Page 16 - July 2025 Edition.cdr
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LHR MOTORCYCLE MAGAZINE 16 PRODUCTS REVIEW
Budget Throttle: Testing Temu Slip-On
Performance Exhausts for Motorcycles
However, internal baffle packing Temu Slip-On ONLY (no tune):
By Ian van der Merwe
and soundproofing material vary
INTRODUCTION · Peak Power: 75.1 hp
wildly between units—some
If you've spent any time in online rattle loose after a few hundred · Peak Torque: 69.2 Nm
rider forums or motorcycle TikTok · AFR leaned out to ~15:1
kilometers.
lately, you've probably seen F I R S T I M P R E S S I O N S :
them: unbelievably cheap slip-on INSTALL AND STARTUP Temu Slip-On WITH Custom
exhausts for sale on Temu. They Tune (Power Commander V):
promise performance, sound, Installation is straightforward for · Peak Power: 79.3 hp @
and universal fitment for a most naked bikes, dual-sports, or 9,100 rpm
fraction of the price of name- small ADV machines. We tested · Peak Torque: 71.5 Nm @
brand systems. Most of them on: 7,200 rpm
hover around the R500–R1500 · 2021 Yamaha MT-07
mark and are shipped straight (stock headers) The results confirm that on some
f r o m C h i n a . T h e y l o o k bikes, a Temu pipe can add 4–5
slick—often carbon-fiber- · KTM Duke 390 hp when paired with proper fuel
wrapped or satin black—and · Suzuki DR-Z400 tuning. But without a tune, AFR
claim to enhance both aesthetics In all cases, the slip-on mounted r a t i o s m a y l e a n o u t
and performance. easily to the stock midpipe. dangerously—raising engine
temperatures and risking long-
So how do they hold up in the real H o w e v e r, m i n o r b r a c k e t term damage.
world? Are they just cosmetic fabrication or adapter sleeves
bolt-ons or can they actually were necessary in two instances. PERFORMANCE NOTES
deliver horsepower, torque, and No major modifications were · Low RPM Response:
sound upgrades? And what required, and each install took M o d e s t i n c r e a s e i n
happens when you slap one on a less than an hour. responsiveness; more
modern motorcycle and roll it Startup sound: noticeable bass. throaty roll-on
onto a dyno? Idle tone deepens significantly · Midrange: Small boost,
compared to stock exhausts, especially with DB killer
even with the DB killer installed. removed
WHAT YOU GET FOR R600:
INSIDE THE BOX Revving without the DB killer · Top-End: Slightly louder
yields a snappy, raspy bark—not
Most Temu exhaust listings Akrapovič quality, but not and freer-revving with
include: obnoxious either. tune; no loss of power
· A stainless steel or "It sounded way better than I Throttle response also improved
slightly after tuning—though not
a l u m i n u m m u ffl e r thought it would," said one DR-Z dramatically.
(carbon-look or plain rider in Cape Town who tested SAFETY AND LEGALITY
steel) the pipe on gravel roads.
Te m u e x h a u s t s a r e n o t
· Universal 51mm inlet homologated or ECE-certified.
( s t a n d a r d o n m o s t DYNO TUNING: DOES IT They may exceed noise limits for
midpipes) ACTUALLY MAKE POWER? public road use. Riders in Europe
· S p r i n g r e t a i n e r s , We partnered with a local dyno a n d s o m e S o u t h A f r i c a n
mounting clamps, and tuning shop in the Western Cape municipalities risk fines for non-
generic brackets to test the Temu slip-on on a compliant pipes.
Yamaha MT-07.
· Removable DB killer Some options include:
(silencer insert) Baseline (stock muffler):
· Reinstalling DB killer for
Despite no recognizable brand or · Peak Power: 74.5 hp @ road use
warranty, these pipes offer 8,900 rpm · Repacking the muffler
surprising build quality. Welds · Peak Torque: 68 Nm @ with fiberglass wool
are decent, the finish is smooth, 6,800 rpm
and the DB killer slots in snugly. · Using only for track days
