A motorcycle exhaust system, or what we call a muffler, is designed to divert exhaust gases away from the engine. This system keeps your motorcycle’s engine cool and functional. However, after a certain period of time, it becomes hot. but How Hot Does Motorcycle Exhaust Get?
A motorcycle exhaust can reach temperatures as high as 850° C and 1,600° F, but it begins to become red at 500° C and 1,175° F. So, we estimated that on average, motorcycle exhaust will function at 600 to 800 degrees Fahrenheit, and when we rev the engine, the temperature will rise to roughly 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
However, there are some factors that make the bike hot. We’ll look at the factors, along with the solutions, for having a chilled motorcycle. So, before we go any further, let’s have a look at the article for more information in detail.
What temperature is too hot for a motorcycle?

- Usually, the standard operating temperature for the bike is around 155F or 68C to 220F or 104C.
- If the engine temperature exceeds 230F, the engine is definitely overheated.
- A temperature of 45 degrees or above, on the other hand, could be too hot for a motorcycle as well.
- When temperatures rise above 1200 °F or 650 °C, your motorcycle exhaust will discolor to a blueish color. But it’s normal.
- Once exhaust pipes hit 900 °F or 500 °C, they begin to glow red, and everything depends on the type of metal used and other factors related to exhaust gases.
- Whenever the temperature of your motorcycle’s exhaust reaches 1000 degrees Fahrenheit or 540 degrees Celsius, it begins to turn yellow, indicating that it is becoming too hot.
- Excessive heat will cause the bike to turn gold.
What is the temperature of a motorcycle exhaust pipe?

- We observed that motorcycle exhaust can hit temperatures as high as 850° C or 1,600° F.
- In addition, the average temperature in an exhaust pipe can range from 700 to 1400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Occasionally, gasoline burns at roughly 1600 degrees Fahrenheit.
How Hot Can a Motorcycle Exhaust Get?
- Bike exhaust generally takes hot gases from the engine and expels them into the environment.
- The exhaust from the motorcycle will be very hot at the headers.
- Usually, 1000 degrees is the temperature of your header.
- When you rev the engine, the temperature normally rises to around 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Temperatures in the exhaust gas can range from 300-930°F (150-500°C).
However, as temperatures may vary, the sources provide different estimated temperature suggestions.
How Hot Do Different Parts of an Exhaust Get?
The temperature of your bike rises not only due to the pipe but also due to other parts. Let’s check out the other parts that might be hot as well.
- The muffler, which can also be heated, is an important but last part of the exhaust system. Exhaust gases, on the other hand, should be approximately 400 to 500 F or 200 to 260 C.
- Your bike’s header pipes may get hot or overheated. Typically, the temperature at the headers will be at least 1000 degrees Fahrenheit or slightly more than 540 degrees Celsius.
- The mid-pipe is a narrower section of the exhaust where the gases are flowing at an extremely high velocity and pressure. At the mid-pipe, exhaust gas temperatures will vary about 850 and 1000 degrees Fahrenheit, or 450 and 540 degrees Celsius.
- Exhaust gas temperatures might rise due to chemical reactions at the catalytic converter. So, expect temperatures ranging from 600 to 1200 degrees Fahrenheit or 300 to 650 degrees Celsius.
What Causes Motorcycle Exhaust to Run Hot?

