| Author | Message | ||
     2old2bfast |
Okay first, I'd really like to know who the quote was from... But I'm confused by the "anyone hear the 150HP XBRR's" question. Was your impression that they were quiet, cause mine was certainly not. I mean I want to swap pipes on my Uly as stated above, but I would NOT, if i thought it would sound like the XBRR. I guess I'm curious about both questions... | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
as i put forth to Imonbuss above, there is a ton of territory between "quiet" and "loud." many of the posters on this thread seem to be saying that there are only two kinds of exhaust systems, i.e. either/or. i contend that a muffler can be louder than stock without being "loud." i also contend, based on my own experience, that a Uly may "carburet" better at low to moderate engine speeds with a less restrictive muffler. this theoretical muffler would certainly be louder than stock, but would not have to be "loud," and CERTAINLY not loud enough to incur any wrath from the public or LEO's. it's probably not an entirely fair comparison, but my two tube-framed Buells benefitted TREMENDOUSLY in terms of overall runability, especially at low to moderate engine speeds, after removing the stock mufflers and replacing them with aftermarket cans (an external-disc SuperTrapp in both instances). what i got in return were Buells that were REMARKABLY happier at low to moderate engine speeds, with markedly increased performance, and much better fuel economy (an average gain of 5 mpg on my '96 Thunderbolt). yes, the exhaust note was louder. no, it was not loud enough to offend (IMO). i wonder if a Uly's runability would benefit as greatly with a freer-breathing muffler. not a "loud" muffler, per se, but certainly a "louder" muffler. my guts tell me yes. and common sense tells me that ALL new Buells are as quiet as they are NOT because Erik wants them that way, but rather because the EPA demands them to be that way. anyone disagree? FB | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
Guess who said that? that sounds like something that wacky Erik Buell fella would say. sheesh, what does HE know??? (insert winking smiley here...) BTW, anyone hear the 150HP XBRR's at Daytona? I didn't think so... is that because the quiet exhaust systems utilized made more power than "louder" systems, or because of noise ordinances at the track? FB | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Give me quiet or give me hearing impairment. I would love it if the bike was whisper quiet. It would be nice if the constant din of civilization would reduce itself by 20 or 30 decibels. I'd much rather hear nature than man-made noises. | ||
| Rubberdown |
I could hear the chain drive and the whoosh as the XBRR's flew by at Daytona. About a year ago (guess where), I heard Mr. Buell mention that he liked quiet bikes. So do I. | ||
| Henrik |
For a potential long distance bike such as the Uly, I would certainly prefer quiet. 500+ miles in the saddle will leave you a lot less tired if you don't also have noise to contend with. That said, I'd sacrifice *a smidge* of quiet for a lot of low/mid RPM drive-ability. I might also be possible to "shield" the rider from the extra noise by pointing the exhaust exit down, possibly with a slash cut tip. Just some thoughts. Henrik | ||
| Thesmaz |
Thunderbox, Look here for you Wileyco exh http://www.bitz4buells.co.uk/index.html?lang=en-uk&target=d4.html | ||
| Snub13 |
When I first got the Uly I thought it should be a bit (just a little) louder. After 3300 + miles it has gotten louder on its' own. I like it! | ||
| Anonymous |
Noise does not equal power. Noise is energy wasted. The XBRR bikes were tens of decibels quieter than the old race bikes yet made much more power. No, we're not done yet, and no the XBRR's were not quite as quiet as a Ulysses. But keeping things relative, it is the shape of things to come. | ||
| M2nc |
Somehow, I feel vindicated. I have seen the Dyno numbers. I would say that you can get more horsepower opening up the airbox, as to opening up the exhaust. The stock muffler just works better at all RPM ranges. I was spoiled by the low end torque of the M2. | ||
| Thunderbox |
Themaz they only have a part numbers for the XB9 not the XB12. Apparently they are coming but not yet. Thanks for thinking about it just the same. | ||
| 2old2bfast |
IMO, it's not really about being vindicated, or about anyone that is right or wrong. I think Dr. Greg was asking a question about a personal preference issue. Now with that said, and while I am not at this point a customer of his, I have never heard a negative word about Kevin at KDfab, or about his products and their performance. If I was looking correctly at the dyno charts posted on Kevin's site and he is the stand-up guy that every seems willing to attest to, it appears that in comparison when a stock pipe is compared to his aftermarket, basic Drummer with no airbox or ECM mods, the gains in the low and mid range are astounding. From 2500 all the way to 4000 rpm, the Drummer equipped 12 never mad less than 50 ft/lbs of torque, while the stock pipe didn't even get up to 50 ft/lbs until 4000 rpm. Add to that low end the fact that from somewhere around 5000 rpm on up it was producing not only more torque but also horsepower. So, does sound equal power? No way! But can freeing flowing exhaust (as well as intake as noted), heck yes. The fact that there are such dramatic gains in the low and middle revs is all the more impressive since it is done without the power valve in the exhaust... Makes me wonder if there is value in that valve even being there in such a relatively torquey engine configuration to begin with. When it comes to sound, I hope mine isn't too loud when it is swapped, but I in no way expect that we will be comparing it to the sound level of XBRR's. I agree that the sound of the full on Buells at Daytona was mild when compared to those in years past, but after standing right next to the race Buells of years past, those bikes didn't just rattle windows, they could shatter them! Hearing them running down the front straight is cool, but the most "obnoxious" their sound ever is, is when your standing beside them on the grid or in the garage. Besides, I won't be making that kind of noise around the hood anyway you look at it, based on the RPM's required at the track alone. I'm still hoping that at street type RPM's I'll enjoy the ride more than ever. Now only time will tell. Thanks to Dr. Greg for the thought provoking discussion! | ||
