Loud Exhaust and trail etiquette

[Chadx]

[Edit: Thanks, mods, for breaking this exhaust conversation out of the other thread]


Regarding the Motorcyclist Article HERE:

They have one incorrect statement. The article says: "Punch the starter and an enormous catalyst-equipped muffler behind the left bag releases a surprisingly assertive bark, with subtle... "

Catalytic converter is under the bike separate from the muffler and not in the muffler. That jives with why all of the reports say the removed muffler is actually surprisingly light and why there will not be a significant weight savings by replacing the muffler with an aftermarket slip on. Real weight savings will only come with a full system.

Personally, I don't plan on touching the exhaust anyway. I am both 'loud' adverse and "spend a lot of money" adverse all at the same time! Plus I see no reason to remove the cat. The weight is low, so one probably won't notice it when it's gone. Also, I really don't care about hp on a bike like this. And thirdly, cleaning up the exhaust is a good thing in my opinion.

 

[colorider]

Re: Loud exhuasts

Personally, I don't plan on touching the exhaust anyway. I am both 'loud' adverse and "spend a lot of money" adverse all at the same time!

+1. I am NOT a "loud pipes save lives" person. Most of the aftermarket pipes I have heard are just too annoying. Off my soapbox...........

 

[fjr1300]

Re: Loud exhuasts

When you see all the articles about States and Communities adopting sound ordinances, I'll be leaving mine stock. And when I attend the Colorado 500 motorcycle events, thats what they always check on, is the sound. Even Milwaukee, WI, home to Harley-Davidson has a strict sound ordinance that was tested for the 105th Anniversary. Some affluent neighborhoods used this ordinance to keep the loud bikes out (over 100 cited). Under there ordinance a property owner can take down a license plate and turn it in and a citation is mailed out.

 

[20valves]

Re: Loud exhuasts

+1 on quiet bikes, especially when you know you may pass some hikers in a Colorado mountain pass. You know, the kind of folks who like to to tell everyone else what they shouldn't be doing.

My track bikes have full systems but my FJR remains stock and very quiet. I expect whether I leave the S10 stock or go aftermarket that I will keep it a very quiet bike.

Only 4 more months gang!!!! 8)

 

[kgfire]

Re: Loud exhuasts

I am also a big fan of quiet bikes and besides, here in California its against the law to change the stock exhaust.
Kinda makes me wonder what all those Harley guys are going to do.

 

[Chadx]

Re: Loud exhuasts

+1 on quiet bikes, especially when you know you may pass some hikers in a Colorado mountain pass. You know, the kind of folks who like to to tell everyone else what they shouldn't be doing.

When I'm on the trails, anytime I meet folks traveling the opposite direction as me on horseback, hiking, bicycles, etc. I generally pull off to the side to let them pass and usually shut off the bike. If I'm catching up to them from behind, I stay a bit back until they get off to the side to acknowledge my presence and then I pass. If that section happens to be down hill, I usually kill the engine and coast by (especially with horses) then restart the engine once I'm past. That usually gets a smile and wave. (Read: They relay a good experience they had on the trail with a motorcycle rather than a bad one). Killing the engine isn't really needed since my bikes are always stock exhaust and whisper quiet at idle, but it also gets rid of engine noise and you get that fun mountain bike feel.

 

[GrahamD]

Re: Loud exhuasts

I've always been more of an intake noise man.

Much more enjoyable, but having said that nice muted well tuned exhaust note is OK.

On the Strom the Staintunes with the baffles in a still a bit too loud, so I find it hard to get that just right.

I'm more likely to want staintunes on the intake

But having said that, on a recent trip out west with two other bikes with standard exhausts, I found that if I was leading the wildlife tended to scatter before we got there, where as when I was following the poor guys out front had a few near misses. Had a few "wild hogs" moments with crows (ravens to the people OS)

Cheers
Graham

 

[Combo]

Re: Loud exhuasts

I do not like loud pipes but I do like performance. I can tell you this, it does make a difference as far as wildlife goes. You will have more close calls with a quiet bike than not. I have a Supertrapp ISDE 2 on my KLR and I know how to make it as quiet as possible by short shifting and throttle position when needed.
Some folks just rip by a farm house with the family setting on the front porch. Myself I like to go by slow, quiet and wave, So I can do it again some other time without getting shot at. I wished everyone had that in mind. It would make it much better on the rest of us.

