So there has been a couple discussions lately about turn-out exhaust and noise. I commented in both about my experience with the VooDoo I installed on my older savage. So for the past 6 weeks or so since I finally got the baffle situation finalized I have been riding it exclusively, regulating my other, stock 2011 S40 to sitting around the shop. I will add that install of the second catalytic baffle cleaned up a lot of the issue with backfire and back pressure.

It being nice and warm yesterday here at the Jersey shore I decided last evening to take out the 2011, circulate some oil and charge the battery.  A cruise to the store and then down along the ocean. So what I discovered is how over the past 6 weeks my riding style has changed quite a bit when riding the louder, what I now refer to as the "snarly".

First thing I noticed was I was on the throttle a lot more on the stock bike. When on the snarly, I now tend to excellerate more slowly to keep the noise down. Also when cruising around locally I often leave it in a higher gear, to keep the rpms lower and hence quieter.

I realize now riding the louder bike has actually made me a more conscious and attentive rider. I now think about, for example, when riding through a residential neighborhood, am I making excessive noise and ride more thoughtfully. It's now a more relaxed slower cruise when on snarly. Not to say I wasn't back on the throttle last night, I did find myself riding at about what seemed on average maybe 5mph faster, often in a lower gear.

From my perspective maybe louder isn't safer from the stand point of other traffic hearing you, it in my case, as I suspected, makes me practice some safer riding habits.

That said, there still are plenty who get their kicks from letting their rides scream to announce them, it's part of the game. They are on it hard for maximum effect. Guy went by my shop yesterday on a poorly tuned Harley with drags, hearing the backfire when he let off the gas wasn't annoyingly loud, but so excessive it should have been embarrassing.

Anyway, my perspective has always been "Ride Safe, Ride Loud". After yesterday's ride I understand why that is the interpretation I have adapted.

I guess we all have our own quirks.

I apply the 'form follows function' adage. I like the sound to represent the power (It's very subjective). For example, I think the Dyna muffler on the Savage could be just a touch louder. But it's still a big improvement on the 'sewing machine' sound of the stock muffler.

I can think of two extremes (neither of which I like). One of my friends has a modern BMW ... It sounds like the flying car from The Jetsons. It seems to me it should sound better than that. On the other hand, I have a friend with a 883 Sportster with open pipes. Whenever he rode passed my house I always thought "Mate, your bike is no where near as powerful as it sounds".

Just personal taste I 'spose.

I have a dyna and it's loud enough for me, but I would ride and electric bike.  

Look, if you want to he seen out there, loud exhausts aren't going to do it. (Bobbing and weaving around will do a better job of getting you seen.)  If you think it makes you a safer rider, then there is a totally different lesson to be had.  But, I respect that you want to be considerate of others. Be safe.

With the Dyna I csn regulate the noise level just fine. Gentle throttle and I can Oooze past a hospital or horse and rider..Or, If the time is right,, I can wring the grip out hard, do the No Clutch shifts, and have it howlin thru every gear.. and thats Not something to do where people are..

We have had some commercials on for a while here,, and, apparently someoone decided the idiots name would be Dave,,
And its always
Dont be a Dave,,
But here,, with the bikes and the noise Ima say
dont be a Richard..

justin_o_guy2 wrote on 05/31/20 at 06:56:56:


I think the Dyna muffler is fine - remember it was the stock, government approved muffler for the Harley from the factory.  (And the reason those mufflers are readily available is that somebody took it off their Harley so they could install something much louder).

Straight pipes or mufflers that you can see through are the problem....the noise can get out the back end far too easily!

justin_o_guy2 wrote on 05/31/20 at 16:17:31:




Yeah, I'm discovering the seals deteriorate with age  

MMRanch wrote on 05/31/20 at 20:18:14:




They certainly look good!

I think the same as Dave!
I dont like bikes that loud a lot!
Perticaly dont like backfire, on a normal ride!
Soo, im a formar racing mecanics.. it was my brother that start this, in anyway, the car could get bacfiring frome the depo to the startingline.. no problems.. it was made to go on higest revs at it couóld on race!
At least, I bought this bike, on foto.. only 2000 dollars.. peanut money!
In any case I have to ride it home, I take a longer road around central trafic stockings fore safe.
In any case some formar owner have put on a Leo Vince K02 Its a Italinain brand) exhauste system to it and sadelbags/forkbag/and a bib on the tank.
But in a week later I got a parsel, the original manual, the original Suzuki  exhauste and the originlal  Leo Vince second part of the exhauste.
Soo I change the last part, no more backfire..  I realy hate backfires!
And to that I like that it have good sound!
Today one of my friends ride his new Triumph.. its was a good sound, not to loud, only nice.
In any case.. im Euorpean/Swedish. Im reading a lot on this site about geting Harley muffler on this bike. I dont care, but I think that its the same as a Lep Vince K02 sytem anyhow.. some sort of anyway?

And to that. dont even think that a lot of noice even gona save a biker.. its almoste cars and they dont hear you anyhow!