Loud exhaust?

[DanCollins]

Hey Guys,

I recently lost my 1989 CBR250 to heat (hole in the piston!). I looked around, and picked up a 2003 Suzuki GSX250 for $3,250. Seemed like a great price (compared with ninjas and hyos!) and it passed my mechanic's servicing just fine. All and all, I'm pretty happy with it. In my true and unoriginal spirit I have named my new bike Suzy. She can't fill the hole my CBR left, but she is growing on me more and more.

I have my eyes on a CBR600 when I get my full, and having a loud exhaust on it would be cool.

I've had a few close calls with 'crazy lane switching ladies' lately. I drive through Hamilton a whole lot, and they seem to be out in force. What I think is happening is they just don't see or hear my because my muffler is so quiet. My mate made the recommendation of a louder exhaust so I'm more visible. Plus it might help with the fact my bike sounds like a lawn mower at the bottom end of the revs.

Keeping in mind I'd put the exhaust onto a CBR600 in future, what and where should I look for a loud exhaust? A common mod for hyos is to drill out some of the baffle, which might be a better option for this Suzuki?

I'm also open for other suggestions with dealing with these crazy and erratic drivers...


Cheers,

Dan

[Milts]

I don't think anyone would claim a loud exaust makes you more "visable". Noticable, maybe, in a very few situations.

However, the sound is loudest behind you. And it's cars in front who are going to violate your right of way. You're better off buying a bright helmet - like a helmet with a design using both white and black, they are more visible than single colour helmets. Assuming people will violate your right of way and being prepared with the brakes and horn would do you even better.

This might be worth a read:http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/streetsurvival/dangerous_motorcycle_safety_myths/viewall.html

And it is echoed on a range of sites: http://www.eglaw.com/library/deadly-misconceptions-the-top-ten-motorcycle-safety-myths.cfm http://www.eglaw.com/library/deadly-misconceptions-the-top-ten-motorcycle-safety-myths.cfm http://www.autoevolution.com/news/most-common-motorcycle-myths-debunked-part-1-45969.html

[Bassmatt]

Deaf people are allowed to drive.

[Katman]

As Milts said, it's been proven that the vast majority of noise an exhaust makes is behind you.

If you're worried about not being seen, go down the brighter clothing path or preferably,train your eyes to spot those who don't see you.

[McFatty1000]

The other thing (Which I'm trying to do) is not hide in peoples blind spots, mainly by either moving slightly faster than they are or by sitting a little ahead of them (When possible). And make eye contact in mirrors

[Road kill]

Loud pipes make me turn the stereo up.

[kinger]

Try putting your lights on full beam in the daytime.
it seems to work for plenty of cars/twin headlighted bikes I see coming towards me.
Personally, I'd say you're better off practising a bit of "anticipation' riding. Don't go for gaps til you're sure you've been seen. Look at their mirrors and if you see they've seen you, then make your move. Just be aware that the driver in front of them may still be oblivious to your presence.

[Old Steve]

I saw a video of the "SIAM", Smidsy Identification and Avoidance Manouever, and started using it.

Whenever you see an oncoming car indicating to turn across your path or a car coming out of a side road, start to do the "happy biker weave" - slight alternate countersteering so you weave slightly. This makes you and your headlight weave against the background and makes you more visible to the turning drivers

Also I watch the car's wheels, if they're still turning then they haven't seen you and it's a job for Mr Brakes. The wheels are a much more accurate indication of if a vehicle is moving than actually watching the vehicle itself.

[cheshirecat]

Assume nothing

[AllanB]

I saw a video of the "SIAM", Smidsy Identification and Avoidance Manouever, and started using it.

Whenever you see an oncoming car indicating to turn across your path or a car coming out of a side road, start to do the "happy biker weave" - slight alternate countersteering so you weave slightly. This makes you and your headlight weave against the background and makes you more visible to the turning drivers

Fark me that made me laugh!!!!! It probably works due to the oncoming car drivers thinking you are a crazy arse about to fall off!!!!!!




Q - what are the most obvious motorcycles on the road?

A - police and 'bikies'

[Oakie]

Also I watch the car's wheels, if they're still turning then they haven't seen you and it's a job for Mr Brakes. The wheels are a much more accurate indication of if a vehicle is moving than actually watching the vehicle itself.

Yep. Watching the wheels will never let you down.

[bogan]

As Milts said, it's been proven that the vast majority of noise an exhaust makes is behind you.

If you're worried about not being seen, go down the brighter clothing path or preferably,train your eyes to spot those who don't see you.

Funny how often it comes up though, you'd think it obvious considering which way the exhaust points.

It's just a myth perpetuated by classless buffoons who think the public go, wow cool, that is a loud bike. When in reality the public and most other bikers just want you to shut the fuck up and get that exhaust fixed...

