Advice on aftermarket exhaust

[mathornet]

Hey guys I currently have a 2009 CB400SF REVO which is a fuel injected bike 4 cylinder engine. PGM-FI
I've been experiencing a number of close calls from unaware cagers that probably can't hear my bike (No i don't filter). Just general riding (i ride sensibly).
Which brings me to a stage of wanting to change the pipe to a slipon which makes at least a louder noise so I get attention on the road.
But I'm afraid that putting on a slip-on might effect the performance on the bike? I'm not sure whether it'd be a good idea to do so.
So can anyone tell me what other steps should i do to proceed to changing to a slip-on? maybe ECU related or??
Thanks :)

[tigertim20]

pipes send noise behind you.
cars in front or beside wont notice it till you're past them.

just a slip on should be fine. if you start fucking with any catalytic converter that may be installed, or put a full exhaust on, thats when you need to start thinking seriously about a power commander.

Or if getting noticed is what you want, just buy a harley

[mossy1200]

Hey guys I currently have a 2009 CB400SF REVO which is a fuel injected bike 4 cylinder engine. PGM-FI
I've been experiencing a number of close calls from unaware cagers that probably can't hear my bike (No i don't filter). Just general riding (i ride sensibly).
Which brings me to a stage of wanting to change the pipe to a slipon which makes at least a louder noise so I get attention on the road.
But I'm afraid that putting on a slip-on might effect the performance on the bike? I'm not sure whether it'd be a good idea to do so.
So can anyone tell me what other steps should i do to proceed to changing to a slip-on? maybe ECU related or??
Thanks :)

??? close calls

From cars you are passing or cars pulling out in front of you?
Cars pulling out on you is often related to following vehicles so close that your not seen by a car waiting to pull out.
Tilt you headlight up a bit perhaps if its low.

Wouldn't spend money on a full system unless the bike is very performance orientated.
Slip on and high flow air filter should work ok with added expenses on tuning ecu.

[jellywrestler]

I've been experiencing a number of close calls from unaware cagers that probably can't hear my bike (No i don't filter). Just general riding (i ride sensibly).
Which brings me to a stage of wanting to change the pipe to a slipon which makes at least a louder noise so I get attention on the road.


so you get a loud pipe and expect everyone to make a open lane for you, then come across someone with the radio up loud or on their earphone and they don't, then what happens?
learn to ride better first.

[mathornet]

Lol I thought twice about posting about minor problems of such where people like you dont help but just to criticise, thats why im not so keen on posting on kiwibiker anymore. I asked for advice for a slip-on. And its not so they can open up a lane for me.. its so cars who are not aware of motorcyclist might have a better chance of noticing you. It has nothing to do with being a better rider, if cagers dont know you are there and they go for that turn you're a goner. Its the same concept as wearing a high vis vest it just adds to that extra visibility/noticable presense.


so you get a loud pipe and expect everyone to make a open lane for you, then come across someone with the radio up loud or on their earphone and they don't, then what happens?
learn to ride better first.

[mathornet]

??? close calls

From cars you are passing or cars pulling out in front of you?
Cars pulling out on you is often related to following vehicles so close that your not seen by a car waiting to pull out.
Tilt you headlight up a bit perhaps if its low.

Wouldn't spend money on a full system unless the bike is very performance orientated.
Slip on and high flow air filter should work ok with added expenses on tuning ecu.
Not really close calls and some cagers seem so unstable on the road. but for me I feel like im not noticed enough on the road so at least theres something that can reassure me. been riding for nearly 6 years no problem I can swerve around etc. Just wanted that extra comfort to my ears and my sense of presense on the road.

[awayatc]

I don't believe noise will help you much......
Road positioning is important, and I am a firm believer in multiple lights up front.
I know I get noticed on my harley with 3 headlights, and got a lot more close calls on 650 aprillia with just 1 light.
There was a very interesting link on here a week or so ago from a fighter pilot about how people look, and why people don't see bikes....

make your bike sound a bit more grunty by all means.....
but it won't solve your problem.....

[Tazz]

Lol I thought twice about posting about minor problems of such where people like you dont help but just to criticise, thats why im not so keen on posting on kiwibiker anymore. I asked for advice for a slip-on. And its not so they can open up a lane for me.. its so cars who are not aware of motorcyclist might have a better chance of noticing you. It has nothing to do with being a better rider, if cagers dont know you are there and they go for that turn you're a goner.

