Do Motorcycle Exhaust Tips Change Sound?

Probably no one hates the throaty exhaust sound, and that’s why many riders still think that exhaust tips can change the sound. Now the question is, do motorcycle exhaust tips change sound? Or is it just another myth? 

If you use a whole exhaust system with a muffler and wider pipes, you can change and make the exhaust sound a bit throaty. Even width and shape of exhaust tip impact highly on motorbike exhaust sound. For example, if the tip is larger, the sound will be more throaty. 

Let’s see what it means and what you can do about it. 

While writing this post, I leave no stone unturned so you can get all crucial information about exhaust tips in easy-to-understand words.

Do Motorcycle Exhaust Tips Change Sound?  

Every rider wants their motorbike to sound like thunder or throaty. 

And that’s why many beginner riders still want to know how they can make their motorbike sound throaty. 

Changing the exhaust tip is one of the reliable options to change your motorbike exhaust sound. 

But before changing the sound, you should know that you’ve to install the whole system into your motorbike. The whole system includes a performance muffler and wider pipes. 

You may not know that shape and size of the tip also impact your motorbike exhaust sound huge. 

For example, if you want your motorbike to sound raspy, you should choose smaller and larger tips if you wish your motorbike to sound a bit throaty.

What Are Some Types of Muffler Tips?  

Before changing your motorbike exhaust sound, you should understand different types of muffler tips. 

You’ll mainly have two types of muffler in the market named single wall and double wall muffler. 

Exhaust tips made from single layer metal which cuts at both ends are commonly called single-wall layer mufflers. While in the double-wall muffler, two metal walls wrap the metal back itself and appear more finished. 

Crucial to mention, double-wall mufflers have a more throaty and deeper sound than the single wall muffler. 

And that’s why you should always choose a double-wall muffler if you want your motorbike to sound deeper.

Some riders also install an intercooler system in their motorbike, which provides sufficient ventilation inside the exhaust. This intercooler system helps to cool down the gases which come out from your motorbike. 

According to some riders, the intercooler system also facilitates providing the softer sound. In contrast, some riders still don’t believe in this. 

Does the Size of Exhaust Tip Matter?  

Many riders are still confused about whether the size of the exhaust tip matters or not? 

If you’re serious about changing the exhaust sound of your motorbike, then the size of the exhaust tip matters a lot. For example, if you want your motorbike to sound raspy, you should choose smaller and larger tips if you wish your motorbike to sound throaty.   

That’s why never forget to measure the tip size before making your exhaust sound deeper. No worries! In the next section, I’ve discussed some ways through which you can measure tip size. 

How to Measure the Size of Exhaust Tip?  

Measuring the size of the exhaust tip is pretty simple; you just need a ruler, a soft ruler or a piece of rope, and a calculator. Follow the below steps to measure your motorbike exhaust tip.

If you have straight pipe exhaust, you just have to measure from the center of the pipe from outside to outside, which will give you exhaust diameter. Don’t worry; just round up the figure obtained if it isn’t an exact measurement. 

However, you can’t measure the size of your exhaust tip with a slanted cut with this method. Because you can’t simply measure the diameter of your slanted cut exhaust. 

How to Measure the Size of Exhaust Tip with Slant Cut?  

For measuring diameter of slant cut exhaust tip follow below steps: 

If your motorbike has a slanted exhaust, you need to wrap a soft ruler or rope piece around the tailpipe and get a measurement. Now place this soft ruler or rope against the ruler to get your measurement. The resulting reading will be your exhaust circumference. Divide the reading by 3.14 to get the diameter. 

You can measure the diameter of any exhaust tailpipe through both above steps, irrespective of its size and cut. 

Watch the below attached YouTube video for proper understanding. 

How to Measure the Length of Exhaust Tip?  

From the above steps, you can measure the rough diameter of your motorbike exhaust. Still, you also need to measure the length of your exhaust. 

For measuring the length of the exhaust pipe, you need a measuring tape. Just measure the length from the spot where your motorbike exhaust is attached to the longest point of your exhaust facing outwards. 

With the all above steps, you can measure both your exhaust length as well as circumference. 

How to Change the Sound of Exhaust?  

So far, you understand how you can measure the circumference and diameter of your motorbike exhaust. 

Every motorbike’s exhaust is different because of its length, circumference, and how they are attached. And that’s why I mention two ways through which you can change the exhaust sound.  

Method 1: Change the sound by removing baffles: 

Most motorbikes have baffles, and you can make the exhaust sound deeper by removing it. 

If your motorbike doesn’t have baffles, I’d recommend checking out the other method mentioned below. 

Step 1: 

To remove the baffles, you first need to remove the 10-inch nut, which you can find on the end of your exhaust pipe. If you still can’t find the nut, find any nut holding the exhaust piper and baffles together. 

Step 2: 

After uninstalling the bolt, you can use a screwdriver to push back the baffles to detach the baffles from the exhaust pipe. You can also replace the baffles with a new muffler. 

Method 2: Modifying the muffler: 

If the above method isn’t working for your motorbike, then you can also choose this method. 

You can choose a used muffler from the technician to bring out the sound you want to listen to. You can even buy the modified muffler from the technician if you’re non-techy. 

However, if you’re a techy person and want to save some money, you can follow the below steps. 

Step 1: 

The first step includes uninstalling the muffler by unscrewing all the bolts. Don’t forget to note the length and circumference of the pipe, as it will help you determine the length of the cut. 

Step 2: 

The second step includes cutting out the outside edge of the pipe from where it joins to the muffler. Cut around the 2inch inside with the small blade. 

You can also use piler and twist to make the descent cut; the tailpipe comes out quickly after doing this. And now your exhaust gets much deeper.

It would be best to keep the baffler with you, as in the future, you’ll need to return the original baffler to a new buyer when selling your motorbike. 

Additionally, you will have to buy exhaust wrap for your motorbike exhaust. Some riders complain that they experience engine overheating if they modify the muffler. 

Also, read my previous where I’ve discussed what is motorcycle exhaust baffles, CLICK HERE to read.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Final Verdict:   

Do motorcycle exhaust tips change the sound? If you use a whole exhaust system with a muffler and wider pipes, you can change and make the exhaust sound a bit throaty. 

Even width and shape of exhaust tip impact highly on motorbike exhaust sound. For example, if the tip is larger, the sound will be more throaty. 

I’ve mentioned two methods through which you can change your motorbike exhaust sound. Always remember, it would be best to not touch your motorbike exhaust if you’re a non-techy person. 

Instead, you can hire an excellent technician to change your motorbike exhaust sound.