STAINTUNE, of Australia, has carved a superior reputation since 1980 as the premier manufacturer of exquisite hand crafted stainless steel exhaust systems.

STAINTUNE exhausts are engineered and tested to improve the overall efficiency, appearance, and sound of a stock configured motorcycle. STAINTUNE is not an exclusive race bike development company. While their systems can be used on race bikes with excellent performance results, the design concept behind their exhaust is for the real world street riders looking to possess the highest quality system available on the market today. Their focus is not for radically modified one off bikes. Do you want something you can simply take out of the box, bolt on and go? Greater value is placed on enhancing overall dynamic response during normal street-riding conditions, rather than making boisterous claims to big horsepower increases available only at the highest RPM range at full throttle. Is that where you normally ride on a day to day basis? While their systems are not designed for exclusive race like conditions, they do enhance the performance of your bike with an average being one or two more horsepower with no modification needed at all.

STAINTUNE exhaust systems will outlast all others, especially under the high-heat, high-corrosion demands of stop and go urban driving. The effort required to use only stainless-steel pays off in the long run for you. Even after the 3-year warranty has expired, small scuffs and surface imperfections can be polished out at your local machine shop for a reasonable charge.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. How much power will I get ?

It's a never ending quest to have the most, a little more than your buddies or at least a little more than you have now, regardless of the bike.

Customers with a Kawasaki ZX12R will call us up and ask how they can add more Hp. We say, "you already have the most". Customers will always reply "Yeah, but it's still not enough."

STAINTUNE exhausts are engineered and tested to improve the overall efficiency of a stock configured motorcycle. While their systems are not designed purely for racing conditions, they will enhance the performance of your bike slightly with an average being one or two more horsepower on almost all applications. Some bikes might get more, but you won't lose horsepower. This is done with no other modification of a chip or rejetting needed.

Typically, bikes come from the factory already needing some sort of change, even without adding an exhaust system. You won't gain heaps of horsepower by adding just an exhaust, but you also will not lose horse power because you failed to also change your air cleaner, reconfigure the jetting or reinstall a new chip and advance the timing as is a standard practice on many of the pure race exhaust systems. Staintune high flow exhaust systems help produce more efficient power along with snappier throttle response and smoother torque curves within the frequently used mid-range power, all without excessive noise.

2. Re-jet or chip?

This is always the second question just after the "how much horsepower am I going to get" question.

STAINTUNE exhaust systems are developed from a stock configured bike for real world street riding conditions, rather than full-wide-open-throttle riding on a heavily modified race bike. Remember that every bike always starts out as a stock bike.

Re-jetting or chipping is not needed with STAINTUNE exhausts. In most cases, you could actually re-jet or chip your bike with the stock pipes and find an increased result. How is this possible? It's due to the governmental restrictions placed on bike manufacturers to make the bike legal for sale in the U.S. market. If the manufacturers could cut lose and do anything they wanted, the jetting would already be spot on.

STAINTUNE exhausts are developed using bone-stock factory bikes. They will get a baseline dyno run and see where the bike is already good and where there is room for improvement. Their hands are not tied by governmental regulations. The result is a pipe that puts the bike were it "can be" rather than "where it is told it has to be" to meet the regulations of the DOT or EPA for sound and emissions. We are not adverse to these imposed regulations and in some cases the changes can offer better engine efficiency.

Please bear in mind that modifying a bike's emissions in any way is illegal in the U.S.

4. Removable sound restrictors ?

Each bike will obviously have its own unique sound. Trying to relate what the pipes will sound like on your bike is very hard to describe with text on a computer screen . Some of the links on our website have a sound file attached (seen by a little speaker icon) that you can click on and listen to.

STAINTUNE exhausts feature a removable sound restrictor in almost every muffler they produce (when the design allows). This restrictor allows you to adjust the sound levels to your liking. The photo below shows what the restrictor looks like in the muffler and also what the restrictor looks like when removed. You can see the little set screw on the underside.