Without trying to gang up on you it's not bad advice (which you asked for) man, it was just wasn't delivered in an ego stroking way.

Making your bike louder won't do shit. I know I can't hear anything around me in the car over my Celine Dion greatest hits CD. Better bet would be to look at how you're riding (road positioning, attention to other drivers etc etc) and some LED daytime running lights. Maybe grab a lesson? They are subsidised by the ACC ;)

[mathornet]

Without trying to gang up on you it's not bad advice (which you asked for) man, it was just wasn't delivered in an ego stroking way.

Making your bike louder won't do shit. I know I can't hear anything around me in the car over my Celine Dion greatest hits CD. Better bet would be to look at how you're riding (road positioning, attention to other drivers etc etc) and some LED daytime running lights. Maybe grab a lesson? They are subsidised by the ACC ;)


I don't believe noise will help you much......
Road positioning is important, and I am a firm believer in multiple lights up front.
I know I get noticed on my harley with 3 headlights, and got a lot more close calls on 650 aprillia with just 1 light.
There was a very interesting link on here a week or so ago from a fighter pilot about how people look, and why people don't see bikes....

make your bike sound a bit more grunty by all means.....
but it won't solve your problem.....

Thanks for that I guess that makes sense. Been to the classes already but I guess its just for my own reassurance. Sorry if all misunderstood my explanation of close calls. Dont really know how to explain the situation of when a car dont notice you when they are coming out of an intersection on to the main road and me riding on the main road, they slightly move forward from stationary but then they stop once they see you. even with my high beam on 24/7 or high vis vest and proper positioning. Just sometimes that my concious mind would tell me they are going for it or not which in results in me slowing down. but it rarely happens.
Sorry for my english. Me asian.:p

[mathornet]

Thanks all for your feedback.
BUT BACK TO THE ADVICE ON PUTTING A SLIP ON! So its generally OK?to put on the slip-on also with a change of a high flow air filter? Ive seen it all with carbs where they have to rejet it but with Fuel Inj just air filter might do the job?

[mossy1200]

Without trying to gang up on you it's not bad advice (which you asked for) man, it was just wasn't delivered in an ego stroking way.

Making your bike louder won't do shit. I know I can't hear anything around me in the car over my Celine Dion greatest hits CD. Better bet would be to look at how you're riding (road positioning, attention to other drivers etc etc) and some LED daytime running lights. Maybe grab a lesson? They are subsidised by the ACC ;)

Tend to agree. My bikes on the louder side with full system but cars are still a big heavy dangerous object driven by people who are not looking out for motorbikes, texting and driving, listening to music or just bad drivers. The ones that cause issues will be unlikely to notice you if you have a clown outfit on.

However if you want a bike to sound better and perform a bit better get a slip on and filter and enjoy it for what it is. Louder and faster!!

[AllanB]

Pipe that bitch man - won't help you on the road with the cars but it will sound better ;)

A slip on muffler will be fine - may even release a pony or two. Also just about every slip on muffler on the market comes with or can have a db killer fitted so you can vary the sound level from mellow to 'louder'.

Possibly the biggest 'performance' gain you'll find will be ditching several kilos of stock muffler.

[mossy1200]

Thanks all for your feedback.
BUT BACK TO THE ADVICE ON PUTTING A SLIP ON! So its generally OK?to put on the slip-on also with a change of a high flow air filter? Ive seen it all with carbs where they have to rejet it but with Fuel Inj just air filter might do the job?

If you let the gas leave easier then a small increase in intake flow is a good idea. Your injection should allow for a small change and will be likely running richer than it needs be at the moment. NOTE small change( slip on and filter ). Full systems and your going to need look at how lean its become. Weight is the best gain perhaps.

[Tazz]

Dont really know how to explain the situation of when a car dont notice you when they are coming out of an intersection on to the main road and me riding on the main road, they slightly move forward from stationary but then they stop once they see you.

Feel like a dick doing it but I do that swerve from side to side thing to make sure the headlight catches a car at an intersection if I think they haven't seen me. Nothing helps with blind people pulling out of the supermarket here though, it's just a crappy place to ride past.


Thanks all for your feedback.
BUT BACK TO THE ADVICE ON PUTTING A SLIP ON! So its generally OK?to put on the slip-on also with a change of a high flow air filter? Ive seen it all with carbs where they have to rejet it but with Fuel Inj just air filter might do the job?

