[SURVEY]: Why do we change to aftermarket exhausts?

[blizviz]

We all like to customise our bikes! And one of the easiest (& most favourite!) is by changing the standard exhaust to an aftermarket one.

The brand can be of any source (import or local), but we all have our own tastes.

Some may change it for the sound, the looks, the performance, or for some other random reason!

So, let's poll in our votes and find out the most common reason!

1) SOUND
2) PERFORMANCE
3) LOOKS
4) ALL OF THE ABOVE

[sunilg]

Survey approved.

[Eshan-P180]

We all like to customise our bikes! And one of the easiest (& most favourite!) is by changing the standard exhaust to an aftermarket one.

The brand can be of any source (import or local), but we all have our own tastes.

Some may change it for the sound, the looks, the performance, or for some other random reason!

So, let's poll in our votes and find out the most common reason!

1) SOUND
2) PERFORMANCE
3) LOOKS
4) ALL OF THE ABOVE

That's a good poll here I see.

My take on this would be rubbish waste of money. Having an exhaust change for bikes below 300cc category wont have a considerable change in the output. There would certainly be an upgrade, no doubt but can be effected and witnessed over the tracks only, on streets the ouput wont be noticed apart from loud sound.

Bikes which are powerful like 600's or even 1000's have a huge amount of power change when after market exhaust systems are installed, a little help from PC's would again contribute in completing the upgrade.

Conclusion - None of the above.

EDIT- I own a R15 V2.0, there is a member in the Pune xbhp list, he has a Leo Vince, I actually did not feel any upgrade apart from sound. There was even back firing noticed around steady 4,000rpm. If taken on track, yes it can be better than a stock as the weight is reduced and there are no obstacles in letting the flow out. And no its not possible for taking it over the track regularly since Iam from Pune, so yes my conclusion is based on that.
Conclusion given above is strictly meant for bikes under 300-350cc category.

If we are taking about super sports then yes all of the above, loud pipes save lives.

[blizviz]

That's a good poll here I see.

My take on this would be rubbish waste of money. Having an exhaust change for bikes below 300cc category wont have a considerable change in the output. There would certainly be an upgrade, no doubt but can be effected and witnessed over the tracks only, on streets the ouput wont be noticed apart from loud sound.

Bikes which are powerful like 600's or even 1000's have a huge amount of power change when after market exhaust systems are installed, a little help from PC's would again contribute in completing the upgrade.

Conclusion - None of the above.

EDIT- I own a R15 V2.0, there is a member in the Pune xbhp list, he has a Leo Vince, I actually did not feel any upgrade apart from sound. There was even back firing noticed around steady 4,000rpm. If taken on track, yes it can be better than a stock as the weight is reduced and there are no obstacles in letting the flow out. And no its not possible for taking it over the track regularly since Iam from Pune, so yes my conclusion is based on that.
Conclusion given above is strictly meant for bikes under 300-350cc category.

If we are taking about super sports then yes all of the above, loud pipes save lives.

You have your point sir.

But reality is, most bikes sold in india (and other developing countries, for that matter) are under 250cc. It automatically makes it the biggest market for accessories (exhausts included).

Agreed, that the performance gain may not be significant for such small engines, but it is appreciable for the end-users. From what i've read extensively on news sites and blog (no personal experience of using aftermarket exhausts), a well-tuned and well-made free-flow exhaust can give a gain of 1-3 HP (that's roughly a 6-17% gain for a 17 HP engine, for example). Now, 17% is big, in my opinion. Since 17% gain in a 70 HP bike will be 12 HP!

What you said is true, that the jump in performance will be bigger in bigger bikes (in absolute terms). At the same time, smaller bike owners can also enjoy a slight gain in performance, looks, sound, or whatever preference they have

[Eshan-P180]

You have your point sir.

But reality is, most bikes sold in india (and other developing countries, for that matter) are under 250cc. It automatically makes it the biggest market for accessories (exhausts included).

Agreed, that the performance gain may not be significant for such small engines, but it is appreciable for the end-users. From what i've read extensively on news sites and blog (no personal experience of using aftermarket exhausts), a well-tuned and well-made free-flow exhaust can give a gain of 1-3 HP (that's roughly a 6-17% gain for a 17 HP engine, for example). Now, 17% is big, in my opinion. Since 17% gain in a 70 HP bike will be 12 HP!

What you said is true, that the jump in performance will be bigger in bigger bikes (in absolute terms). At the same time, smaller bike owners can also enjoy a slight gain in performance, looks, sound, or whatever preference they have

Agreed on that, please dont call me sir.

But now tell me where would you actually use this 6-17% of gain? It has to be the track right, street its dangerous and can cause unnecessary cop issues. So would you take your bike every weekend to track or to commute to college or office?

( Iam loving the discussion on this topic as I was actually thinking of coming up with such a topic, thanks for bringing this issue. )

[Divya Sharan]

My reply - All the above. (Looks/Power/Sound)

See, the basic Indian mentality is "Get most out of your money".

Hence, a common man is happy with the after market exhausts because:-
1. He gets a power boost, however meager that may be.
(this boost may be achieved due to lower weight of the can/better flow of gases or whatever)
2. After market exhausts (minus the local dabba ones) look cool.
3. Most important - Sound!

