Noise

[robertgerena]

I am aware that an R1150GS is not a Harley. But in my opinion, if I am riding up to pass a car, I am less likely to be ignored if my bike sounds more like a vehicle than a sewing machine, and the driver is more likely to hear me and check his mirror before changing lanes. I also ride as though "they are all out to get me". This is exactly why I want to make a little more noise. Not neighborhood waking noise, but enough, at highway speed, that I am not easily ignored by cars. Anything that helps to draw attention of car drivers cannot hurt.

[username]

my r1150ra has a stain-tune exhaust on it, and without the silencer, it's fairly loud. too loud for me, so i use the little silencer plug. i think it's rude to wake my neighbors when i fire the bike up in the morning to leave the house. i personally put my exhaust note very near the bottom of all the things i can do to be a safe and courteous rider.

so obviously i am of the mind that counting on a motorist to hear me, over their radio, or phone, or children, or super-silenced car door, does not make me safe. i focus more on positioning myself in such a way that it is really hard for them to hit me, (easy to see me, but assuming they don't, very hard to hit me.) and pretty much assume that they are trying to hit me. this is very hard to accomplish in traffic sometimes, and in that situation, i "wiggle" around in my lane, and strive to be a headlight and red jacket that is moving across and in and out of their mirrors, eventually catching their eye. i've learned that humans are really good at detecting side to side motion, probably better than most other sensory input. even then i don't fully relax, so i practice swerving, panic stops, and keep the controls covered when cars are within 1 second of me.

also, instead of making noise all the time, i only make it when i think i really need to, namely with my horn.

i say all of this simply to give a different perspective than that of the 'loud pipes save lives' one. best of luck to you, and check out the stain tune option for your bike. (i've also got a lowering kit which allows me to carry a big bag on the left. im not sure if the GS would benefit from the same.)

[donkey doctor]

Hello; I agree, my 42 years of motorcycle experience has tought me that a silent motorcycle is an ignored motorcycle in some cases. I have found an exhaust system that is loud enough that it can't be ignored but not so noisy or rude sounding that I can't stand it. It is tough to get noticed by a bunch of half-asleep commuters talking on their cell phones.

I also have twin tone horns on my beemer, they help quite a bit. They sound like a Cadillac, people usually just move then look to see what made that noise. I don't abuse that power however, or it wouldn't have teh right effect. I always ride alone (not in a group) and try to blend with traffic.

I find that no matter how careful you are, there are still some people who just don't see you, even if they look right at you. those are the ones that notice a loud exhaust.

[JetDoc]

I've found that some classic 70's rock music blasting from the stereo speakers of my K1200LT is just as good as loud pipes for getting the attention of cage drivers in traffic. It's also easier to turn off when I'm in a quiet neighborhood, or out cutting curves in the back country. :clap

[robertgerena]

Finally, someone who can agree that a little extra noise may help get you noticed when riding.

[dlearl476]

Our wonderful European bikes have a little feature on the right hand switch grip. Most people in the USA use this feature to alert (annoy) people in the oncoming lanes who refuse to dip their high beams, but its' actually called the "passing light". It is intended to be used to signal a leading driver of your intent to pass. It's a tradition we should work to spread in our country.

Second, staying OUT of people's blind spots also helps a lot. That way, if they ever bother to look in their rearview mirrors, you're there. Like the truckers say, "if you can't see me in my mirror, I can't see you". Words to live by.

And lastly, counting on other drivers seeing you, hearing you, or giving you right of way as a "safety strategy" is dubious at best. When I'm riding, I count on NO ONE but MYSELF to get my butt home in one piece. Or, to paraphrase someone on the ADVrider list: "If you count on someone seeing (or hearing) you, you're screwed. If you count on someone seeing (or hearing you) and giving a sh*t, you're completely F***ED".

[knary]

If they really were out to kill us, we'd all be dead. Think about it next time you're going down a two lane road and a vehicle is approaching from the other direction. Or the next time you're passing someone. Or...

[robertgerena]

First, in case it hasn't been made absolutely clear, I do ride as though every driver is out to run me over. I understand that it iis my responsibilty to get me home. I also know the features of my bike, my Ducati had the same features. I do not ride in vehicle blind spots by choice, but you have to go through this blind spot to pass a vehicle, and this is typically at the exact moment that the driver attempts to change lanes. Having said all of that, if my bike is making some noise that grabs the car driver's attention, he may (and I chose this word carefully, so all of you, do not tell me that I cannot rely on a driver to hear my bike, thank you) hesitate before running me over. The fact that I am seeking an alternative to being seen by drivers should clue you in to the fact that I do not rely on the driver visually identifying my presence.

[mikea]

Don't know how this would affect the oxygen sensor, but the simple answer is to remove the muffler and drill holes in the baffle until you're happy.

