Author Topic: How loud are these pipes?  (Read 5677 times)

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Offline Zeke

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How loud are these pipes?
« on: March 13, 2006, 08:23:02 PM »
Hey all:

I mentioned these sweet Hooker pipes I scored a few weeks ago.

Here's a blip from the original paperwork:

THIS SYSTEM IS INTENDED FOR RACING PURPOSES ONLY.

BLAH, BLAH, Most sophisticated blahblah.  The low restriction muffler provided for this unit is designed for racing applications where some sound control is required.


What does this mean?  Am I gonna have cops all over me?  Is it street illegal?  Will it drive me crazy from the noise?  Will it give me 20hp?

They look supercool, and I don't mind if they are a little loud, but I have no reference as to the nature of a pretty open pipe on these SOHC fours.  You can see straight thru the pipe, and there's about 1.5" dia thru the center of baffle with no obstruction.

Thanks,

ZeKe

Offline heffay

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Re: How loud are these pipes?
« Reply #1 on: March 13, 2006, 08:34:29 PM »
loud pipes rock!


if i could have a sound clip of all my bikes on here...


you'd ALL really call me "jefe" 

                                       
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Offline scunny

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Re: How loud are these pipes?
« Reply #2 on: March 13, 2006, 08:40:42 PM »
They will be loud.........But they will sound sweet as you roar towards the red line. You will think you are going faster, it's like taking your mirrors and indicators off- the feel good factor. enjoy them and maybe you can make a baffle to put in for the ride to church.
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Offline heffay

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Re: How loud are these pipes?
« Reply #3 on: March 13, 2006, 08:45:12 PM »
also, i've never purchased an aftermarket set of pipes that did not have a declaration of this sort.
Today: '73 cb350f, '96 Ducati 900 Supersport
Past Rides: '72 tc125, '94 cbr600f2, '76 rd400, '89 ex500, '93 KTM-125exc, '92 zx7r, '93 Banshee, '83 ATC250R, 77/75 cb400f

Offline Sam Green Racing

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Re: How loud are these pipes?
« Reply #4 on: March 13, 2006, 08:54:27 PM »
It would seem to me that you have a race pipe thats been designed for tracks with a noise limit.
Not all tracks allow you to run open pipes.
Most tracks in the UK are restricted to about 105 dbls, apart from Moto GP, how they get away with it and everyone else has to abide by the rules I'm not sure. >:(

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Offline heffay

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Re: How loud are these pipes?
« Reply #5 on: March 13, 2006, 09:09:18 PM »
sam is probably correct... you see, i kindof started tuning you out when you blah blah blah'd.

but, they are pipes... and they probably gonna sound really good...

post a soundclip soon  ;D
Today: '73 cb350f, '96 Ducati 900 Supersport
Past Rides: '72 tc125, '94 cbr600f2, '76 rd400, '89 ex500, '93 KTM-125exc, '92 zx7r, '93 Banshee, '83 ATC250R, 77/75 cb400f

Offline mrbreeze

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Re: How loud are these pipes?
« Reply #6 on: March 13, 2006, 09:11:02 PM »
Hey Zeke...It probably just amounts to where you live and if the cops(or your neighbors) are Dheads or not.Like Heffey says...loud pipes rock!!!(and save lifes!!!) They won't hurt your bike if your bike is tuned for them but I would'nt expect to see a measurable amount of performance gain either.There is less racket from an open 4 to 1 on a Honda 750 than a Hardley-Dangerous with open pipes.You should be OK!!!
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Offline cbjunkie

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Re: How loud are these pipes?
« Reply #7 on: March 13, 2006, 09:31:42 PM »
this girl friend of mine started in on me the other night about loud bikes - i was in the middle of a convo with a bud about the fact that mine are straight pipes - so she chimes in from across the bar - blah, blah - loud pipes are for degenerates - blah - blah - blah... i told her she didn't know what she was talking about - she was thinking about HARLEY'S, of course, even with open headers with goddam megaphones on them our bikes aren't as loud as a lowly girly Sportster...   8)
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Offline Sam Green Racing

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Re: How loud are these pipes?
« Reply #8 on: March 13, 2006, 09:48:14 PM »
Let me tell you about loud.

At the last drag meet of last season, my mate Chris did 5 passes on the CR.

His second pass clipped a couple of hundredths of a sec off the strip record.

His next three passes saw his times go from bad to worst.

We later found we had lost a tapett lock nut and the tapett block had unscrewed.

If you can't hear a noisey tapett with half an inch clearence, then you have one hell of a loud bike. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Sam.
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Offline TwoTired

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Re: How loud are these pipes?
« Reply #9 on: March 13, 2006, 11:14:16 PM »
THIS SYSTEM IS INTENDED FOR RACING PURPOSES ONLY.

What does this mean?  Am I gonna have cops all over me?  Is it street illegal?  Will it drive me crazy from the noise?  Will it give me 20hp?

