Exhaust Pipes & Tips
About Exhaust Pipes & Tips
Exhaust pipes carry gas from the cylinder to the muffler, and on many bikes the pipe itself is tuned to the engine. This category covers head pipes and drag pipes for street bikes, expansion pipes for off-road bikes, and the small parts around them, such as end caps, sound inserts, spark arrestor screens and pipe guards. Riders usually come here to replace a pipe that was dented or cracked in a fall, to change the look or sound with a new end cap, or to quiet a bike down or add a spark arrestor for a riding area.
For a dirt bike, treat the pipe as part of the engine. A two-stroke expansion chamber is shaped for one engine, so the listings name the model and years, such as KX250 or Beta RR two-strokes, and you should match them exactly. A dent in a chamber can change how the engine pulls, so pipe guards, including carbon fiber ones for Beta RR two-strokes, are listed here as well.
On a cruiser, head pipes and drag pipes are chosen by model and by finish. Sound inserts and end caps are fitted to a specific muffler line, so confirm the name of the muffler they belong to. If you change a pipe on a carbureted bike, expect to check the jetting, and on a fuel-injected bike check whether the maker recommends a tune.
Brands in this category include Cobra, P3, Yoshimura, Akrapovic and Pro Circuit. Pick your machine in the Ride Finder at the top of the page for parts made for it. The pieces around a pipe are in Silencers, Mufflers & Baffles, Manifolds & Headers and Heat Shields & Wraps, and a matched set is in Exhaust System Kits.
FAQs on motorcycle exhaust pipes and end caps
What does a two-stroke expansion pipe do?
On a two-stroke, the pipe's chambers use pressure waves to help keep fresh mixture in the cylinder. Because that depends on its exact shape and length, the pipe strongly affects how the engine makes power, so choose one made for your engine and year.
Does my bike need a spark arrestor?
Many riding areas, trails and forests require an exhaust with a spark arrestor, and the rules vary by location. Check with the land manager before you ride. Some end caps and screens listed here are made to add or restore a spark arrestor.
Can I replace only a dented head pipe?
If your model's head pipe is offered separately, yes. Check how it connects to the rest of the system, and plan on new gaskets, springs or clamps. A pipe that is creased or cracked is better replaced than repaired.
What is a sound insert for?
A sound insert fits inside the outlet of a muffler to reduce noise. It is made for a particular muffler, so match it to the muffler's name and size, and install it exactly as the maker describes.
Will a new exhaust pipe need a tune?
It can. A different pipe changes how freely the engine breathes, so a carbureted bike may need new jetting and a fuel-injected bike may need a remap. Check what the pipe maker advises for your model.