[knary]

Originally posted by mikea
Don't know how this would affect the oxygen sensor, but the simple answer is to remove the muffler and drill holes in the baffle until you're happy.

I've found mounting a fog horn running all the time works best.

[robertgerena]

Foghorn's not a bad idea, but it would be contrary to the "not p$%!#!ing off the neighbors" philosophy I have adopted at this stage in my life. No, all I need is a slightly elevated exhaust tone to increase my chances of being noticed by drivers around me.

[dlearl476]

>Having said all of that, if my bike is making some noise that >grabs the car driver's attention, he may (and I chose this word >carefully, so all of you, do not tell me that I cannot rely on a >driver to hear my bike, thank you) hesitate before running me >over.

IMHO, visually signalling your intention to pass is infinitely more effective than hoping a driver might hear your exhaust note. A modern car with the air conditioner on and the stereo at even moderate levels pretty much insulates a driver from any outside noise. I don't know how it is in Sandy Eggo, but here in Vegas a high percentage of drivers don't respond to emergency vehicles with lights AND siren blaring.

Then again, here in the Good Ole USA, flashing your intention to pass is probably just as likely to initiate aggressive behavior from the "king of the road" chattin' on his cell phone up ahead of you.

Personally, I haven't noticed any difference in the actions of fellow drivers between my Triumph (relatively loud with a CF race can), my F650 (OEM but with a staccato Thumper beat) and my K75 (the flying blender). FWIW, having ridden alongside my Triumph, and plenty of other loud bikes, that noise is behind my bike, after I've already passed the car.
YMMV

[knary]

Originally posted by dlearl
>Having said all of that, if my bike is making some noise that >grabs the car driver's attention, he may (and I chose this word >carefully, so all of you, do not tell me that I cannot rely on a >driver to hear my bike, thank you) hesitate before running me >over.

IMHO, visually signalling your intention to pass is infinitely more effective than hoping a driver might hear your exhaust note. A modern car with the air conditioner on and the stereo at even moderate levels pretty much insulates a driver from any outside noise. I don't know how it is in Sandy Eggo, but here in Vegas a high percentage of drivers don't respond to emergency vehicles with lights AND siren blaring.

Then again, here in the Good Ole USA, flashing your intention to pass is probably just as likely to initiate aggressive behavior from the "king of the road" chattin' on his cell phone up ahead of you.

Personally, I haven't noticed any difference in the actions of fellow drivers between my Triumph (relatively loud with a CF race can), my F650 (OEM but with a staccato Thumper beat) and my K75 (the flying blender). FWIW, having ridden alongside my Triumph, and plenty of other loud bikes, that noise is behind my bike, after I've already passed the car.
YMMV

:nod

One state did a big study on why emergency vehicles were having such a hard time getting through traffic. It turns out that at highway speeds, a siren is very hard to hear until the vehicle is passing you. And those are sirens designed to emit loud noise in ALL directions.

YMMV. All I ask is that the police fine owners of loud bikes. :D

[robertgerena]

We could argue this all day (and probably continue tomorrow), but I don't see any reason to. I never said that a louder bike would alert every driver to my presence. What I do state is that it may alert one driver to my presence. Since I don't live next door to you, the noise my bike makes won't bother you, though I am not looking for unmuffled noise, just a more distinct sound from my bike. So, if a couple hundred bucks gives me a slight performance increase, and could possibly make me a little more conspicuous to the other drivers out there, it's worth it to me. And just for the record, the drivers out here are no better than anywhere else, in fact I think they may be among the worst in the nation (with the exception of Florida), so my defensive driving skills are tested daily. And as you stated, a blinker prior to lane change does often dent some people's pride (though I do use the blinkers when changing lanes or turning).

[robertgerena]

And all I ask is that before the police start pulling over any loud bikes, they first solve all of the rapes, murders, robberies, assaults, etc, then concenetrate on the unsafe drivers, people going slower than, and impeding traffic, people making the insane, stupid and unsafe lane changes and turns, drunks, pedophiles, etc. Then if they want to turn their attention to the loud bikes, go for it.

[knary]

Originally posted by Robert 123456
And all I ask is that before the police start pulling over any loud bikes, they first solve all of the rapes, murders, robberies, assaults, etc, then concenetrate on the unsafe drivers, people going slower than, and impeding traffic, people making the insane, stupid and unsafe lane changes and turns, drunks, pedophiles, etc. Then if they want to turn their attention to the loud bikes, go for it.

Aside from being loud, loud pipes do one thing successfully. They piss people off.

[robertgerena]

And for the record, I have been on the highway when an emergency vehicle comes up behind, I always hear the siren. I often do not notice the flashing lights (which is usually why they resort to the horn, siren and P.A. system), since my attention is focused ahead of me, but the sound gets through whether you are paying attention or not. There isn't a car out there on the road that travels faster than the speed of sound.