In order for manufacturers to sell pipes that don't meet noise reduction requirements, they must label them for off road purposes.  This way, they can't be held legally responsible for any tickets you get from local ordinances prohibiting loud motor traffic and move that responsibility to you.  They are technically NOT street legal, but routine enforcement is rare.

Cops can find something to ticket you for whenever they feel like it.  Loud pipes will only draw their attention to you.  But, they are more likely to ticket you for speeding than for loud pipes.  However, if you curse and disrespect them, they have lots of ticket pads they can fill out and have you sign. 

Will it drive you crazy?  Well, when was the last time you were evaluated?  Might be interesting to see a before and after comparison. ;D
Seriously, noise is fatiguing.  If all your trips are short, there shouldn't be much of an issue.  Long trips are another matter.  It is a proved fact that long durations of exposure to noise ARE fatiguing and debilitating to the operator.  If you enjoy operating your machines while you're less than 100% alert and reactive, then you're in for increased enjoyment. Otherwise get some noise cancelling earpieces to enjoy long trips.  Unfortunately, simple earplugs also mask awareness of road events that you should observe.

It will NOT give you 20HP.   If you get gains, it will be at High RPM near WOT.  Low and midrange torque will likely be reduced, even if you re-jet the carbs properly.

You've heard the chorus from the pro-noise people.  Now a short note from the other side...
Loud pipes are for Bozos with an inferiority complex who need the noise to gain attention for themselves from people who otherwise wouldn't notice their existence.  Such people have been or are now so starved for attention, that anything, including being cursed at is perceived as a positive interactive experience.
The "saved lives" bleating has no basis in fact and is simply a manufactured excuse to justify annoying other people.  It is a lazy, effortless way to appear to do a lot without even really thinking about others needs or desires and offers malicious contempt towards their comfort and denies any tranquility and peace they seek to exist within.  It is equivalent of a smoker who purposefully exhales smoke into the face of non-smokers.  Personally, I think loud pipes should be allowed only if they exit the bike in the face shield area of the rider where they can garner maximum benefit.

But, I don't have a really strong opinion on this matter.  ;D

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Offline mrbreeze

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Re: How loud are these pipes?
« Reply #10 on: March 13, 2006, 11:26:19 PM »
WELL EXCUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUSE ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Offline cb650

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Re: How loud are these pipes?
« Reply #11 on: March 14, 2006, 04:25:20 AM »
WELL EXCUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUSE ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DITTO!!!!! 
This was on a 650 right?  It would take more than pipes to get 20 hp out of it.
I still want to see a pic.  If they are the pipes I'm thinking of I've never seen them for a 650.
A 750 yes.



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Online SteveD CB500F

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Re: How loud are these pipes?
« Reply #12 on: March 14, 2006, 04:59:44 AM »
I'm with TT on the loud pipes.

Back when the bike in my avatar was still alive (1978-ish) I really, really wanted to get rid of my 4-4.  One day my flatmate was knocked off my bike by a car (no damage to him) and the insurance bought me the Piper 4-1 in the photo.  I quickly took all the wadding out.  It wasn't super loud but I did long motorway trips in those days and after about 12 months I really, really wanted quiet pipes again!

Bought a 550K3 with 4-4 which was so quite you could hear the engine...

Now I have a nice quiet 4-4 on my 500 and a spare Dunstall 4-1 in the garage.  I think I'll swap each time I get bored with the setup.
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Offline KB02

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Re: How loud are these pipes?
« Reply #13 on: March 14, 2006, 05:11:57 AM »
You've heard the chorus from the pro-noise people.  Now a short note from the other side...
Loud pipes are for Bozos with an inferiority complex who need the noise to gain attention for themselves from people who otherwise wouldn't notice their existence.  Such people have been or are now so starved for attention, that anything, including being cursed at is perceived as a positive interactive experience.
The "saved lives" bleating has no basis in fact and is simply a manufactured excuse to justify annoying other people.  It is a lazy, effortless way to appear to do a lot without even really thinking about others needs or desires and offers malicious contempt towards their comfort and denies any tranquility and peace they seek to exist within.  It is equivalent of a smoker who purposefully exhales smoke into the face of non-smokers.  Personally, I think loud pipes should be allowed only if they exit the bike in the face shield area of the rider where they can garner maximum benefit.

But, I don't have a really strong opinion on this matter.  ;D

Cheers,

Here, here, TT.

Personally I am of the "Loud pipes risk rights"  campaign started by the AMA (American Motorcycle Association). If you believe the other way, that they save lives, did you paint your bike bright Pink, or Yellow? Is your normal riding gear covered in reflective strips for maximized visability by other drivers? Do you use hand signals as well as indicators when making a turn? If you feel that making your more conspicuous makes riding safer, than you should be doing all these thing as well... either that or just admit that you think loud pipes are "cool" and stop making excuses that don't hold up.

THAT BEING SAID - I have race pipes on my Ducati. I once heard a Harley guy boast that he could set off any car alarm in a parking garage. Hell, I can set them off on the open street!  ;D  Right now, though, I am running stock pipes on my SOHC and intend to stay that way as long as I can. It makes the longer rides SO much nicer.
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upperlake04

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Re: How loud are these pipes?
« Reply #14 on: March 14, 2006, 05:59:21 AM »
 "Loud pipes are for Bozos with an inferiority complex who need the noise to gain attention for themselves from people who otherwise wouldn't notice their existence."

