Aftermarket and OEM Motorcycle Exhausts
Original Equipment (Stock) or Aftermarket Exhaust?
Considering replacing your stock motorcycle exhaust? Whether it’s by choice or necessity, you have three options. First would be replacing the exhaust with the stock (OEM) replacement from the maker of your motorcycle. Second is finding an aftermarket exhaust that will fit your motorcycle. Third is to have a custom exhaust built for your ride. We will only touch lightly on custom exhausts in this article. If you are somewhat mechanically inclined you may be able to replace the exhaust yourself. If not, plan on having a skilled motorcycle mechanic do the installation. Slip on replacement exhausts will be much easier to install than a complete system replacement.
Stock Exhausts
The simplest and usually the least expensive option is to purchase a replacement exhaust from the motorcycle manufacturer for your make and model bike. The manufacturer exhaust will be made for exact fitment to your specific motorcycle and typically, no adjustments need to be made for air or fuel intake. Stock exhausts from the manufacturer of your bike will usually fall within the maximum decible levels for the majority of US states that have noise laws. Stock also makes the decision process much easier of where to purchase. Your choice will mostly be based on which dealership you trust and feel has great mechanics.
Aftermarket Exhausts
There are dozens of aftermarket motorcycle exhaust companies manufacturing exhausts for most makes and models of motorcycle. If your bike is older, or if the model is no longer being sold, you may have fewer choices other than stock unless you find a custom manufacturer that will fabricate an exhaust specifically for your ride. Custom exhausts will typically be more expensive and may not have a good warranty. Aftermarket exhausts tend to be louder than stock exhausts. Always check your local municipalities noise restrictions.
Purchasing Options
Cobra, Vance & Hines, Khrome Works, Super Trapp, S&S Cyle Exhaust, Rinehardt Racing, Freedom Performance and MagnaFlow are several manufacturers that make quality aftermarket exhausts for a wide range of makes and models of motorcycles. They make exhausts that are make and model specific for fitment. They are usually tuned for your specific bike. Some may require tuning for air and fuel flow for optimum performance. Tuning may require the purchase and installation of a fuel management system, such as a Dynojet Power Commander, that can be installed and mapped for most exhausts and motorcycle. Vance & Hines sells their own Fuelpak that can be used with their brand exhausts.
RevZilla, Dennis Kirk, J&P Cycles, Chapmoto, Brocks Performance (Sport and Off Road), Cycle Gear and Parts Giant are some of the motorcycle parts and accessories companies that offer multiple makes of aftermarket exhausts.
They all provide the ability for you to enter the year, make and model of your motorcycle to ensure proper fitment of the exhausts. I cannot express enough how critical it is to purchase an exhaust that is specifically designed to fit your bike. Proper fittment will usally help you avoid having to make adjustments or alterations to install the exhaust.