So, for the record:
I am not going to rely on the slightly elevated exhaust note to protect me from any hazards. But I do want the sound of my bike to be distinct, and possibly get the attention of a driver who hasn't trained himself to look for anything on the road other than other cars. You see, that is the reason so many cars hit us, the drivers are not trained to see bikes. They are trained to see other cars and pedestrians, and even dogs, but bikes do not seem to get noticed by drivers (unless the driver also rides).

Can we now drop this line, and get back to my original thread, does anyone have any experience with the fuel injector chips and exhaust systems out there, and can I get some feedback if they do?

[Gerald]

I recently installed a Staintune system on my RT because I wanted a deeper, slightly louder exhaust note.

I immediately took it for a trip to the local gas pumps to fill up.
With out the baffle (silencer) installed it was as loud to me as a H-D with a straight pipe.

I went back home let it cool down and then put the baffle in. It
was much quieter, but is still a little too loud for me. I asked my wife what she thought of it. She said that it sounds better now than it did with the stock system on it.

Now what do I do? Oh yes, I might add that the sound is a bit
on the raspy side and when you let up on the throttle it sort of
flutters. I think maybe this is what someone in the past meant
when they said it sounded like putting cards in the spokes of your bicycle when you were a kid.

Finish of Staintune is as nice an exhaust as any I have seen, I just don't like the sound very much. I'll wait to see
if the sound deepens with miles as I have been told.

Gerald

[robertgerena]

Yeah, that philosophy in law enforcement has worked so well in the past, let's keep at it. Who knows, there may be other, as yet undiscovered, vicitmless crimes we can concentrate on as well.

[lorazepam]

Hey Robert, just be honest with us. You want the bike to be louder, and if you like it louder, that is fine with me, just dont be annoyingly loud. If you get a two brothers pipe, the fiberglass packing will eventually burn out, and it will be as loud as you want.

[robertgerena]

I never said I didn't want it louder. In fact, I stated that if that was a side effect of adding a pipe to help smooth out the bike, and increase its performance, I didn't care. That wasn't the point of my original thread, though. Now, you be honest, you just like to argue, don't you? You don't even have to agree with the point you are defending, it's the argument that you like. That's not a bad thing, I like arguing as well. Keeps the mind working.

[robertgerena]

Finally, a recommendation for a pipe. Did you get any performance increase out of the Two Brothers pipe, or did the bike run better/smoother?

[James O]

Robert,
Keep this in mind. I hate to admit this but I think it's relevant to the discussion.

Coming home late one evening on a local (country) 4 lane. I'm close to town so I'm not keenly paying attention to my full surroundings, just what is in front of me, which happens to be nothing. I'm in the far right hand lane. I must have jumped 6 inches off my seat as a guy and girl on a hog with an extremely loud exhaust blew past me in the left lane. I hadn't been checking my mirrors like I normally would, and never saw them come up on me until they passed me. Never heard them until they were a few feet in front of me. I hoped my jolt was not to evident, if it was I'm sure they got a chuckle out of me.

The point is, keep in mind that a loud exhaust will only effect whats behind you. Unless your in a city or area where sound will "bounce" in front of you, only the people behind you will get a chance to enjoy your loudness. Just my 2 cents.

James O

[lorazepam]

I run a stock pipe actually. I know someone who had a two Bros can, and it was wayyyyy too loud for my tastes. When the packing burned out of it, approx 5k miles, it was like being by a weird sounding harley. I have to agree with Kbasa, fine tuning your bike will take out the surging 99.9% of the time. The factory spends a lot of time and money tuning the exhaust for the best ratio of mid to high range torque and hp. It is also illegal to tamper with the emissions systems on your bike, which includes removing the cat/con. If loud pipes save lives, shouldnt they be facing the front of the bike, and not the back?

[alien_hitchhiker]

So, can you all stand one more opinion?

Mine is this: there is only one reason to install a louder pipe - because you like it! If you like it loud don't apologize, just do it. (Don't ask me to ride behind you though, cause I'll be passing your noisy butt)

Steve

[dlearl476]

>You see, that is the reason so many cars hit us, the drivers are not trained to see bikes.

Believe what you want, I hope it works for you. As for myself, I believe that the only way a car will hit ME is if I let it drive in front or over me.

[username]

Originally posted by Robert 123456
Finally, a recommendation for a pipe. Did you get any performance increase out of the Two Brothers pipe, or did the bike run better/smoother?

dude, my first reply recommended the staintune to make the bike louder! i daresay, youve failed to give me props.

[manicmechanic]

If memory serves, at the beginning of the last Iron Butt Rally, an individual with a K-bike and a Two Brothers failed the noise check and had to install a quieter exhaust in order to compete.

