Why does my exhaust pop on deceleration?
That loud popping or crackling sound when you roll off the throttle might sound aggressive, but it usually signals a fuelling issue. Popping on deceleration is almost always caused by a lean mixture, an exhaust leak, or both.
When you close the throttle, the carburettors reduce fuel flow but still draw in air. If the mixture screws are too lean or the pilot circuit is partially blocked, unburned oxygen enters the exhaust system and ignites leftover fuel, creating that popping noise. Worn exhaust gaskets can make it worse by pulling in more air at the header joints.
Many riders assume it’s “normal,” especially on aftermarket pipes, but excessive popping is a sign your bike isn’t tuned correctly. It can also lead to backfiring and premature exhaust valve wear.
At The Carb Shack, we clean and reset the carburettors so the pilot circuits and mixture screws deliver the correct amount of fuel on deceleration. We also advise checking or replacing exhaust gaskets and synchronising the carbs for smoother transitions between throttle positions.
If your exhaust constantly pops or bangs when you back off, it’s not a tuning quirk—it’s a fixable carb issue. Book a professional cleaning and rebuild today and get your throttle response sounding right again.
