Published: 10 October 2023Updated: 10 October 2023
It’s safe to say that the most popular aftermarket motorcycle accessory of all is an upgraded aftermarket exhaust.
Whether you want to make your sports bike or cruiser sound better, fancy giving your bike a bit of branded bling, want to cut weight or improve power or all of the above, an aftermarket exhaust is the way to go.
But, with prices ranging from hundreds to thousands of pounds, a baffling choice of brands and an equally huge variety of types available — full systems or just silencer/can — it’s hard to know not only what aftermarket exhausts are available.
Which is where we come in. This guide isn’t intended as a definitive explanation of what’s available for your specific bike — we simply haven’t the scope or space here to do that. Instead it’s an overview to most of the different types and brands available, which should point you in the right direction to be able to make a decision about your machine.
So, with all that in mind, here’s our current guide to (some) of the best aftermarket exhausts available, in no particular order…
Related: Best bolt-on engine upgrades for your motorcycle
A great example of a performance can for machines other than sportsbikes, in this case Honda's Rebel 500 cruiser, and also one from one of the less-known American brands; others include Vance and Hines, and all are worth a look.
Pros
- One for cruiser fans
- Respected American brand
- Quality construction
Cons
- Check it's UK road legal
Price: 611.80
Price: 611.80
One of the biggest names in motorcycle exhausts, on one of the most popular 125s. Slovenia's Akrapovic has become the virtually undisputed World #1 for motorcycle exhausts in the past 20 years or so for its quality and reputation and this is a good example of its wares.
Pros
- Best brand of all
- Full system so most performance gain
- Fabulous quality
Cons
- This one race only - not road legal
If you can't afford or don't need the maximum performance gain a full system offers, a bolt-on silencer or can is a very popular option, as typified by this example from reputable Italian brand Arrow.
Pros
- Reputable brand
- Great looks and sound
- More affordable and easy to fit
Cons
- Hasn't the extra performance of a full system
Although two-stroke powered two-wheelers are now few and far between due to tightening EU emissions regulations, they're still popular and available among scooters and lightweights and the power-enhancing 'expansion chamber' exhausts that can significantly boost performance remain popular.
Pros
- Decent performance (and sound) hike
- Reputable brand
- Good value
Cons
- Can require expert setting up
Price: 665.95
Japanese brand Yoshimura can rightfully claim to be another of the world leaders in motorcycle exhausts with a huge variety of both road and race full systems, slip-on cans and more with this R-11 model typical of its top-quality wares.
Pros
- Famous quality brand
- Top quality
- Variety of finishes
Cons
- Premium price
Here's another example of a decent, mid-range can, this time from the more affordable Italian brand, GPR, and also one that usefully retains the exhaust catalyser. It's street-legal with a black finish. On the downside, due to the MT-09's one-piece stock pipe, the original needs to have its silencer cut off before you can fit the GPR version.
Pros
- Street legal
- Improved sound
- Reasonable value
Cons
- Requires stock exhaust to be cut
Price: 499.99
Price: 499.99
Scorpion is probably the leading British aftermarket motorcycle exhaust brand and, like its larger rivals, offers a huge range of exhausts, cans and more both for road and race.
Pros
- Improved power/weight
- British brand
- Decent value
Cons
- Less well-known than some
Another full system, this time from quality, but lesser known, French brand IXIL. The downpipes are in corrosion-resistant stainless steel which then fit to a separate, slip-on and stylish twin outlet, black finished silencer.
Pros
- Good value
- Improved performance all round
- Lighter than standard
Cons
- Lesser known than some
Price: 115
Price: 115
Another British exhaust/accessory brand, but this time one at the more budget end of the spectrum. This race (not road legal) can is fairly simple, straightforward and typical of its products. It's a straightforward oval design in stainless, is easy to fit and simply slots onto the standard header pipes with no need to re-adjust the fuelling.
Pros
- Good value
- Stainless steel construction
- Simple to fit
Cons
- This one's not road legal
- Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this page, we never allow this to influence product selections - read why you should trust us.
By Jim Blackstock
Product Tester for MCN and sister publication RiDE Magazine - Jim began riding motorcycles in the late 1980s while working in an automotive repair garage after earning a Mechanical Engineering degree. Initially, he used bikes for practical purposes but later shifted to cars, starting a publishing career in the early 1990s focused on car modifications and product testing. After a stint in PR and Marketing for major motorsport teams and events, Jim returned to publishing and joined RiDE Magazine in 2017 as a Production Editor. His expertise in product testing soon led him to oversee the magazine’s product content. Rediscovering his love for motorcycles, Jim earned his license through the Direct Access process and now enjoys riding his KTM 790 Adventure across various terrains.