[Gianz]

lane spiltting under 30km/h the loud exhaust cure works. But only with cars close to you. And yo haveto know when to apply it.

[Berries]

Assume nothing
I thought you were going to add something else there.



But yeah, forget the exhaust, forget the horn and forget the hi-viz. Just learn to know what a vulnerable position is and then learn not to stay too long in one.

[Sis]

I had a CBR600 with standard exhaust. Then changed to a Harley that doesn't seem to have any baffles.

Auckland Traffic parts for me when I am on my noisy bike. Never did when I was on the quiet bike.
And hi-viz vests did nothing either.

My riding habits are still the same. Assume nothing and expect everything.

[ducatilover]

Just de-baffle your standard one, bare (mmm beer) in mind that you will probably need to re-jet, especially to avoid melting a piston

Have you still got the CBR? I could be interested in a nice cheap rolling chassis :msn-wink:

[AllanB]

Just de-baffle your standard one, bare (mmm beer) in mind that you will probably need to re-jet, especially to avoid melting a piston

Have you still got the CBR? I could be interested in a nice cheap rolling chassis :msn-wink:



Re what? Bless fuel injection. It rocks.

[Ender EnZed]

Loud pipes make very little to zero difference to other vehicle traffic on the road, but they can get pedestrians the fuck out of the way pretty well.

[ducatilover]

Re what? Bless fuel injection. It rocks.

:baby: I lubs carb-errr-rat-hers

[sinfull]

I saw a video of the "SIAM", Smidsy Identification and Avoidance Manouever, and started using it.

Whenever you see an oncoming car indicating to turn across your path or a car coming out of a side road, start to do the "happy biker weave" - slight alternate countersteering so you weave slightly. This makes you and your headlight weave against the background and makes you more visible to the turning drivers

Also I watch the car's wheels, if they're still turning then they haven't seen you and it's a job for Mr Brakes. The wheels are a much more accurate indication of if a vehicle is moving than actually watching the vehicle itself.



Yep. Watching the wheels will never let you down.Unless you keep watching them when they start to move !


Fark me that made me laugh!!!!! It probably works due to the oncoming car drivers thinking you are a crazy arse about to fall off!!!!!!




Q - what are the most obvious motorcycles on the road?

A - police and 'bikies'Police for obvious reasons and bikers cause they generally ride aggressively and in pairs if not packs, just my opinion anyhow !


To the OP
I think you just don't like the sound of your bike and want it to sound better aye ?

Making your bike louder won't save ya from lane changers, what will, is being a little more aggressive (not saying ride flat out)
Work your throttle a bit more, don't creep up on the blind spots of cars and sit there, if they're going a few k's slower than you, get in a position you can see in their wing mirror and then just give it a touch more gas and get past them quickly before returning to your cruise speed !
If it's a line of traffic on your left and there is a gap in front of you, it's pretty obvious someone is going to pull out, so maybe use the vehicle in front of you as a block (though you run the risk of reeming him if he's quicker on the brakes when someone pulls out on him)

[Blackshear]

Had a micron straight-through on my 250.
Eventually enough people complained (which is totally fair, I was as quiet as possible considering, but I live at the bottom of a valley) to warrant a nice uniformed man make ME put the green sticker on my bike.
An entire new exhaust system, $100 WOF, $250 low volume compliance (sound test) and a couple fines waived later, I had my commuter back.

Lesson to take home, stump up the $250 to get a compliance done to save the headache later if it's over the legal limit.
I'm now at a comfortable 84db, far enough from 94-96db and happy.

EDIT: Since I really have no defense as that has been and is the past, there are very many times where a quick rev had better results than a toot. Might be something to do with the source lasting longer for the driver to hear or something.

[Tigadee]

I am a believer in loud pipes. They do draw attention more often than being ignored or unnoticed. And they [mostly] sound cool. When I had my Venox debaffled, it made the little 250cc V-twin sound so much deeper and throatier, and more noticable. It's more attractive than the beep-beep of a horn to ask cars to move aside when lane-splitting, just give the throttle a little blip.

While a lot of the noise may go towards the back, there is often enough that travels forward as well so that even those in front can hear, especially in slow traffic around town or on busy motorway. So when you're lane-splitting, it is very useful as an audio warning feature to other motorists, though it should not of course be solely relied upon as a safety measure.

[EJK]

Save money on exhausts.

Blast air horns.

[ducatilover]

Had a micron straight-through on my 250.
Eventually enough people complained (which is totally fair, I was as quiet as possible considering, but I live at the bottom of a valley) to warrant a nice uniformed man make ME put the green sticker on my bike.
An entire new exhaust system, $100 WOF, $250 low volume compliance (sound test) and a couple fines waived later, I had my commuter back.