5. How loud are they?

Staintune pipes decibel range will vary depending on the bike, and whether or not you use the sound restrictors. On average, as a general rule, the pipes run in the low 90's with the restrictors in place and just over 100 with the restrictors removed. This is a general rule of thumb and can vary up or down depending on the individual bike. A Ducati twin will definitely be more heart and ear pounding than an inline four BMW. The design of the engine can vary the number a few decibels +/-. With the restrictor in place you will get an exhaust note that is just slightly louder than the stock muffler. It will be throatier under acceleration and deceleration and only the slightest bit louder under steady throttle setting like out on the highway. Think of it as a shotgun choke which reduces the diameter of the exhaust exit. It has only a very small effect on performance when installed. Its main function is to reduce the exhaust note to a very pleasing level. STAINTUNE pipes are actually one of the quietest aftermarket pipes you can buy. Even with the sound restrictors removed, they still come in a few decibels less than all other aftermarkets pipes.

With the restrictor removed you are now in full "Sport-Pipe" mode and the bike will be louder under all conditions (idle, acceleration and deceleration). A better way to put this whole picture in perspective is to determine how well you like your neighbors. With the restrictors in place you can attend the summer parties down the street. With the restrictors removed you can pretty much count on not getting an invitation in the mail.

6. How much weight can I save ?

Staintune mufflers vary in design from bike to bike and exact weight differences are not listed on our site. A standard single slip-on style muffler for a Honda VFR800 weighs six pounds. The stock muffler weighs somewhere over ten pounds. Each stock muffler will vary in weight based on the requirement of the motorcycle manufacturer to meet EPA and DOT sound and emission levels. On bikes with dual mufflers there is usually a pretty good weight savings. Some bikes come with a very lightweight system and the weight savings will not be as substantial but there is usually some sort of weight savings over stock to be had.

7. Do I eliminate my catalytic converter?

STAINTUNE exhaust systems are not currently equipped with catalytic converters. They have produced prototype catalytic equipped mufflers and systems, but it is not currently a production item.

The system components of a STAINTUNE exhaust may eliminate the catalytic converter on your bike, if so equipped. It is currently illegal in the U.S. to remove emissions equipment on any vehicle. Installing a STAINTUNE exhaust systems on a bike that was previously equipped with a catalytic converter is then considered an "off road use only" vehicle. It is the owners responsibility to keep the vehicle in compliance with state and federal regulations regarding emissions

Eliminating the catalytic converter from your system will not affect the overall performance values of the bike. It will be lighter in most cases and will reduce heat build up around the catalytic converter.

On bikes equipped with an oxygen sensor in the catalytic converter, like a BMW R1150 series bikes, the oxygen sensor port is retained so the sensor can still perform it's normal function. The sensor is most commonly found upwind of the catalyst so it still functions as normal, checking engine management functions as it did with the stock catalytic converter.

8.Can I install it myself?

STAINTUNE exhaust systems, for the most part, are simply about replacing the stock muffler. If you can take your stock muffler off with the tools you have, you can install a STAINTUNE muffler. Some of the complete systems, like on a BMW K 1200, where you are replacing the entire system, it require a little more technical aptitude but nevertheless can be done. A second set of hands can often be helpful on full system installs as well but not absolutely necessary.

One of the best things about STAINTUNE product that we get feedback on from customers and dealers on a regular basis is the ease with which a STAINTUNE exhaust will fit.

9. Installation Instructions ?

STAINTUNE exhaust systems, for the most part, are simply about replacing the stock muffler. If you can take your stock muffler off with the tools you have, you simply reverse the removal process to install a STAINTUNE muffler.

Some of the complete systems where you are replacing the whole exhaust system, or if it is a modification to the stock exhaust mounting procedure, instructions are typically included.

10. What if it doesn't fit right ?

STAINTUNE exhaust systems are by far one of the easiest mufflers to install. We are astounded by the feedback we get from customers praising the ease of installation and how well things fit together.

If we could put a number on the success rate of installs we would say 99.99% of it goes on right the first time. For the .01% of the problems we have ever had, there has been something wrong like a bolt hole was missthreaded or misaligned and it would not go together. This is covered under the STAINTUNE warranty and we will immediately replace it with another in stock item. Remember that all STAINTUNE exhaust systems are assembled by hand and there is a potential for manufacturing defect. It is nearly impossible for any manufacturer of any product to have a zero failure rate. The success rate for STAINTUNE however gets praise from customers and dealers compared to every other aftermarket system they have dealt with. We are confident with the success rate which makes the ratio of any type of problem at all seem nonexistent.