[robertgerena]

First, sorry for the delay, props to Username. Second, I never said I didn't like the added sound. I did say it would be a welcome side effect of adding performance to the bike. Third, I never said I wanted obnoxiously loud, illegal, neighbor disturbing sound from my bike. In fact, noise level is one of the variables I will factor into my choice of equipment. I have had several bikes in the past, where I added a pipe for performance and while I won't deny that it increased the sound level, it never got to the point where I was waking neighbors. NOWHERE IN MY CHAIN OF RESP0NSES TO ALL OF YOUR DID I INDICATE THAT I WANTED OPEN PIPES. You all seem to think that changing the pipe to an aftermarket unit will give me deafening noise levels, and that the factory tunes the bike to its potential, or that I don't need (or have the right to want) any additional performance. Well, here's an update for you all, the factory tuning is dictated by several factors, and performance is not their main concern. There are many compromises when tuning a bike for mass distribution, and technology advances in the five years since my bikes production mean that I can increase my performance, with some compromises (sound level is one), which I do not mind accepting.

SteveO, if it will get all of you people to stop trying to convince me that the stock pipe, catatylic converter or fuel injection settings are perfect, and cannot be improved, ok, you are right. The only thing I want out of all of these modifications is to make my bike louder. The louder, the better. I may hood up an electronic amplifier with huge speakers behind my bike, so I can increase the volume even more.

And dlearl, if you believe the only way a car will hit you is if you let him, you are naive.

Now, if you guys want to continue arguing, that's ok with me, but I suggest we meet somewhere over a couple of beers, and maybe a barbeque (did I spell that correctly?). At least then, we can see each other, and socialize. And maybe by then, I'll have decided on a pipe and chip, and you can see that while the noise level has increased on my bike, it is nowhere near the obnoxious level you all seem to think I am in search of.

[LeRoux Strydom]

Loud pipes piss people off.

[kbasa]

I think loud pipes are like farting when you leave a room. It may be enjoyable for you and make you think you're helping your health. But the people that you left behind are going to do everything they can to keep you from coming back.

Loud pipes take rights. Plain and simple. Most of the motorcycle specific legislation we have is the direct result of loud pipes. Doesn't matter if it's the flatulent bark of a boxer, the rumble of a Vtwin or the buzz of a sportbike. To onlookers and non riders, they're all the same.

And we all pay the price. If you want to be safe in traffic, stay out of blind spots and watch your own back. By relying on someone else to hear you, you're transferred your safety responsibility to them, which is a total cop out.

Don't get me started on flashy lights, bright clothing and all the other gizmos BMW people hang on their bikes. We're still responsible for ourselves.

YMMV.

[username]

so robert, uhhh, welcome to the forum. :D

youre new here, so we need to cut you slack, but i think youve hit on something most of us here are fairly religious about. if youve been around a while, you'd quickly see the strong emphasis on this board (that your topic definitely evoked) towards being a *highly* defensive rider, and being mindful of and resisting offensive behavior. most of what we were doing was letting you know that about us, but it is easily construed as an attack requiring defense. your presumption about gettng together for a beer is spot on. (provided you aren't going to harp on politics. :D ) i am part selfish guy, wanting to zip around town in a fun way, and part motorcycle ambassador to my community. there's a yin and yang thing going on with me, and as with all things in life, i seek the balance between the seeming contradictions. i think many of us do, and we try to share our philosophy with others.

i'm not blaming you, or trying to give you a hard time, but one of the ways to ask your question might have been, 'i've got a such-n-such, and i would like it to growl a little bit more when i ride it. i don't want to wake my neighbors and be a public nuisance, but i want to hear my bike. could those of you with aftermarket exhaust describe to me how your bike sounds now, and how you like it?'

the guy i bought my bike from told me that the two reasons he put the staintune on it were that it gave him a slight hp boost, which he admittedly never dyno'ed, and that he liked how the bike sounded. and then he said, 'the silencer is in the box with the stock muffler if you want to make it quieter.' (i bought my bike from a great guy.)

i think that after we all piled on, and you defended yourself and all that good stuff, the above question is about where we ended up.

trust us, we're happy you're here, and we want to hear (har har!) the results of your bike modifications, how you like them, and what you've learned. thanks for having thick skin, and keep us posted on your progress.

[robertgerena]

No need for an explanation, or to cut me any slack. I wasn't getting defensive, and I like to argue as much as the next person (I am originally from the east coast, specifically New York and New Jersey, and lived in Philadelphia for a year, so I probably like to argue more than most). But if you look through the items, you will notice that I repeatedly stated that while it wasn't my main objective, I didn't mind a little added noise, in fact it could (may, might, there is a chance, the possibility exists, etc., pic your choice of terms that stat there is a possibility, no matter how slim) be useful to alert drivers around me on the road. My main goal was to aleviate the annoying surging that is apparently inherent in the BMW motorcycle line.

