The Different Styles of Motorcycle Exhaust

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Motorcycle Exhaust Articles and Reviews

The Different Styles of Motorcycle Exhaust

The exhaust system of a bike can drastically impact the performance capabilities of the ride. Knowing the different styles of exhaust and how they benefit certain bikes can go a long way in determining whether or not a biker has his dream ride. Here are the most common and popular exhaust systems available today.

Here is a 2 into 1 exhaust from Cobra.

2 Into 1 Exhaust

One style of motorcycle exhaust is the 2 into 1 exhaust. The 2 into 1 exhaust is a great option for any driver because it helps performance in a variety of ways. First, it weighs less than a dual exhaust, which keeps the bike from being bogged down with extra weight and helps with cornering.

Some may wonder, “if there’s only one exhaust, won’t my bike lose power?” Well, it can actually be the exact opposite. According to Hot Bike Magazine, “splitting the cylinder head air outtake can have the opposite effect, ultimately taking away the backpressure the motor needs.” Overall, 2 into 1 exhausts are known to sacrifice sound to be more performance oriented.

4 into 1 exhaust were originally designed to accommodate Japanese style bikes.

4 Into 1 Exhaust

4-1 exhausts were primarily designed in response to the emergence and popularity of Japanese motorcycles in the 1970s. These bikes were easy to tune but had poor handling. Soon, manufacturers were designing 4 into 1 exhaust systems for these bikes.

These systems decreased the overall weight of the exhaust system and helped increase the lean that the bike could achieve by ensuring that no parts of the bike would hit the ground. Early on, 4 into 1 exhausts were designed generically to fit all bikes, but in recent years, manufacturers have designed more specialized exhausts. Like the 2 into 1 exhausts, the 4 into 1 will increase the performance of a 4 cylinder bike.

Straight/Drag Pipe

The straight pipe- also known as a drag pipe- is the most common style of motorcycle exhaust. Much of this has to do with the fact that straight pipes come in so many different styles. For the most part, straight pipes should be used with a removable baffle- a perforated tube that is inside the exhaust- to regulate sound and backpressure. Without a baffle, straight pipes give a vicious sound (which some people love), but they will also reduce backpressure, decreasing performance and putting the engine in harm’s way.

True Duals

Bigger bikes are the best for handling the dual exhaust system.

True dual exhausts work best to maximize performance when attached to two cylinder engines- this is seen primarily in touring bikes and heavier bikes like Harleys. It works best because the exhaust gases from the two cylinders will not push through one pipe, which would send shockwaves back up through the pipes toward the cylinder.

These dual pipes also work great with bigger bikes because the larger, bulky bikes can handle the extra weight of a dual exhaust system.

No matter what style you choose, the key is to pick what’s best for your bike and your riding style.

By: Tim Snyder

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