Heat Shields & Wraps
About Heat Shields & Wraps
Exhaust pipes get hot enough to burn skin, melt luggage and discolor nearby paint. Heat shields and exhaust wraps manage that heat in two different ways. A shield is a rigid cover that sits on or near the pipe and keeps your leg, bags and plastic parts away from the hot surface. A wrap is a band wound around the pipe that insulates it and changes its appearance. Riders buy them to stop a burnt leg or a melted saddlebag, to protect plastics on a dirt bike, or to replace a shield that has cracked or gone missing.
For a shield, fit comes first. The listings here include carbon fiber shields cut for specific bikes, such as the Kawasaki KX450F and Honda CRF250R, along with universal shields that you position yourself. For a wrap, measure the pipe's diameter and length, then buy more than the pipe length because each turn overlaps the one before.
Wraps come in materials such as lava rock and silica, in widths like 2 inches and in lengths like 25 or 50 feet, plus separate tape and clamps. Use stainless clamps made for the job, since ordinary ties melt. Some riders avoid wrapping steel pipes because trapped moisture can speed up rust, so follow the wrap maker's instructions.
Brands in this category include DEI, Helix, P3, Drag Specialties and Akrapovic. Pick your machine in the Ride Finder at the top of the page when a shield is made for a particular model. The pipes themselves are in Exhaust Pipes & Tips and Manifolds & Headers, and see also Clamps, Flanges, Hangers & Hardware.
FAQs on exhaust heat shields and wraps
How do I wrap an exhaust pipe?
Start with a cold pipe. Dampen the wrap if the maker says to, begin at the flange end, and wind each turn so it overlaps the last. Secure both ends with stainless clamps. The wrap may smoke or smell during the first heat cycles.
Can an exhaust wrap damage the pipe?
It can, if moisture gets trapped against bare steel, which promotes rust. Chrome and mild steel pipes are the usual concern, and some wraps are not advised for them. Read the instructions for both the wrap and your pipe before wrapping.
Why do I need special clamps for exhaust wrap?
Exhaust wrap has to be held at both ends by hardware that survives the heat. Stainless steel clamps are made for this. Ordinary plastic zip ties will soften and melt, and the wrap will unravel.
Are heat shields made for a specific motorcycle?
Many are, and they list the model and years. Universal shields exist too, but you place and mount them yourself. A model-specific shield uses the existing mounting points, so it usually looks cleaner and sits at the right distance.
Does a heat shield or a wrap protect my leg better?
A shield gives a physical barrier between the pipe and your leg or bags. A wrap lowers the pipe's surface heat, but the surface can still be hot enough to burn. Use a shield where a part touches or sits close to the pipe.
