This is a common question from people who suffered a burn after touching their motorcycle exhaust pipe accidentally. Simultaneously, that means you have to take the needed care to avoid burns because they can be very harmful. Knowing how hot your motorcycle exhaust pipe can get will help you take enough action to protect yourself and other people.
So, how hot do motorcycle exhaust pipes get?
Well, the temperature of a motorcycle exhaust pipe ranges between 700 degrees Fahrenheit and 1400 Fahrenheit, which is comparable to the normal heat and enough to cause a severe burn when touched. Still, the temperature can cross the limits and melt the pipe, therefore, damaging your motorcycle.
Factors behind the Exhaust Pipe Heat
Several factors determine the temperature of the motorcycle exhaust system. The factors range from burning gasoline to the carbon particles released to the environment. Below is a brief introduction to the factors.
Heat Production in the Engine
The motorcycle engine burns gasoline to produce power. All the gases produced during the burning of gasoline are released to the environment through a hollow tube in the exhaust system. The carbon exhaust moves from the exhaust manifold and passes through the catalytic converter and some other pipes before being released through the exhaust pipe.
The pipe that leads to the engine carburetor heats immediately the bike starts and the tailpipe starts sparkling after a short time. After that, the muffler and the exhaust system start filtering the hot air stream, which starts cooling after it passes through the engine fuel system. Surprisingly, the exhaust ports of your bike create the same amount of heat.
On the other hand, the oxygen sensor gets heated very fast and it is possibly the hottest part of the motorbike exhaust system. Air also flows to the catalytic converter and gets blown out along with exhaust gases and any other waste. This process makes the exhaust system very hot.
Combustion Temperature
Gasoline stays compressed in the engine chamber of your motorcycle and starts burning when the temperature increases to 1600 degrees Fahrenheit. So, we can assume that the combustion chamber’s temperature stays at 1600 degrees Fahrenheit. Still, motorcycles with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation or EGR maintain the temperature at around 14-1600 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Type OF Engine and Weight of Load
The head of the exhaust pipe is usually narrower than the body. In other words, the exhaust gases get compressed when leaving the exhaust system and this might make the head very hot. The temperature of your motorcycle’s exhaust head will vary depending on how effectively your exhaust system releases heat to the environment and they are based on the type of motorcycle engine and the weight that your bike is carrying.
The Exhaust System Condition
The condition of the motorcycle’s exhaust system also determines the temperature of the pipe. Always ensure that the system is in a good state for maximum fuel emission efficiency. Many constrictions or bends on the exhaust system can cause high heat buildup because fumes from the engine will not be escaping.
Condition of the Engine
The performance of your motorcycle should be good if the engine is running optimally and producing the right amount of heat in the exhaust gases. The engine should also consume the right amount of fuel and produce enough horsepower. A faulty or old engine on the other hand will not work properly and it will therefore result in overheating.
The Engine Speed
As we have already stated, combustion gases originate from the motorcycle’s engine. So, if the motorcycle moves very fast, the engine will work more and the exhaust valve will send more fumes with high temperatures, therefore, heating the pipe. For example, when the engine is driving at 2,000RPM, the temperature of the exhaust will hit 1100 degrees Fahrenheit or even higher. When running at 700RPM, the temperature is likely to be as low as 700 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Length of the Motorcycle’s Exhaust Pipe
If the exhaust pipe of your motorcycle is long, the gases will have to travel longer and therefore lose more heat before leaving the motorcycle. On the other hand, gases leaving a short exhaust system will be warmer and therefore leave a hotter exhaust pipe. Therefore, a longer tailpipe is more beneficial.
Preventing Accidents Associated with Hot Exhaust Pipes and Mufflers
While approximating the number of motorcycle users in the world, it is safe to say that motorcycles are among the most commonest transportation methods in all parts of the world. A team of researchers concluded that motorcycle muffler and exhaust pipe burns are very common and they mostly affect females who wear clothing that exposes their legs. The number of burns stands at around 17 per every 100,000 people per year or 208 burns per every 100,000 motorcycles. Furthermore, statistics show that around 90 percent of affected children are under some kind of surgical intervention to treat the burns. Here are a few steps to prevent accidents associated with hot exhaust pipes and mufflers.
- Use an exhaust pipe’s heat shield. You can buy one from the local store or online and wrap up your motorbike’s exhaust pipe.
- Be careful when starting your motorcycle.
- Avoid coming into contact with your motorcycle’s hot muffler when moving or picking up the motorbike.
- Be cautious when riding with children because they are known to suffer the most burns associated with motorcycle exhausts.
- Clean the exhaust or tailpipe of your bike with soap.
- Remove any dirt on the exhaust pipe’s wall with metal polish.
- Wait for the exhaust pipe to cool down before touching it.
- Ensure that all the bolts and screws of your exhaust system are tight. Vibrations can loosen them.
A large percentage of motorcycle exhaust burns occur in the hot summer months because both the exterior and interior temperatures are usually very high. The exhaust pipes do not get adequate time to cool down during the hot months, meaning that you must be careful when handling them. Do everything possible to prevent your body parts from contacting or touching the motorcycle exhaust pipe.
FAQs
Which part of the motorcycle exhaust system gets hottest?
Generally, the catalytic converter surface of the exhaust system is the hottest. The temperatures of the exhaust manifold vary for different motorcycles and operating conditions. Peak temperatures occur when the motorcycle is moving but not when idling.
Should I Invest in Motorcycle Exhaust Wraps?
A motorcycle exhaust pipe wrap is a great protection product. It will reduce the amount of heat around the exhaust pipe and therefore increase the horsepower of your motorbike due to the increased engine efficiency. The exhaust pipe wrap will further keep the heat in the header and prevent its dissipation around the engine.
Will an Exhaust Pipe Wrap Destroy the Exhaust Pipe?
Exhaust wraps are hard on exhaust pipes and can cause excessive heat buildup in the exhaust pipe. They also trap and hold a lot of moisture that can shorten the life of your exhaust system. Most motorcycle manufacturers believe that wrapping is abusive and they will not honor the warranty for a wrapped exhaust. A wrapped exhaust system will look crappy after a short time.
Conclusion
A motorcycle exhaust pipe can cause severe injuries such as burning and bruising. The tailpipe or exhaust pipe of your motorbike starts heating up immediately you start the engine and the temperature will rise steadily after you start riding. The engine will emit more gas and the pipe will get hotter the more you ride. Therefore, if you must access the exhaust, wear gloves use other protective equipment to protect yourself from injuries.