Lesson to take home, stump up the $250 to get a compliance done to save the headache later if it's over the legal limit.
I'm now at a comfortable 84db, far enough from 94-96db and happy.

EDIT: Since I really have no defense as that has been and is the past, there are very many times where a quick rev had better results than a toot. Might be something to do with the source lasting longer for the driver to hear or something.

Did they measure your sound levels correctly before applying the green sticker? Because, to my knowledge, you're able to contest it and go get it tested by someone.
Although there are arguments on whether a testing station with a DB meter can get an accurate reading, what with buildings and other stuff around.

Sent from my sexy lingerie

[Fast Eddie]

lol, anyone hear a loud ass bike in Dunedin last night between 6.30pm and 9.30pm

sorry about that...

straight header pipes baby nothing else! looked like a drag bike, 4 straight individual pipes exiting under the bike.. my ears are still ringing... whaat? .. huh?

[imdying]

As Milts said, and for the reason he explained, it's a waste of time. Probably even more dangerous as you think you'll be noticed more.

[blackdog]

Try putting your lights on full beam in the daytime.

No, don't. It is inconsiderate, those other vehicles aren't giving you a friendly flash to let you know that 'I can see you'.

[Big Dave]

Lots of variables here.

My Thunderbird had loud exhausts and it sounded like crap.

A road king with smaller baffles is still pretty quiet and sounds like honey.

I've ridden a lot with both; loud, none - even turbos, and KLR stock. Zero difference in traffic for me.

Maybe give it a rev instead of sounding the horn when bozo is asleep at the traffic lights but that's about all. I think the difference may be the rider's 'tude.

For where I live now I prefer the stealth of quiet.

[Rhys]

I don't think loud pipes makes anybody "see you" although I do have to say a lot of slow cars/trucks put to the left if i come up behind them on the duck, the air box is quite loud on deceleration

[DanCollins]

Just de-baffle your standard one, bare (mmm beer) in mind that you will probably need to re-jet, especially to avoid melting a piston

Have you still got the CBR? I could be interested in a nice cheap rolling chassis :msn-wink:

I still have the CBR. The rego is on hold, and I have all the parts to make it go (minus the hole in the piston). You're welcome to send me a message to take it off my hands.

Thanks for all the advice. I have been spending my time watching the drivers and anticipating, I was more looking for a way to stop them doing what they are doing - which is something I should bother with.

As for debaffling my exhaust, I don't want to spend money on rejetting. It's fine how it is :) If I rev it enough, it's pretty loud.

[pritch]

There is a school of thought, common in the States and copied here, "Loud pipes save lives."
I recently read a reply to the effect, "Imagine how many lives would be saved if they learned to ride properly."

If you wish to be noisy on occasion, buy a Stebel Nautilus.

[duckonin]

Hey Guys,
My mate made the recommendation of a louder exhaust so I'm more visible.

I'm also open for other suggestions with dealing with these crazy and erratic drivers...


Cheers,

Dan

(1) change mates fast ! .

(2) keep your eyes open and brain engaged....By doing so 99.9% of your problem is covered.:yes:

[Subike]

Unless you keep watching them when they start to move !

Police for obvious reasons and bikers cause they generally ride aggressively and in pairs if not packs, just my opinion anyhow !


To the OP
I think you just don't like the sound of your bike and want it to sound better aye ?

Making your bike louder won't save ya from lane changers, what will, is being a little more aggressive (not saying ride flat out)
Work your throttle a bit more, don't creep up on the blind spots of cars and sit there, if they're going a few k's slower than you, get in a position you can see in their wing mirror and then just give it a touch more gas and get past them quickly before returning to your cruise speed !
If it's a line of traffic on your left and there is a gap in front of you, it's pretty obvious someone is going to pull out, so maybe use the vehicle in front of you as a block (though you run the risk of reeming him if he's quicker on the brakes when someone pulls out on him)

This was the only post so far in this thread that has made sense to me.
I am active in my lane when riding, Wander from side to side, not riding continuously in a straight line when behind traffic.
When driving a car, I glance at the interior mirror, see the vehicle behind me and drive on, nothing unusual. If I glance at the mirror and see something different from the norm, I Take Notice and look harder, a rider traveling in a straight line is a "normal" look, can be dismissed and forgotten, a rider moving around alerts my caution " what the fuck is he doing" and I am aware he is there.
So I apply that reasoning from driving to my riding, seems to work well.
Now OP. I have two XS1100 Yamahas, one with an almost std exhaust, one with a reasonably loud aftermarket exhaust. I have observed no difference at night when riding either bike because of the sound. So loud pipes save lives?, na. fools errand

[Fast Eddie]

I have loud pipes and I am still alive, Therefor loud pipes save lives.

