Exhaust exit - why on the right?

[Monkeypony]

Mrs Monkeypony and I were chatting bikes last night, and neither of us could think of a single bike that comes from the factory with the exhaust mounted on the left hand side of the bike (other than those with twin pipes of course)

Is there any actual reason for this, or is it just one of those things that just becomes fashion and never changes?

The only reason we could come up with was if you're holding the brake with your right foot and your left foot slips, the bike will come down on the non-exhaust side...
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Current bike - 2018 H2-SX, 2004 SV1000s, 2016 Aprilia RSV4 RF, 2017 Sherco SERF 300, 2003 Suzuki DRZ400 (stolen - AY53 JUU)

[Fladdem]

What about a ktm 690 SMC?
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Current:1991 Honda MT50 (Soon to be a H100/MTX/MT5 hybrid), 1976 Honda Cub C70, 2005 Honda Varadero 125, 1993 Yamaha TTR250 Open Enduro , 2010 Road Legal Stomp YX140, 1994 Honda CRM 250 MK III, 1999 Cagiva Mito 125, 1992 Honda CB400 Super Four, Stomp T4 230, 1984 Honda H100s, 2009 Sym XS125K
Past:2003 Aprilia RS125, 1982 Kawasaki GPZ550(FREE BIKE!)
I'm having more fun than a well-oiled midget.

[Snorty]

Maybe to be on the opposite side to the chain.
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Past: CB125TDC | TZR125 | GPZ500 | CBR600F3 | ZX9-R | GSXR1000 K4

[Monkeypony]

[ws4936]

You do get left mounted exhausts, as well as a pipe either side, but isn't it to stop cooking your leg when mounting and dismounting?
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[0l0dom0l0]

Its because the side stand is on the left (No idea why that's on the left though) and to get on and off the bike you get on from the left side.

The exhaust goes on the right to stop you burning your leg on it whilst getting on and off.

VFR 400 / RVF 400 has a left hand side exhaust. Possibly something to do with the single sided swing-arm - not to sure.

But that's the only thing I can think of anyway.
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Bikes: 2007 Derbi GPR 50, 1998 Yamaha Fazer 600 (written off), 2002 Yamaha Fazer 600, 1994 CBR 600F, 2003 Triumph Daytona 600, Kawasaki ZX6R J1.....Current: 2006 Yamaha FZ6, 1998 Suzuki TL1000R and a Honda VFR 400 NC30.

[Doovy]

I'm sure some BMW's have them?
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[ms51ves3]

[covent.gardens]

[andyscooter]

so wouldnt bikes from europe ect be built the other way round as they drive on the right
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[covent.gardens]

I edited the same time as you pointed that out

[0l0dom0l0]

[Doovy]

[ws4936]

[Az]

[RhynoCZ]

[Rogerborg]

[pits]

I believe it is to do with not having the exhaust/fumes facing into the pavement.
For example, this is a left hand drive Iveco Daily
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/60/Iveco_Daily_35S11_z_boku.jpg

If you notice the exhaust does not exit on the offside of the vehicle (or nearside in this case) so will not be pointing onto the kerb in a left hand drive country.

This one, the exhaust is on the offside and faces away from the kerb as it is a RHD vehicle
https://images.carltonmotorco.co.uk/vehicles/iveco-daily-40c14-minibus-cd359ac0d4d155aa1fc393e4f717c254-640x480.jpg

In essence I believe that is the reason
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[grant965]

[stinkwheel]

On a bike with a single sided swingarm, the exhaust OUGHT to be either tucked up high or on the left.

As is the case with the RC30.
https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/RC30_RHF_1024.jpg

The whole point of a single sided swingarm being that you can quickly and easily remove the wheel without disturbing anything else.

If there is an exhaust in the way, this becomes difficult.

Honda obviously didn't consider this when making the standard, roadgoing versions of the VFR which require removal of the exhaust to get the wheel out. They have shown that it is entirely possible to bend up a left hand exit system for this bike (and you can buy an aftermarket LHS exit pipe for them too) but for some reason chose not to.
https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/IMG_0744.jpg

As such, the BMW posted by Doovy, while having a left exit pipe, it also made of fail because it's STILL in the way of removing the back wheel which attaches on the other side on Euro bikes.

Should also be noted that European bikes tend to have the drive on the right, brake on the left. Japanese and British are traditionally the other way round. I believe this dates back to the fitting of sidecar brakes for driving on the left or right.

I suspect the exhaust convention might be something similar, you want the exhaust on the opposite side to the sidecar.
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[blurredman]

Not all chains are on the left.. Some are on the right hand side, the same as the exhaust..
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[Islander]

[0l0dom0l0]

[stevo as b4]

I too think Pits is right!

You certainly wouldn't want a flame spitting monster engined vehicle with the exhaust on the pavement side, or a screamer pipe aimed at the kerb!

[Ribenapigeon]

My Wr125X had chain and chimney on the right hand side.