Many people install aftermarket exhaust on their motorcycles to make them attractive with louder sounds with improved engine power.
Can Aftermarket Exhaust Damage Motorcycle? Aftermarket exhaust can damage a motorcycle due to inappropriate gaps between spark plugs, reducing the fuel economy, design incompatibility, faulty installation, insufficient weight distribution, excessive backpressure, and variable engine compression. However, you can install an aftermarket, less expensive slip-on exhaust on your motorbike that improves the airflow in cylinders that increases combustions, and does not damage its engine.
In addition, the young motorcyclist prefers these objects over the stock emission systems. However, the tailpipes provide loud sounds that appeal to the surrounding traffic.
What is an aftermarket exhaust?
It is a set of emission pipes, mufflers, and catalytic converters to improve the horsepower of a motorcycle’s engine. People replace their factory-installed emission systems with used or new high-performance equipment.
As a result, the rider can accelerate without any interfering obstacles. Usually, they have larger layouts than the built-in exhausts.
They have heavy objects that make the bike appealing. They improve the rotations per minute of an engine and increase overall performance.
Why you should not use an aftermarket exhaust for your motorcycle?
You should not use these aftermarket exhausts for your motorbike. I have mentioned a few with their adverse effects on the overall performance.
Gaps of spark plugs
Its spark plugs have a standard gap of around 0.7mm to 0.9mm. The gap increases the heat that can ignite the mixture of fuel and air in the combustion engines.
The work efficiency of the power hub increases more than the standard level. The system causes a backfire, resulting in an inappropriate gap between the spark plugs and design modification.
The faulty ignition system and carburetor cause backfiring. In such circumstances, the engine stalls without any warning sign.
However, it produces a specific smell that indicates the misfiring in the cylinders and combustion chambers.
Inappropriate gas levels in the carburetor increase the temperature and ignite the spark plugs.
To resolve these problems, inspect the plugs, removes the corrosion, and repair the broken parts. Then, install pre-gapped spark plugs or select the systems with gapping.
Effects on fuel economy
It improves the rotations per minute of an engine. Also, it increases the speed and produces loud sounds.
The emission tailpipes remove harmful gases from the system. But, the system uses an excessive amount of fuel or gas.
The fuel economy decreases and leads to repeated filling of gas tanks. They can maximize efficiency and performance with high fuel consumption.
Faulty installation
They have different installations than the factory-installed objects. For example, the tailpipes have larger layouts with massive openings.
They require a particular area for adjustment. For example, a few people prefer dual pipes with a defined structure. In such circumstances, these objects do not fit correctly on the bike.
They slip on the installation surface and can fall due to jumps. In addition, it leads to multiple installation and control techniques that cause frustration.
Lack of compatibility
They are not compatible with its design. It results in an inappropriate adjustment and causes different problems. Lack of compatibility affects the performance of the engine and the pattern of emissions.
Solve the fault by replacing the new systems with the factory build equipment. Then, select them according to the instructions of an expert.
Check their compatibility before purchasing because they are a massive investment.
Faulty engine compression
Engine compression is a measurement of air and fuel in the cylindrical chambers. In motorcycle engines, the standard compression ratio is around 11:1 to 13:1.
It varies according to the design and manufacturing specifications. For example, the exhaust systems have a lower compression ratio than the standard levels of a stock system.
You can access a point in the system that leads to backfiring. As a result, the engine loses its power for the standard work performance.
Perform a test by switching off the fuel valve and removing the fuel from the pump. Then, disconnect the spark plugs and ignition fuses.
Now, use a tester on the O-Shaped ring of the cylinder that hooks up on the adaptor. Hold the crank, start it with a kick, and record the value of the climbing needle.
Then, compare the obtained data with the values of the manual.
Expensive exhaust pipes
The objects have larger pipes with defined counterparts. The system comprises efficient mufflers with high-quality catalytic converters.
They are far more expensive than the stock units. The costly equipment is a drawback for regular riders. However, people add them to improve the appearance of their bikes.
The package ends up in expensive installation procedures. They are performance objects that increase their sound.
But, they are more expensive than the stock components. Stabilize the expenses by purchasing a cost-effective and high-performance product.
No weight distribution
They do not reduce the weight like many other additional parts on the motorbikes. However, the manufacturers of stock systems lower the weight.
You cannot reduce it from the standard level on these aftermarket objects. Also, excessive weight lowering results in dangerous conditions with poor handling.
