# QUIET muffler for sportbike? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 4, 2002, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quiet-muffler-for-sportbike/140463 "2002-12-04T16:33:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Fuel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df705f/32.png) [@Fuel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuel)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2002, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quiet-muffler-for-sportbike/140463/1 "2002-12-04T16:33:14Z")
is there such a thing as quiet muffler for sportbike, specifically yamaha R6 or suzuki gsxr 600? i know there is not a large market for this type of muffler for this type of bike. if someone knows, could they also tell me if those mufflers would cause drop in HP? ---
**Author:** ![WhiteyFoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3e96dc/32.png) [@WhiteyFoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhiteyFoo)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2002, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quiet-muffler-for-sportbike/140463/2 "2002-12-04T16:46:52Z")
The stock exhaust for a sportbike will be the quietest thing you can get. If you are looking for aftermarket systems look into street baffle or non-race model exhaust systems. Any aftermarket exhaust will raise your HP, but usually only 1-2 HP with no other mods. If you email me your phone number I will be more than happy to call you and answer any questions you may have about exhausts or just motorcycles in general. Especially if this is going to be your first motorcycle. ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2002, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quiet-muffler-for-sportbike/140463/3 "2002-12-04T16:59:43Z")
I somehow doubt that someone looking into quieter end cans for an R6 or a 'Gixer’6 is looking at thier first bike 😉 It is an unusual enquiry, but they’re both pretty quiet when running below 5k rpm (which is the engine speed at which noise levels at are determined at) There could be other options such as using differant downpipes, usually not very cheap though. To make one of these machine quieter might have on useful side effect, it is possible that although peak power may go down(and how many folk get to use this at more than a couple of percent of riding time anyway?) , you may end up with more torque at lower revs so that you do not need to slip the clutch as much when filtering through sow moving traffic, but you will likely lose some of the responsiveness of your throttle control. You may have issues with the fuel injecton system if you are looking at the latest versions. ---
**Author:** ![Amfet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@Amfet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amfet)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2002, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quiet-muffler-for-sportbike/140463/4 "2002-12-04T18:12:20Z")
If you cant stand the look of a stock pipe here’s what [Yoshimura](http://www.yoshimura-rd.com/exhaust_sportbike.asp) (my personal favorite) says. > [@](#): > > Q. How loud are Yoshimura exhausts? > A. Since sound files are hard to hear online, it is best to compare them to other brands. The Yoshimura RS-3 Zyclone systems are one of the quietest systems on the market today that still offer good performance gains with minimal restriction. RS-3 Zyclone systems are 90-92dB while RS-3 Race systems are 95dB. All measurements are taken at the industry standard of 20" away from the turndown tip at a 45-degree angle out from the tip. The motor is revved and held at 4,000 rpm in neutral. A reading is then taken and recorded. Round Zyclone systems are 95dB while round race systems are 101-105db depending on model. Would be willing to bet they make one that fits the gixxer don’t know for sure about the R6. You can look[here](http://http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~lists/archive/vfr/199606/msg00121.html) but the data is a bit dated (1996). ---
**Author:** ![Amfet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@Amfet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amfet)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2002, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quiet-muffler-for-sportbike/140463/5 "2002-12-04T18:17:21Z")
Ack fixed the [link](http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~lists/archive/vfr/199606/msg00121.html) it’s a 1996 comparison of exhausts on a gsxr 750. May even be too old to be any value… ---
**Author:** ![JaxBeachBoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19adc/32.png) [@JaxBeachBoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaxBeachBoy)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2002, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quiet-muffler-for-sportbike/140463/6 "2002-12-05T01:03:18Z")
I can’t think of a more useless way to measure a 600cc superbikes exhaust loudness than doing it at 4K RPMS. You’ve got to keep 600s revved up quite a bit higher to stay in the power band. I’ve never heard of anyone wanting a quieter exhaust, is this a mechanical issue, a legality issue, or a “physical comfort for the rider” issue? ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2002, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quiet-muffler-for-sportbike/140463/7 "2002-12-05T03:03:43Z")
