Zard: Italian Excellence in Motorcycle Exhausts
There are brands that manufacture parts, and there are brands that create objects. Officine Italiane Zard resolutely belongs to the latter category. From its Italian workshops, this exceptional manufacturer designs and handcrafts motorcycle exhausts that are universally acclaimed for their manufacturing quality, measurable performance, and aesthetics that transform every motorcycle into a work of art in its own right. At Blackpines, we chose to distribute Zard because this brand shares our values: high standards, attention to detail, and a refusal to compromise.
Why choose a Zard exhaust for your motorcycle?
The question is worth asking. The aftermarket exhaust market is vast, and offers are plentiful. So why Zard?
The answer lies in three words: manufacturing, materials, and results.
Manufacturingfirst. Every Zard muffler, every header, every decatalyzer is designed and handcrafted in the Officine Italiane Zard workshops in Italy. No outsourcing, no relocated production, full artisanal control, from the design office to packaging. The Centro Stile Zard is involved in every project, whether it's a racing muffler for a Harley-Davidson Sportster S or a complete 2-in-1 kit for a Moto Guzzi V85 TT. This involvement is reflected in the tolerances, adjustments, and visual consistency of each part.
Materialsnext. Zard makes no compromises on the quality of its raw materials. AISI 304 stainless steel is the standard for the range. Robust, resistant to corrosion and thermal shock, it guarantees exceptional durability. For those who want to go further, titanium offers an exceptional weight-to-strength ratio and develops those golden hues under heat that are so characteristic of premium customizations. Carbon fiber, used for end caps, heat shields, and side covers, provides the finishing touch that distinguishes a beautiful motorcycle from an exceptional one. Matte black, satin, or mirror-polished Cerakote® finishes complete a palette that covers all aesthetic universes, from the minimalist scrambler to the radical custom.
Resultsfinally. The gains announced by Zard are not marketing arguments. They are measured on a dynamometer, model by model. A weight reduction of 5.5 kg on a Moto Guzzi Griso, -9.5 kg on a Harley-Davidson Touring, +4 HP on a Softail M8, +3.4 HP on a Sportster S 1250—these figures are real, documented, and perceptible from the first ride. The difference is felt in changes of direction, in the responsiveness of acceleration, and in the emotional sound produced with each throttle twist.
The Zard range at Blackpines: mufflers, full systems, and accessories
Blackpines offers a wide and coherent selection from the Zard range, covering several product types and numerous motorcycle models.
Zard replacement mufflersare the most accessible entry point into the Zard universe. They replace only the muffler at the end of the line, without touching the original header. Installation is plug & play, with no ECU remapping required in the vast majority of cases. Available for models as varied as the Triumph Scrambler 1200, Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1000, CF Moto 450 MT, Triumph Tiger 900, or Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250, they consistently offer weight savings, improved performance, and an immediate sonic and visual transformation.
Zard full systems, whether 2-in-1 or 2-in-2 kits, replace the entire exhaust system, from header to muffler. The gains are more significant: up to 9.5 kg on some Harley-Davidson Touring models, with power increases measured on a dynamometer. These kits are for riders who want a total, no-compromise transformation. They may require more installation time but offer the most comprehensive result in terms of performance, weight, and aesthetic coherence.
Zard decatalyzersare technical parts designed to optimize gas evacuation by removing the original catalytic converter. Used alone or in combination with a Zard muffler, they offer the most significant power gains, up to +5.9 HP on the Pan America 1250 when paired with a Zard muffler. Reserved for track use or non-road legal applications, they sometimes require ECU remapping on Euro 5+ models.
Zard accessories, carbon fiber heat shields, conversion kits, mounting plates, complete the range for riders who wish to customize their setup or optimize the aesthetic integration of their exhausts.
Approved or racing Zard exhaust: the right choice for your use
The Zard range is consistently available in two orientations, corresponding to two distinct rider profiles.
The approved Zard exhaust, certified E3, E4, E5, or E5+ depending on the generation, complies with European road regulations. It can be legally installed on your motorcycle, passes technical inspections without difficulty, and does not affect your insurance. It offers real and measurable gains, between +0.9 and +1.7 HP depending on the model, while respecting the sound emission limits imposed by law. This is the natural choice for daily riders, travelers, or those who do not want to worry about their machine's compliance.
The Zard racing exhaustoffers maximum power, lightness, and sound freedom. The removable baffle supplied with most models allows for sound level adjustment according to use, useful for riders who alternate between road rides and track sessions. Power gains are systematically higher than those of the approved version, and the sound is more direct, more raw, more emotional. Reserved for track use or appropriate legal contexts, the Zard racing muffler is the benchmark for performance-oriented customizations.
Zard and major motorcycle families: Harley-Davidson, Moto Guzzi, Triumph, and more
The Zard range at Blackpines covers several motorcycle universes, with references adapted to each machine.
ForHarley-Davidson, Zard offers complete systems or replacement mufflers for the major Milwaukee-Eight, Softail, Touring, and Sportster S families, with remarkable weight gains and a sound signature that respects and amplifies the American brand's V-twin character.
ForMoto Guzzi, the range covers models as diverse as the V7 Café Racer, Griso, V100 Mandello, Stelvio 1000, and V85 TT. These are all high-character machines that deserve an exhaust befitting their personality. Zard titanium or stainless steel mufflers, with their standard carbon end cap, naturally integrate with the Italian elegance of these motorcycles.
ForTriumph, the range is particularly rich: Scrambler 1200, Tiger 900, Trident 800, Rocket 3, Street Triple, Bonneville T100 and T120. Each model has its dedicated Zard reference, designed to perfectly integrate with the engine architecture and original exhaust line.
Forother brandslike CF Moto, the Zard range continues to expand, proving that Italian excellence is not limited to historical premium brands.
Blackpines, Zard distributor in France: availability, advice, and expertise
At Blackpines, we don't just list products; we know them. Each product sheet in our Zard catalog is carefully written to guarantee reliable, precise, and useful information when making your choice. Compatibilities are checked model by model, technical specifications are verified, and points of attention such as E5+ incompatibilities, remapping requirements, or restrictions with original panniers are clearly indicated.
If you have any doubts about the right reference for your motorcycle, the difference between two versions, or delivery times for special order parts, our team is available to assist you. Blackpines is your partner for all your questions aboutZard exhausts,approved motorcycle mufflers,racing full systems, andexhaust accessoriesfor Café Racer, Scrambler, Custom, and Touring motorcycles.
Discover our entire Zard range and find the ideal exhaust for your motorcycle.