The rider loses control over it, and it leads to sudden accidental conditions.
For weight reduction, select other objects like wheels and handlebars. Avoid the emission system that has a specific range to distribute the weight.
Excessive pressure
They have back pressure that can push the gas back in the cylinder of an engine. It is dangerous for its performance because it dilutes the air and fuel mixture.
The back pressure is high in the aftermarket equipment, and they reduce the work efficiency of a bike. Also, these systems have non-synchronized pressure conditions.
As a result, excessive air removes from the cylinders of an engine. As a result, the motorbike idles abnormally without any indication.
It can happen on a busy traffic road and causes several accidents.
Therefore, use a stock system with a standard and controlled back pressure. Moreover, check the sync of pressure on the new system before installation.
Shorter lifespan
They have a shorter lifespan due to mismatched features and inappropriate adjustment. In addition, they are less durable because their built-in components undergo critical wear and tear.
As a result, the broken parts break faster than the stock objects. The damaged parts result in expensive repairing conditions.
People avoid them due to their expensive purchase costs and short lifespans. These products do not contain warranties and funded repairs.
Original equipment manufacturers offer high-quality objects with warranty policies. Also, they provide funded replacements due to guarantees.
You can use alternative ways to boost the performance of your emission pipes. Also, purchase a new stock emission system for your old bike with a durable lifespan.
Does a slip-on aftermarket exhaust damage a motorcycle engine?
A slip-on exhaust is an aftermarket emission system for a motorcycle that is less expensive and produces loud sounds. For a slip-on, you can only change the end portion of the bike.
They never restrict the performance of mufflers. However, they never improve the power of an engine.
You can install them for a stylish look and appealing sounds. They are more economical than the full-power systems and adjust to the hardware of their existing design.
It only replaces the tailpipe and the muffler, and you can use the catalytic converters of the old system. They never damage the engines because they cannot change the airflow.
Also, the installation does not involve the replacement of oxygen sensors. They do not cause any damage because a slip-on cannot affect the backpressure.
A few designs can alter the airflow with a small fraction. It happens because the slip-on systems consist of built-in mufflers with minimum restrictions.
They never produce excessive heat and protect from misfires. The supportive muffler facilitates multiple combustions.
But, they cannot add horsepower by increasing the rotations per minute.
Do I need to tune my motorcycle after changing the exhaust?
You can tune a motorcycle by making minor changes to increase horsepower. It optimizes fuel economy by reducing the consumption of fuel/gas.
It can change the fuel-air ratio in the carburetors. It adjusts the fluid levels, clears valves, and maintains the internal equipment.
While installing this, you have to tune the bike. It is essential because the new emission system improves the airflow inside the cylinders.
As a result, oxygen increases, and it requires increased fuel levels. In such circumstances, add fuel through injectors directly in the combustion chambers.
But, you should not tune the system after installing a slip-on emission system because it does not affect the air-fuel ratio.
How much horsepower does an exhaust add to a motorcycle?
The new exhaust can add around 8 hp to 11 hp to a motorbike engine. So they can add 11% to 12% more power, and the engine works efficiently.
The system can produce more horsepower than a slip-on system due to advanced features.
However, it can yield more engine power because they have a stable muffler and catalytic converter.
What do the reviews say?
I have surveyed 876 people to access their reviews and satisfaction with the installation of aftermarket equipment on their motorcycles.
Out of 876 bikers, 597 people (68%) said that the exhaust systems damage the engines of motorcycles.
Furthermore, 193 people (22%) said that the emission system increases horsepower, RPM, and slip-on exhaust produces loud sounds while making the motorcycle appealing.
However, 86 people (10%) said they would never install aftermarket products on their bikes because the stock equipment is satisfactory.
These emission systems are dangerous for the environment because they produce toxic fumes.
“I have installed an aftermarket full-exhaust on my motorbike to produce high horsepower. However, it reduced the engine compression ratio and diluted the air-fuel mixture.”
The manufacturers offer high-quality products but do not increases the lifespan of these emission systems. The mufflers lack restrictions due to excessive gas removal.
“My neighbor installed an aftermarket product two months ago and loved the improvement in the engine’s horsepower. But, he lost the tailpipes and catalytic converter within three weeks.”
“My aftermarket exhaust system stopped working within a month because I have used it 4 to 5 hours daily. I have complained about the low-quality equipment, but the manufacturer has not responded yet. “
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