhaust system, there are always a few things to consider, especially when it comes to existing rules and regulations currently being implemented. For starters, fitting an aftermarket exhaust system, regardless of whether it’s a slip-on or full system, will significantly increase the level of noise your bike produces. That said, be sure that the exhaust system you’re installing complies with existing noise limits when it comes to vehicle exhaust systems.
Another thing to consider would be the emissions side of things, particularly if you plan on going the full-system route. Even after you’ve remapped your ECU, your bike will still be producing substantially more emissions as compared to that of the stock system. Additionally, the make and model of the motorcycle you own will also heavily influence the type of exhaust system you could choose. For instance, motorcycles like the Kawasaki Ninja 650 have a one-piece factory exhaust system, meaning you have no other choice than a full-system exhaust.
Lastly, beware of fake/replica exhaust systems. As is the case with most things worth your hard-earned cash, there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all type deal when it comes to aftermarket exhaust systems. All reputable manufacturers engineer their products specifically for certain bikes in order to prevent premature wear to the engine and its internals, as well as to optimize the motorcycle’s performance.