I do not think there is any way to state that I wanted my bike to be a little louder that wouldn't have had the effect you have witnessed. That is not a critique, just an observation. If I was actually upset that someone was trying to argue with me, I'd have to take myself outside and kick my own ass. Wouldn't that be a sight.

And for the record, I can argue politics (or anything), and I have no political affilliation (spelled that wrong, didn't I?), so I don't even have to agree with the point I am arguing. Call me a Sophist. But I don't need to argue politics, so that is not an issue.

[LeRoux Strydom]

Originally posted by Robert 123456
..... My main goal was to aleviate the annoying surging that is apparently inherent in the BMW motorcycle line........


Did I miss that in the original post?

If that is the case, an easier and cheaper way to deal with surging is to install a Techlusion R259 fuel controller.

I doubt just changing a muffler will eliminate surging. You would have to change out the chip in the ECU, to really make a difference. There is considerable evidence that the surging is caused by overly lean fuel mapping.

The Techlusion changes the injector pulse width, effectively richening the mixture where needed. It definitely solved the surging problem on my bike, as it has for many other 1150 owners. Along with a good tune-up, the Techlusion will eliminate 99.99% of the surging.

[jdcoffman]

While your on the subject of louder pipes..I was wondering if people with louder bikes have less impacts with the critters that wander the hiways and by ways? This last summer as I was traveling back east riding on slab just outside Charleston Wva.
doing a speed that usually gets me out of most people's blind spots quicker than they can "get me" a couple of deer started approaching the side of the road. I was had if the continued across the slab so I hit my "FIAM" horns and they both scurried back into the woods. Which made me wonder if riders of those loud obnoxious bikes had fewer incidents with critter run ins.

When cars quit running into other cars and only run into Motorcyclist I'LL believe they are out to get us. Like so many other things accidents happen.

[alien_hitchhiker]

Robert - I like your idea for a few beers. If you make it to Ohio this summer for the national, I owe you one (or two). I'll find you - just blip your throttle a few times!
Cheers, Steve
(Truth be told...I've owned some obnoxiously loud bikes in my time, and loved them. It's just that the grayer I get the more I seem to like soft jazz, acoustic rock and quiet pipes. Go figure!)

[robertgerena]

LeRoux, the Techlusion seems to be the choice of the majority of the responses. Thanks for the input. My original question was whether the chip would work by itself, or if a pipe was necessary (I think, it's been so long, my memory is fading). The Techlusion seems to allow either configuration (with pipe, or no pipe), and saves $$ as well.

jd, I have the loud horns, and they work well, except those occaisions where I am taken completely by surprise by the actions of a box driver, and my first impulse is self preservation. By the time I think of the horn, the idiot is usually so far behind me, I would be honking at some innocent party. Be nice to have the ability to direct the horn to the offender, and nobody else, maybe in the future...

Steve-o, I'm going to hold you to the beer offer, but while I may change the pipe for various reasons (cooler sound, not necessarily that much louder, better looks, loss of catalytic converter, etc), I don't think I'll be going to an excessively loud one. Let's face it, if I really wanted a loud, fast race type bike, I'd have bought an R1100S (or something from Japan, Italy or Great Britain), not an R1150GS. Fact is, I agree with most of the noise averse responses to my question, but I do like my bike to sound cool (yes, it's shallow, but I can't help it). Since I don't have the patience own (read that; spend every weekend tweaking it to get it running right, then have it break while on a ride) a cool, classic muscle car any more, the bike is my escape.

To all, thanks for the arguments. Believe it or not, this is my idea of fun.

[lorazepam]

Glad to hear that Robert. We are a very passionate bunch in the forum, and it looks like you will be a good member. Welcome and enjoy!

[robertgerena]

So, I passed the initiation?

[robertgerena]

And, if you're going to fart, it is probably better to do it when you are leaving the room (better for the perpetrator of the fart, that is).

[trmptrmrk]

Originally posted by Robert 123456
I am aware that an R1150GS is not a Harley. But in my opinion, if I am riding up to pass a car, I am less likely to be ignored if my bike sounds more like a vehicle than a sewing machine, and the driver is more likely to hear me and check his mirror before changing lanes. I also ride as though "they are all out to get me". This is exactly why I want to make a little more noise. Not neighborhood waking noise, but enough, at highway speed, that I am not easily ignored by cars. Anything that helps to draw attention of car drivers cannot hurt. (emphasis added)

Since everyone has taken a step back from the impassioned discussion, I'm going to throw my $0.02 in on the original question.