See, more bang for the buck.

But, as Eshan says, the gains are too less for lower displacement bikes.
After all, not every rider hits the race track. Heck I can't use the full 14 odd horses (at the wheel ) on my ride, what'll I do with 1-2 horses more?

[satyenpoojary]

How about Ground Clearance for bikes with underbelly exhausts?

[Eshan-P180]

How about Ground Clearance for bikes with underbelly exhausts?

Well thats an option but are you ready to void the warranty for that? GC on such bikes esp 200NS and Dukes are very less, they can install it but that means terminating the warranty. That's again a risk.
Also there would be a side exhaust for such bikes which means change in overall design, risking the dynamics of the bike, okay if you intend to put for championship but very costly for college or office runs.

For your Spark, i have mentioned it earlier, the considerable rise in output would be felt very easily as the power output is more... So you opting for one would definately be an upgrade. Do you wish to though?

EDIT- The R15 also comes with an aftermarket exhaust, Daytona Kit which is factory fit. Actual use of this upgrade will only be felt on the track and not on street.

Just attaching a link to aftermarket underbelly exhaust for S1000RR

http://www.racetaylormade.com/wordpress/?cars=201020112012bmws1ooorrexhaustkit

It says an increase of 10hp can be expected, now these are liter class race bikes, we plan to use on your street bikes which are merely producing 25 to 33bhp at the end. Calculating the output would not be more than 1-3 bhp which is actually not that a big bump in figures, also to produce that much you need the roads which we lack, track is the only option left. So unless its a championship its actually not the worth, if you wish to have a loud exhaust then there you go.

Tenhut's Racefit gives me shivers...

[blizviz]

Agreed on that, please dont call me sir.

But now tell me where would you actually use this 6-17% of gain? It has to be the track right, street its dangerous and can cause unnecessary cop issues. So would you take your bike every weekend to track or to commute to college or office?

( Iam loving the discussion on this topic as I was actually thinking of coming up with such a topic, thanks for bringing this issue. )

More power may not necessarily translate to higher incidences of mishaps or accidents (that depends on the rider and if s/he is safety minded or not and/or the road & traffic conditions). If more power is a negative, we will not have manufacturers trying to improve the power output of their bikes

We can take this scenario as an example. an r15 v2 with a free-flow exhaust may produce, let's say, 20 HP on the wheel. The Pulsar 200NS also makes a similar figure (all hypothetical assumptions, not comparing brands here). So, it is not a guarantee that the Pulsar rider will ride more sanely compared to the rider with the modded r15.

Just my 2 cents worth of thought

[blizviz]

Well thats an option but are you ready to void the warranty for that? GC on such bikes esp 200NS and Dukes are very less, they can install it but that means terminating the warranty. That's again a risk.
Also there would be a side exhaust for such bikes which means change in overall design, risking the dynamics of the bike, okay if you intend to put for championship but very costly for college or office runs.

True. i have seen on youtube videos, Dukes 125 and 200 getting their exhaust replaced with conventional, side mounted exhausts. really spoils the looks!

[Eshan-P180]

More power may not necessarily translate to higher incidences of mishaps or accidents (that solely depends on the rider and if s/he is safety minded or not). If more power is a negative, we will not have manufacturers trying to improve the power output of their bikes

We can take this scenario as an example. an r15 v2 with a free-flow exhaust may produce, let's say, 20 HP on the wheel. The Pulsar 200NS also makes a similar figure (all hypothetical assumptions, not comparing brands here). So, it is not a guarantee that the Pulsar rider will ride more sanely compared to the rider with the modded r15.

Just my 2 cents worth of thought

This is where my point is...if you want more speed say an x bhp over the present why not use a powerful bike instead of modding the current bike. The money would be the same in that output yet you are getting the perfect feel of the engine.

[blizviz]

This is where my point is...if you want more speed say an x bhp over the present why not use a powerful bike instead of modding the current bike. The money would be the same in that output yet you are getting the perfect feel of the engine.

Certainly! Modifying engine carries its own risk, apart from reducing the engine life in general (more power, more stress, less working life).

[satyenpoojary]

Eshan: You have gone ahead and made a lot of assumptions!
Warranty is a sham.
The Duke and 200NS have adequate GC. The Ninja650 doesnt!
The purpose of the exhaust would be to avoid the "catching area" which exists in the stock
Look at this pic from stock


And this pic of a Jardine



Just throwing in a different perspective to the run of the mill assumptions

PS: Whether or not that small boost of power is needed or not is a personal choice. The Leo Vince on the R15 may seem stupid to me, but it is there as it is of some utility to the buyer!
PS2: Performance exhausts can also changes the power delivery in different RPM ranges.. so that could be another perspective to get it!

Why Judge on a survey sirjee

[blizviz]

How about Ground Clearance for bikes with underbelly exhausts?

As far as i have seen, bikes like ER6 (with an underbelly exhaust) have replacement exhausts which follow a similar design. So, don't think its a problem for the major brands, at least!

[satyenpoojary]

As far as i have seen, bikes like ER6 (with an underbelly exhaust) have replacement exhausts which follow a similar design. So, don't think its a problem for the major brands, at least!

Does the image fix that or do you need more images