Hi, I'm considering wrapping my exhaust because of heat issues (both engine and rider!) when stuck in slow traffic. I figure reducing the heat coming off the header and pipes will help keep the engine and my legs cooler longer when things get bad. What are some pros/cons to wrapping, and are there any special maintenance needs or tricks to make it last? I live in a desert climate, so I won't see a lot of rain most of the year, but I plan to be riding in it when it does come. I also have a garage to keep the bike dry when I'm no riding. Thanks in advance.
Exhaust wrap will help a little with the heat issue that you are having but it is hard to say exactly how much. Installation is a bit tedious but the results are nice when done well. I tip my hat to Stosh here as he has done some superb work with header wrap! New header wrap will smoke a bit and of course that will smell but after a while it stops so not a huge issue. It requires no maintenance that I'm aware of but there is a sealant spray that you can use to help protect it from water and dirt accumulation when wet.
mine are wrapped and I don't think it will give you as much result as you seek. As Jethro said, the install involves some cussing. Your exhaust can will get hotter than it does currently. But you will be one of the cool kids - so to speak
I did it because the lower fairing plastic was getting soft while sitting in traffic. Made a world of difference. I can't tell much difference while sitting on the bike at an intersection, but the plastic does not even get hot to the touch any more. I used the stuff u get at O'reily's or Autozone. Did not bother with the overpriced clamps (cheap looking metal wire-ties) they make specifically for it. Instead used stainless hose clamps. So far it's been holding up good just by itself. It's flexible while you are installing it. But once you run it up to temp it gets stiffer. It will smoke and stink when you first run it up to temp, but it goes away quickly. The wrap looks good but it did not match my bike at all, so I used black high temp paint and it's been holding up good.
Upside down foto! I wrapped the pipe up to the can as well and it looks awesome but for some reason I don't have a pic. This is teh titanium stuff that Stosh recomended to me.
Final had a chance to take a pic of my header wrap so here she be. Not as nice as the Stosh man's but I like it.
