| Author | Message | ||
     Db4570 |
I'm a new 2000 Cyclone owner, as described in my previous thread: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/476 23/652517.html?1317872463 It came with a V&H muffler on it, as well as the stock one. I am starting to think it is a little too loud for me. It really is piercingly loud, especially on my left ear. I don't want to damage my hearing more than it is, but that stock muffler it too quiet, and doesn't let any of the real character of the engine get through. My neighbor rode it past me so I could get a feel for how it sounds to other people, and it actually wasn't too bad. So it's just too loud for me while I'm riding it. Is there another type of muffler I should consider that would be a happy medium? I also wonder if some sort of extension tip might aim it away more. Suggestions appreciated. Thanks! David | ||
| Sleez |
the V&H may need to be repacked, makes a big difference in the sound. | ||
| Blake |
Ear plugs. Even with stock muffler, wind noise will destroy your hearing. The constant ringing of tinitus is no fun. | ||
| Littlebuggles |
I've got pics on my 'puter at home (can post or email during the daytime) of the basics in rebuilding a V & H can. They are louder than stock but should not be painfully so. | ||
| Greg_cifu |
The V&H sucks. The first thing I replaced on my S1W was that POS muffler. Stock rules: makes the best power and sounds just fine. You can't hear it because of wind noise, not because it needs to make more decibels. | ||
| Buellistic |
You can PRODUCT IMPROVE the OEM muffler, INFO and pictures, just PM me ... | ||
| Jayvee |
I got a used bike came with V&H. I didn't like the sound, replaced with stock. Turned out the V& H had zero packing, just an echo chamber. +1 on Repack it good, before you do anything else, its also the cheapest alternative. Now we can debate "what's the best repack material". Sooo many choices to choose from. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BUELL-VANCE-HINES-SS2R-MUFFLER-RE-PACKING-X1-S1-M2-S3-/280750086503?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item415e025967 (Message edited by jayvee on October 06, 2011) | ||
| Greg_cifu |
I wasted a $60 FMF repack kit, complete with the screen, the cloth wrap, everything. It was quieter than when I bought the bike (with the V&H) but, still too freakin' loud. Ya' know, part of the genius of a Buell motorcycle IS the intake and exhaust. Why are so many people so quick to replace them with inferior performing alternatives? | ||
| Brinnutz |
Ya' know, part of the genius of a Buell motorcycle IS the intake and exhaust. That's why I run the Buell Race intake and exhaust. Much better than stock on both power and sound. | ||
| Db4570 |
I tend to agree that stock is usually best, and I trust Eric's genius. But I realize that even he had to make compromises to meet regulations. I probably wouldn't bother to change the exhaust because I have not seen any before/after dyno test showing any major HP improvement. (Point one to me if there's a good one out there). So it's just about the sound. I don't want to feel like I'm riding a Gold Wing or something. I'll look into re-packing the existing V&H. Other suggestions welcome! Thanks, Dave | ||
| Db4570 |
Brinnutz: Yeah, that sounds like what I want: the Buell Race intake and exhaust. Are these floating around out there? Is it a different header, or just the muffler? $$? Dave | ||
| Jramsey |
Here's a pic of the Pro Series (Supertrapp) muffler.  Mine has 16 disc, solid end cap so its reasonably quite,doesn't rust and the packing seems to last longer than other cans I've tried. | ||
| Hootowl |
I think Greg_cifu has the right of it. The M2 doesn't make power up high like the X1 and S3. Its forte is midrange muscle. The stock muffler is perfect IMHO. You only need more flow if your cams can take advantage of it. | ||
| Deant |
I have a white brothers can. looks like a older supertrap with the disks you can add or subtract off the back. Sounds nice and isnt that loud. I havent seen very many of them around. | ||
| Two_seasons |
Al has the repacking at American Sport Bike Here's the link... http://www.americansportbike.com/shoponline/ccp0-p rodshow/5927.html It's $25 and worth a try. | ||
| Desertfox |
I have this one here. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/476 23/497854.html?1254544759 Came with the bike. Never tried anything else, but I see no reason why I should. | ||
| Essmjay |
I bought one of these this summer. A little light on hp at high rpms, and kind of loud, but overall I would give it a 7. http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j421/essmjay/I MG059.jpg | ||
| Coxster |
I got curious after reading these posts - my '99 M2 has a straight pipe from the collector up front to a short chrome tip in front of the rear wheel. Previous owner was a Harley rider thru and thru. I'll try to find a baffle for it this winter some time, and it's too loud for me. I'm thinking a baffle might even deliver some power too | ||
| Greg_cifu |
You guys DO know that other motorcyclists think that guys with loud pipes are douchebags, right? Go to a real bike hangout (not a Harley bar) and watch when a guy with straight pipes or even a loud muffler leaves with a rap of the throttle or endless idling and revving their engine. Nobody is stroking their crotch at how badass-cool you are. They're shaking their heads, looking at each other and rolling their eyes. You know that, right? They aren't looking because they think you're cool, they think you're a douche. It's not even just the normal person on the street that thinks it, it's also your fellow motorcyclists. You get that, right? Some of you guys like to be thought of that way by your own? Really? | ||
| Buellistic |
Pre-Fabed a reverse cone MEGAPHONE which the not only gave PERFORMANCE, "BUT" made so much "NOISE" even "i" could not stand the "NOISE" !!! | ||
| Desertfox |
Greg, most of the posts on here state, "It was too loud for me" so very few people are trying to be louder. I do agree, sort of, though. When I see a guy ride by with straight pipes and no muffler, I can't help but wonder if he had the common sense to re-jet for the change in flow. Furthermore, doesn't the lack of a muffler slow down exhaust flow by not providing a controlled path for gasses to expand into? I could be wrong, just applying the bits I know about air cooled VW exhaust. Have yet to see one of those with the bike so out of tune that he has to keep twisting the throttle to keep it from dying... | ||
