Advice on aftermarket exhaust

**mathornet** · 22nd July 2014, 15:45

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** · 22nd July 2014, 17:32

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** · 22nd July 2014, 18:16

Originally Posted by 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

??? 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** · 22nd July 2014, 18:38

Originally Posted by mathornet

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** · 22nd July 2014, 18:52

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.

Originally Posted by jellywrestler

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** · 22nd July 2014, 18:59

Originally Posted by mossy1200

??? 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** · 22nd July 2014, 19:02

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** · 22nd July 2014, 19:06

Originally Posted by 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.

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** · 22nd July 2014, 19:22

Originally Posted by Tazz

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

Originally Posted by 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.....

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.

**mathornet** · 22nd July 2014, 19:25

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** · 22nd July 2014, 19:31

Originally Posted by Tazz

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** · 22nd July 2014, 19:36

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** · 22nd July 2014, 19:36

Originally Posted by 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?

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** · 22nd July 2014, 19:43

Originally Posted by mathornet

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.

Originally Posted by 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?

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

**tigertim20** · 22nd July 2014, 19:43

Originally Posted by 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?

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