| Thunderbox |
Do you all know who anonymous is. I think it's the man himself. Yup that's right. E.B. the man. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
I'd be interested in knowing what the hp-tq curve looks like with the open air box and ecm mods on the stock muffler. I should think that richening up the mixture would do some good even with the stock muff. I hate throwing money at a new bike to replace perfectly good parts. I like more horse and tq but would rather invest in stocks than motorcycle parts that aren't truly necessary at least from my perspective. | ||
| M2nc |
I do not want anyone to feel that the way they set up their bike is wrong. Personalizing your ride is one of the coolest things about motorcycling. "2" you are right, it is all about preference. I am just saying that if you go with a Drummer, do it for the look and sound, because for the money you gain very little. 11HP including ECM and open air box. The exhaust does not make the majority of that, the ECM and Air box does, so for the money, performance is not signification enough of an improvement to be the reason I would go to a Drummer. I do have a V&H slip on on the M2 because I wanted a louder bike. The performance did not improve enough to justify the cost, but the muffler's look and sound are great. | ||
| Bloochdog |
i saw a guy running no muff on his buell the other day i guess he had to have some restrictor cones in it... it was gasrishly loud... but he also had a novelty german helmet on and shorts....go figure.... i dig the quieter pipes... but i will admit the springer has a voice.... i also think the uly runs pretty damm well right out of the box....the cooling fan is still distressing though.... | ||
| Dr_greg |
This has indeed been a very enjoyable (and civil) discussion. I tend to view my Uly as an "adventure touring" bike (like a GS) and correspondingly think it should be relatively quiet. However, sound has always been important to me (hey, I have perfect pitch!) and---like I said---my Ducati SS and Aprilia RSV have Termignoni and Leo Vince slip-ons, respectively. It's really how one personally views their bike, I guess. And my view of the Uly is this magic carpet that glides me through the world...without disturbing it. | ||
| M2nc |
Dr. Greg, it seems that you are like me, you have other bikes that make sound. When I want to be in full-on Street Fighter mode, I jump on the M2, loud and proud. But I do see my Uly as more Touring and Adventure. I do not want to be rumbling through the woods scaring off every animal for a one square mile area. I also like the quietness of the Uly on the interstate. I have traveled to nine states on the M2 and the constant drone of 80mph/4000rpm wears on that perfect pitch after a while. So I have two Buells, and even though they have similarities, they serve different functions. (Message edited by M2nc on April 08, 2006) | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
I do see my Uly as more Touring and Adventure. I do not want to be rumbling through the woods scaring off every animal for a one square mile area. not to worry, the cooling fan will take care of that quite nicely. | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
ps: that's a joke, EB.  | ||
| Eor |
Loud fans save [wild] lives?  | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Erik, Change the seat on the ULY so that the heat is unable to fricassee the riders right inner thigh. That's ridiculous for you guys not to have fixed that during your testing phase. Other than that the ULY works pretty well. | ||
| Ryker77 |
I must wear ear plugs on my x1 with force pipes. Unless its a short 10 minute ride. I plan on a radical pipe system that will both decrease the sound and move it back. Might look wired. | ||
| Davo |
I like the quiet exhaust. Now when I pull up to talk with someone I leave the engine running so I don't have to talk over the fan. Though the fan makes the bike even more unique! | ||
| 2old2bfast |
Yeah, the identity of Anonymous was pretty easy to identify as either E.B., or someone close to him... To the whole Buell Team, I say, "keep up the great work and the innovative products! | ||
| Jim_sb |
Good morning, Yes, "quiet" is a relative term. But the USFS has defined "quiet" as 96db. Pass their test and you can ride; fail and you cannot. That's as good a definition as any for me. I'd rather ride myself. Best, Jim in Santa Barbara | ||
| Fubar |
Any idea where the standard Drummer comes in? | ||
| Galloper |
Any idea where the standard Drummer comes in? Here in europe it comes in a box  | ||
| Sheldonesbe |
i love the beefy sound a race pipe makes, but it brings a lot more attention from the police when i speed and even when i don't... | ||
| Thunderbox |
Drummer is quite noisy for sure. With it installed the bike felt quicker but the Dyno results were less than I thought they would be. I sold the muffler as I found it too noisy and my main use is going to be touring 2 up so I need to keep the all day noise to a minimum. Now how do I get about halfway between stock and the Drummer. BTW Kevin was a jewel when I phoned and talked to him. Knows what he's talking about for sure. |
