Who would wrap downpipes?

[handful17]

Just getting back into the bike scene as per another thread and I've noticed quite a few bikes for sale with wrapped exhaust downpipes. When did this become a thing?! I have read it can help to dissipate heat but in all my years of riding I never heard of this being needed. Personally I think it looks awful and it would put me off buying a bike. What are others views?

[handful17]

airsafari87 said:

Agreed.

Wouldn’t happen to be a Ducati Scrambler that you’re looking at would it?

How do you know I'm looking at one of those right this minute?

[handful17]

Jazoli said:

Looks st, usually to be found on some hipster pile of wk.

Thanks for confirming beyond any doubt that I'm not a hipster!

[handful17]

StreetDragster said:

Don't let it put you off though, 5 mins with some side cutters and it'll be off.

Doesn't it leave a load of marks from where it was through?

[handful17]

srob said:

Hot gases flow faster through hot pipes, so insulating'heating the pipes would help gas flow as it pulls the exhaust gas out faster.

Used to be common on historic race bikes.

It has become fashionable to do it now too.

I get it with race bikes but for road bikes that really don't have that profile (like Harleys) it seems like it's to fix a problem that doesn't exist.