KESSTECH exhaust systems use a patented system providing a sound sound level satisfying all statutory provisions of Europe and of the US, even in California where they got the state certification. And the sound experience isn’t lost… Harley-Davidson of Glendale, California is proud to be the first dealer in the United States to offer these KESSTECH exhaust systems. They produce an unmistakable, unique and completely legal sound thanks to an Electronic Sound Management Systems (ESM2/ESM1) controling the tone and the volume automatically. If the system is activated, all sound values and all power values strictly comply with the European Union and USA directives.
KESSTECH sound systems are developed and designed in Germany. They are offered as complete systems or as rear mufflers, in different designs and using different materials, as well as with a variety of individual end tips. Christian Schütte, KESSTECH Managing Director is delighted to be partnering with Harley-Davidson of Glendale. “We are very pleased that we have found for our U.S. launch such an established partner with Oliver Shokouh of Harley-Davidson of Glendale. Oliver is the founder of the annual motorcycle charity event, the Love Ride, and has shaped the U.S. Harley scene for decades. Over the last few months, Oliver was extremely valuable in helping us prepare for our U.S. launch, offering advice based on his extensive experience. We are proud to have him as our partner.”
Oliver Shokouh, founder of Harley-Davidson of Glendale, adds, “We are glad to bring this unique, deep KESSTECH sound to America. KESSTECH exhausts take the unique Harley sound to a whole new level. The EPA compliant and German-engineered KESSTECH exhaust system fits perfectly to the Glendale philosophy to constantly improve our customer’s Harley experience by offering the best street-legal accessories.” In the US, contact Harley-Davidson Glendale. In Europe KESSTECH Systems.
Will sell very well and not only in California. Expensive but less than getting a series of tickets. Just want to hear how it sounds.
Can’t be that good if it’s legal in California.
Yes, an audio example would be great …It sounds promising. ;-))
Is this a loud system when not “activated”?
If so it won’t be legal.
Or am I missing something?
Seems that 7-8 years ago there was another system that did this. Flip of a switch and you were compliant. Name escapes me, though.
Akrapovic ?
How it sounds as well as a lot more details on how and why it works either here or especially on the company’s website would be helpful ….
Isn’t it a sad state of affairs though when ” Legal even in California ” needs to be a part of everyones marketing these days ?
New and innovative idea???
Back in the fifties I drove a Chevy to the drag strip every weekend. When I got there, I flipped two home made steel butterfly valves on the end of the headers, that routed the exhaust out through the tuned straight lake pipes on the side.
After the races, I flipped them back and ran the exhaust through the (barely legal) street pipes and mufflers.
Dave – Yup ! Back in the 70’s there was also a ready made system that did the same for your street rod /muscle car .. only with a ‘ shift ‘ lever in the interior to go from open to close . And as far back as the 40’s there were ‘ capped ‘ header systems that when uncapped bypassed the muffler completely .
Which is to say … there truly is nothing new under the sun
The sound management system that Kess uses isn’t manually activated, it’s electronic. And it’s not push button activated either. It runs off of software that is programmed to keep the decibel level compliant to government defined test cycles for noise emissions. The German TUV defines exact noise levels for certain RPM and vehicle speed parameters and the Kess software keeps the volume at the preset levels for those ranges and the rest of the time they run open. It’s kind of a legal grey area….
Activate by a push of a button. Stealth and normal mode. There are some good videos with sound on YouTube for anyone wishing to hear them.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=kesstech
Dave et al,
No the principle is not by any measure new – a number of similar (in varying degrees) is already available in Europe (I think Lottermann’s in Deutschland have a likewise system – for a range of models).
The difference between your garden-shed contraption and the Kesstech (etc) = [a] It has passed the scrutiny of the TUV inspector (in the EU at least) and [b] it actually looks like something other people may invest their hard earned cash on…
Thanks for the info 58_pan.
I guess this is like the California power comander it kind of side steps the law by only restricting when the bike is within the testing peramiters.
There was a company that said their exhaust did the same thing, only manually
Sounds like a good idea if you need it to be quiet sometimes
Me, I like it medium to loud all the time. LOL !!!!
As far as I know, European Standards require that if an exhaust system is designed to have two or more operational settings that can be modified during the functioning of the device, it is needed to check noise levels in ALL those operating levels to meet EU noise levels. And what’s happening with California ARB requirements?
Regards, Rufus
I LIKE TO SEE ON A NEW INDIAN
Rodent, that’s what they say about sex…
Not to be a negative Nancy, because I think the whole thing is bureaucratic BS, but unless they either submitted the exhaust system during the specific vehicle homologation or applied for and received an Executive Order from CARB, these are still not technically legal in CA. Furthermore, the EPA sound emissions measurement is a federal mandate. (The specific CARB requirement is for carbon emissions) California is one of the few states that enforces this sound rule with an iron fist, so its the most visible state when it comes to enforcement. I applaud Kesstech for creating a responsible sound exhaust system, as excessive sound is arguably the greatest threat for the government stepping in further and wrecking the activity we are all so passionate about.
We used to call it a “Snuff or Not” a lot cheaper to !!