If anything the airfilter would make it more likely you'd need to turn the fuel up a bit I would have thought... Just a slip on will be fine and slip on plus 'high flow' filter might need an adjustment to get it spot on, but I doubt it would be enough to warrant it unless high flow translates as cutting holes in your airbox :lol:

[tigertim20]

Thanks all for your feedback.
BUT BACK TO THE ADVICE ON PUTTING A SLIP ON! So its generally OK?to put on the slip-on also with a change of a high flow air filter? Ive seen it all with carbs where they have to rejet it but with Fuel Inj just air filter might do the job?

fuck sake mate, your question was answered in the first reply.

[FJRider]

Ive seen it all with carbs where they have to rejet it but with Fuel Inj just air filter might do the job?

A change in Air Filters ... changes the Fuel/air mixture too ...

I might suggest you get knowledgeable advice on if slip-on/air filter changes can be done with no issues ... in respect to the fuel injection system.

[Motu]

pipes send noise behind you.
cars in front or beside wont notice it till you're past them.

So you can only hear a motorcycle from the rear ?

[mossy1200]

So you can only hear a motorcycle from the rear ?

Driving a car with stereo on I don't hear them until they are just about to pass. Saying that I tend to notice the headlight well before then.

[Gremlin]

Just a bit of advice. I ride more than I drive. Odds are pretty good I've done more km than you on bikes too, so anyway, I'm bike aware. Was in a mates van (him driving), window down, 50kph zone, and I only heard a bike come past literally as he came past, nothing before. So stop assuming a magic pipe is going to fix any problems.

1, Cars pull out in front of trains and trucks, so don't ever assume they're going to see a bike.
2, Check your road position. If it's intersections, are you making yourself visible. Lane changes, are you riding in their blind spot?

[mathornet]

fuck sake mate, your question was answered in the first reply.
Haha thanks mate I read it but I needed other peoples opinion too. Thanks for ya feedback

[jellywrestler]

if cagers dont know you are there and they go for that turn you're a goner.

this is what your horn is for, clown

[F5 Dave]

Feel like a dick doing it but I do that swerve from side to side thing to make sure the headlight catches a car at an intersection if I think they haven't seen me. . .
What this guy sez.

unless your pipes are facing forward cars won't notice the noise until you are past. Forget the noisy pipe, waste of money and faulty logic.

[mossy1200]

this is what your horn is for, clown

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/parts-for-sale/other/auction-756566439.htm

And cheaper than a slip on also.

[AllanB]

It's a Hornet 250. 4 cylinder.

So I propose to cover all posts that you forget the slip on muffler and head down to your local muffler shop. Cut off the headers before they merge so there are four straight pipes. Four of them.

Now get your muffler shop to grab four lengths of the same size pipe as the headers and bend them up so that each header faces: forward, left, right and behind the bike - four straight pipes each facing in four directions.

Lets see a driver tell you they did not hear you now.

[mossy1200]

It's a Hornet 250. 4 cylinder.

So I propose to cover all posts that you forget the slip on muffler and head down to your local muffler shop. Cut off the headers before they merge so there are four straight pipes. Four of them.

Now get your muffler shop to grab four lengths of the same size pipe as the headers and bend them up so that each header faces: forward, left, right and behind the bike - four straight pipes each facing in four directions.

Lets see a driver tell you they did not hear you now.

You would only need a rear one if you ride slow?
Start by buying a 675 and go for front and sides only would save money on pipe?

I knew this thread would end up with sound advice.

[nzspokes]

It's a Hornet 250. 4 cylinder.



No its a 2009 CB400SF REVO.

Gut the stock can. :Punk:

[Motu]

Was in a mates van (him driving), window down, 50kph zone, and I only heard a bike come past literally as he came past, nothing before.

Stock exhaust system ? If it was a modern bike with a quiet exhaust I might've missed it too. But if it had a non standard system I will have picked it up before it got to my car. I don't listen to music in the car...I don't listen to people either.

My bike is in a constant state of change - at the moment it has the quiet stock twin muffler set up, 2 weeks ago it had a single reverse cone megaphone, and 2 weeks before that a IDS2 Supertrapp. I can say that most certainly my quiet black BMW is not noticed, but the noisy black one get's their attention, I can see their ears pick up as I approach, sometimes they pull over a bit. Never on that quiet bike.

