In this blog, I’ll show you the most simple and cost-effective ways to quiet motorcycle exhaust. If you’re tired of people staring at you oddly and not enjoying your ride because of unwanted noises, keep reading.
When you’re strolling down the street or practising on the playground with your child, you could hear an unpleasant rumbling noise from the motorcycle that causes earache due to its volume.
Put yourself in the shoes of their parents. If your motorcycle exhaust is particularly loud, you may receive some unusual looks.
The exhaust system, as you may know, is the primary source of a motorcycle’s sound. Some motorcycles are extremely noisy, and many individuals who aren’t particularly fond of motorcycles find their loudness unappealing.
Fortunately, there are a few techniques to greatly lessen the noise from your exhaust system to spare these people’s hearing. These are low-cost options, and you’ll be able to accomplish the majority of them on your own.
How to quieten motorcycle exhaust?
There are several ways to reduce the noise produced by your motorcycle. Some are inexpensive and simple, while others are costly and time-consuming. We’ll go through some of the easiest techniques to lessen motorbike exhaust noise in this blog.
- Examine your exhaust pipe for leaks
- Replace the mufflers
- Get a Better Bullet Muffler
- Consider a custom-made sound deadener for your exhaust system
- Try wrapping the pipes
- Consider Using a Catalytic Converter as an Alternative
- Invest in an exhaust silencer
Examine your exhaust pipe for leaks
One of the most common reasons for motorcycle noise is exhaust leakage. It will either create a popping noise or emit strong smelling vapours.
The first step, of course, is to locate and repair the leak. Holes of any size can alter the volume of sound produced by exhaust. It has the potential to make your motorcycle even louder than before.
The first step is to locate the leak. After that, the next step is to stop the leak. Allow the exhaust system to cool down before beginning to seal the leak. This is because sealing when it’s hot might cause the sealant to burn.
The technique you’ll use to fix the leak is determined by the size of the leak. The techniques listed below are effective for both little and large leaks.
Strategy for Sealing Small Leaks
Small leaks are one of the most typical reasons for noisy exhaust systems. Rusting is frequently the cause of small leaks.
This is especially true if the motorcycle is not properly maintained. The solidified dirt may cause the exhaust to corrode.
Finding these little leaks should be done before the rust consumes the exhaust system’s major components.
You may easily fix the problem if it is still at this stage. You don’t need any prior knowledge of the subject. All you have to do is get some exhaust tape and use it to seal all of the little leaks in the exhaust system.
You should be able to lower the motorcycle exhaust noise after completing this step.
Strategy for Sealing Larger Leaks
Exhaust tapes may not be effective for dealing with larger leaks. Instead, you’ll require other items capable of resolving the issue.
I promote combining the use of a patch with epoxy. The amount of the leak is the first thing you must determine. Measure it carefully and cut a patch to fit the leak properly.
If you don’t have a patch, aluminium can be used instead. This substance is just as good as a substitute.
Make sure the patch and the exhaust are both clean before combining all of the components. This is to ensure that better results are obtained.
Allow a few centimetres on both sides when measuring the patch. This guarantees that the leak is completely contained.
After taking a precise measurement, use epoxy to adhere the patch to the part of the exhaust that has to be repaired.
You can use improvised materials or things found around the house to increase your chances of success.
A clamp, for example, is an excellent addition to assist the patch to adhere to the exhaust. This is an excellent method for lowering motorbike exhaust noise.
| Materials Needed |
| exhaust tape |
| epoxy |
Replace the mufflers
This is yet another tried and true method for soundproofing your motorcycle exhaust system and reducing the unpleasant noise it produces.
Mufflers are a set of perforated tubes that reflect sound waves generated by your bike engine, reducing noise as it exits the vehicle.
If you buy a used bike, the previous owner likely made changes to it, such as removing the mufflers.
Replace the pipes and mufflers to see if it helps to reduce noise. Mufflers are easily available and reasonably priced, so purchasing one will not be a problem.
Get a Better Bullet Muffler
The mufflers you’re employing may be the source of the problem. This is especially true because most motorcycles come equipped with basic bullet mufflers, which are notorious for being excessively loud.
On the market, there are a variety of mufflers that will perform better than regular mufflers in terms of noise reduction.
For example, single or dual-chambered models with a chamber that helps absorb the noise made by your engine might be a good choice.
Therefore, get chambered, perforated, or louvred bullet mufflers.
The perforated ones have holes in them, which effectively deaden the sound.
Owing to their louvres and fibreglass packing, the louvred ones are even more effective in reducing noise.
Finally, because their chambers understood and appreciated sound, the chambered mufflers will generate a lower tone.