Like others mentioned here, I've heard loud pipes in the cage before, but only AFTER the "biker" passed me. I'm always amazed that I can't hear the deafening roar until the motorcycle is actually in front of me. If a car can't hear the deafening roar behind them, then they certainly won't notice the "little more noise" than stock.

The reason this is such an important distinction is that the only reliable motorcycle crash study we have notes that only about 3% of motorcyclists are hit from "6 o'clock" - that's where the pipes are aimed and the sound is going. Yes, sound travels faster than a car, but if the sound is aimed behind the motorcycle not enough radiates forward for a car to notice. (That's why the audience can hear my trumpet over the rest of the band while the drummer doesn't even hear what I'm playing.) Also, notice where the horn(s) is/are located and aimed.

Logically, the best way to ride safe is to focus most of our personal attention between 10 o'clock to 2 o'clock (where the study concludes most motorcylists are hit in multivehicle crashes).... That's why we keep hearing folks here say to forget the loud pipes (as a safety measure), and that your most important safety equipment is between your ears.

Respectfully,
Mark

[mikea]

Most gearminded people know that, whether it's concerning cars or motorcycles, there is a difference between a nice tone and irritatingly loud noise. For instance, in my mind, a Ducati with a muffler that lets some of that sound out is actually melodious; I've heard Harleys with a nice pleasing rumble (but not too loud); an inline four wailing through the right can is also pleasing to my ear.

I just like for a motorcycle to sound like a motorcycle. The choice doesn't have to be obnoxious or not obnoxious. Unfortunately boxer motors of any type don't seem to have a musical tone, so they a best kept "relatively" quiet.

cheers, mike

[robertgerena]

I'm not going to restart this. You are all right. I want my bike a little louder because I think it will sound cool. I don't care if nobody in a car can hear me. Besides, in my opinion, the aftermarket pipe looks better than the stock unit.

So, let's recap. I want an aftermarket pipe because I think it looks cool and sounds cool. There is no other reason for me to get an aftermarket exhause on my bike. Now sounding cool only works up to about 95db, so I don't think I'll be going any louder than that.

So, now you all have it. The only reason I would add a pipe is because I think it looks and sounds more cool than the stock item. Now, I realize you all think the stock unit looks and sounds cool enough, and that is your opinions. I respect them enough (and realize that it is next to impossible to change someone's personal preferences) to NOT waste any of my time attempting to change your opinions, regardless of whether I agree with them or not.

Now, can we argue about something else? You have all stated your opinions, and most of what is coming now is repetition, which is not nearly as much fun and a fresh argument.

[cat0020]

I've had my 2002 R1150RS since Sept. of 2002.
Right now, it has about 27000 miles on it. I have installed a
Techlusion 83i since 20000 miles, before that I didn't notice my bike surging much, since I ride my bike quite hard aroun 6-7000 rpm most of time, but i do feel the difference before and after the Techlusion immediately.

IMO all of our bikes have enough stock power to get ourselves into trouble, the control of that power is more important to improve than the power itself. I invested money in a set of Wilbers shocks at 18000 miles, they allow me to accelerate faster, brake harder/later before turns, lean the bike further in the turns, if I hit a bump in the middle of the turn, I don't feel like I need to change my line. Overall, the Wilbers have increase the control that I have over my bike, situations when OEM shock would leave me tumbling in the gravel, the Wilbers kept the bike in line and the rubber stuck to the pavement.

I also invested $5.00 at local auto supply store for a 130 db horn.
I have woken up drivers at 90+mph on highway with that horn.
I usually make people know my intensions when I am trying to pass. I follow the car in front of me closely for them to notice my headlight in their mirrors, signal to pass and throttle wide open.
I rarely pass a car without going significantly faster than the car that I'm passing, and raise my left arm during the pass. Double yellow or not, if I want to pass, the driver in front of me will know when I'm passing.

On the highway I play quite a few games with cars, cruising at 90+ mph is fun for a few minutes, but chances of getting caught is much greater when you do it alone. I pick out cars to follow, fast car drivers are easily provoked to go faster then they should most of the time. Once you found someone who's willing to take the risk to keeping up with you on your motorcycle, you can easily temp them to go 100+ mph. Common curtious gestures can seem very friendly to them and allow them to trust you to follow their car closely at high speed, the same time their cars can offer you wind protection and presence on the road so no one would dare to cut you off.

Like my moto sais:

[robertgerena]

Already got the horns. Looks like I'll be purchasing the Teclusion unit in the near future. Pipe later, maybe. They are pricey for BMW's. Thanks for the shock info.

[cat0020]

To me, the OEM exhaust pipe really isn't something of a priority to replace with aftermarket ones. Most people think they are getting a good amount of engine performance increase, but in reality how often do you slide your rear tire exiting a corner?

