One of the first customizations that beginner motorcycle enthusiasts make is to motorcycle muffler. This is because it tends to be where you can get the most upgrade for the least amount of money or trouble. The installation, depending on the type of improvement, tends to be relatively easy. You can do it by yourself most of the time.
Many riders modify their exhaust to either add sound, lower the volume or give their bike more power. In addition to muscle, the modifying of your exhaust system can take weight off your ride. For some riders, this is important. If you are new to motorcycles, however, you may not really understand how the muffler or exhaust system works. If you don’t have that information, then you aren’t going to be able to appreciate the value of upgrading.
We will go over the basics of the motorcycle muffler system and explain how to customize your bike and what to take into account when it comes to modifying it.
Basics on the Motorcycle Exhaust System and Muffler
In order to do the mods on your bike, you need to understand the exhaust system itself.
Carbon monoxide is dangerous when inhaled and your exhaust pipes work to move the exhaust behind you. In addition, they muffle the noise. Your engine could be ridiculously loud, so loud that it damages your ears. Additionally, too much noise can be illegal. You need something to muffle the blast. This is where the muffler comes in.
In addition to keeping the exhaust safely flowing away from you and the engine quiet, it can also help your engine perform better. When you have a good exhaust system, your bike is going to run faster and harder than it otherwise would.
Why Customize Your Exhaust System
Now that you know what your exhaust system does for your bike, you’re probably trying to figure out why you need to customize it. It already acts how it should, so why change it? The easy answer is that it improves your bike’s performance. Stock bikes are great, depending on the make and model. However, you can always make them better. A lot of motorcycle enthusiasts love modifying their bikes. They want to take advantage of every capability that their bike has. Upgrading your exhaust system can help you get the most out of it.
First, riders tend to customize this component because they want more power on the road. For others, the sound gets them. If you want to hear that rumble clearer, you are going to need a different muffler. There is also the aesthetic part of it. A new muffler can take your ride to that next level in appearance. It just looks good.
It’s one of the easiest mods that you can perform and it happens to be one of the most effective because of what it can do to your vehicle. From power, to sound, and even to improved fuel economy, a new system is a great investment.
motorcycle Muffler Customization and What To Know
If you’re speeding through the city or up and down the freeway on a lightweight bike, then you’re going to have different needs than someone who is carrying a heavy load everywhere that they ride. The exhaust system depends heavily on what kind of riding you are going to be doing. Therefore, while you know that you’re ready for an upgrade, it’s going to take a little more critical thinking to decide what you need.
First, you need to know what kind of systems you can upgrade. Muffler-only upgrades are slip-on or bolt-on systems. These systems keep the headpipes and only replace the muffler. A full system upgrade includes everything in the exhaust system.
Slip-On Systems
With slip-on systems, you are only changing the exhaust out on your bike. You still get that performance boost and you can still control the sound that your exhaust makes, but this isn’t a full system upgrade. However, you do get it for a cheaper price and you can install it without too many problems. This is best for beginners or those who don’t want to deal with an invasive or extensive install.
Full Systems
Full system alterations, on the other hand, take a little more work. You probably need a fuel management change to make sure that they are going to work. You may need a jet kit or fuel controller. Now, if you don’t have experience in working on motorcycles, this may be a little more difficult. The install is more complex, but it does reward you with more power than muffler-only systems. However, if you’re someone who has experience in modifications and customizing bikes, then this probably won’t be too hard.
To start, you have to make sure that you select the right exhaust pipe. First, think about what your goals are. Do you want to add a little more power or a little more sound? Then you probably just need a slip-on muffler. This is inexpensive and easy to install and will give you exactly what you’re asking for. If you are looking into doing more modifications on your vehicle, then a full system may be better. While it does cost more for a full install, it doesn’t have to break your bank either. You need to think about the parts that are going to serve your goal the best. Your investment should make sense and you should be able to spend the least amount of money for the biggest gains.
How Long Does an Exhaust Installation Take?
This is a harder question to answer. You now know how you can customize your bike, but how long is it going to take? Well, this depends on your skill level in mechanics and what kind of system you are looking to install. You may be able to install a slip-on in less than 20 minutes. This is not the same for all bikes, however. Some can take a considerable amount of time. So, depending on your aptitude, skills and what kind of system you have, it’s hard to say how long it will take you.
Remember to follow the instructions on your kit to the letter. If you have any questions or find yourself confused, it’s always smart to consult a professional. There are also many tutorials that will help you with your specific model of bike. There is no one way to work on a bike, given the diversity in parts and models.
What To Know Before You Customize
As you go into the customization process, you do need to know a few things. You have to be clear on what the year, make and model of your vehicle is. Then, you need to take into account the engine displacement. If you are inaccurate on any of this information, you may get the wrong parts. In addition, you should know that an exhaust system is an aftermarket modification. This means that they are made for stock motorcycles and if you have modified or built your own ride, then you may have a harder time finding parts that fit your bike.
Some modifications to the muffler or exhaust are going to lead to further modifications of the bike. You may have to move the oxygen sensors or remove the high-mount center stands. Be cautious with any customization that you decide to try out on your motorcycle. One of the great things about bikes are that they can be modified how you like. They are a lot easier to customize than a car, but you still have to be careful. Make sure that you know what parts will fit and which ones won’t. Don’t miss out on any detail. If you do, not only will the mods not work the way you want them to, but you could end up causing damage to your machine.
Add Power With a New Exhaust
Riding is about adventure. It’s meant to be exciting and a hobby to lose yourself in. If you’re still on the fence about a new motorcycle muffler, keep in mind all of the advantages of a new system. Mods aren’t always cheap. Owning a bike isn’t always a cheap hobby, that much is true. However, of all the different modifications you can make, changes to your exhaust system are some of the most affordable ones. It costs less money and you get more out of it. Yes, if you replace the full system, it could be a hefty investment. For what you get out of it, however, it is a value.
The exhaust system is one of the most important components of your ride. To have one that doesn’t work isn’t an option. While a lot of the stock exhaust systems will do fine for a while, most riders want a little more out of their bike. Fortunately, with the right care to detail and knowhow about customizing bikes, you can pump up the power on your ride and get more fun out of it.