Big Little Motorcycle Exhaust Accessories: Making Your Rides Safer and Better

If you’re like most motorcycle owners, then you know how hard it is trying not to think about ways to upgrade your exhaust system. Whether it stems from the need for a performance boost, a throatier tone, or a better look, there’s always something more that can be done with it.

Unlike swapping air filters or making suspension mods though, almost anything you do to your exhaust system is going to have an immediate impact. And that’s good, because sometimes all it takes is a minor enhancement that helps extend the life of your exhaust to make the most noticeable difference.

Fortunately, there are lots of small accessories available that can give your exhaust system a big boost in longevity. After all, who wouldn’t want an exhaust enhancement that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, is completely road legal, and is going to work just as well with stock steel pipes as it will with a custom Akrapovic collector setup? Let’s take a look at a few of these upgrades and see just what they can do for your bike.

Big Little Exhaust Accessories

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First, let’s be honest: bike exhaust systems are expensive, and any upgrade that’s going to help one last longer is worth paying attention to. That’s why aftermarket accessories like motorcycle exhaust guards and tension springs are so highly recommended for minimizing the risk of premature exhaust system problems and failure.

Of course, these are only 2 small items from a much bigger selection of parts and accessories that you can use to protect various parts of your exhaust system from unnecessary damage and fatigue. Some are meant to insulate the system from external assault, while others are meant to shield the rider and the rest of the bike from the exhaust system itself. No matter which direction the protection is oriented though, it’s easy to see just how effective they all are at keeping your exhaust in tip-top condition at all times.

Header Guards

Regardless of whether you ride a custom Softail, a dual Sportster, or a full-on GP streetster, you’re undoubtedly familiar with the kind of damage that rocks and gravel kicked up by the front wheel can do to exhaust headers. You may not think twice about it with your factory exhaust, but you don’t want your thousand-dollar titanium headers getting showered with pebbles every time you hit the road. Exhaust header guards are designed to protect your headers from this endless procession of dents and dings, and feature:

• Anodized aluminium alloy or steel construction;
• Flexible lengths of 25cm and 61cm; and,
• Easy contours that install with stainless steel clamps.

And if you spend a lot of time off-roading, they’ll also help shield your exhaust from the sort of mud and grime build-up that can lead to corrosion. Suffice it to say, header guards are inexpensive aftermarket accessories that protect your exhaust every time you ride.

Exhaust Tension Springs

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Bikes that don’t have full exhaust systems, have slip-on systems that can be made up of as many as 6 individual header/collector/muffler sections. Engine and chassis vibration can be severe on some types of bikes, so instead of all these exhaust sections being solidly welded together, tension springs are used to allow them the flexibility to resist cracking or warpage.

Those same vibrations, however, along with the extreme stresses of exhaust heating and cooling cycles, can result in springs gradually becoming stretched and weakened, even to the point of failure when you’re out riding. That’s not a pleasant prospect, and installing new heavy-duty tension springs is your best solution. Premium quality springs are sold in pairs, and are:

• Wound from corrosion-resistant stainless steel;
• Available in 57mm, 75mm, 83mm, and 90mm lengths; and,
• Black or gold chromate coat finished.

You want to bear in mind that exhaust springs can break at any time, so checking them periodically and keeping a few extras and a spring puller in your under-seat storage is a worthwhile precaution. That way, if you need them while you’re on the road, you’ll have them; and always remember to run a bit of safety wire between the exhaust weld tabs as well to ensure your exhaust doesn’t come completely apart if a spring breaks on the highway.

Exhaust Plugs

Protecting your exhaust system means occasionally rinsing it clean of all the pollutants and chemicals that get collected off the road and can lead to rust or corrosion setting over time. Letting water get inside the exhaust through the muffler while you’re rinsing it off though can ruin the system quicker than letting road salt build up on it unchecked on the outside.

Water, moisture, condensation and even wild critters can take up unwanted residence in an exhaust system if they’re given the opportunity, and the outcome won’t be a favourable one. These are all reasons why using exhaust plugs is so crucial whenever you’re rinsing your exhaust, washing your bike, or planning on leaving it parked for any length of time. Look for exhaust plugs that are:

• Manufactured from soft, non-abrasive rubber;
• Taper fit for exhaust outlet diameters between 20mm and 55mm; and,
• Suitable for both 2- and 4-stroke bikes.

Keeping your exhaust clean is just as essential as any other measure you can take to extend its life; you just need to have the right accessories handy when you do it. And cleanliness is also important for some accessories to provide their optimum benefit.

Header Wraps

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Header wraps typically get the nod for being one of the simple motorcycle exhaust accessories that can contribute immediately to better performance. These thermal-resistant tapes not only help contain the heat that would otherwise radiate back onto the engine, but they also aid in the heat retention that assists exhaust scavenging. And when correctly applied, they even look pretty cool too.

Wraps also provide another layer of protection from the rocks and gravel that happen to get kicked up, which means you can wrap much more of the system than just the header. Other features of wraps include:

• Availability in fibreglass and titanium (crush rock) material;
• A standard thickness of 1.5mm, with widths of 25mm and 50mm; and,
• A range of colours that can accent your bike’s fairing.

For all of their advantages though, it’s important to remember that header wraps can also retain dirt and moisture if they’re not regularly and thoroughly cleaned. Their snug fit and inherent ability to retain moisture can give rust an unintended toehold on the outside of your exhaust, so you always want to ensure that if your headers are wrapped, they’re allowed an adequate opportunity to dry after you’ve washed them.

The Final Word

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There’s no question about it: whenever you look at your bike – or when someone else looks at your bike – your exhaust system is probably the first thing that jumps out. You want it looking its best at all times, but always want to keep in mind that a damaged or defective exhaust is more than an eyesore: it’s ruining your bike’s performance.

Aftermarket upgrade accessories like motorcycle exhaust guards, springs, and header wraps can improve your bike’s performance simply by ensuring that your exhaust system can continue to operate the way it’s designed to. And ultimately, that means preserving its serviceability for as long as possible.

If you’re in the market for an exhaust system upgrade and don’t want to spend thousands of dollars in the process, don’t dismiss how much of a difference only a few small, inexpensive accessories can make in only a few minutes.