It is an age old question for many bikers ‘ how long should my exhaust be?’ Unfortunately it is a question with more than one answer and it will depend on a number of different factors. Whether you are putting your own bike together and looking at buying the best exhaust from an aftermarket motorcycle parts vendor, or perhaps you are looking to buy OEM motorcycle parts to upgrade your machine, getting the right sized exhaust could be the difference-maker when it comes to the finished article. Remember to look online for all of your parts as you will almost always get them at a better price from cheap ATV parts to exhausts. Let’s have a look at some of the key factors which you will have to consider when it comes to choosing the length of your motorcycle’s new exhaust.
Compatible
Before you even look at your options you will of course need to understand what types of exhausts are compatible with your make and model of bike. Whilst mechanically speaking an exhaust system will fit on just about any model of bike, size willing of course, a stock Harley Davidson muffler is unlikely to look very nice on a cafe racer. First understand what kind of exhaust you are looking for, then length can come later.
Look
Assuming that it does the job of muffling noise, and routing away combustion gases, the exhaust which you buy should look great when fitted. Aesthetic beauty is important for any motorcycle and this will be a key factor in your decision as to which length of exhaust to buy. Based on the machine which you have, think about how far out that exhaust should go.
Needs
Another factor to consider is how you plan to use the bike, if you are looking to get rid of a chunky stock exhaust in order to trim the weight down for example, this will be a key consideration in terms of getting the right length.
Legality
Many states have a different laws around which types of exhausts you are allowed and so you must ensure that whichever type or size of exhaust you plan to put on your bike complies with these rules and regulations. The last thing you want is to buy a beautiful long exhaust for your cruiser, only to find out that you won’t be able to use it in a number of states.
The answer to the question then comes down to how you want your bike to look, function and whether or not you are able to stay within the confines of the law. There is no hard and fast answer, it will depend very much on you.