To have a cool looking bike you need a good looking exhaust system that stands out. It can really boost the appearance of your Harley motorcycle. Another thing is the noise your Harley makes comes from the exhaust pipes.

However your exhaust system is not just about looks and noise. It is important to understand the functions of your exhaust to find the best suited exhaust system for your bike.

Emissions

The original Harley exhausts are designed to handle the output from the engine, to deal with the environmental, aesthetic and legal issues. The converter changes the bad chemicals in the emission into something less dangerous. Then the catalyst converts the bad gasses like carbon monoxide and unburned fuel into carbon dioxide and water. This is a good way to reduce the dangerous emissions and is required by the EPA.

Performance Boosting

Your Harley exhaust system has a stronger effect than most people think on the engine performance. If you have a bad designed or clogged exhaust it will reduce the power of the engine. Think of it as a way from the gas tank to the engine. That way needs to be totally clear for the gas to flow freely; else you will suffer from reduced power.

The thing is that most people know that a clog in the fuel line is bad but a clog in the exhaust system can be just as bad. A poorly designed Harley exhaust will restrict the flow from the engine and cuts the performance. The best designed exhaust systems have nice curves and no sharp corners. This allows the exhaust to vent easier and the engine will perform much better.

High or Low Mounting?

Where to mount your Harley exhaust? You can either mount it high or low and it is determined by the way you are going to use your bike. The high-mounted exhausts can be used a Harley that goes on trails and a bit off-road. Then you get a lot of dirt and water flying around and the exhaust needs to be higher. The bad thing is if you have a passenger it is not very nice to sit that close to the exhaust. The low-mounted exhaust is perfect for street bikes and most regular Harleys.

I hope you have learned a few new things about Harley exhausts and that you consider these things before you decide on what kind of exhaust system to choose.