It is hard to find empirical evidence to support the ‘Loud pipes saves lives’ campaign. Instead, this camp often relies on anecdotal evidence. Tales of a time a driver stopped changing lanes at the sound of loud pipes saving the rider from a wreck. It makes a bit of sense, the louder the vehicle the more aware other drivers will be of that vehicle but do loud exhausts actually save lives? This is a question that seems to have, at the same time, numerous answers and no answers. Many of the answers remain vague and float just above factual statements supported by numbers and statics.

Loud pipes seem to only cause problems with riders and the community adding to the prejudice that motorcycle riders are criminal delinquents that could care less about anyone else. Perhaps one of the most damaging statements made against the case of loud pipes comes from the American Motorcycle Association. The AMA has stated that the association “…believes that few other factors contribute more to misunderstanding and prejudice against the motorcycling community than excessively noisy motorcycles.” Many others point out that if loud pipes are to save anyone’s lives than the exhaust system should be pointed toward the front of the bike and not to the back much like the sirens on an ambulance.

The real issue though is not loud pipes versus pipes at the acceptable noise levels but motorcycle safety as a whole. Defensive driving on the rider’s and driver’s part is the only way lives will be saved on a consistent basis. Education and training will save more riders than the deafening thunder of aftermarket exhaust

As well as the fact that there should never be any deposit on an exhaust pipe in the first place, the bold angles of a high performance sport bike are sure to be marred by a piece of melted plastic on the pipes. When getting a cleaner, be sure it’s a high quality one that won’t damage the actual exhaust pipe structure.

Always be sure that the cleaner is rated for use with a carbon fiber or chrome pipe, depending on the type that the bike has. It may be a good idea to initially test the solution in an inconspicuous spot, as with any type of cleaning solvent. If the deposits don’t readily come off, the job might call for scrubbing. It may be wise to use a cloth wrapped around a wood block to aid in cleaning.

Be sure to avoid scratching the metal while doing this. Make sure that there are no nicks or scrapes being formed while cleaning the motorcycle exhaust. If done correctly, the deposits should come off after a period of time.

Since prevention is the best medicine, there should be some effort to avoid burning things onto the exhaust pipes. It’s obviously impossible to always prevent this from happening, but leaning objects or body parts against the pipes of a bike that’s just be ridden is just asking for them to get burned. That’s a good way to get hurt, as well as create deposits.

1. There is a stunning amount of diversity in aftermarket exhaust systems. Enter the process prepared by knowing exactly what you want. What is my budget? Do aesthetics rank supreme? How loud? What type of tone? How much power do we want? Does fuel performance matter? Do whatever research necessary to answer those questions.

2. Pay particular attention to the specific needs of your bike because unless you are prepared to do customization, the exhaust system must fit and accommodate the needs of the bike perfectly. Some models are more demanding than others are and impose serious limitations. Be aware of them.

3. Armed with this knowledge, you should have the selection field narrowed to something manageable. You can narrow it further by considering material and accounting for weight. The common options are aluminum, carbon fiber, stainless steel, and titanium. Don’t simply rely on looks. Consider how the weight will alter the ride of your bike.

4. Almost all of us want our bikes to be loud. A motorcycle should demand attention. However, remember that the onus is on you to make the bike street legal. Before buying the loudest unit you can find, investigate the laws in your area. If you’re unsure, speak to a motorcycle mechanic. You can probably get the info for free right over the phone.

5. Finally, know that a full system is not the only option. In fact, many enthusiasts can achieve what they want simply using a muffler upgrade the slips or bolts onto the existing header pipes. This provides both a performance and style upgrade, and does it at a cost that is far less than a full exhaust system.

It should come as no surprise that the most popular way to customize your bike is with a new exhaust system. There’s just no better way to change the look and sound of your bike than to ditch the stock setup. For some strange reason, most of them are big and cumbersome. Stock systems are usually also only a single pipe, also has question marks over size, heat and sound. So the question remains, round or oval?

First let’s look at round type mufflers.

The common consensus between riders seems to be that round mufflers are old school and look stock from bikes 10 years ago. They mostly come in aluminum, so that is worth keeping in mind when considering the look of the system on your bike and round mufflers also tend to have a quieter sound. They can be either single or twin pipes, but in most cases, the experts believe the only difference between a round and an oval muffler is the appearance.

Next, let’s look at oval type mufflers.

Without doubt, the most popular custom sports bike mufflers are oval. They generally come in carbon fiber, titanium and stainless steel and according to many riders, create a deeper, more robust sound. There is also the belief that an oval muffler does a better job directing gases and improves scavenging/back pressure. Depending on who you ask, this is either confirmed or you are told there is no difference between the two, other than the look for your bike. Again, many ask if there really is a difference between a twin pipe system with a round or oval muffler.

Finally, let’s look at durability of round and oval mufflers.

Any muffler, regardless of the type, will require repacking at some stage to ensure it provides their performance and sound it should. Carbon fiber and other composite materials have demonstrated they are just as durable and don’t require maintenance any quicker than those made with metal.

You’re now ready to decide which muffler system is best for your sports bike.

Graves Motorsports is a newer company formed in 1990. Graves experienced remarkable success working with Yamaha for the AMA Formula Extreme race series. The final product of their efforts won every race it entered during the 2002 season. The Graves pedigree delivers solid performance for generally affordable prices.

Hindle Exhaust Systems was started by a former Canadian racer, Lang Hindle. After retiring from the racing scene in 1982, Hindle started his own company. Hindle was one of the first companies to sell high pipe and spring-mounted systems. A Hindle exhaust is typically light-weight, but reasonably powerful.

Jardine Performance Products has been selling car enhancements since 1958 and expanded to motorcycle parts in 1972. They are known for their research and development department. Jardine exhausts usually are able to increase power over a large RPM band. However, Jardine products tend to produce a fair amount of noise while in use.

Micron Exhaust retails products with a tremendous variety of colors and features. Their exhausts also come in standard and high mounts for owners who prefer a different look. Micron brings flash to any sport bike.

Tsukigi Racing exhausts are popular in Japan for high performance. Their products have produced top five finishes in the Suzuka eight hour races on a consistent basis. Although Tsukigi is not well-known around the world, they offer excellent exhausts primarily for Japanese sport bikes.

Depending upon local regulations, a modified exhaust may have to meet emissions or sound regulations. Often this can mean an emissions test or decibel reading. Consult local authorities to avoid a ticket. By swapping out an OEM exhaust, a sport bike will have a noticeably different sound and look. It’s one of the easier ways for a sport bike rider to customize their ride without breaking the bank.