My quiet FJR

[FredandJeannesRacer]

I get a lot of comments on my FJR. I've heard how nice it looks, what a pretty color it is, or a lot of other good comments, but what I've noticed is that almost everyone remarks how they like the fact that it is very quiet. I never considered the fact that a lot of people are turned off by loud pipes! Makes me think twice about changing the stock pipes. I like being stealthy. h34r:

 

[sbernard]

Fred, I'm one of those too. I HATE hearing, being around, or following one of those stupid, slow, shaking Harley riders with the loud pipes and the guy's pit hairs flowing in the breeze.

The FJR IS extremely quiet. It tends to put it's money where it's pipes are. It's just like the F-117A....you never hear it until it's too late!

 

[6mmbr]

kinda like a UFO:

quiet

fast

everybody sees it

nobody knows what it really is

now they see it, now its gone ...and they're left wondering....wow

 

[JoeG308]

It is a high tech bike with stealth mode!

My Harley friend is always complaining about me sneaking up on him with my FJR.

:clapping:

 

[double_entendre]

I get a lot of comments on my FJR. I've heard how nice it looks, what a pretty color it is, or a lot of other good comments, but what I've noticed is that almost everyone remarks how they like the fact that it is very quiet. I never considered the fact that a lot of people are turned off by loud pipes! Makes me think twice about changing the stock pipes. I like being stealthy. h34r:

Ditto/Gunny/Leroy/AOL/Me too

It wouldn't surprise me that we'll eventually see (even more) heavy-handed government regulation of bikes because of the loud pipes that annoy Mr. and Mrs. Smith of Suburbia, USA.

I've got the stock pipes on my fjr and don't plan to change that--even if kissing the cats goodbye might cool down the ride. I've thought about it, but I just don't want the attention that the noise draws.

I sometimes like the sound of aftermarket pipes that aren't too loud, but outside of a racetrack there ain't much point. Most pipes don't add substantial power--only a couple percent here or there, usually at high revs, and they grab that from elsewhere in the powerband. What's the point? More noise? Hmmm. Loud pipes save lives? Sex appeal? :lol:

We've got a bad enough reputation as is amongst the average American.

I was in traffic school last Saturday--stupid ticket in the car--and some jackmoe told a story about a "friend of his" who carries old spark plugs to throw at cars that cut him off or otherwise don't see him. "He guns it up to 100, digs one out of his backpack, and throws it at 'em as he flies by."

Nice. Really nice. Improbable as **** all--digging into a backpack on the road?!?!? :dribble: --but you know that every person in that class came out with a bad taste in their mouth for motorcyclists. OK, to be fair I was young and dumb once and drove like an ****** and had Supertrapp pipes on my 500 Interceptor that were way too loud. But I sure as hell never did something that stupid.

Anyway, rant off, kudos to you for sticking to stock and I'm not necessarily trying to create enemies amongst those of you who have gone aftermarket. I'm just sayin'.

And apologies to our non-USA Forum members for the centric references.

Rancho

 

[rockmurf]

I don't think the fjr is so quiet you don't know it is running. I think it is just loud enough. I had a st1300 with two brother pipes on it and everyone raved about the sound except me (previous owner installed them) When you go on a long ride those pipes get to you. I had a goldwing and that was a sewing machine and I did not like that about it. IMHO you need a little noice and vibes.

 

[tarpon57]

Here are those government regs you say are coming!

On June 4, Denver officials approved changes to the city's vehicle noise ordinance that allow police to issue tickets to riders if their bikes don't have a federal Environmental Protection Agency sound-certification label on the exhaust systems. The new ordinance, which takes effect July 1, would apply to all motorcycles made since 1982, which was the first year that federal law required motorcycles sold in the U.S. to comply with EPA sound regulations.

In practical terms, that means the bike would have to have the original exhaust system installed by the manufacturer. Violators would have two weeks to prove to a judge that they have fixed the problem or would be forced to pay a $500 fine.

Previously, the Denver ordinance required all motor vehicles to pass a sound test that set a limit of 80 decibels at 25 feet. That type of performance standard remains in effect for cars and trucks, except that the allowable limits have been raised. Under the new ordinance, vehicles with a gross weight rating under 10,000 pounds couldn't exceed 82 db(A) at 25 feet, and trucks over 10,000 pounds couldn't exceed 90 db(A) at 50 feet. Only motorcycles would be subject to the EPA sound certification labeling requirement.

 

[Loki]

I like the purrfect sound of my FJR, with ONE exception. Being in southern CA, I use the bike in LA traffic, and more than once, have found following one of those "jiggly" Harley's to be of some advantage while lane splitting. Even though I intentionally keep the gears down for better control and a little more sound, nobody ever hears me coming, which is no good when dealing with mere inches of margin for error!