I also have an anti-panther rock in my garden, there are no panthers in my garden..

[kiwi cowboy]

I have loud pipes and I am still alive, Therefor loud pipes save lives.

I also have an anti-panther rock in my garden, there are no panthers in my garden..

i got a weather rock hanging in my garden and it works too:laugh:

[DanCollins]

I've been weaving a bit more lately. By weaving, I mean within my lane just moving side to side. I also think it's a good idea to give the engine a rev before I overtake someone, so I will do that from now on. Rather than having a loud drone, it would be a short and sharp rev.

As for not liking the sound of my bike. I reckon it would sound worse with a loud pipe on it. When I got my CBR, it had a straight through pipe which sounded terrible. When I put the standard exhaust back on it sounded much nicer.

[BAD DAD]

On the way to the Neil Young concert the other night we ran into reasonably heavy traffic before reaching the motorway, and one of the things I noticed was how many bikes were able to enter the spaces in front and around me without me catching view of them. In some other similar thread way back in time I think I remember saying how a person like me that actively seeks out bikes just for the enjoyment of seeing them is still caught out continuously by lane splitters and the like. My point is; if it easy easy for you to sneak up on a train-spotter like myself then you haven't got a shit-show of being noticed by even the averagely attentive driver. Dayglo, loud pipes or even flashing blue lights can take some time to register when you are travelling in the same direction of someone whose mind is far, far away. As for drivers coming from the opposite direcction, hellfire, they even turn out in front of Kenworth trucks. And let's face it, most of us have been caught out ourselves from time to time.

[awa355]

I have loud pipes and I am still alive, Therefor loud pipes save lives.

I also have an anti-panther rock in my garden, there are no panthers in my garden..

I have a quiet pipe on my bike and I'm still alive. :argue:

On the other hand,

I dont have an anti-panther rock in my garden and there's a big black cat curled up on the outdoor lounger.

Where can I buy an anti-panther rock from???

[Fast Eddie]

Where can I buy an anti-panther rock from???

fred flinstone..

ehehe

[Foxx]

Oh yes louder the better but not crazy loud like on some hog. I've just recently fitted a pair of anodised black Neptune's to my ride ' vtr1000' real nice . Mufflers for a real nice price go & check him out you will be impressed

Sent from my GT-I8190N using Tapatalk

[oneblackflag]

:
Oh yes louder the better but not crazy loud like on some hog. I've just recently fitted a pair of anodised black Neptune's to my ride ' vtr1000' real nice . Mufflers for a real nice price go & check him out you will be impressed

Sent from my GT-I8190N using Tapatalk

Cool thread dredge...:shifty:

Contrary to most of the coments, I find my loud pipe gets much more attention from drivers I come up behind, even ones waiting at intersections (in town). Its just one of the tools in the belt though and I definitely dont rely on it.

Out of consideration (and lawliness) I've changed out the baffel from 98db to about 94db, of course just cruising in a higher gear makes it more plesent for other road users and :Police: ; but I will change down when I want to be heard. At 98db downshifting or accelerating everyone looks and you feel like a right cock :tugger: and plenty of that noise is going forward.... You wouldn't wanna ride behind me though.

Im on a dirt bike though (well dual sport), I don't think they sound right when quiet :innocent:

[pritch]

bikers cause they generally ride aggressively and in pairs if not packs, just my opinion anyhow !



No. It's because they are perceived as a potential threat. Same as the Police.

[SMOKEU]

Nothing is effective against preventing crashes when stupid cagers are around. They still manage to pull out in front of trains and big trucks, so the chance of seeing/hearing a bike is almost nil if they're not paying attention.

[swbarnett]

Nothing is effective against preventing crashes when stupid cagers are around.
I've found that the grey stuff between the ears can be pretty effective.

[SMOKEU]

I've found that the grey stuff between the ears can be pretty effective.

Most of the time...

[swbarnett]

Most of the time...
It's certainly kept me alive and away from anything more than minor scrapes for the past 30 years.

[rastuscat]

Fark me that made me laugh!!!!! It probably works due to the oncoming car drivers thinking you are a crazy arse about to fall off!!!!!!




Q - what are the most obvious motorcycles on the road?

A - police and 'bikies'

Someone pulled out in front of my on my fully marked two wheeled Popo-mobile once. Drove off with a $150 invoice for the privilege.

Sometimes it's good to be the law.

[Kendoll]

There's any easy solution to this Dan, just stay out of Hamilton haha!!

That way you won't have to deal with any Hamiltonians, who (A) can't drive and (B) apparently all have the clap :clap: (although apparently Rotovegas is now the clap capital... http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503438&objectid=11092191) :killingme