Objective

Swap the Honda OEM exhaust for an Arrow Pro-Race slip-on exhaust and evaluate changes in acoustic performance and powertrain responsiveness.

Hardware

• 2020 Honda CB500X
• Arrow Pro-Race slip-on exhaust

Capture

• Zoom H2 Recorder
• DJI Mic 2
• DJI Osmo Pocket 3
• Insta360 X5 360 Camera

For stationary recording, a Zoom H2 was used in the mono pattern, set about 3 feet back from the exhaust and offset by about 45 degrees.

For recording while in motion, a DJI Mic 2 with a windscreen was placed on the side of the rear top case and pointed down towards the exhaust.

Execution & Testing

The installation was straightforward, requiring only two bolts to release the OEM exhaust and install the Arrow. The OEM band clamp was replaced with the one provided by Arrow, and metal grease was applied to the header tube and the slip-on exhaust prior to mating. The Outback Motortek exhaust shield previously installed was returned to the position it was previously in.

Recordings of the OEM exhaust and the arrow exhaust were captured in several scenarios:

• Cold start in neutral
• Slow rev in neutral
• Rapid rev in neutral
• Normal street riding

Observations: On first startup, the Arrow has a rich and low end tone compared to the OEM. Perceived volume is louder, and burble sounds are significantly more pronounced when rolling off the throttle. Engine feels slightly more responsive during normal riding conditions, particularly when at low speeds and feathering the throttle.