 

[MsLilly]

I love the quiet of my bike. I had after market pipes (my husband wanted them) on my Ninja and on long trips would wear earplugs! That was one of the many things that made me fall in love with this bike! I have a friend who rides an HD and I make him ride behind me so I don't have to listen to the NOISE!

 

[djsmith1000]

.....I was in traffic school last Saturday--stupid ticket in the car--and some jackmoe told a story about a "friend of his" who carries old spark plugs to throw at cars that cut him off or otherwise don't see him. "He guns it up to 100, digs one out of his backpack, and throws it at 'em as he flies by."

.....

\hijack

I had to pull a spark plug out of a tire once, and it was a pain in the !$%. They dont come out easy... Who was it!?!??!? :angry:

/hijack

 

[JREW]

On a recent 5 day trip into southern Oregon, we stopped for breakfast at a little town in the mountains and there were about 20 HD gassing up in town. Funny thing but a local sitting on the steps of the restaurant came over and said, "finally a good bike in town". Then 2 days later in a shopping center (getting a little food for dinner) an old guy walks up and says, "thank you for a quite bike, why can't they all be like that". Seems loud bikes have a stigma about them that may hurt us all some day. I know there are those who believe load pipes help with the visibility, but I'm not so sure. A couple of weeks ago, I had to go into the bay area, and on the way home I slipped in behind a very loud HD who kept revving is motor to get drivers attention as we lane split. Frankly most did not notice, even when he came to a crawl and just revved and revved. A couple even closed in on him (which prompted a few hand signals). Closed window, air on, music on, cell phone working, drivers do not hear the bike until it has gone by.

 

[TruWrecks]

Love the stealth of it. Ride with the high beam on. People will see you long before they hear you no matter what pipes you have.

 

[Bob Hughes]

I do a lot of long distance riding and you do not hear many loud pipes on those bikes because it would drive you nuts and make you deaf too. I live near Daytona and there are signs up during bike week asking people to please ride quiet in certain areas that seem to work out for 99% of the loud pipe guys but the other 1% are going to screw things up by reving their bikes to redline while parked at a light in a residential neighborhood at night because they are having a good time on there vacation. But the cops are good here, it's just warnings unless your a real ass and then you get a ticket for something else that really means you were an ass, "Yes Sir" and "No Sir" carry a lot of weight.

I think it's dumb when my neighbors kid drives home and I can hear his stereo thumping from a quarter mile away and I think it's dumb when two guys on my street leave for work at 5am with no baffles in their bikes (and they do take it easy) but we can all get along. And hey, I really like the purr of my FJR...

 

[C&C]

I like the quiet as well. She sings very nicely, though, when you get up in the rpm range (as it should be).

 

[SPORT]

Gunny/+1/Props/ & **** to those who prefer stealth mode. There's something to be said about a sleeper.

 

[ngarider]

In socialist America, loud pipes risk rights. Municipalities are already starting to disallow motorcycles because of these stupid loud pipes a$$ clowns (and some of the crotch rocket cans aren't much better, and I know some FJR folks are lumped into that group too).

You know, if people could turn it on and off, that'd be tolerable. Like jake-brakes. Trucks can't use them in alot of municipalities, but do on the highway. Fine.

But, just watch...

Personally, it bugs me enough to turn off a road or pull over when I get stuck behind a LP brigade, just the same as I do for a slow SUV, etc, etc....

 

[03FJRRIDER]

I have had loud pipes before, and as others have said - you get tired of the sound on long rides. I also noticed some increased vibration.

Also, the quietness of my FJR allows me to get up for an early morning ride and not wake up the entire neighborhood.

 

[bandito]

Pretty much everywhere in Europe has regs about noise, and every so often the cops stop us and pull out the db meter. My previous bike (1200 Suzuki Bandit) had a big hollow aftermarket can that made a deep LOUD growl, but yea after 100kms it really got tiring. Had to wear earplugs. I really appreciate the quiet FRJ now, don't need to change the cans.

 

[double_entendre]

I like the purrfect sound of my FJR, with ONE exception. Being in southern CA, I use the bike in LA traffic, and more than once, have found following one of those "jiggly" Harley's to be of some advantage while lane splitting. Even though I intentionally keep the gears down for better control and a little more sound, nobody ever hears me coming, which is no good when dealing with mere inches of margin for error!

Yep, I find the same thing, though I hate to argue in favor of "loud pipes save lives." :lol: But the car drivers do tend to yank the wheel away from the Harleys.

Rancho