[barbagris]

Has anybody any info on the Titanium vs Stainless vs Not-Stainless question? - Specifically relative to silencers: down pipes or Headers etc is something again.

Titanium is lighter. OK. Weight is easy to understand.

Titanium I understand has better thermal conductivity. OK. This means it cools down fast and should not build hot spots as fast (if at all). Stainless in this dept is frankly very poor - worse than mild steel. But of course it does not rot (as fast) due to hot water vapour (and other nasties) in exhaust gas.

Titanium is, I know more expensive. But tbh if we look at pipes from one MFR who does both Stainless and Ti, then the difference is not massive.

In some cases (I know 100% it is for some makes because they say so) this is because only the outer skin is Ti. The core is still Steel (usually Stainless)

What I'd be interested to know is: Has anybody ever seen any DYNO type evidence that Ti does anything better than Steel? Or Worse?

Yup - You've guessed - I'm obsessive. :nerd:

But yes there is a reason for the questions - I'm just trying to avoid influencing any replies.

 

[dj790duke]

I highly doubt there would be any measurable difference in power between two identical exhaust systems; one being stainless and the other titanium. Any difference in 2 dyno runs would be more likely influenced by typical dyno variables (temperatures, humidity, etc). The use of titanium is generally done for weight purposes and to show off the pretty blue coloring after a few good heat cycles.

 

[barbagris]

I agree 100% on Bikes - but car zorst mfrs seem to like the heat dissipation thing. That said I cannot find much data. I have to confess I do not like the Blue Thing any more than I like Gold Stainless.

Next question: Does it affect the audible emission of the exhaust? - I suspect yes, though not by much. It will be a tonal difference but small.

 

[dj790duke]

Audible emission I suppose would be more of a factor of the thickness of the piping than material. Although if titanium allows for a thinner wall thickness, than that could have some effect.

 

[barbagris]

I think what this means is that Ti is basically a waste of time on a road bike. Weight savings are pretty much the same against stock as a lot of the stainless aftermarket.

 

[dj790duke]

One could argue that any aftermarket exhaust is a waste of time on a road bike. We're not out to set lap records on the streets and the weight savings of titanium over stainless wouldn't be enough for anyone to notice, even on a track. Cost-to-benefit certainly isn't there.

That said, they wouldn't make titanium exhausts if they didn't sell. It's more exotic than stainless. MotoGP bikes use it. That means it's cool. People like cool things for their bikes.

 

[GothTownDuke]

That said, they wouldn't make titanium exhausts if they didn't sell. It's more exotic than stainless. MotoGP bikes use it. That means it's cool. People like cool things for their bikes.

I wonder if teams are using Inconel nowadays.

 

[Pgm]

I wonder if teams are using Inconel nowadays.

Austin racing use it for their exhaust systems I believe.

 

[barbagris]

One could argue that any aftermarket exhaust is a waste of time on a road bike.

Depends a bit on the bike. My current pipes (headers-exhaust) on the R3 weigh less than the original cat box alone. But other than aesthetics (noise is an aesthetic choice too) which is a never ending argument for some; on the 790D I'd agree.

Having now looked about I realise that aesthetically - I want a bit more of a deep boom-y sort of sound and I like the black zorsts.

I wonder! - Has anybody de-restricted (basically remove the 32mm exit tube) an original pipe?. Ceramic blacking it wont be a huge job.

 

[J D]

One could argue that any aftermarket exhaust is a waste of time on a road bike.

When I first bought my ZX-14R, (in 2015), I removed the two boat anchors, ('zorsts), added Ti LeoVince's, and saved 30lbs, yes I weighed them, and yes I felt a difference in turn-in. On some motos the difference is apparent. :smile:

 

[dj790duke]

When I first bought my ZX-14R, (in 2015), I removed the two boat anchors, ('zorsts), added Ti LeoVince's, and saved 30lbs, yes I weighed them, and yes I felt a difference in turn-in. On some motos the difference is apparent. :smile:

I know what you mean. I helped a friend install a Yoshimura exhaust on his ZX-14 years ago. My point is that any bike is still plenty capable on the road with the stock cans.