 Thats classic TT articulatness - perfect ;D

Offline my78k

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Re: How loud are these pipes?
« Reply #15 on: March 14, 2006, 06:37:10 AM »
I too am with TT on this one...atleast from the perspective that they don't save lives. The majority of collisions (and my near misses) are where a car turns in front of you...not once has any bike that I have approached at an intersection been heard before it is seen. That includes a couple of friends with 120 inch motors with straight pipes. Last time I checked the pipes vent out the back of the bike and so does the noise. Gotta remember that the guy who is turning in front of you has his aftermarket Stereo cranked (all the way to 11) and the woman who hits you is too distracted by the Cel phone in one ear while applying eye liner to notice you... loud pipes or not!

Having said that I also believe they sound cool.

I will never put them on my CB however mainly because I have enough issues with my carbs with the stock exhaust and I don't need the excuse to go messing around with jetting just to make it run rougher! Although I am hoping that when I put them back on the bike this weekend my luck will have finally improved...

Dennis

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Re: How loud are these pipes?
« Reply #16 on: March 14, 2006, 07:13:09 AM »

 Thats classic TT articulatness - perfect ;D


articulacy?  Strangely enough, "articulatness" gets through the spell checker (almost)
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Offline Zeke

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Re: How loud are these pipes?
« Reply #17 on: March 14, 2006, 07:48:08 AM »
Hey all, thanks for your thoughts.

The 20 hp thing was just a joke -- My bike is fast enough given the fact the handling (by modern standards) isn't awe-inspiring, and if I wanted it faster I'd just get a different bike.

I think really loud pipes can be annoying, especially if you have to hear them at home.  But I'd hope that at a moderate throttle when putting thru town they wouldn't be as loud.

I'm psyched about these pipes, though I have been satisfied with my stock pipes as well -- they are falling apart though, and finding a left-side of stock 4-4 is all but impossible now.  So I need to move to these pipes or something like them.

The loudness on long trips will likely be a pain in the ass.  As it is, I've blown away some of my hearing playing live music, and so I wear foam plugs if I'm going a long way on the highway/freeway.

For the sake of more argument, could a guy quiet down a pipe like this?  It has a baffle with fiberglass wrapping already -- but the center of the pipe is wide open.  Could a more restrictive baffle be fashioned to fit in the current pipe?  Anyone done this?

I have a friend who has a supertrapp muffler laying around -- I wonder if this could work if the hooker is too loud....

upperlake04

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Re: How loud are these pipes?
« Reply #18 on: March 14, 2006, 08:07:48 AM »
my apologies if I confused you with the "articulatness" -  we speak an improved English here in Canada :)

Offline KB02

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Re: How loud are these pipes?
« Reply #19 on: March 14, 2006, 08:59:59 AM »
For the sake of more argument, could a guy quiet down a pipe like this?  It has a baffle with fiberglass wrapping already -- but the center of the pipe is wide open.  Could a more restrictive baffle be fashioned to fit in the current pipe?  Anyone done this?

That's a good question... OKAY, agruments aside, does anyone have an answer to this question.  It would be very interesting to learn if it is possible. My initial thought would be that it would cause too much back presure... but maybe not.

Anyone?
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Offline my78k

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Re: How loud are these pipes?
« Reply #20 on: March 14, 2006, 09:02:57 AM »
Gotta stand up for a fellow Canuck here...as per dictionary.com:

articulateness

n : the quality of being facile in speech and writing

Offline GroovieGhoulie

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Re: How loud are these pipes?
« Reply #21 on: March 14, 2006, 09:07:12 AM »
When I do my cafe, I'm considering 4-into-4 megaphones like the old racing pipes and now I'm reconsidering.  Still a matte black 4-into-4, but maybe with some glasspack baffling.

Offline heffay

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Re: How loud are these pipes?
« Reply #22 on: March 14, 2006, 10:15:07 AM »
"Loud pipes are for Bozos with an inferiority complex who need the noise to gain attention for themselves from people who otherwise wouldn't notice their existence."

nah... i just take all my clothes off and run around.   8) ::) :P
Today: '73 cb350f, '96 Ducati 900 Supersport
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Offline cbjunkie

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Re: How loud are these pipes?
« Reply #23 on: March 14, 2006, 10:36:16 AM »
#$%*ing Quakers...  ;D
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sometimes naked, sometimes mad -
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Offline TwoTired

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Re: How loud are these pipes?
« Reply #24 on: March 14, 2006, 10:55:25 AM »
nah... i just take all my clothes off and run around.   8) ::) :P
Quote

Might surprise you.  This would be much easier to completely ignore.  And, I'd prefer that to hearing loud pipes.  But, then you'd probably notice all that pointing and laughing.  :-D

Cheers,
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Those that learn from history are doomed to repeat it by those that don't learn from history.