When it comes to noise reduction, resonator mufflers also work wonders. The inside of these types is usually made of fibreglass, which greatly improves their soundproofing qualities.
| Materials Needed |
| chambered mufflers |
Consider a custom-made sound deadener for your exhaust system
Resonator muffler is a common term for custom-made mufflers. Because of the fibreglass, you should expect a significant reduction in noise by merely installing this.
Because of the stainless steel construction, it will last a lifetime, making it an excellent investment if you have the funds.
| Materials Needed |
| Resonator muffler |
Try wrapping the pipes
One of the numerous advantages of wrapping your motorcycle pipes is that it reduces the amount of noise they produce.
Good-quality exhaust wraps, on the other hand, can greatly reduce vibrations and frequency. This explains their ability to hush the exhaust from your motorcycle.
These wraps tend to hold up well to the extreme temps on your exhaust system, as well as the severe environments you ride in because they are composed of robust materials like titanium.
| Materials Needed |
| exhaust wraps |
They’re also reasonably priced, similar to the mufflers. You don’t even need to hire anyone to attach them to your bike; with only a few basic instructions, you’ll be able to wrap your pipes like a pro in no time.
Vibrations and low frequencies are the peculiarities of exhaust wrap. It will decrease them to the point of being ignored. The wrap can be combined with a variety of other materials.
When mixed with fibreglass, the sound reduction is increased by up to 80%. As you can see, this is a low-cost solution to your issues.
| Materials Needed |
| fibreglass |
Consider Using a Catalytic Converter as an Alternative
The principal role of the catalytic converter is to reduce hazardous emissions rather than to reduce noise. You can benefit from this strategy in a variety of ways.
To begin with, it will reduce hazardous emissions and contribute to making the earth a better place. Second, it will reduce the noise.
This is something that some industrialised countries have adopted as a government policy. It’s composed of stainless steel and will last a very long time!
However, this is a more expensive option, and you must match the catalytic converter to your motorbike model.
If your country has this policy, you can fix all of your concerns like noise and hazardous pollutants from the exhaust with one simple solution.
| Materials Needed |
| catalytic converter |
Invest in an exhaust silencer
The surge in the number of riders who want quieter exhaust systems has prompted manufacturers to develop exhaust silencers that accomplish exactly what their name implies: they make your exhaust quieter.
A standard silencer is made out of fibreglass wraps that narrow the hole while also soundproofing your exhaust for a quieter ride.
If you’re shopping for a new motorcycle exhaust silencer, please remember the diameter of your exhaust system to ensure a simple installation. The ideal silence is one whose outer diameter is lower than the inner diameter of your pipe.
Replacing a silencer does not necessitate any particular abilities. All you have to do now is put it in place and tighten the screws, and you’re done!
| Materials Needed |
| motorcycle exhaust silencer |
Conclusion
If you prefer calmer rides or simply don’t want to disturb your neighbours with your noisy motorcycle exhaust system, you should be able to mute it using a combination of the tactics we’ve discussed above.
We recommend starting with a quick inspection of your motorcycle to determine if any leaks are present since they could be the source of the intolerable noise. If there are no leaks, you can move on to the next soundproofing technique until you find one that works.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): How to quieten motorcycle exhaust?
Is it true that Exhaust Wrap reduces noise?
Exhaust wrap isn’t meant to lessen noise from a car’s exhaust because its primary function is to prevent heat from escaping. The material, on the other hand, offers sound dampening properties that can attenuate higher frequencies rather than lower frequencies.
What’s the deal with my automobile sounding like a motorcycle?
The exhaust system is in charge of transporting exhaust gases from the front of the vehicle to the rear of the vehicle. There could be a minor leak in any of the above-mentioned components, causing your automobile to generate loud motorcycle-like noises.
What is the best way to clean motorcycle exhaust?
Cleaning a motorcycle’s exhaust pipes, fortunately, is a simple task that anyone can complete with a few readily available tools. Step 1: Clean your metal using a metal cleaner. Spray your motorcycle exhaust pipes with a commercial metal cleaner to start the cleaning process. Rinse your pipes in step two. Apply your metal polish in the third step.
What’s the deal with my exhaust being so loud?
When your exhaust starts generating a loud roaring noise, you know you have an issue with your silencer. Hissing, which signals a crack in the exhaust manifold, exhaust pipe, or a leaky gasket, is another sound to listen for. A chugging sound could indicate an obstruction in the exhaust system.
Will a resonator help to quiet my exhaust?
A resonator increases the overall volume and aggression of your exhaust note. It isn’t quite a straight pipe, but it’s close enough. Resonators are also less baffling than mufflers and do not divert exhaust gases as much. It should be noted that there is no mention of a resonator dampening sound.
What is the louder exhaust: 2.5 or 3 inches?
If all parts are the same, 3″ should be louder than 2.5″. At 3″, if the muffler is raspy, you’ll hear even more rasp.
