Motorcycles > Motorcycle
Exhaust Technology
The position of a motorcycle's exhaust can effect the bikes characteristics,
especially on high speed sportsbikes.
Underseat exhausts, a Ducati favorite since the famous 916,
were developed to reduce wind resistance by putting them up out of
the airflow - good. As a by product it raises the bikes center of
gravity - not good.
The traditional position of exhausts, either side of the rear
wheel has its advantages and disadvantages too. First of all they
are not the best looking pieces of kit and can clutter up the appearance,
they can also disrupt airflow and ground clearance can be in issue.
But if they are positioned low they can help lower the center of gravity,
they free up underseat space for storage and the engineering is thoroughly
researched.
Aftermarket performance exhausts can expel exhaust fumes faster
permitting a longer power stroke. However, many modern production
bikes already have a tuned system and an expensive performance exhaust
may only operate effectively at a narrower rpm range. Louder, and
often illegal, some belive that performance exhausts are safer as
they can warn people who may have failed to see the bike.
See Also:
Engines
- Stroke, 2 or 4
- Configuration
Frames
- Introduction
- Types
Suspension and Steering
- Girder front end
- Telescopic forks
- Hub center steering
- Steering dampers
- Rear Shocks
Transmissions
- Manual
- Automatic
- Chain
- Belt
- Shaft
Exhausts
- Position
- Performance
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