Chopper Exhaust Advice, Tips, And -- To Wrap or Not To Wrap?

Nothing says chopper like a set of loud pipes. It is the ultimate expression of rebellion and captivates other motorcyclists as well as bringing a level of safety for the rider. Loud pipes have been a staple of motorcycle tradition for decades and your chopper deserves a set that sound good but also look great. There are many factors that go into choosing the perfect set of pipes for your chopper though:

Chopper Exhaust: Sound

The phrase "the louder the better" should apply to every chopper, right? In truth, this is not completely true. While being heard is good, being heard too well can get you a ticket or possibly keep your bike from passing inspection in many states. On top of that, you need to pick a design of chopper exhaust pipes that are appropriate for your riding needs. A set of completely un-muffled shorties look awesome but after about twenty minutes of riding you will wish they were factory pipes. If you are planning to ride your bike to rallies or even just during the rally to participate in group rides, you may want to find pipes that offer at least a slight bit of muffling effect. There are design elements that affect sound too.

Chopper Exhaust: Look

As was just stated, un-muffled shorties look great. However, shorties would not look that great on a chromed out Ultra Classic, would they? Aside from the fact that you would probably melt your saddlebag off, they just don't fit the bike. The look of your pipes can be a great expression of your personality but there are some basic rules. Shorties look good on classic choppers and "rat-rods", all sorts of variety can be had for modern choppers that works and dual outs are most appropriate for baggers.

Chopper Exhaust: Coating/Wrapping

Depending on the type of bike, coating or wrapping the chopper exhaust pipes can be a great option for not only improving the look but the performance of your chopper. Either a ceramic coating or fiberglass wrapping serve one main performance purpose: they prevent heat from escaping the exhaust pipe. This keeps the engine cooler, which is especially important on air-cooled engines.

Wrapping shorties looks great and really adds to the feel of a rat-rod style chopper. Even more traditional choppers will utilize the wrappings to enhance the look and give it an old-school feel. The downside to wrapping is it can speed up the deterioration of the exhaust pipe itself. It can trap moisture and cause rust; plus wrapping just doesn't look right on all chopper styles.

The modern solution is ceramic coating. There are companies that provide ceramic coating and it can be had in various colors, from white to black to chrome. The process looks great and works better than wrapping to keep the heat in the pipes until it exits the back of the bike. It is a cheap modification that can give performance and comfort benefits as well as enhancing the look of the bike.

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