If you are a newbie to the biking world and you have recently purchased your first bike ever, not a day might pass until you have admired your bike a number of times during the day. Dusting it over and over again each time that you come near it and taking it for short ride is something that every new biker does. As much as the bike excites you, you must learn that maintenance is also an essential part of ownership. You need to know how to modify motorcycle exhausts, protect windshields, lubricate your bike's chain, inflate the tyres, etc. almost everything from the basics to some advanced features.
As you drive your bike more often you will figure out what you wish to customize. Familiarizing yourself with varying features of your bike can save from being stranded on a road where no help is available close by. The better you know about your bike, the more confident you will be.

Tired by the loud noises that motorcycle exhausts produce, some states have come up with laws that ban exhausts with a noise level over 84 decibels particularly if you are traveling at a speed of more than 35 mph. Failing to abide by this law can result in a ban which makes it even more critical to check your exhaust system.

Having said that, modifying motorcycle exhausts is not a tough job as long as you have the right tools and a friend to assist you shall be done with it in a few minutes. The instruments that you will require for performing this task include a sound level meter Type 1, Type S1A, Type 2 or Type S2A. If these are not available you can also use a microphone. Furthermore, you will a sound level calibrator and tachometer to determine engine speed.

Now select a quiet space which doesn't have any sound obstructions such as signboards, parked vehicles, or walls, close by. Pick a flat, even surface to park your bike. The spot that you choose should be clear of grass, plowed soil, snow, etc. it should be a solid surface.
With feet on the ground, get on the motorcycle and ask your friend to turn on the sound level meter and the sound level calibrator. Notice the frequency emitted by the calibrator, this frequency will be used by sound level meter or microphone to adjust itself.

The next step in measuring motorcycle exhausts is connecting the tachometer to the motorcycle. Now run the engine at 35 mph with gears at neutral. Check the display on the tachometer and record the decibel output. If the reading is more than 84 decibels this indicates your exhaust system is too loud which is beyond the limit decided by law. In order to bring the noise level down you will have to install mufflers to your exhaust system. In case, you encounter any difficulty it is advisable you take your motorcycle to a mechanic.