The Loud Pipe Poll 2020

[Bigjawa]

Another debate with the lad and his mates about the offensively loud pipes they have.

Was called an old git because I have a road legal can on the BM, quiet motad on the ST and standard on the Bandit and 125. I told them that sneaking aboput quietly means you can get away with more.

So I thought I'd see who has what and why.

[KungFooBob]

Super loud reverse mega on the Bullet, cos it sounds ace!

The Guzzi is on standard cans, but only because I can't justify spending on loud ones at the moment.

[weeksy]

Standard... why... it looks 'right' and the engine noise is entertaining anyway.

[The Spin Doctor]

Years ago, I had a trainee out on an Aprilia Mille. The course didn't get off to the best start as he was 90 minutes late. He'd set off minus map, and decided to take the scenic route to meet me. He's realised he was going the wrong way when he hit the M3 rather than the M20.

By the time he arrived (without letting me know he was running late) I'd long since gone home and given him up as a no-show, but that didn't stop him complaining that I wasn't there to meet him. I kitted up again and was with him in about 15 minutes - at least he had time for a cuppa.

So we rushed through the briefing, and I set him up with the radio, got a thumbs up... off we went.

After half a mile, he stopped... "can't hear the radio".

I checked they were both switched on, jacks in place, the volume on his set was up, my mic was on, and that he could hear me again... yep, fine.

After half a mile, he stopped... "can't hear the radio".

I swapped the earpiece for a brand new one - the wires used to fracture inside the insulation so they'd work at a standstill but with the lead moving in the wind, they'd stop working. All good again.

After half a mile, he stopped... "can't hear the radio".

Hmm. Got the back-up trainee radio out and swapped it over. Receiving loud and clear. Off we went.

After half a mile, he stopped... "can't hear the radio".

Brow definitely furrowed by now, but I got the spare instructor headset out, and changed all the batteries for good measure. All good.

After half a mile... you get the picture.

I swapped trainee and trainer sets, and yes, they all worked fine at a standstill.

Half a mile later...

At this point, I was inspired to ask "so what CAN you hear?"

"My exhaust."

Yep, he had an ear-splitting Termingoni system (minus baffles of course) on the bike.

The course came to a premature end when it turned out that he didn't have any waterproofs either, to deal with the icy rain that was beginning to fall. I sent him home and told him to come back when he'd refitted the baffles and was properly kitted. I never heard from him again.

[the_priest]

Oh dear. I know I was a bit late, but at least I was quiet.... oh hang on, I'm deaf. I'm a weather watcher, what gear will I need to wear today? Hmm, better back the waterproofs then. Self inflicted wounds are the worst and pride cannot cope most of the time when we are at fault.

[Nidge]

The Speed Twin has optional V&H silencers, mainly because they look nicer than stock but they do have a nice crackle on the overrun as well. They’re no louder than stock as most of the silencing happens in the cat I think.

The Harley has python pipes which are quite deep and loud- not so loud as to cause problems at MoT time though, and the Bonnie has Norton peashooters because all old Brit twins should...

[Lutin]

Replaced the silencer on the Transalp with a oval Fuel Exhausts end-can as the connection betwixt the original silencer (big, heavy thing with dual outlets) and the twinned down pipes (from what Honda call a "hot box" - NOT a catalytic converter on the carbed models) had rusted through. Stainless down pipes and hot-box and a mild steel silencer - now that's always going to end in tears (or a few quid to Fuel Exhausts ).

Sounds lovely even with the baffle still in place.

Well, as lovely as a Transalp can sound I suppose.

[Wreckless Rat]

Mine is a little noisy...

Loud pipes save lives... fact.

[MrLongbeard]

Road, probably not legal, S&S slip ons on the Harley.

I wanted a better look and a louder deeper sound without them being totes obnoxious straight throughs, but saying that if'n I didn't have neighbors I probs would have a set of short straight shots.

[Mr. Dazzle]

CBR is stock Honda.

Speed Triple has the Triumph noisy pipe which is quiet loud but not stupidly so. I have to switch it back for the MOT.

Bonnie has zero silencing and straight through pipes. Take the piss loud, totally legal (69 bike ) and sounds thoroughly epic. It also has unfiltered trumpets on the carbs which are surprisingly loud.

[exportman]

Had an associate once on a Harley with straight through pipes cut the ride after about an hour. The noise was abhorrent following him for that length of time gave me a head ache even with ear plugs in.

I have listened to the argument loud pipes save lives, but most of the noise is going to be behind you. Much of the noise in front is going to be an echo and more difficult to find the direction of. Also constant loud noise saps your concentration, it pi55es everyone else off. Keeps us in the target of the anti motorcycle brigade.

[ogri]

Full Termingoni 2-1 system on my street twin, not overly loud but a nice sound, saves a ton of weight too.

[Skub]

My ZX10R ran a full Akrapovic race system,which was fruity,but didn't draw attention in the 30s and 40s,if I wasn't taking the piss. Never had a tug from Polis for being too noisy.

Current Z1000R came with road legal Akras and with the cat,is quite subdued. I'll be binning the stock headers and cat soon,so it'll be a bit louder,but not stupidly loud.

I definitely subscribe to the school of thought,that it's preferable to fly stealth mode,but I have to temper that by liking a bit of how an engine should sound. On the fence for me.

[Taipan]

Got a GPR can on the F8R which has no baffles in. I don't have them either. It's a bit fruity but you can keep acceptable with light throttle. I love it, but I like to hear bikes.

[GuzziPaul]

On the Tuono I have a Fuel end can. I've had it repacked by Fuel once, big V twins seems to destroy the packing and friends who have ridden behind me say it is a bit loud even with the baffel in, probably needs doing again.
I was out on the Le Mans yesterday evening which has standard exhausts even after 43 years I was thinking as I rode along may be some Lafronconi Competizone with red baffels would be nice, but then I would have two loud bikes and its quite nice been able to get a move on without drawing too much attention.. Most of the noise I hear is induction roar but the big 38mm Dellortos with S&B airfilter are right under my armpits.

[formula400]

I've always swapped the ugly standard exhaust out on bike, just for looks rather than anything else. i do like a nice sound but nothing that takes the mick though.

[MingtheMerciless]

Had stock pipes on the KTM but they were bloody heavy and got very hot, swapped them out for a pair of Akra's that at 12 years old probably don't have much packing left. They are VERY noisy, BUT it has stopped the headphone wearing f*ckwits and mobile starring bellends walking out on me in Brighton as I commute to and from work, which was a regular occurrence until the were bolted on.

[David]

I am a little torn...I have a Velo LE...and a BSA Victor 441. When (if) that fugger starts...the sheep start running.
I am wondering what the Viceroy will sound like.

[1913]

VFR 800 Vtec, Remus street legal silencers and Motad ss pipes. 90 decibels on the noise meter at Mallory Park.

[demographic]

Aftermarket legal system on my GSXR.
Aftermarket Pro Circuit spannie and silencer on my KX but there's no such thing as a road legal 500 crosser system so thats too bloody loud.

I'm not a fan of loud pipes and much prefer to keep it under the radar as much as possible.