What's an easy way to see if there's an exhaust leak on a bone stock 2008 1200 low? B-E-A-utiful day here in north Texas, out for ride in the country, past South Fork & up into Lucas and Mckinney north end of Lake Lavon and back to Plano. Only about a 60 or so mile ride but long enough for some 70 plus mph cruising some long stretches with a few twisties. Stopped to talk to a neighbor coupla doors down on the way back & turned it off for a few minutes. Took out my ear plugs and when I got ready to go & started it up noticed a ticking sound kind of same rythum as the idle, might be mechanical too, can't tell. Any ideas on where to start looking? Is this a common, typical thing with the stock exhaust? Any HELPFUL input would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

Can check for loose connections on your exhaust but if the sound appears to be coming out the end of the pipe don't think you have any worries..

 

I suspect that sound was due to removing the ear plugs. I use ear plugs when on long trips. Everytime, when I remove the ear plugs, I hear all manner of sounds from my bike that I never noticed before. This is a result of your ears becoming more sensitive to different pitch sounds after removing the earplugs.

 

Just go through and make sure all the nuts on the exhaust connections are tight-it's not hard and will only take a few mins. Alos if there is a leak you might get a glowing pipes as ait is getting suckked in there and making it hotter.