Courting silencers

What do they do?
If the name was correct, a silencer would mean that you’d hear nothing from the pipe of a motorcycle. So a silencer is more like a quietner, reducing what would be a god-awful din into something far more harmonious. All bikes come with silencers, but due
to worldwide noise and emmissions laws stock silencers can rob a bike of power and leave it sounding muted.

Why do I need a new one?
You need a new one because the stock exhaust is either too restrictive, too quiet or too damn ugly. Aftermarket manufacturers don’t have to abide by emmissions laws, so mechanically speaking, their products are far more effecient – meaning you get a more
powerful machine. Chances are, it’ll sound a lot better too and with the new trend of odd looking end cans, you can tailor you bike to suit your style.

What to look for
It’s easy to look at what’s on a race bike and think that what’s good for the goose is good for the gander too. But some exhaust companies just pay for their logo to be on a bike - rather than supply the exhaust itself. Established brands are usually the best to go for, although big gains can be had elsewhere. Check out bike specifi c
forums for tried and tested reports. You’ll then have to decide if you want an ‘illegal’ race pipe (stamped ‘not for raod use’ or stick to the letter of the law. Some fi rms offer a removeable baffl e for the best of both worlds. But remember - loud pipes save lives...

MICRON
GSX-R1000
SLIP ON SILENCER

A good silencer can add power, smarten up a bike’s looks and sound great

British engineering doesn’t get much better than these Micron MotoGP style exhaust cans. Using the fi rm’s unique hydraforming technology (other companies use this
technology but nowhere near to the same levels as Micron) these cans talk the talk as well as walking the walk. The hyrdaforming process uses just one piece of pipe to make the whole unit. The end cap is then cut off to add the baffle wadding (and to make it serviceable in the future) and then rivetted back on. This process saves 1.4 kilos over the stock unit and adds up to 10bhp according to Micron, who has seen
big gains above 8,250 revs through to 11,500rpm. There’s no need to add a Power Commander either as Micron’s design doesn’t neccessitate big changes in fuelling. Road legal and available in three fi nishes they offer great performance at a very keen price. You could do a lot, lot worse. It's under 1000 $ . Very nice! If it's available near you, at the local dealer, BUY IT!