- One of the most common reasons for a red-hot muffler is a poor air-to-fuel balance. Once an engine operates too lean, it indicates that there is insufficient gas in the ratio. Eventually, the fuel ran out and the bike overheated. So, get a mechanic to repair it.
- Newer motorcycle mufflers grow hotter than older bike mufflers since modern bikes feature catalytic converters, which are sometimes located right inside the muffler. So, keep it cool by monitoring the catalytic converter.
- The temperature of the bike might also be affected by a low oil level. For example, engine damage or inefficiency. As a result, check your motorcycle’s owner’s manual or, if it’s a used bike, collect the service record to see whether or not you need to add oil.
- Another culprit is a low coolant level, which causes the motorcycle to heat up. The coolant aids in keeping the engine at a constant temperature. Look at the location of the coolant reservoir. Check the coolant level by opening the cap.
- Check the cooling fan to make sure it’s not broken. It can also heat the motorcycle. The cooling fan may not turn on until the engine is already excessively hot. This can result in additional engine damage.
- Failure of parts such as your radiator can cause the bike to overheat. If the radiator begins to leak, the engine can overheat. Furthermore, a faulty radiator may be unable to circulate coolant efficiently, causing engine damage.
- A red-hot muffler is associated with exhaust system leakage. If you discover a leak, hole, or crack, the bike will become hot as the exhaust gases escape. This can result in a loss of power and a fall in fuel economy. During acceleration, you might hear a loud noise, like popping, or there may be a hissing noise. Therefore, turn off the engine and wait at least 30 minutes to cool it down.
How hot does a motorcycle exhaust temperature get in Celsius?
- Exhaust gases are typically between 500 and 800 degrees Celsius.
- The header pipe should be at least 540 degrees Celsius with a maximum temperature of 870 degrees Celsius.
- The muffler should be around 200 to 260 C.
- And the mid-pipe should be between 450 and 540 degrees Celsius.
How hot does a motorcycle exhaust get in Fahrenheit?
- The average estimate is 600 to 800 degrees Fahrenheit, with the header pipe capable of reaching 1,000 degrees.
- A motorcycle exhaust can reach temperatures of 1,600 °F, but it starts turning red around 1,175 °F.
- The muffler will be around 400 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Where the mid-pipe will go will be between 850 and 1000 degrees Fahrenheit.
How hot does a 125 motorcycle exhaust get?
- The exhaust temperature of a standard four-stroke engine ranges from 40–200 °C.
- Exhaust pipes have an average temperature range of 700° to 1400° F.
- In addition, we discovered your bike’s exhaust at 750 °C becomes cherry red.
What is the exhaust temperature of a four-stroke bike engine?
- The exhaust stroke begins when the exhaust valves are released just before the piston reaches BDC, or bottom dead center, which is approximately 30 to 40°.
- Usually, the exhaust temperature of a typical four-stroke engine ranges from 40 to 200 °C.
- It is much hotter than the two-stroke motorcycle.
How hot does a 2-stroke exhaust get?
- An expansion chamber, or tuned pipe, on a two-stroke engine, is an adjusted exhaust system that seeks to boost output power by enhancing density.
- It is actually based on the temperature and location of your bike.
- However, the average temperature we discovered is between 150 and 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
How hot are 80cc 2-stroke exhaust fumes?
- The exhaust port can reach temperatures of 1,300 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Additionally, heat flow dramatically decreases temperatures.
- The piston in an engine can become fairly heated. However, peak temperatures in the combustion chamber become higher than the melting point.
- Remember, the average equilibrium temperature is plainly not.
- Heat moves from a high to a low temperature.
- And, there is a lot of heat flowing inside your engine.
How Can I Keep My Motorcycle Exhaust Cool?
- A heat exhaust wrap maintains the heat in the exhaust, which improves engine efficiency. The wrap protects the pipe and stops heat from escaping. Get a ceramic or fiberglass exhaust wrap. This takes only a few minutes to install.
- You can also install a cooling system to help circulate coolant through the engine. You can choose between a water-cooled, air-cooled, or oil-cooled system.
- What about installing a radiator cap? It’s a cheap way to increase the boiling point of your coolant and help keep your engine from overheating.
- Another fantastic option is to utilize a water pump to circulate coolant through the engine and an impeller to transfer the coolant through the radiator. Keep the bike cool by including such items.
Also Read: Why Ceramic Coating Motorcycle Exhaust?
How long does it take for motorcycle exhaust to cool down?
- Actually, the time it takes for a motorcycle engine to cool down is determined by the engine temperature and the external temperature.
- If you ride too frequently, the engine might overheat due to insufficient cooling time.
- Parts of your motorcycle’s exhaust can reach temperatures of up to 1600 °F.
- It takes a minimum of twenty minutes for the exhaust to cool down enough to touch the bike.
- It will take more time to cool off on a hot summer day.
FAQ
1. Are 200 degrees hot for a motorcycle?
You are limited to 220F or 104C, which is the usual temperature of a motorcycle. Most experts say the engine should operate between 195 and 220 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if it is 230, it will be the cause of the hot motorcycle.
2. How hot does the Harley-Davidson exhaust get?
The exhaust on Harley-Davidson motorcycles may reach temperatures as high as 850°C. You might notice the metals will begin to become red at 500° C and may reach a dark cherry red at about 650° C. whereas 600 to 800 for standard motorcycles is fairly common.
3. Can I pour water on my bike engine to cool it down?
No, don’t pour water since pouring water onto a hot engine cools it too quickly, which might ultimately damage your cylinder or deform the cylinder head.
4. Why do people wrap motorcycle exhausts?
We wrap motorcycle exhausts to lower engine heat and improve bike performance. It also shields the rider from being burned and keeps exhaust heat from radiation.
Final Words
So, we hope you understand How Hot Does Motorcycle Exhaust Get, what the reasons are, and how to maintain the motorcycle to keep it cool. Always try to detect the problem first, then make sure you take a look at the cooling system, radiator, water pump, oil level, or some other necessary parts to fix. Among them, the best solution is to utilize exhaust heat wrap to prevent them from heating too much.
However, if the article provided your preferred solution, we hope to see you back here in the future to check out our other content. Our motive is to come up with a motorcycle issue and unveil the solution so you won’t be upset after checking out our content.