OEM exhaust last a long time, does not require re-packing, built in cat, stainless steel... just a little heavy.
Keep the OEM exhaust and invest your money else where, like a couple of track days to hone your riding skill, or learn how your bike behaves when pushed to the limit, as is with OEM exhaust.

:brow

[Gerald]

Mikea,

I would disagree with you on no boxer sounds good with an aftermarket exhaust. I have heard a couple with the Two Brothers and they have a nice deep sound to them. The only
problem they are too loud.

I put the Staintune on my RT and to me it looks a whole lot better than the bulbous stock unit, which I thought was chrome plated.

I weighed both systems and the Staintune is 10 pounds lighter.
I do not notice any power increase, but I am not a hard rider
so I don't notice small differences.

I made the change because I like the looks of the Staintune and I wanted to be able to hear the exhaust. I did put the baffle in because without it the Staintune is way too loud for me. It is a
bit too raspy sounding to me, but I have been told it will deepen
with time. I'll wait to see. I wish it was a little bit more quiet
with the baffle in.

I asked my wife what she thought and she said it sounds better than the stock system. I guess I have to go with her feelings since she does tolerate my 2 motorcycles.

Gerald

[mikea]

Gerald,

I shouldn't have made my opinion sound like such a declaration. I put a Remus can on my R100R (the louder one on the advice of the dealer) only to be dissappointed by a flat, too loud sound for my taste.

For some reason, I haven't been thrilled by sounds of open piped BMW or Porsche racers either ( although I'd happily own either). I drilled/pounded out the stock muffler until I found a sound that is somewhat pleasing, but isn't bouncing off nearby rock cliffs too loudly. The bottom line is I'm nuts for cars and bikes, and I like their sound only to a greater or lesser degree if it's not ear-splitting.

Like all music, it's a matter of taste. Anybody know how I can get another 10 horses? Yes, I know-wrong forum.

Happy trails, mike

BTW, smart to keep wife happy.

[StevieWonder]

The beautiful notes of the Remus on my K1200 are MUCH preferred over the whistle of my 1150RT.

I don't like the obnoxiously loud pipes that have sadly become the trademark of Harley riders, but silence is not golden either, IMHO.

Get 'r done !!!
:burnout

[Gerald]

Mikea,

I think we probably agree on the sound from a BMW. I just want
a slightly louder and much deeper exhaust note. I do not like
loud either and I don't think that loud pipes save lives under
most circumstances. I am sure there have been a few cases where that is true, but not enough to warrant all of the loud
pipes I hear.

Like my wife, I do like to hear a H-D with a deep mellow, not too
loud sound. I think after 37 years I'll definitely keep my wife and
try to keep her happy as well.

Gerald

[kbasa]

Originally posted by Blue Knight
:rofl :rofl :rofl :rofl

You're the best Dave!

Mike

Aw, shucks.....:D

[CustomSarge]

Having owned & built H-Ds, both loud & mellow, then switching to BMW, & building both loud & mellow; I gotta go with "season to taste". So long as it's <~100 dB at 10 feet (front & sides) I don't care, they're not deafening my ears. SOMEwhat louder does keep you in others' roadview, I feel. However, my best methods of avoidance are:
1> NEVER be static in traffic; always climb or regress
2> Always try to be aware of where everyone elses' blind spots are & DON'T be in them
3> The cafe solution: put your troubles behind you (XX+ mph bursts when you sense danger/closterphobia)
Hadta add... <<<)))

[scottie boy]

I believe it was in the latest issue of "Rider" magazine, someone wrote in to ask the technical guru guy about using a Techlusion on a Beemer. According to him, reprogramming the fuel map while using the factory exhaust would eventually clog the cat and cause serious engine problems. He definitely recommened replacing the stock exhaust when changing the fuel programming.

[LeRoux Strydom]

Originally posted by scottie boy
I believe it was in the latest issue of "Rider" magazine, someone wrote in to ask the technical guru guy about using a Techlusion on a Beemer. According to him, reprogramming the fuel map while using the factory exhaust would eventually clog the cat and cause serious engine problems. He definitely recommened replacing the stock exhaust when changing the fuel programming.

The "guru" needs to talk to Techlusion, rather than fielding his opinions as fact. The Techlusion website has excellent details on the operational theory.

The Techlusion does not "reprogram" the ECU's fuel map. It just adds time to the injector pulse. The O2 sensor is still fully functional as well. The unit does need to be set up correctly as per supplied instructions. If one had tuned the unit so incorrectly as to kill the cat, the poor performance would be immediately obvious.

[RTRandy]

If I could mount a danger meter on my dash and measure where I'm becomming vulnerable, the meter would go up in situations when I'm cruising
at 70mph down a straight road and a farmer in a pick up truck has his left turn signal on a quarter mile ahead in the oncoming lane. How much will loud pipes help here?