| Greg_cifu |
Yup, I see many posts stating that things were too loud but, there are still the straight pipes, the race pipes, etc. Race pipes have their place: making top-end, at the expense of low-end, on a race track, fighting for the last 5 MPH on the back straight. It's not just a noise thing: the power delivery of a race pipe just doesn't make sense on the street. Who really rides a Buell around at 5K RPM all the time? After I bought my S3, I rode it over to a friend's house (also a longtime rider). The next time I saw him, he told me that he thought it sounded awesome: a deep, low burble with a thrumming note as I pulled away and ran through the gears. No harsh rasp, no crackle on the ear drums...just a pleasant low-frequency tone. What exhaust? The stock one. He said that he'd be happy if his BMW could just make a sound like that. He also agreed that the V&H previously on my S1W was wayyy too loud. He rode with me once and he could plainly hear my Buell over his own bike. That's just too loud. In fact, the first time I rode that Lighting, I cruised through a local mountain community at under 3K RPM and about 35 MPH. Yeah, I saw lots of people turning to look at me. No, it wasn't because they thought I was a badass or they wanted to admire my bike. I was a douche. That doesn't happen since I put the stock muffler back on the bike. I have seen the enemy and he is us. | ||
| Coxster |
I have the stock jets that came with my bike along with a few other parts, so I'm sure the carb has been re-jetted. I'll try and find a stock muffler over the winter or a baffle and see if I can't quiet this thing down. Til then I'll just keep the RPMs down in my neighborhood and show some respect. | ||
| Buellistic |
Has anyone ever heard of TUNING your engine for the RPM RANGE where the LEGAL SPEED LIMITS say ride, "i" do !!! | ||
| Essmjay |
Greg- If you had followed the xmas in July thread you would know that my muffler fell off in the midwest and I fabbed up that pipe to get me home. Posting it here was just tongue in cheek. I kinda thought it would be obvious. | ||
| Greg_cifu |
 Well, I'm not sure who surfs more around here then. No, I missed your post about that exhaust. It's kinda hard to spot tongue-in-cheek when there are so many bikes on here that are otherwise. I've seen Buells--both here and on Craigslist--with exhausts basically the same. I've seen them with shorty, stub-headers dumping out the right side of the bike and I even saw one where the guy fabbed a 2.5" bologna-cut stub to go on the end of the stock header--just dumped out the left side in front of your foot. The comments are often things like, "Loud as hell, sounds great!", "Handmade exhaust to let people know you're coming!" and other stupid crap like that. It's not so easy to pick out when somebody is joking. Did you replace your muffler? I have a very nice 2" inlet, black stocker sitting here that I bought for my S2. After buying it, I realized that the later header wasn't going to play nice with the S2's angled air cleaner. It cost me $50 on Ebay and I'll let it go for the same price plus shipping. | ||
| Dave_02_1200 |
My M2 has a stock pipe now and I love it. Great mid-range, a pleasing sound but not too loud. Had a Buell Race Pipe before and I'll admit that I like it too but I was a bit self-consious about the noise. It makes more top end power but at the expense of bottom end and mid-range. | ||
| 14d |
The only one I see acting like a douche in this thread is you, Greg. It is possible to have a loud exhaust and not ride like an inconsiderate ass. I thoroughly enjoy the way my bike sounds and don't really care if other people like or dislike it because it's my bike and I'm the one riding it. I also feel it's a little different scenario if I'm running a loud exhaust in conjunction with an intake and race maps in an effort to get more performance, not just for looks or sound. I suppose that distinction may not matter much to the motorist I annoy while accelerating hard but I'd think that it would mean something here on a Buell enthusiast forum where many people try and get more performance out of their bike and engine. I can certainly appreciate a completely stock bike, mostly as a collector or museum piece, but I also really enjoy changing my motorcycle to suit my tastes and think that's a lot of the fun in owning one (or any nice toy for that matter). Regardless of all this we're all human and enjoying riding and the same brand of motorcycles, shouldn't this be enough? I'm sure everyone who runs a loud exhaust is aware that some people don't like it, seems pretty unnecessary to bring it up especially in a quieter "muffler alternatives" thread.  | ||
| Greg_cifu |
That attitude is why you soon won't be able to buy or install aftermarket exhausts. If you're comfortable in your own skin, with people looking at you and calling you a douche, so be it. Here's a great example: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/476 23/654502.html?1318087900
He wants to mod his exhaust and wants to make sure he doesn't lose too much HP. Hmmm...I thought the idea was to GAIN HP. What the hell is the point if you lose HP? Oh, right, he just wants it to be louder. Got it. There's plenty of back-slapping going on in these threads about loud exhausts. If that's the only point presented, the lemmings who think noise is part of belonging to the motorcycle community, will just continue to do it. I'm ok with standing up in the room and saying that it ain't alright. Buells don't come from the factory sounding like sewing machines in the first place. They sound great, right off the showroom floor. Appreciate your noisy bike all you want. If you're ok with the passer-by on the street or in the gas station thinking that you and all motorcyclists are douches riding noise makers, so be it. Thanks for your support!  | ||
| Gowindward |
"....douches riding noise makers.." Greg, the proper term is not douches. The correct term is Fags. It's been well documented......LOL http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZ5w-IwEHO8 |
