[jiro]

Hi all,

I need some education on exhausts.

I understand the exhaust cans come in steel, aluminium and carbon. How does the different material effect the pipe performance? What difference can you expect between a carbon exhaust and a steel exhaust, for instance.

Also, what are the pros and cons between the slip-ons and the full system exhausts.

Thanks in advance!

- jiro

 

[peter2]

My understanding is that the carbon, titan, alum, etc. only refers only to the material of the outer shell of the can.

 

[Speeddog]

Peter's got it covered.

Just wanted to add that there are some exhaust systems available for other bikes that are all titanium, from the head to the can. They lighten the bike a bit, and the wallet a LOT. Serious Bling.

I'm not aware of any titanium header pipes for Monsters.

 

[MonsterHooligan]

1- I had titanium cans for 2.5 years and never dented them. I think the rumor about them denting easily was started when a certain retailer did not have ti in stock and was trying to pus c/f which they did have in. We keep seeing that rumor pop up but I would disregard it.

there may be some truth to that rumor (about 4 inches back from strap)

 

[MonsterHooligan]

[smiley=laugh.gif]
everybody thinks i only love the ViceGrip.
I also have great affection for the Hammer.

 

[jiro]

Thanks for the clarification everyone.

If my priority was to get pipes with a deep bass but not too noisy, what kind of exhaust systems should I look into? Should I worry about the exhaust material at all? I guess the best way is to join group rides and listen for myself, but doing a little homework beforehand shouldn't hurt.

I've read here that some exhaust notes are strong enough to set off car alarms! This can't be true, or is it?

 

[ScottRNelson]

I used to set off car alarms with my carbon Gia.Ca.Moto slipons, and they weren't as loud as the Termignoni cans. If I ever found a parked car that "honked" at me as I rode by, I would try to go back and set it off half a dozen times. If I saw the owner, they got a rude gesture before I wheelied out of there. ;D

I got tired of how loud my pipes were, so I sold them and switched to stock pipes with three inches removed and slight rerouting of the internals. They let the proper Ducati sound out, but are about half way between the stock pipes and the typical slipons in loudness.

I was recently reading an old Motorcyclist magazine article written by one of the Erion brothers from Two Brothers Racing talking about optimal pipe design. He felt Carbon Fiber was a poor choice of material to build pipes from. The only advantage was that you can touch one when it is hot and you won't get burned (I've verified this). He thought titanium was a much better material. Carbon fades or changes due to both heat and too much sunlight, so it's higher maintenance than other materials.

It was interesting that he felt fiberglass packing was the only thing to properly absorb the excess sound. You have to be concerned about blowing it out after a while, but it also can absorb things from the exhaust and get brittle so that it doesn't absorb sound as well. I repacked my pipes before I sold them to make sure they would absorb the sound properly for a few more years.

It's hard to tell the difference in sound with most pipes. I know that Termingnoni and at least one set of Two Brothers pipes I've listened to are a bit louder than average. The cored and shortened stock cans are also loud, but I don't consider the sound the produce to be "good". You need something inside there to absorb some of the noise before letting the sound out.

I would like to see more pipes that are designed to sound good without being so loud. I guess I must be getting old or something. 8)

 

[jiro]

I would like to see more pipes that are designed to sound good without being so loud.

 

[peter2]

Jiro,

I'm happy with my Arrows. Louder and definitely deeper than stock, but not too loud. I don't feel like I'm disturbing anyone when I roll into my neighborhood late at night. But then again....maybe I should do a poll of my neighbors on the subject, haha. At least no one has mentioned anything since I replaced the stock pipes.

 

[krista_k]

we forgot about STAINLESS steel, too. for quiet, look to Staintune (a brand that i sell). but they don't have sexy high pipes. another low mount choice are the UK made scorpion pipes. (another brand i sell)

i hate carbon fiber. i RIDE my ducati. A LOT. sun ruins carbon fiber. if your bike gets 100 miles per year and sits inside, then carbon is good to go. for real world riders that ride to work, ride in the rain, ride to another state (like to NorCal from SoCal), then i suggest muffs made with a metal skin.

 

[Guest]

Good CF cans will not go bad from the sun. I have the original Termi cans on my 916SP since 1995. My 1994 Bimotas CF cans are in great shape.

I've seen domestic cans (two bros, D&D, Kerker...) with low quality CF cans go bad though. The Arrow, Termi and Sil Moto are very good.

We sell over 300 exhaust systems a year here--I have never had a person complain about a damaged CF can in the last three years. We stock and sell CF, TI and alum. However we have a lot of problems with TI and alum cans considering the small percentage of sales compard to the CF.

I have two Ti cans and one alum can that we are currently waiting on an insurance check from Fed EX due to damage in shipping. I have a Ti canister skin that I just ordered today for an ARROW can. His plate relocator broke and dented his can. I get this all the time with Ti cans-- yet we only sell about 15% titanium cans.

A lot of people don't have any problems with the Ti cans- but if you are undecided, consider that metal cans can dent. CF will not.

CF is not perfect. I've heard of cases where the packing and CF canister skin burned becuase the bike shot flames out the back...We have not experienced this customers but I would not assume that it will not ever happen just becuase it has not happened to me.

My personal experience: I have 5 bikes. 4 have CF cans. One has alum cans. Guess which one has dings in it?

 

[jiro]

Very interesting posts. The variety in the build material I guess is what allows everyone to be unique.

Now, is my observation correct that most of us install aftermarket exhausts for better sound or looks rather than higher HP and performance?

Another question:
I know it's not any kind of a musical instrument, but will a typical exhaust system allow you to do minor adjustments on the exhaust note? Are you fixed on one sound texture?

 

[MagnusVer]

I'd rather have metal cans with dings than those butt ugly CF cans....

 

[Bloodshot]

Any metal will ding, that's the nature of the product vs. Carbon Fiber that would just tear before it could dent. However, titanium (TI) is a much harder metal than aluminum (AL), and at the same thickness should be harder to dent. I don't know how thick the TI vs. AL skins are on exhaust cans, but unless the TI is much thinner it doesn't make much sense that they would dent easier than AL would...

 

[peter2]

Of course the Ti used in can shells is significantly thinner than aluminum in the same application..

 

[Guest]

Any metal will ding, that's the nature of the product vs. Carbon Fiber that would just tear before it could dent.