I decided I may as well wrap mine as I had the exhaust off to remove a broken front exhaust stud (what a PITA they are I was lucky that there was enough still left sticking out and I could weld on a nut fortunately this allowed me to remove the stud without issue but the std studs look like they are designed to snap!!! So I’ve used bolts instead) as I said I wouldn’t have bothered if I hadn’t had to remove the exhaust coupled with the fact I had some Dei heat wrap left over from doing the Impreza, I sprayed the headers with VHT paint prior to wrapping and I’m hoping this and using good quality Dei wrap will help with longevity also I won’t have any rubbing issues as I’ve got a Moriwaki racing lower fairing which I’m hoping will protect it from the elements a bit. I don’t expect any performance benefits but the extra cooling around the rear shock should make it worthwhile.

 

imho the dei stuff is junk, buy better stuff.

This brand has proven to be good stuff
Amazon.com: Vulcan Titanium Ultimate Exhaust Header Wrap 2X50 Lava Fiber: Automotive

 

I just wrapped mine and hugely noticed the differece of heat on me and the oil filter, sump, etc.

I suspected one of my sealing donuts was iffy so replaced that. It is way worth it to remove the exhaust to wrap it but stock up on clamps BEFORE you dive in.

 

I have never been much on clamps, i just use Safety Wire on each end x 2 and never had a problem. Tips: Soak the wrap in water before applying and apply wet, this allows you to pull it tighter. Second pay attention to the over laping direction. Wrap from back to front. Lastly if it get dirty, spray with simple green and use a water hose to wash off, never spray with high pressure sprayer.


And yes it is okay to get it wet and ride with it wet. And no it will not rot your metal, atleast on four bikes i have wrapped two for 10 years plus with thousands of miles in all conditions metal looks nice when i did re-wrap 5 or 6 years later.

Good luck

 

Wow, looks sano. How did you hold all the pipes together with safety wire? lol

I was saying that the muffler clamps had died & needed replacing. I hold the wrap on with safety wire.

 

I did that with a Ducati Hypermotard with a 2 into 1 aftermarket carbon can and it blew a hole in it. I spoke with a mechanical engineer and he said wrapping it effectively makes the bike perform as if you shortened the exhaust pipes and also drives more heat out the exhaust because it doesn't dissapate off the pipes on the way to the can (muffler). There are benefits to sheilding the shock and oil cooler & lines, etc., but after you cover enough for that you should stop so the heat will dissapate a little before reaching the can(s).

 

I rode a 98' S-hawk for a couple of years(with the header wrapped)thru rain, shine, etc. When the wrap got to looking (poor) I removed it.. To find that the header was rusted up ,and rusted "thin".
When I started Modding the 2001(Akra-full exhaust, Ohlins rear shock) I sent the pipes to have ceramic coated for the same benefits as the wrap.
I would just watch -How much water time your S-hawk gets with the wrapped header..