Ceramic Coating or Not?
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Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Utah
Ceramic Coating or Not?
I have a 2011 RKC. I live in Utah and rarely ride in very hot weather...maybe 90 degrees at the most but rarely is it that hot. I'm wanting to replace my headpipe to get rid of the cat and reduce the heat. I can't decide whether I really need a ceramic coated headpipe or not. What do folks here think?
Thanks for the replies....I guess the better question is if anyone has ran both and if they felt any heat difference. Just getting rid of the cat is going to reduce heat a lot whether it's a ceramic coated or just a stainless headpipe.
Thanks for the replies....I guess the better question is if anyone has ran both and if they felt any heat difference. Just getting rid of the cat is going to reduce heat a lot whether it's a ceramic coated or just a stainless headpipe.
Last edited by olsenjb; Feb 16, 2012 at 10:02 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,144
Likes: 6,166
From: SE Michigan
Ceramic coating is added to a headpipe for performance reasons, any affect on comfort is really a side benefit. Ceramic coating helps to retain heat inside the pipe which improves exhaust scavenging.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
The question I have about ceramic coating is your coating the inside correct? that's going to narrow the ID restricting the inside of the pipe to a narrower dimension right? Isn't that supposed to be a bad thing having a narrower ID pipe? I would probably be more interested in wrapping the outside of the pipe instead of insulating the inside but that's just me....
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,144
Likes: 6,166
From: SE Michigan
The question I have about ceramic coating is your coating the inside correct? that's going to narrow the ID restricting the inside of the pipe to a narrower dimension right? Isn't that supposed to be a bad thing having a narrower ID pipe? I would probably be more interested in wrapping the outside of the pipe instead of insulating the inside but that's just me....
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
On a Harley motor, you'll notice no performance gain from ceramic coating. The pipe will stay a bit cooler and it'll be more weather resistant.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 646
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trying to make the same decision. Jamie at FM told me that it runs a little cooler...that's it. No performance gain, sound change. "Not really much difference." I am going with Stainless.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,932
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From: 46th State, USA
I had a set of headers ceramic coated on a V8 engine re-build. I did not realize any performance improvement but there was a very noticeable reduction of heat radiating from the exhaust headers.
If I were going to replace or remove the stock exhaust headers on my '09 Ultra Classic, I would definately have them coated.
If I were going to replace or remove the stock exhaust headers on my '09 Ultra Classic, I would definately have them coated.
Last edited by shortride; Feb 16, 2012 at 06:53 AM.
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: Castle Rock, CO
I have a '10 Limited and had the header ceramic coated by Jet-Hot. Even though I don't live in a terribly hot area (just south of Denver), the ceramic coating has made an incredible difference in comfort - in traffic, at stop lights, etc. Can't say that I notice it much when cruising on the Interstate, however.
Well worth the money IMHO, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it or to do it again on the next bike!
Well worth the money IMHO, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it or to do it again on the next bike!