[mathornet]

Stock exhaust system ? If it was a modern bike with a quiet exhaust I might've missed it too. But if it had a non standard system I will have picked it up before it got to my car. I don't listen to music in the car...I don't listen to people either.

My bike is in a constant state of change - at the moment it has the quiet stock twin muffler set up, 2 weeks ago it had a single reverse cone megaphone, and 2 weeks before that a IDS2 Supertrapp. I can say that most certainly my quiet black BMW is not noticed, but the noisy black one get's their attention, I can see their ears pick up as I approach, sometimes they pull over a bit. Never on that quiet bike.

Thank you! that's what I've been trying to say!. Needless to say most people is disagreeing with this statement :/

This is my baby btw :)

[AllanB]

No its a 2009 CB400SF REVO.

Gut the stock can. :Punk:

Still a IL4 but 150cc more of noise than a 250 :bleh:

[mossy1200]

Thank you! that's what I've been trying to say!. Needless to say most people is disagreeing with this statement :/

This is my baby btw :)

Noted.

But what people are trying to state is its most likely the driver who is in a state of little or no awareness while driving is the one that will get you(or nearly get you) unless your playing your A game.

Be honest with yourself.

You want a horny sound to come out of your bike.
You don't need any other reason. That in itself is reason enough. It may increase the chance of accident avoidance a little but not as much when the enemy is likely driving by brail while texting a friend with the sounds up high while high and possibly drunk.:shit:

[mathornet]

Noted.

But what people are trying to state is its most likely the driver who is in a state of little or no awareness while driving is the one that will get you(or nearly get you) unless your playing your A game.

Be honest with yourself.

You want a horny sound to come out of your bike.
You don't need any other reason. That in itself is reason enough. It may increase the chance of accident avoidance a little but not as much when the enemy is likely driving by brail while texting a friend with the sounds up high while high and possibly drunk.:shit:

OH YES definitely that! never denied that I want the sexy sound to come out from my bikes butt ;)

[AllanB]

Bloody nice bike. Under that wee triangle cover in front of the muffler is most likely a clamp to disconnect the muffler. THe net shows plenty pictures of aftermarket pipes on that model of Honda.

Depending on how restrictive the stock muffler is you may find it revs a bit more freely with a free flowing muffler (my 900 spins up quicker with the Yoshis compared to the restrictive stock units).

And the deeper louder pipe adds a extra half inch of perceived penis length compared to a whisper quiet bike. Research proves this.

[mathornet]

Bloody nice bike. Under that wee triangle cover in front of the muffler is most likely a clamp to disconnect the muffler. THe net shows plenty pictures of aftermarket pipes on that model of Honda.

Depending on how restrictive the stock muffler is you may find it revs a bit more freely with a free flowing muffler (my 900 spins up quicker with the Yoshis compared to the restrictive stock units).

And the deeper louder pipe adds a extra half inch of perceived penis length compared to a whisper quiet bike. Research proves this.

Noted! :Punk: Yeah I kinda feel that for an IL4 its a bit restrictive on the revving.


+1 On that one mate!
But mine has Vtec at 6300rpm; make it ONE inch! :bleh:

[george formby]

Just wanted that extra comfort to my ears and my sense of presense on the road.

That's honest. FA to do with safety, though. Does make the bike seem more fun.
One of my bikes sets off car alarms at 100 paces, shatters glass at 50 & will make your ears bleed if you adjust the chain with the engine idling. The other one might as well be electric, if the winds in the wrong direction you got to look for smoke coming out of it to see if it's running.
The riding experience is identical. Your average driver is only slightly involved in driving, most of it is habit, they have other things occupying their senses & thoughts. I think you need to be exceedingly anti-social to be heard. Like a patch & a pig, sorry hog. Smarter riding will make you easier seen & see more hazards.

Can't comment with any authority on slip on's other than I have never heard of serious problems from them, not a good thing for the manufacturer & they should know. They should have the necessary info for you, too.

Nothing wrong with letting your bike talk a little more, save some weight & have a bit of bling but it's not a silver bullet for safety. You need a Scania for that.

If your gonna splurge don't go trade me bargain basement, buy them off somebody who can back them up. In NZ.

[mossy1200]

And the deeper louder pipe adds a extra half inch of perceived penis length compared to a whisper quiet bike. Research proves this.


I went for twin pipes and gained an inch.

[awayatc]

I went for twin pipes and gained an inch.

..gaining one inch...?

that would effectively double the size for some.....:motu: