How loud is your bike?

[buffstar]

Hi guys
I'm sure theres been threads about this before (I have looked but not managed to find any really)
soooooo... how loud is your bike? what pipe do you run/recommend? is there such a thing as too loud? do loud pipes really save lives, or just give you a headache?

*sits back, waits*

[Maha]

Loud pipes do not save lives, all those bikers who have been killed on the road prior to today will attest to that. I asked the question years ago about what pipe to run on a Triple and Big Dave suggested a Neptune, I went with it and also put one on my next bike, a CB 1300 ... sounded great. I didn't bother with the GSX1250FA they were fine. My Tiger had the stock pipe on it and it was fine, so I left it. I had a GYTR on an FZ8 (the stock pipe weighed as much as a pillion) I had a shorty put on it before taking home and had that changed the next day, hated the shorty. There are after market stainless pipes on my GSX. For me it is just a case of hearing the bike above anything else.

Summary: I don't seem that bothered unless I can't hear the bike.

The FZ8 with the shorty and the GYTR.

[roogazza]

Stock and quiet,I hate noise in my old age !
Wear ear plugs all the time too. Stealth mode,that's me.:rolleyes:

[EJK]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/76557734/These-biker-gangs-are-schoolboys-with-absurdly-large-speakers-on-their-bicycles

[Mike.Gayner]

I'm 100% positive that this will be a productive and amiable discussion between the good folks at KB.

[Night Falcon]

quite like the stock muffler on my Tiger....its nice and quite. My mates expect me to swap it out for something more befitting the growwwwl of big cat but meh.....dunno. The Arrow'd scrambler I ride with sounds awesome at idle but waaay loud round the neighbourhood at higher rpm, good for frightening wandering sheep so that's a safety feature spose

[awayatc]

loud is very unpleasant for any and everybody....

[MrMarko]

Years ago i'd just run headers with a plate for back pressure or a gutted can... sounds amazing...

Then i grew up and got old.... just an aftermarket muffler is loud enough and lets the bike breathe a bit, naturally aspirated motors love back pressure so often you do more harm than good if you don't know what you're doing, need to remap or rejet to make the most of it.

Loud pipes typically just make it sound like you are going like a bat out of hell when you arn't, and your neighbours will hate you when you return from a ride at 4am. It's really nice to be able to head out at 1 or 2 in the morning without waking up the entire street/ waking up the farmers who have to be up at 5am as you go through the backroads.

I wear ear plugs primarily for wind noise, that and i'm anti-social and when people try talk to me its "sorry i have earplugs in" ;)

[MrMarko]

quite like the stock muffler on my Tiger....its nice and quite. My mates expect me to swap it out for something more befitting the growwwwl of big cat but meh.....dunno. The Arrow'd scrambler I ride with sounds awesome at idle but waaay loud round the neighbourhood at higher rpm, good for frightening wandering sheep so that's a safety feature spose

I just unzip, that usually gets their attention.

[buffstar]

ok, interesting - thanks for all the feedback. My bike was super quiet, & I didn't really like it. My husband just fitted a Yoshi on it yesterday & now it is obnoxiously loud, I'm in two minds about it. I will deffo be getting some earplugs & I don't give a flying fuck about my neighbours, but when I went for a ride yesterday, the difference in the cars being able to hear me was significant - I did like that.
Driving past Mr Policeman tho, put the shits up me...... lol I'm such a chicken shit

[pritch]

You might be able to get a Db killer insert for the Yoshi can. My bike came with a full aftermarket system and it was LOUD. Ridiculously so. The engine also popped and farted on the over run and hunted all over the place at idle.

Since I was going to be staying near a hospital for a while I purchased an insert. The bike is quieter now, maybe too much so, but the spits, pops and hunting are all cured. The part I bought only cost maybe $35.00 but the freight ex Italy was about $120 so I'll stay with what I have.

[Hads]

A couple of years back I rode an old Jawa that had two straight pipes, it was 110 dB at idle. I didn't enjoy riding it, I reckon it caused some permament hearing loss... after the first ride I put some Steelo's in the exhaust, it was still excessive.

[MrMarko]

ok, interesting - thanks for all the feedback. My bike was super quiet, & I didn't really like it. My husband just fitted a Yoshi on it yesterday & now it is obnoxiously loud, I'm in two minds about it. I will deffo be getting some earplugs & I don't give a flying fuck about my neighbours, but when I went for a ride yesterday, the difference in the cars being able to hear me was significant - I did like that.
Driving past Mr Policeman tho, put the shits up me...... lol I'm such a chicken shit

pull the clutch in and put 2k rev on :msn-wink::niceone:

[MrMarko]

You might be able to get a Db killer insert for the Yoshi can. My bike came with a full aftermarket system and it was LOUD. Ridiculously so. The engine also popped and farted on the over run and hunted all over the place at idle.

Since I was going to be staying near a hospital for a while I purchased an insert. The bike is quieter now, maybe too much so, but the spits, pops and hunting are all cured. The part I bought only cost maybe $35.00 but the freight ex Italy was about $120 so I'll stay with what I have.

Take away all the back pressure it'll run lean as hell. hence the popping and hunting.

[buffstar]

You might be able to get a Db killer insert for the Yoshi can. My bike came with a full aftermarket system and it was LOUD. Ridiculously so. The engine also popped and farted on the over run and hunted all over the place at idle.

Since I was going to be staying near a hospital for a while I purchased an insert. The bike is quieter now, maybe too much so, but the spits, pops and hunting are all cured. The part I bought only cost maybe $35.00 but the freight ex Italy was about $120 so I'll stay with what I have.


errrm not being mechanically minded: is that the little cylinder thingy that's slots into the muffler?

[buffstar]

pull the clutch in and put 2k rev on :msn-wink::niceone:


bah ha ha!!:tugger:

[MrMarko]

bah ha ha!!:tugger:

I'm serious.... go past quietly but if ya idling its obvious so you put some revs on....

[MrMarko]

errrm not being mechanically minded: is that the little cylinder thingy that's slots into the muffler?

http://www.yoshimura-rd.com/prodcat/replacement-inserts.asp

[Gremlin]

Louder than it was 100k odd ago (both bikes)... don't think there is much packing left...

[pritch]

errrm not being mechanically minded: is that the little cylinder thingy that's slots into the muffler?

Yeah although Yoshimura have spark arrestors as well as items to make the can quieter, the page posted in this thread covers it.

MrMarko, The lack of back pressure would have been causing the problems, an aftermarket pipe can also stuff up the fueling. The Triumph EFI is supposed to be able to "learn" new adjustments. Changing from a three into one into two standard cans with cat to a three into one carbon can with no cat is a big adjustment. No complaints about how it runs though.

[neels]

Loud enough that I know it's running, and a bit louder than standard with modified factory cans, but not loud enough to wake the dead.

There does seem to be a school of thought, particularly with those on one make of motorcycle in particular, that louder is better even if it makes it run like a bag of shit.

[buffstar]

I'm serious.... go past quietly but if ya idling its obvious so you put some revs on....

sorry I misunderstood - not only was I not idling I was not doing the posted 30km when I spotted him yesterday (was just seal repairs not reckless) but OMG did I shit myself :eek5:


Yeah although Yoshimura have spark arrestors as well as items to make the can quieter, the page posted in this thread covers it.

MrMarko, The lack of back pressure would have been causing the problems, an aftermarket pipe can also stuff up the fueling. The Triumph EFI is supposed to be able to "learn" new adjustments. Changing from a three into one into two standard cans with cat to a three into one carbon can with no cat is a big adjustment. No complaints about how it runs though.

awesome thanks for that :yes:

[MrMarko]

sorry I misunderstood - not only was I not idling I was not doing the posted 30km when I spotted him yesterday (was just seal repairs not reckless) but OMG did I shit myself :eek5:




A soak in some persil and all is well

[Pound]

ok, interesting - thanks for all the feedback. My bike was super quiet, & I didn't really like it. My husband just fitted a Yoshi on it yesterday & now it is obnoxiously loud, I'm in two minds about it. I will deffo be getting some earplugs & I don't give a flying fuck about my neighbours, but when I went for a ride yesterday, the difference in the cars being able to hear me was significant - I did like that.
Driving past Mr Policeman tho, put the shits up me...... lol I'm such a chicken shit


Ha!

I know you you mean buffstar!

I have heard youtube clips of the Yoshi on our bikes (I have an Akra carbon) and it is almost unsociable amounts of loudness...........Almost :laugh:

I will say one thing, cars notice me a lot more, and a lot sooner than when I had it stock, and that in of itself is worth it.

[jafagsx250]

My hyosung is no way near loud enough for my taste. It's nice to not wake up the hood when I come home late but I miss my cycle works exhaust I had on my old bike. It seems to just get more buzzy than loud when I Rev the tits off it.

But it's not worth it to get a new exhaust so I am just going to put the money towards getting a restricted license.

My mates sv400 has a Yoshimura full exhaust system and that's loud as.

Sent from my GT-I9506 using Tapatalk

[MrMarko]

My hyosung is no way near loud enough for my taste. It's nice to not wake up the hood when I come home late but I miss my cycle works exhaust I had on my old bike. It seems to just get more buzzy than loud when I Rev the tits off it.

But it's not worth it to get a new exhaust so I am just going to put the money towards getting a restricted license.

My mates sv400 has a Yoshimura full exhaust system and that's loud as.

Sent from my GT-I9506 using Tapatalk

Just open up the oem muffler and gut it out :niceone:

EDIT: then again on a hyosung its probably part of the structure, Disclaimer: I hold no responsibility if gutting your muffler rips the lower shock mount out of the swingarm.

[The End]

Well it's a 1000cc V-Twin with two fat Two Brother's exhausts on the back, so I'd say pretty bloody loud.

Loud enough that when I come home I turn off the bike at the top of the driveway and roll down to my place with the bike off - just being that little bit extra considerate for the neighbours.

Loud enough that at the traffic lights, I never hear anyone else's bike :msn-wink:

[jafagsx250]

Just open up the oem muffler and gut it out :niceone:

EDIT: then again on a hyosung its probably part of the structure, Disclaimer: I hold no responsibility if gutting your muffler rips the lower shock mount out of the swingarm.

I already did that with a mates old muffler. He drilled out a baffle. It sounded ok but after a while it sounded like it was a fart can on a shitty civic. It didn't start very easily at all and the rear cylinder gets hot on them if it's not jetted properly so I put my old one on. It's much better and not a whole lot of drone on the motorway.


Very funny. The muffler mounts to a bracket on the underside of the rear seat.


Sent from my GT-I9506 using Tapatalk

[Swoop]

My stock exhaust was "like an asthmatic ant carrying some heavy shopping", as the saying goes.
This was fucking dangerous in traffic. Seriously bad, since you would be near someone without them being aware of it. A bit like having someone on a magic carpet float up next to you.

Off to the Doctor...

A bit of gutting and welding later we have the current set-up which is beautiful. None of the harley fergusson shite sound, but a "nice" noise.

During this process there was an electronically verified reading...
Of 115 decibels.


and a person coming out of a house saying "what THE FUCK was that!!??".

[MrMarko]

I already did that with a mates old muffler. He drilled out a baffle. It sounded ok but after a while it sounded like it was a fart can on a shitty civic. It didn't start very easily at all and the rear cylinder gets hot on them if it's not jetted properly so I put my old one on. It's much better and not a whole lot of drone on the motorway.


Very funny. The muffler mounts to a bracket on the underside of the rear seat.


Sent from my GT-I9506 using Tapatalk

Yeap don't modify it the whole arse end will fall off.

http://seaies.com/images2/GT250SwingArm.jpg
http://seaies.com/images2/GT250SwingArm1.jpg

[jafagsx250]

It's not worth modifying anyway. Would insurance pay out if that happened? Assuming it was stock and road legal

Sent from my GT-I9506 using Tapatalk

[buffstar]

Well it's a 1000cc V-Twin with two fat Two Brother's exhausts on the back, so I'd say pretty bloody loud.

Loud enough that when I come home I turn off the bike at the top of the driveway and roll down to my place with the bike off - just being that little bit extra considerate for the neighbours.

Loud enough that at the traffic lights, I never hear anyone else's bike :msn-wink:


My stock exhaust was "like an asthmatic ant carrying some heavy shopping", as the saying goes.
This was fucking dangerous in traffic. Seriously bad, since you would be near someone without them being aware of it. A bit like having someone on a magic carpet float up next to you.

Off to the Doctor...

A bit of gutting and welding later we have the current set-up which is beautiful. None of the harley fergusson shite sound, but a "nice" noise.

During this process there was an electronically verified reading...
Of 115 decibels.


and a person coming out of a house saying "what THE FUCK was that!!??".

Love it! theres still a young side lurking about in this old body thinking "fuck yeah!" I'm just not sure that my leetle MT07 can justify all that noise :lol:

[The End]

If you ask me the MT-07 can actually sound quite nice

Watch from 15:10 onwards


https://youtu.be/qibf-8j3688?t=919

[Motu]

My bike is usually around 97 db, checked every WoF. The Supertrapp is supposed to pass the AMA racing noise test at 100 db, with a similar method to our official test proceedure. A recent repack made it noisier at some rpms - tighter sounding.

[Oakie]

Wear ear plugs all the time too. Stealth mode,that's me.:rolleyes:

Excellent! I thought I was the only one who used plugs all the time. I do it because of the wind noise I get with my visor up (which it is 90% of the time.)

Oh, and my bike is quiet. I've always appreciated a quiet bike as my very first ticket on 26 May 1978 was for 'Operates vehicle in noisy manner'. A 100 cc two stroke with chicken wire for baffles will do that I guess. (Cop reckoned he heard me coming from 200 'yards' away and I was behind him.)

[nzspokes]

I have one bike that is loud. I cant say I like it that much so I baffled it down a bit and its much better.

My 1250 has a long Yoshi on it and its deep but not loud. Perfect.

Loud sucks on a long ride for you and others that ride with you.

Loud does not mean fast.

[Pound]

Loud does not mean fast.



Yeah but having a loud exhaust means you have MASSIVE Hands.........





Tiny penis.

[OddDuck]

Ducati 900SS: bass galore. I've had people tell me that I can be heard coming from more than two blocks away.

Mixed blessing... I get noticed in traffic, but it isn't that nice on long rides, for me or for people with me. Blokes riding with me have told me that they hang back because it's too loud up close. Even with earplugs, it gets unpleasant after a while.

Not sure on dB but am looking forward to quietening it a wee bit after the current rebuild.

[mrchips]

Loud exhaust are great for a quick fang but on a long trip just gives me a fuckin headache even tho my hearing is fuckered from playing pub bands for 15 years.

I now prefer a quiet exhaust & the solitude of my tinnitus & the voices in my head.

[george formby]

Ducati 900SS: bass galore. I've had people tell me that I can be heard coming from more than two blocks away.

Mixed blessing... I get noticed in traffic, but it isn't that nice on long rides, for me or for people with me. Blokes riding with me have told me that they hang back because it's too loud up close. Even with earplugs, it gets unpleasant after a while.

Not sure on dB but am looking forward to quietening it a wee bit after the current rebuild.

LOL. My TDM is a 900ss mimic. I actually quite like the basso profundo at 4000rpm cruising altitude.
If I crack the throttle a km or so from home it gives the G/F enough time to open the gate, the shed and put a beer on the table for me. It's the only bike I've owned which has been complimented on it's sound. Probably not by people I'm overtaking, though.

[buffstar]

ok so next question... how do I go about getting the DB tested? sorry for all the questions but I am a noob to the road gig

I guess it really does come down to personal preference - luckily I can swap the pipes back over easily enough ( via remote controlled hubby bless him)

[AllanB]

Define loud.

The legal limit for road bikes is 100db. Which is actually pretty loud.

My Stock Ducati pipes were rated at 95 I think. But it is the loudest factory pipes I've heard.

I purchased a set of Termis and Ducati Performance ECU - with the db inserts they were pretty much the same volume as stock just slightly nicer. Without - a bit loud IMO. I trimmed the db killers down - deep tone, but under 100.

I ordered a Ebay db meter - interesting readings off all types of things (try your car stereo - you are no doubt doing damage to your ears playing your favorite song).

I've always changed pipes - weight reduction and a nicer tone in most cases (Ducati stock pipes are pretty nice).

Sounds like you are finding your Yoshi too loud - so it is too loud. It is highly likely you can purchase a db killer for it. If not a decent muffler shop will make a insert if you can not.

[Oakie]

ok so next question... how do I go about getting the DB tested? sorry for all the questions but I am a noob to the road gig

I've got an app on my smart phone. Cheap and cheerful (free) but no guaranteeing how accurate it is. Might go and try it on my bike. Just wait there a minute ...

... Bugger. Must have deleted the app.

[nzspokes]

ok so next question... how do I go about getting the DB tested? sorry for all the questions but I am a noob to the road gig

I guess it really does come down to personal preference - luckily I can swap the pipes back over easily enough ( via remote controlled hubby bless him)

Phone app will be close enough.

[Swoop]

Yeah but having a loud exhaust means you have MASSIVE Hands...
Sing it Brother!
324562

[buffstar]

**trots off to download decibel meter**

once again thanks for taking the time to reply ppls - its certainly giving me some different ideas

[F5 Dave]

Yeah although Yoshimura have spark arrestors as well as items to make the can quieter, the page posted in this thread covers it.

MrMarko, The lack of back pressure would have been causing the problems, an aftermarket pipe can also stuff up the fueling. The Triumph EFI is supposed to be able to "learn" new adjustments. Changing from a three into one into two standard cans with cat to a three into one carbon can with no cat is a big adjustment. No complaints about how it runs though.
Its snot that clever I'm afraid. Here's an example from yesterday.

Street Triple. Lowest curve is with a freer flowing pipe. Let it breath. Lose 6hp.

Next curve up is std. Big volume std pipes are really efficient.

Top curve is the same as the bottom curve but with a better map. A custom map using an AF meter should bring more improvements.

So best and worst curves are fuel mixture alterations.

[yevjenko]

Here's mine before (standard 8kg dustbin) and after (arrow titanium race pipes, with modded headers and new map). https://youtu.be/4a_q_JO1cBw

2nd Best sound after a Ducati with termi's in my honest opinion.

I always ride with ear plugs as my helmet is really noisy. Most of what I can hear on the bike is Airbox noise though

[buffstar]

Here's mine before (standard 8kg dustbin) and after (arrow titanium race pipes, with modded headers and new map). https://youtu.be/4a_q_JO1cBw

2nd Best sound after a Ducati with termi's in my honest opinion.

I always ride with ear plugs as my helmet is really noisy. Most of what I can hear on the bike is Airbox noise though

The after sounds better - much deeper sound

[R650R]

Most of what I can hear on the bike is Airbox noise though

My old flatmates used to say that my SRAD 750 made as much induction noise approaching as it did passing from the RNZAF engineer built endcan.

Have been a fan of stealth mode in the past but these days in the PC wolrd im more of do what makes ME happy. What makes me happy is the sound of an engine breathing freely and losing weight of the bike.
Not a fan of needlessly loud. Having done over a decade of nightshifts I can assure you loud motorbikes are the least of your worries when trying to get sleep. Aside from tinny boyracer cages the worse are needless doornocks from bobble bashers and salespeople cold calling.
End can on the DR measured in the high 80's on meter despite manufacturer saying it was about 94db. Over taken cops on the gas with no worries either.

There probably is a minor road safety benefit at lower speeds in town and MAYBE in the countryside if drivers have their windows down pulling out of farm driveways etc.... Then the other motorist has to actually process that information and evaluate your position and closing velocity and decide if they need to alter their trajectory or even care about it....
But if your a pillock on a 1 litre sportsbike that overtakes at 200k plus on group rides even a fellow alert biker isn't always aware your coming......

Some bikes demand to be loud though... :)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmThQLMmhGk

[buffstar]

If you ask me the MT-07 can actually sound quite nice

Watch from 15:10 onwards


https://youtu.be/qibf-8j3688?t=919

Great vid cheers, ended up watching the whole thing - it does sound good, although not standard pipe on that either. So it's not just me 😜

[mossy1200]

Mines got so much induction noise it surprises me they pass noise testing at all.

[AllanB]

Mines got so much induction noise it surprises me they pass noise testing at all.

Ducati is similar - I'm sure if the tank wasn't there it would suck my foreskin off...

[jafagsx250]

Ducati is similar - I'm sure if the tank wasn't there it would suck my foreskin off...

Some people would say that you're lucky to have one lol.

[MrMarko]

Ducati is similar - I'm sure if the tank wasn't there it would suck my foreskin off...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QK7SV3reUgM

This guy is probably a eunuch by now

[F5 Dave]

Some people would say that you're lucky to have one lol.

Ritual male genital mutilation was still quite prevalent in this country even in the 70s.
Maybe some sort of class action could be taken. Who would be responsible I wonder. Can't really blame the gummermint. Who performed these grisly operations on unconsenting babies?
ACC claim?

[jasonu]

Ritual male genital mutilation was still quite prevalent in this country even in the 70s.
Maybe some sort of class action could be taken. Who would be responsible I wonder. Can't really blame the gummermint. Who performed these grisly operations on unconsenting babies?
ACC claim?

Loud = fast bro...

[Oakie]

Ducati is similar - I'm sure if the tank wasn't there it would suck my foreskin off...

Do you have to pay more for that feature?

[rastuscat]

If loud pipes save lives imagine what learning to ride the thing would do.

[AllanB]

If loud pipes save lives imagine what learning to ride the thing would do.

Don't go coming on KB making sense and all that man!

Side note - on your rides are you wearing a fluro vest with a couple black letters on it?

[rastuscat]

Don't go coming on KB making sense and all that man!

Side note - on your rides are you wearing a fluro vest with a couple black letters on it?

I normally only use hi-viz for uniform. Working, escorting, that sort of thing.

Actually there's not much pattern to it. If it's handy I wear it, but sometimes I don't. My spring jacket is red, so the hi viz is a bit redundant.

It all comes down to my belief that if people can see me, they are less likely to kill me.

[AllanB]

It all comes down to my belief that if people can see me, they are less likely to kill me.

Yeah - agree.

Guess it was not you i saw a few weeks back with ducklings in follow.

[Akzle]

Ritual male genital mutilation was still quite prevalent in this country even in the 70s.
Maybe some sort of class action could be taken. Who would be responsible I wonder. Can't really blame the gummermint. Who performed these grisly operations on unconsenting babies?
ACC claim?

totally jews.
ma' nigga!

[Jeff Sichoe]

I dropped my high-vis orange helmet and went back to my matt black one while I was waiting for the replacement visors to show up...

Honestly in that week I was almost taken out more than in the last 2 years with the bright lid on.

[MrMarko]

I normally only use hi-viz for uniform. Working, escorting, that sort of thing.

Actually there's not much pattern to it. If it's handy I wear it, but sometimes I don't. My spring jacket is red, so the hi viz is a bit redundant.

It all comes down to my belief that if people can see me, they are less likely to kill me.

Red is the last colour the human brain processes so isn't dong you any favours really.

[dangerous]

Loud enough that I know it's running, and a bit louder than standard with modified factory cans, but not loud enough to wake the dead.

There does seem to be a school of thought, particularly with those on one make of motorcycle in particular, that louder is better even if it makes it run like a bag of shit.

haha... mate I was going to say 'believe it or not' but you knowing Iti... it actually runs BETTER

[dangerous]

or the latest option... but it dos need a remap, not due to the exhaust but the lack of an airbox...

324722

[old slider]

or the latest option... but it dos need a remap, not due to the exhaust but the lack of an airbox...

324722


That is one nice looking ride.

[rocketman1]

My experience is that loud pipes do make a difference to safety for the better.
My SV1000 had yoshis from which I removed the baffles.
Had a nice rumble quite loud, I often pulled up behind vehicles on the road and
they would obviously hear the bike change down a gear and then move to the left
to let you pass. This in itself means they are aware that you are there, which is a good thing.
Same thing at traffic lights, you see people look in the rear mirror to see where the rumble is coming from
Again a good thing, they know your there. Riding my other quiet bike, you notice none of this happens
In summer when driving my car windows down, at intersections I often hear motorbikes before I see them
Again I am aware there is a bike about. A good thing.
So dont give me any crap that noisy bikes are not safer.

My Harley has straight big shots, nobody but the stone deaf would not know I was around them.

[buffstar]

My experience is that loud pipes do make a difference to safety for the better.
My SV1000 had yoshis from which I removed the baffles.
Had a nice rumble quite loud, I often pulled up behind vehicles on the road and
they would obviously hear the bike change down a gear and then move to the left
to let you pass. This in itself means they are aware that you are there, which is a good thing.
Same thing at traffic lights, you see people look in the rear mirror to see where the rumble is coming from
Again a good thing, they know your there. Riding my other quiet bike, you notice none of this happens
In summer when driving my car windows down, at intersections I often hear motorbikes before I see them
Again I am aware there is a bike about. A good thing.
So dont give me any crap that noisy bikes are not safer.

My Harley has straight big shots, nobody but the stone deaf would not know I was around them.


yeah I have started to really enjoy my Yoshi now - cars definitely hear me coming and I like it :headbang:

[WristTwister]

My experience is that loud pipes do make a difference to safety for the better.
My SV1000 had yoshis from which I removed the baffles.
Had a nice rumble quite loud, I often pulled up behind vehicles on the road and
they would obviously hear the bike change down a gear and then move to the left
to let you pass. This in itself means they are aware that you are there, which is a good thing.
Same thing at traffic lights, you see people look in the rear mirror to see where the rumble is coming from
Again a good thing, they know your there. Riding my other quiet bike, you notice none of this happens
In summer when driving my car windows down, at intersections I often hear motorbikes before I see them
Again I am aware there is a bike about. A good thing.
So dont give me any crap that noisy bikes are not safer.

My Harley has straight big shots, nobody but the stone deaf would not know I was around them.

I had a big Harley pull up beside me at some lights. I couldn't hear my own bike over his, or the bike that pulled up on my other side. Safer for some maybe, but sometimes loud is too loud.

*yes I have a stock exhaust, mostly because custom exhausts cost a lot to buy and maintain.:weep:

[FJRider]

yeah I have started to really enjoy my Yoshi now - cars definitely hear me coming and I like it :headbang:

And attract police attention possibly as well ... good luck with that ...

[buffstar]

And attract police attention possibly as well ... good luck with that ...

Actually had a police car behind me for a significant amount of time just the other day, on a rural road with plenty of opportunity to pull me over, but he didn't, maybe because I don't ride like a fuckwit. Thanks for the good wishes tho 😊

[Pound]

So dont give me any crap that noisy bikes are not safer


And therein lies the point.

Loud pipes may not save lives, but they certainty do make you safer by increasing your road presence and awareness to other road users.


I experienced the exact same things when I had my Ninja 300 with a stock pipe vs yoshi pipe.


Of course if you still ride like a fuck wit, well you'll just be a fuck wit with a noisy bike. :)

[ellipsis]

...nothing ever sounds better than a sweet running bonnie...

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WFpqxVYoiS0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[jellywrestler]

Red is the last colour the human brain processes so isn't dong you any favours really.

especially when it happens every twenty eight days there's no surprise in it.

[FJRider]

Actually had a police car behind me for a significant amount of time just the other day, on a rural road with plenty of opportunity to pull me over, but he didn't, maybe because I don't ride like a fuckwit. Thanks for the good wishes tho 😊

Times like that ... they're running your plate number to see what eventuates ... :whistle:

Hence the time being followed.

[rastuscat]

If loud pipes save lives, imagine what not riding like a Dickhead would do.

[TLDV8]

I put the stock mufflers back on the Hypermotard a couple of years ago but the clutch sounds like a 100db concrete mixer at idle these days.
Loud clutches save lives at the lights. :blink:

[AllanB]

I put the stock mufflers back on the Hypermotard a couple of years ago but the clutch sounds like a 100db concrete mixer at idle these days.
Loud clutches save lives at the lights. :blink:

Highly likely - have you not noticed how people tend to move away from your idling machine for fear of it exploding at any moment!

[mossy1200]

Seven more sleeps and ill find out how noisy these are. Im thinking very noisy.

[Kickaha]

Loud pipes saving lives is one of the biggest crocks of shit out there, it must have been made up by some wanker wanting to justify running obnoxiously loud pipes

In any half way modern vehicle with the windows up and radio on (moderate volume) you don't hear shit until the bikes are pretty much alongside

[Grumph]

I put the stock mufflers back on the Hypermotard a couple of years ago but the clutch sounds like a 100db concrete mixer at idle these days.
Loud clutches save lives at the lights. :blink:

But can blind pedestrians still hear the audible "cross now".....

[MarkH]

I like aftermarket exhaust because they have less restrictive flow, are lighter and sound nicer. Not all aftermarket exhausts mind you, some are too loud and obnoxious.

My ST1300 has stock pipes, wouldn't mind aftermarket pipes, but that's a lot of money to spend.

My DR650 has an aftermarket muffler but it is too loud IMO. I'd really like a GSXR titanium muffler - they sound nice and last forever, louder than stock but not obnoxiously loud.
Fuckin' hard to find though.

[AllanB]

Interesrting.

All the aftermarket name brand pipes I've run came with a db killer that took the level of sound to similar to stock but a lot deeper.

Without the db killer they are rowdy.

So I have always modified or made a second set of shorter db killers to get a nice level of sound in between.

The 100db motorcycle limit is plenty loud enough for a good sounding pipe.

[MarkH]

Interesrting.

All the aftermarket name brand pipes I've run came with a db killer that took the level of sound to similar to stock but a lot deeper.

Without the db killer they are rowdy.

So I have always modified or made a second set of shorter db killers to get a nice level of sound in between.

The 100db motorcycle limit is plenty loud enough for a good sounding pipe.

Procycle has gotten Leo Vince to make some DR650 mufflers, even with the quiet insert they are louder than stock, but not excessively so. But it sounds like you want similar to me - better sound, maybe a bit louder than stock but not obnoxiously rowdy. The lesser weight and not so restrictive for exhaust gasses - nice bonus.

[eldog]

Loud pipes saving lives is one of the biggest crocks of shit out there, it must have been made up by some wanker wanting to justify running obnoxiously loud pipes

In any half way modern vehicle with the windows up and radio on (moderate volume) you don't hear shit until the bikes are pretty much alongside

Agree with a lot you say, also most drivers aren't looking or listening for motorbikes etc.
Even with a set of reasonably loud set of mufflers, most people just ignore them.

Occasionally i have seen people suddenly look around to see where the sound comes from, when travelling with loud pipe bikes, but they would be the minority and generally of people who would be interested in motor related issues.

Most travel in their own little bubble of life.

Myself I think excessive annoying pipes are not really worth it.
but appreciate pipes which give a satisfactory sound when its needed:2thumbsup
also appreciate there are times when loud pipes are not appropriate like at midnight in a suburb.
its a pity we can't have both loud when we want it, quiet on the long trips and in town.

[AllanB]

its a pity we can't have both loud when we want it, quiet on the long trips and in town.

Some of the high end performance cars have exhausts that have a electronic 'baffle' and open up to full song once the engine hits XX rpm. :headbang:

[mossy1200]

its a pity we can't have both loud when we want it, quiet on the long trips and in town.

Its a pity some riders don't use less throttle in town after dark.

[Topes]

Have a full Arrow exhaust on my Daytona and it sounds awesome, but I'm going back to my stock so I can put the pillion seat back on, pipe uses the pillion seat mounts.

[rastuscat]

Rangiora is being rebuilt after the earthquakes, and thank Yahweh, not a shopping mall in sight.

The High St is like old time strip shooting, two storeyed buildings on either side, outdoor cafes, he'll, even Farmers recently reopened.

Picture this. I'm sitting outdoors at a cafe on a beautiful winters morning. One of those crisp, clear mornings. Latte and a bagel on the table, fellow diners around me, life is good.

Then some fucktard riding a penis-extension enters the far end of High St toodling along at 10 kmh, out for his Sunday cruise. The cafe crowd all turned and looked, as it sounded like a gaggle of hippos letting out an ongoing horrendous fart.

The noise just pissed everyone off as he slowly progressed down the road at 10 kmh. Blipping his throttle every few seconds just in case the local deaf society hadn't heard him coming. The noise reverberated around the High St canyon, small children ran to their parents and Mother Theresa (RIP) rolled in her grave. Wherever it is.

I'll not mention the brand of the bike, but I'm confident his leather vest had Loud Pipes Save Lives on it.

I'm with Kickaha. That's a BS excuse for anti social noise making.

What gob smacks me is the guy was probably an accountant or lawyer. All tagged up in the matching gear, open face black helmet, goggles, black leathers all stamped with his HD brand obsession. It was a $40k bike, with the Screaming Eagle pipe.

If you are so concerned about being seen that you have to generate a gazillion decibels, why wear hi-viz black everything?

Positioning is the key to being seen. Not alienating society.

All it did was underline the tosser stereotype held by those the noise was inflicted on.

Rant concludes.

[awayatc]

Put a 2 in 1 original Python exhaust on my Harley after I worn out the previous quiet ones. (Scraping)
To bloody loud for me...was embarrassed to go much above idle in town.
I took damper out and wrapped thin metal sheet around it with a few holes...still to loud.
Was one of the main reasons I sold my Harley.
Got my nice and quiet sounding Honda 6 cylinder now. ...
Loving it...
Almost no need for earplugs anymore...
Loud pipes are not good for anything or anybody

[awayatc]

Loud horns save lives....

Firm believer of loud horns.

Don't need horn often

But when I do I want it heard

Definitely saved me once or twice.

[Pound]

This is what my bike sounds like (Although mine is an Akrapovic, but sounds almost identical to the Yoshi)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9krm2X8C75s

I'd like to know, do you guys think it's obnoxious?

[MarkH]

This is what my bike sounds like (Although mine is an Akrapovic, but sounds almost identical to the Yoshi)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9krm2X8C75s

I'd like to know, do you guys think it's obnoxious?

Can't say for sure on the volume without hearing it in person, but on the video the bike sounds pretty nice to me.

[rastuscat]

This is what my bike sounds like (Although mine is an Akrapovic, but sounds almost identical to the Yoshi)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9krm2X8C75s

I'd like to know, do you guys think it's obnoxious?

Not at all. It sounds good, and not excessively loud.

[Pound]

Not at all. It sounds good, and not excessively loud.


Phew, that's good to know.

Here I was thinking that people thought I was an obnoxious knob with a tiny penis.

At least now I know I'm just a guy with a good sounding bike and a tiny penis.

[rastuscat]

Phew, that's good to know.

Here I was thinking that people thought I was an obnoxious knob with a tiny penis.

At least now I know I'm just a guy with a good sounding bike and a tiny penis.

I haven't ruled that out.

[AllanB]

This is what my bike sounds like (Although mine is an Akrapovic, but sounds almost identical to the Yoshi)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9krm2X8C75s

I'd like to know, do you guys think it's obnoxious?

Sounds ace to me. Probably adds a inch to ones penis.

I rate pipes as:

Quiet - is it running?

Mellow - touring mode, with a bit of a mongrel when up in the revs

Rowdy - shit that sounds good, like that friend who is always having fun at the party

Loud - oops party friend has had one too many drinks ...

Obnoxious - we all know these ones - the drunk friend annoying everyone and shouting his head off at 3.00am.

[nzspokes]

Rangiora is being rebuilt after the earthquakes, and thank Yahweh, not a shopping mall in sight.

The High St is like old time strip shooting, two storeyed buildings on either side, outdoor cafes, he'll, even Farmers recently reopened.

Picture this. I'm sitting outdoors at a cafe on a beautiful winters morning. One of those crisp, clear mornings. Latte and a bagel on the table, fellow diners around me, life is good.

Then some fucktard riding a penis-extension enters the far end of High St toodling along at 10 kmh, out for his Sunday cruise. The cafe crowd all turned and looked, as it sounded like a gaggle of hippos letting out an ongoing horrendous fart.

The noise just pissed everyone off as he slowly progressed down the road at 10 kmh. Blipping his throttle every few seconds just in case the local deaf society hadn't heard him coming. The noise reverberated around the High St canyon, small children ran to their parents and Mother Theresa (RIP) rolled in her grave. Wherever it is.

I'll not mention the brand of the bike, but I'm confident his leather vest had Loud Pipes Save Lives on it.

I'm with Kickaha. That's a BS excuse for anti social noise making.

What gob smacks me is the guy was probably an accountant or lawyer. All tagged up in the matching gear, open face black helmet, goggles, black leathers all stamped with his HD brand obsession. It was a $40k bike, with the Screaming Eagle pipe.

If you are so concerned about being seen that you have to generate a gazillion decibels, why wear hi-viz black everything?

Positioning is the key to being seen. Not alienating society.

All it did was underline the tosser stereotype held by those the noise was inflicted on.

Rant concludes.

We stopped at a lookout on Highway 22 a few weeks back.

2 Harley guys rode past with all the gear on, open face etc. Loud pipes and loud stereos!

They both had the radios blasting. Twats.

Guess they thought they looked good.

[AllanB]

What were they playing? Maybe some ACDC - a bit of highway to hell?

[rastuscat]

What were they playing? Maybe some ACDC - a bit of highway to hell?

More likely a mix of Boy George and Wham.

[dangerous]

build a bloody bridge you anti loud bike people... its not the end of the world, kids a starving out there women being beaten up and im going from ging to grey... its just a loud bike FFS... it may or may not save a life, a hi vis vest may or may not save a life... some bikes are to loud some are to quite... but fuck I like mine cos I like bikes and part of liking bikes is being bit of a rebel, a bit un socity shit in old terms a tempory NZer... I dont give a rats arse what ya think I like my bike and its custom exhaust and as long as it dosent exceed the legal DB limit Im riding the fucker weither you like it or not... fark yas

[nzspokes]

What were they playing? Maybe some ACDC - a bit of highway to hell?

Talkback........

[rastuscat]

build a bloody bridge you anti loud bike people... its not the end of the world,

On the contrary, the tosser who disrupted life in High Street, Rangiora sounded like the end of the world.

I don't mind hearing a nicely running V-Twin, and howling opposed twin, a big thumper or any other motor with some class. But I don't want to have to plug my ears with pinapple lumps every time that tosser comes by.

Your comment on the law thing is amusing. If they comply with the law, they most likely don't piss people off much. But there are plenty that refit the stock muffler before WoF time.

[mossy1200]

On the contrary, the tosser who disrupted life in High Street, Rangiora sounded like the end of the world.

I don't mind hearing a nicely running V-Twin, and howling opposed twin, a big thumper or any other motor with some class. But I don't want to have to plug my ears with pinapple lumps every time that tosser comes by.

Your comment on the law thing is amusing. If they comply with the law, they most likely don't piss people off much. But there are plenty that refit the stock muffler before WoF time.

Mines stock but if I ride it up the street pulling 13tho rpm doing whatever speed that equals my neighbours wouldn't like that.
There is a guy that's doing that every so often on the street down from us. Im waiting for the twisted metal sound to follow. The day someone with sounds going in their car pulls out of a driveway on the other side of the blind corner will be that riders last day on earth.

[rastuscat]

build a bloody bridge you anti loud bike people... its not the end of the world, kids a starving out there women being beaten up and im going from ging to grey... its just a loud bike FFS... it may or may not save a life, a hi vis vest may or may not save a life... some bikes are to loud some are to quite... but fuck I like mine cos I like bikes and part of liking bikes is being bit of a rebel, a bit un socity shit in old terms a tempory NZer... I dont give a rats arse what ya think I like my bike and its custom exhaust and as long as it dosent exceed the legal DB limit Im riding the fucker weither you like it or not... fark yas

Nice. That's real understanding of ya.

You are trying to be a rebel but also trying to comply with the legal noise limit.

You rebel you.

[MarkH]

build a bloody bridge you anti loud bike people... its not the end of the world, kids a starving out there women being beaten up and im going from ging to grey... its just a loud bike FFS... it may or may not save a life, a hi vis vest may or may not save a life... some bikes are to loud some are to quite... but fuck I like mine cos I like bikes and part of liking bikes is being bit of a rebel, a bit un socity shit in old terms a tempory NZer... I dont give a rats arse what ya think I like my bike and its custom exhaust and as long as it dosent exceed the legal DB limit Im riding the fucker weither you like it or not... fark yas

You can do what you want, hold whatever opinion you want and express it how you want - but what is with trying to be the opinion police and tell us we aren't allowed to have and express our opinion on the matter? Get over yourself buddy, you can run very loud pipes if you want and others can think you're a twat if they want - move to North Korea if you don't like living in a free society.

[dangerous]

Nice. That's real understanding of ya.


You can do what you want, hold whatever opinion you want and express it how you want - but what is with trying to be the opinion police and tell us we aren't allowed to have and express our opinion on the matter? Get over yourself buddy
UMMMMM guys... I was taking the piss... pete you know me beter than that

gezzz people are so stressed these days...

[rastuscat]

UMMMMM guys... I was taking the piss... pete you know me beter than that

gezzz people are so stressed these days...

Maybe I need a hug. You available?

[buffstar]

what a polarizing question this one turned out to be lol there doesn't really seem to be a middle ground.
good thing that it is a personal preference, I've really come to enjoy my wee bikes sound. I don't think the loud pipes save lives as such, but it does raise your profile to a certain extent & barring police attention (which ive not experienced) that has to be a good thing.
I'm sure not all ppl with aftermarket pipes are hooning about the suburbs at ridiculous hours, just like not all V8 owners are doing burnouts at every intersection, but it has been amusing reading some of the comments - you guys have heard of Valium (or weeeeeed) right?
thanks for all the feedback :innocent:

[dangerous]

Maybe I need a hug. You available?

best offer Iv had all week...

[rastuscat]

best offer Iv had all week...

Only offer?

[Dave-]

Loud pipes reduce power.

[rastuscat]

Loud pipes piss people off.

I play my bikes stereo at full noise so people can see me. It gets more attention if I play Bliss by Th' Dudes.

Th' Dudes save lives.

[AllanB]

The Dudes are cool.

[Motu]

So, 8 pages in, and no one has any figures to show how loud their bike is?

[husaberg]

So, 8 pages in, and no one has any figures to show how loud their bike is?

One of my old bikes was 123db at 3/4 throttle measured at levels, many many years ago. prior to current noise level restrictions, Ie Pretty much the theshold of pain.
Open expansion chamber 2 stroke no muffler

[yevjenko]

So, 8 pages in, and no one has any figures to show how loud their bike is?
not reliable ones. I'm not sure on how accurate those phone apps are

[Pound]

One of my old bikes was 123db at 3/4 throttle measured at levels, many many years ago. prior to current noise level restrictions, Ie Pretty much the theshold of pain.
Open expansion chamber 2 stroke no muffler


Damn I would love to hear that.

Ride around Mission bay past some of the wanky coffee shops annoying all of those pretentious narcissists sipping on their organic soy milk lattes...... Great fun that would be.

[husaberg]

Damn I would love to hear that.

Ride around Mission bay past some of the wanky coffee shops annoying all of those pretentious narcissists sipping on their organic soy milk lattes...... Great fun that would be.

Pretty much any two stoke with an expansion chamber will be that load or louder, but like I said, it hurts the ears.
The thing is while it sounds more piecing, it doesn't actually carry as far as lower frequency four stroke noise
PS i doubt you would get two passes of the latte shop in before the popos locked you up.

[mossy1200]

Just got the m109r home and its avoid city centre loud.

[Pound]

Pretty much any two stoke with an expansion chamber will be that load or louder, but like I said, it hurts the ears.
The thing is while it sounds more piecing, it doesn't actually carry as far as lower frequency four stroke noise
PS i doubt you would get two passes of the latte shop in before the popos locked you up.


Ahh, I see.

The science of acoustics sounds a lot deeper than I first imagined.....

Good point, but it would be a great laugh for about 45 seconds :rolleyes:

[ellipsis]

...my bucket and one other, plus a B50, were too loud for Levels...

[Motu]

not reliable ones. I'm not sure on how accurate those phone apps are

Limited by the microphone...mine cuts out at 90db, sweet.

[rastuscat]

I was working at the public counter of the Christchurch Central station when a 20 year old tosser came in to complain about his noisy car ticket. His iPhone app told him it was legal.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha......

[AllanB]

I was working at the public counter of the Christchurch Central station when a 20 year old tosser came in to complain about his noisy car ticket. His iPhone app told him it was legal.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha......

If it was the good old USA he could have sued the app maker and Apple for millions ........