I put this in this section since I ride a cat, but I might post in the "General" area too to get more responses. With so much talk of Ti silencers, pipes, suspension components, bolts, etc. I thought I'd like to start a general discussion about what to look for when buying parts. If any of the part manufacturer's want to chime in I'd like to hear their thoughts on what they are using and why.
What sparked this idea for me was thinking about dirt bike/quad pipes. Ti used to be very exotic, and not necessarily the best choice for durability for non-racers looking for durability. It was even published in pipe buyers guides that while Ti was lighter and more expensive, it wasn't as durable as the cheaper stainless systems. I won't name any names, but just as an example, years ago company A was selling Ti silencers for around $350. Some of the other higher end companies were up to double that price (granted some were overseas so import tariffs played a part I'm sure). In my experience with A, the fit/finish wasn't quite as nice and over time they didn't seem to be as durable. As in get loose, rattle apart, or crack. Then as I became a bit more knowledgeable I learned there are different grades of Titanium, just like there is for any other metal. It seemed that some of the more expensive ones used a better grade and in my experience have been just as durable as the stock pipes.
Now looking at the recent offerings in the sled world, I've begun to wonder the same thing. I do have a Diamond S can on my sled and I've noticed that it is about the most expensive one out there now. I bought it because it was the only think like it available at the time, it got good reviews, and I knew it would work with my setup. Not saying it is any better than the others that are available now, but it has made me think about asking more questions when buying.
I've also read in past posts from Dan at Alternative Impact that Ti welds should have no random discoloration to the welds if they are done correctly. I know I have seen some Ti pipes welded that did have discoloration when it was done. Can this be polished or sand blasted away so the end user would never know?
What grades of Ti are available and what are each one best suited for? Are different types better for suspension arms, shafts, bolts, or exhaust systems?
Also, I've heard that it's more likely to break a Ti a-arm when you hit something rather than having it bend. Is there really any material science behind this, or just people that have seen one shear off and the same thing would have happened to a chromoly arm?
What sparked this idea for me was thinking about dirt bike/quad pipes. Ti used to be very exotic, and not necessarily the best choice for durability for non-racers looking for durability. It was even published in pipe buyers guides that while Ti was lighter and more expensive, it wasn't as durable as the cheaper stainless systems. I won't name any names, but just as an example, years ago company A was selling Ti silencers for around $350. Some of the other higher end companies were up to double that price (granted some were overseas so import tariffs played a part I'm sure). In my experience with A, the fit/finish wasn't quite as nice and over time they didn't seem to be as durable. As in get loose, rattle apart, or crack. Then as I became a bit more knowledgeable I learned there are different grades of Titanium, just like there is for any other metal. It seemed that some of the more expensive ones used a better grade and in my experience have been just as durable as the stock pipes.
Now looking at the recent offerings in the sled world, I've begun to wonder the same thing. I do have a Diamond S can on my sled and I've noticed that it is about the most expensive one out there now. I bought it because it was the only think like it available at the time, it got good reviews, and I knew it would work with my setup. Not saying it is any better than the others that are available now, but it has made me think about asking more questions when buying.
I've also read in past posts from Dan at Alternative Impact that Ti welds should have no random discoloration to the welds if they are done correctly. I know I have seen some Ti pipes welded that did have discoloration when it was done. Can this be polished or sand blasted away so the end user would never know?
What grades of Ti are available and what are each one best suited for? Are different types better for suspension arms, shafts, bolts, or exhaust systems?
Also, I've heard that it's more likely to break a Ti a-arm when you hit something rather than having it bend. Is there really any material science behind this, or just people that have seen one shear off and the same thing would have happened to a chromoly arm?
