Maintaining a motorcycle’s exhaust system is critical for ensuring peak performance when riding, safety, and compliance with regulations. Improper exhaust maintenance can lead to decreased power, reduced fuel efficiency, and harmful emissions.
Exhaust maintenance, regular inspections, and cleaning are essential for keeping your motorcycle performing flawlessly. If you want more power out of your motorcycle, exhaust modifications and aftermarket replacements are a great place to start, as long as you understand the safety rules and regulations.
Motorcycle Exhaust Maintenance
Learning how to maintain your exhaust is critical for any motorcycle owner. An improperly maintained exhaust can lead to issues down the line, affecting your motorcycle’s performance, safety, and compliance with regulations.
The first step to motorcycle exhaust maintenance is regular inspections. At least once a month or before any big trips, take the time to inspect your exhaust properly. This includes checking for leaks—like soot marks or unusual noises—and all the mounting points.
If your exhaust surface doesn’t have any material or burn marks, you can do a basic clean with soap and water. Below, we’ve outlined the basic steps.
- Before cleaning, make sure your motorcycle has cooled down. Never clean a hot exhaust.
- Use a hose to rinse any loose dirt or debris on the exhaust.
- Use soapy water and a cotton rag or microfibre cloth to wash away any grime, dirt, or oil.
- Rise thoroughly with clean water with the hose.
- Use a clean and dry cotton rag or towel to dry the exhaust completely.
If your motorcycle requires heavy-duty cleaning, a cleaning solution will be required to remove any material stuck to its exhaust.
How Can Motorcycle Exhausts Be Upgraded
Several modifications are available for riders who want to upgrade their motorcycle’s exhaust system to improve performance. These include replacing the muffler, replacing the complete exhaust with an aftermarket kit, installing high-performance headers, removing the dB killer, and reprogramming the ECU.
- One of the more common modifications people make to motorcycles is replacing the muffler. Replacing the standard muffler with a high-performance or sport model can increase engine power and performance.
- If you’re looking to improve the performance of your motorcycle, you can replace the entire exhaust rather than just the muffler. This includes the manifold and exhaust pipes and leads to a more significant boost in performance.
- Many exhausts are equipped with a ‘dB killer’, which reduces the motorcycle’s noise. Removing it can improve performance, but keep in mind that in many places, it is illegal to do so.
- Replacing the stock headers with high-performance alternatives can improve exhaust flow and increase horsepower, torque, and throttle response.
- When modifying or installing a new exhaust on a motorcycle, it’s also often necessary to reprogram the ECU. This is so your bike can adapt to the new gas flow conditions, and the reprogramming can help optimise engine performance with the new exhaust or modifications.
If you’re wondering how to change motorcycle exhaust systems, it can be a complex process, requiring workshop space, specialised knowledge, and tools. If you aren’t already experienced, it’s recommended to go to a professional mechanic, as aftermarket exhausts and modifications need to meet specific requirements to be legal.
Motorcycle Exhaust Upgrade Restrictions
Just like cars, motorcycles must meet extensive regulations and rules as set forth by the Australian Safety Standards and the Australian Design Rule (ADR). Rules can also differ depending on the state and whether the motorcycle is for events (like racing) or daily riding (general-use bikes).
The standards for a motorcycle can also vary depending on the date of manufacture of your bike. If you don’t know what standards or ADRs apply to your motorcycle, it’s best to get in touch with a professional when seeking to design modifications to avoid legal concerns and fines.
Motorcycles strictly used for competition or sports aren’t as heavily restricted when it comes to noise or engine tuning. However, they cannot be used for daily use, and doing so can incur fines and legal trouble.
If you are wondering, ‘Are aftermarket motorcycle exhausts legal?’ The answer is yes, but there are restrictions. Below, we’ve outlined the restrictions for general-use motorcycles, but it’s always best to speak to a professional because regulations can change.
- The acceptable noise level for motorcycles manufactured before February 1985 is 100 dB(A).
- For motorcycles manufactured after February 1985, the acceptable noise level for the exhaust is 94 db(A).
- Modifying or removing any components that reduce noise and emissions is prohibited.
- Removing or tampering with the catalytic converter is illegal.
- Any aftermarket exhausts must be certified as compliant with ADR standards. If an aftermarket exhaust isn’t properly labelled to meet standards, it is deemed illegal.
It’s generally safe to use aftermarket exhausts as long as they meet all the regulations and are installed by a professional. The only time an aftermarket exhaust can potentially damage your engine is if it’s improperly installed and/or not legal.
The noise level for an exhaust is tested with the engine operating at a consistent speed. Depending on the engine type, this test is usually between 2,500 and 3,750 RPM. The rules regarding motorcycle noise can be found in ADR 83/00.
Motorcycles must also meet the emissions standards specified in ADR 79/04 or 79/03, depending on the date of manufacture. These rules regulate the levels of harmful gases (like carbon monoxide) that can be emitted by the exhaust.
It’s important to remember that each state and territory in Australia enforces its vehicle regulations, so specific restrictions on exhaust modifications may differ. For instance, in some states, like Victoria and New South Wales, random roadside noise testing for motorcycles is conducted, which if found to be too loud, results in a fine, and the motorcycle must be brought into compliance.
Upgrade Your Motorcycle With Taverner Motorsports
At Taverner Motorsports, we perform major and minor servicing, including routine services. We can also upgrade your motorcycle with our custom workshop services, which include exhaust systems. If you want to upgrade your motorcycle, we can help you source the parts, fabricate components, and complete your project. There is no job too small or big for us to complete.
The Taverner Motorsports team has over 50 years of experience in the industry, servicing and upgrading all makes and models—helping riders get the most out of their motorcycles. Our team is also experienced in all facets of custom bike builds.
If you’re looking to modify your bike or upgrade your exhaust, our team can ensure that all the modifications undertaken are in accordance with Australian standards. We also have an engineer on our team to ensure that they are always 100% legal and comply with ADR regulations.
When you choose to work with Taverner Motorsports, you can always expect complete transparency from start to finish. Our team will keep you updated on estimated costs, always seek your permission before acting, and give you a timeframe for project completion.
If you want to improve your ride and take your motorcycle to the next level, contact Taverner Motorsports with your ideas and request a quote, we’d love to help you maximise your performance and build your dream bike.