If something does not fit, you should never have to cut, bend, saw, file, grind, or in any manner have to tweak something to make it work. If a problem does arise during installation we ask that you call us to see if we can clear up any problem before proceeding. 99.99% of the time we can walk you through it with out any other action being needed. If something does need to be addressed we will give you the proper procedure for handling it. If you take it upon yourself to modify the product and it doesn't work, we will not be able to issue a credit back to you.

11. Will it interfere with my accessories ?

STAINTUNE exhaust systems are designed to replace out the stock system without having to adapt the bike in any way. If you have aftermarket accessories like saddlebags etc. they should work if the saddlebags worked with the stock system. In the case that you are converting to one of the STANTUNE modified styles, the mount that these mufflers use may interfere with some aftermarket accessories. So then, the choice becomes which aftermarket item is more important to you. There is even a manufacturer like Al Jesse of Jesse Luggage Systems who has taken the time to make his saddlebag designs fit around a STAINTUNE pipe. Thanks Al!

STAINTUNE exhaust systems never require you to modify your bike or remove stock hardware, like a center stand, just to make their system fit.

12. Does it come with all necessary installation hardware ?

STAINTUNE exhaust systems will come with all the necessary hardware to fit the muffler to the bike. Replacement exhaust gaskets (if needed) are not included and should be purchased through your dealer before you begin the installation process. While all STAINTUNE exhausts have close tolerance fittings, it is always recommended to make an airtight seal with the addition of some High Temperature RTV sealant (oxygen sensor safe if needed). If you fit the system together without it and notice weeps of black carbon build up at the joints, the pipe can be removed, the connections wiped clean and RTV sealant applied later if needed.

If a system requires additional hardware for a unique mounting system, such as the R1150GS low mount or VFR 800 high mount, it will be included. In almost every case you will never be required to purchase anything extra other than new exhaust gaskets to do an install.

13. My bike isn't listed.

If you don't see your bike listed it doesn't mean it is not available. Please feel free to request information on any bike, no matter what year, make or model. If they don't make it, and there is enough demand for it, it can potentially go into production.

14. What type of maintenance is there ?

STAINTUNE stainless steel exhausts require nothing more then routine cleaning of the exterior of the pipe. This can be done during routine vehicle washings. You should avoid any cleaners with abrasives. Abrasives will scratch the surface and cause the mirror-like polished finish to become dull. If the surface does become dull or accidentally scratched, it can be repolished back to its original finish by a good machine shop.

Spotting on the surface of the stainless steel can occur and will typically happen on pipes that have extremely high exhaust temperatures. While it looks bad, it is nothing to panic over. This again can be removed by repolishing the surface back to its original finish. If spotting does occur, it will require more routine surface cleaning and polishing to maintain a spot free appearance. If it is repolished by a machine shop, the spots can re-occur. It is advisable to maintain the pipe more regularly than a system that has cooler operating temperatures. Spotting is an indication that the exhaust temperatures. are extremely high.

Several companies make polishing compounds that we can recommend. S100 Total Finish Restorer, Flitz, Simichrome or a host of other metal polishes will work well. All of these polishing compounds do require a little "elbow grease" as the main ingredient. The easiest, least time consuming way, is to have a professional machine shop handle the heavy buffing if the muffler was severely neglected. Again, avoid any compounds that may contain abrasives.

There is never a need to internally service or repack a stainless steel muffler because the packing material is a spun stainless steel wool. It will not disintegrate or blow out, ever. There are no rivets and there is no way to open the muffler up to get to the internals.

On carbon fiber mufflers, you should check to see that there is not an excess amount of heat on the carbon sleeve. You should be able to grab the carbon fiber section with your hand after a lengthy ride. If excessive heat is felt, it will signify that the fiberglass packing has diminished and it is time to repack them. If left unchanged, over time, the carbon skins will become exposed to the direct heat of the exhaust and begin to discolor and then eventually melt.

15. What is the product warranty ?

Stainless steel exhausts come with a 12 month warranty against manufacturer defects or product failure during normal riding conditions.