 

[colorider]

Re: Loud exhuasts

I do not like loud pipes but I do like performance. I can tell you this, it does make a difference as far as wildlife goes. You will have more close calls with a quiet bike than not. I have a Supertrapp ISDE 2 on my KLR and I know how to make it as quiet as possible by short shifting and throttle position when needed.
Some folks just rip by a farm house with the family setting on the front porch. Myself I like to go by slow, quiet and wave, So I can do it again some other time without getting shot at. I wished everyone had that in mind. It would make it much better on the rest of us.

I had an interesting conversation with a rider bud of mine that is a railroad engineer about loud horns, bright lights etc as far as forest rats (deer) are concerned. He told me the numbers (candlepower and decibels) that are on a modern engine and it is amazing. Still, they (deer) just stand there - stupid as a rock - and get hit by the trains. Then, even IF horns/pipes/lights/whatever did make a difference - you never know which way they are going to jump.

 

[20valves]

Re: Loud exhuasts

ChadX/Combo:

Agree 100%. It takes very little effort to be respectful of others on the trail and should, should help us retain access to good riding areas. Our equestrian trails here in the two main places to ride in central OK (one private, one public) are separated which is good. But while in Texas in a NF, even though the dirt bikers were some of the most considerate, respectful trail stewards, they still got screwed in the end and were tossed out of the forest. The bikers down there even had an understanding of using a technique some liked to call "hook and go" meaning only as much horsepower as need to hook up and go, no unnecessary wheelspin. As Chadx stated, engines were killed when horses were in the area, right of way ceded, etc. No matter, dirt bikers were tossed out and given no legitimate reason why. They said interference with joggers/hikers was one but no biker nor ranger had seen a jogger on those trails in 10 years.

Still worth a try I suppose to try to convince the "green" cranks that we off road riders don't run down and eat puppies for breakfast, among other horrors. :-\

 

[Swagger]

Re: Loud exhuasts

Quiet where quiet's needed. Everywhere else .... full on. I'm happy with my touring bikes being run on standard units ... in fact they sound superb ... my current FJR sounds like a sweet turbine and my ST1300 (Pan) also had a beautiful burble to it. Not so the XT1200Z ... sounds a bit timid but will be a lot better with the Akra. Baffles aren't removable so it'll be acceptable to others ... sorta

 

[trinc4me]

Re: Loud exhuasts

+1. I am NOT a "loud pipes save lives" person. Most of the aftermarket pipes I have heard are just too annoying. Off my soapbox...........

+1.....agreed.

 

[hANNAbONE]

I'm a mellow pipe guy...I have a REMUS on the K12R.sport and it gets it when the loud grip is cranked.

I dunno as I've never run behind me for any length of time...or ever - for that matter.

 

[Buckeye56]

I have a Leo Vinci slip on on the FZ1 and it is pretty mellow or so I have been told. But I leave pretty early during the work week and I can imagine the neighbors might not appreciate a loud exhaust, so OEM for me. But the sound files I have heard of the S10 with aftermarket mufflers sure does sound sweet!

 

[3putt]

I am a quiet guy also, and I will stay stock. Even my WR250 is stock, I like it quiet. The MTS12 is very loud, but it is stock, can't imagine putting the loud stuff on it. People can hear me coming a mile away, I hate that.

 

[Turk]

I don't mind little extra sound and our bikes will never be as loud as those Choppers. I ordered Remus for my bike

 

[Old Git Ray]

I'm a stealth kinda guy. I like to be seen and heard when I want to be, not when the bike wants it.

My rationale is: When riding in some dodgy african bush approaching an illegal checkpoint/robbery situation, I want to approach quiet with my lights off so they see/hear me at the last possible moment so I can bugger off quick and they have lass time to react.

I am looking to put a switch in to turn the lights off too.

 

[colorider]

I am a quiet guy also, and I will stay stock. Even my WR250 is stock, I like it quiet. The MTS12 is very loud, but it is stock, can't imagine putting the loud stuff on it. People can hear me coming a mile away, I hate that.

Mine will stay stock as well. I've been riding since a kid and have never had a modified exhaust - no need to start now!!!!

 

[Hipshot]

Me too on the stock exhaust. It's better to be part of the solution than part of the problem.

 

[motopan]

I agree with stock quiet. However, every time I ride my Buell, all the car alarms go off and every male from blocks around come out to see "the parade". I even tried to find a remedy but Harley wanted ti retire on my dime. GP