Hello everyone.
I have an 1993 GS500E that i just finished rebuild it, and i want to know if the exhaust wrap is worth it. Or at least if i add it it doesn't have any disadvantage.
Thanks.
I've never done it personally (I splurged for stainless pipes years ago) but I've seen several instances over the years where people advise against it because it tends to hold in moisture.
Google turns up quite a few extensive articles and whatnot on the subject that could help you make a decision.
Example:
https://donotdpfdelete.green/exhaust-wrap-pros-and-cons/
In theory, it keeps exhaust temps high which has the effect of increasing exhaust velocity, reducing pressure, and lowering the primary resonance which should lower the rpm at which torque peaks. All of this adds together to a theoretical magical increase in high revs power and low end torque. In practice in a GS 500 it probably makes no measurable difference.
All this at the expense of increased corrosion even for stainless steel as SBW mentioned, not only due to moisture but mostly due to heat.
I did it on mine for mostly appearance and since I only put like 100 miles a year on it and it sits in a garage the rest of the time. So I'm not worried about corrosion.
And there is any way to solve the moisture problem? Mine will be stored in my garage all the time, and i will use it from time to time for short trips or doing some routes. Obviously not driving when is raining or things like that.
GS500 exhausts are pretty easy/cheap to get second hand, so even if you rust through your set you can go find another after learning your lesson.
If you really never ride in the rain and you like the look of exhaust wrap then I would just go for it. That's hard for me to imagine but maybe you live in the desert SW or SoCal or some other place that doesn't rain 30% of the time.
The GS500 is so cheap I always recommend doing what you want to it. Almost nobody has a nice one in stock form that worth keeping nice. The best thing about the GS500 is you can ruin it, fix it up, ruin it again, and never feel bad about it.