Loud pipes are like running in the special olympics. Even if you win, you're still retarded.

[lorazepam]

Loud pipes are like running in the special olympics. Even if you win, your still retarded.

may I add this quote to kbasa's?

[RTRandy]

may I add this quote to kbasa's?

Sure!

[matthew517]

People in cages that play that loud bass that can be heard two blocks away get hit. People in cages don't pay attention and the cages today are so sound proof that they wouldn't hear you unless you were ahead of them.

[grsteiner]

:type My '98 RT (used) came with a loud D&D pipe. It howled on the road and backfired constantly on deceleration. On my first long-distance ride to MO, another RT rider admonished me that, "BMWs should be seen and not heard." After the long, lonely ride back across OK and western KS, I had had enough and replaced the D&D with the stock muffler--and it remains stock today at 50K miles. The 'HOWL' seemed to be trapped between the pavement and the bottom of the system case and it followed me at all speeds--even with ear plugs, it was relentless.

To my embarrassment I realized I sounded as bad as our Harley bretheren who seem to equate noise as being synonymous with motorcycling "freedom". They forget, of course, that the general public has "freedoms" also--among them is the right to be "free" from racous, obnoxious, ear-splitting, conversation-stopping noise.

I've heard some BMWs with certain after-market exhaust systems that were very pleasing--a little more throaty than stock, but still not to the point of being objectionable to the general public. It is a choice each of us must make for ourselves.

And, oh, yes--I've passed a LOT of Harleys, none of which heard me coming or could hear me out in front. ;)

(I'm going to get some replies to this last sentence...)

[dano]

When it comes to staying out of harm's way, I don't rely / depend on anything....other than my sense of awareness.

For me, it's all about paying attention....when I need to. Sure, once out on the open road and traffic is light, I can and do relax, enjoy the moment, and take in all of nature's surroundings.

I've never used / had a headlight modulator, tail-light flasher or whatever they are called, loud pipes, or anything else that could be thouight of as some kind of attention getting device. When you don't rely on these items, you are forced to depend upon your wits, riding experience(s), skills and abilities.

In over 35 yrs. of street riding, the above has served me well. :D

[donkey doctor]

Hello; I have slways considered motorcycling as a solitary experience, and have enjoyed it as such, but by watching "two weel tuesday" I have come to realize that all those "cruiser boys" or "Harley boys" do it to get out with their pals, and wouldn't ride at all if it wasn't for the other fellows to ride with. That wexplains a lot to me.

If I catch up to a group of Harley riders and it takes me awhile to get by all of them, they might speed up to keep me in line, or damn near blow up their motorcycles trying to keep ahead of me. I am just enjoying my motorcycle (independence) while they are repelling me for not being one of them. Qite often they are surprised to see me, like they don't look in they're mirrors and don't usually have anyone pass them. They're rolling along on their island of noise in a group that no one would dare to try to pass.

They usually aren't going very far anyway in their ridiculous uncomfortable poses, usually just as far as the next bar, so I don't have to wait long to get by them even if I do stay in line. The noise thing is an important part of the Harley image, I suppose. It is not independence to them, it's more like being one of the guys. Different strokes dfor different folks.

[bearsfolks]

It has been proven that the only place the noise can be heard is behind the bike, where it can already be seen. If you want noise tape the hornbutton down, but please stay out of my neighborhood where it's nice and quiet.

[Stuff2C]

It has been proven that the only place the noise can be heard is behind the bike, where it can already be seen. If you want noise tape the hornbutton down, but please stay out of my neighborhood where it's nice and quiet.

Damn, I’m going to have to stay away from that Kryptonite stuff. I can hear a Harley coming at me a mile away. I must be related to Superman (my dad’s going to be pissed @ mom). :fight

[BmwDuc]

If you really thinik a loud bike is going to get folks attention, you must be dreaming...... If folks are going to read books, put on makeup, play with cell phones, etc,. I seriously doubt a loud bike is going to get their attention.

My Duc is loud, but I don't see any difference in drivers attention between the Duc and the GS with stock pipes.

Old debate, learn to ride safe. Just like we teach in MSF, don't depend on your horns (or any other noise) to get someones attention.....

[GlobalRider]

Our wonderful European bikes have a little feature on the right hand switch grip. Most people in the USA use this feature to alert (annoy) people in the oncoming lanes who refuse to dip their high beams, but its' actually called the "passing light". It is intended to be used to signal a leading driver of your intent to pass. It's a tradition we should work to spread in our country.

What a concept that would be, but on a continent where driver's licences come out of a box of Cracker Jacks, no wonder they don't know what the left lane is for to start with. Flashing wouldn't work here, even if they knew what it meant. Attitudes would have to change first.

I prefer a quiet bike. I couldn't imagine sitting on anything noisy for more than a hundred miles, if that.