The cops can track him too often? He wants to really scare civilians when he does wheelie’s in rush hour traffic? Mommy’s pissed and he is tired of being cut off? New girlfriends dad is an a bit old fashioned? Yeah, why go quieter? Up HP is good but trying to be a socially good guy is a waste of a sportbike. The are to die on or to scare civilians to death with. I don’t get it? Splain … Lucy… It is a joke son, relax… ---
**Author:** ![Fuel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df705f/32.png) [@Fuel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuel)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2002, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quiet-muffler-for-sportbike/140463/8 "2002-12-05T07:25:11Z")
a quiet bike is an elusive bike. elusiveness comes in handy sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2002, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quiet-muffler-for-sportbike/140463/9 "2002-12-05T08:02:06Z")
Been hearing about a game that is becoming increasingly popular where the near 200 MPH capabilities coupled with some really good riders are starting to count coup on Johnny Law. Different strokes and all that. Be Well and warm and have insurance for any innocents that you take out. That would be the right thing to do … Sometimes, you’re just unlucky… Have fun. ---
**Author:** ![Fuel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df705f/32.png) [@Fuel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuel)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2002, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quiet-muffler-for-sportbike/140463/10 "2002-12-05T16:57:14Z")
i don’t intend to abuse this elusiveness, just would like it to be there during a rare important time. besides, it would be cool to just take off and have no sound, wouldn’t it? it would baffle anyone standing around, it sure would be odd to me to see that. loud and fast is cool, but played out. quiet and fast is just mind-boggling. i’m wishing on something that probably doesn’t exist on a large scale though… ---
**Author:** ![Fuel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df705f/32.png) [@Fuel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuel)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2002, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quiet-muffler-for-sportbike/140463/11 "2002-12-05T17:01:33Z")
all you seem to be talking about exhaust systems. what about MUFFLERS. something i just stick on the end that creates an expansion to relieve some pressure. ---
**Author:** ![Critical1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Critical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical1)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2002, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quiet-muffler-for-sportbike/140463/12 "2002-12-05T20:00:28Z")
acctually there is a way to seriously reduce the sound popping out of your bike that doesnt involve the muffler at all. (well other than a place to mount stuff) sound cancelation technology. I have no idea how much it would cost you but it would involve a couple high wattage speakers mounted near your exaust and the amps to drive drive them plus the proccessor to control the whole mess…I doubt it would look pretty but the technology is pretty amazing when you see it first hand. ---
**Author:** ![Fuel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df705f/32.png) [@Fuel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuel)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2002, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quiet-muffler-for-sportbike/140463/13 "2002-12-05T23:21:30Z")
i can’t imagine that being feasible in any sense. too heavy, too expensive, have to tweak it just right or won’t work… it’s a good point, but not a practical application to this scenario. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2002, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quiet-muffler-for-sportbike/140463/14 "2002-12-06T00:09:39Z")
Well, I did not realize he meant silent… yeah, that could be real cool. LOL Good mufflers and noise cancellation. Would go far. But a lot of bikes noise is not from the exhausts but just plain engine noise you don’t hear because exhaust noise so much louder. A lot could be done on liquid cooled bikes. If he has the $$$ to play with it, he could get into an area when he could blow minds. Total silence would be real hard but an upsetting amount of quiet is very doable. IMO YMMV ((Still think an nasty old straight piped chopper is the way to go but I can see what you are up too. LOL ))) ---
**Author:** ![Fuel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df705f/32.png) [@Fuel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuel)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2002, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quiet-muffler-for-sportbike/140463/15 "2002-12-06T03:13:17Z")
i don’t expect to make the bike silent. i mean get it down to, maybe 50Db… like maybe as loud as a car (mustang GT), give or take. how would “an upsetting amount of queit” be doable? i would like to know! what is a “straight piped chopper”? ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2002, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quiet-muffler-for-sportbike/140463/16 "2002-12-07T04:23:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Fuel \* > \*\*i don’t expect to make the bike silent. i mean get it down to, maybe 50Db… like maybe as loud as a car (mustang GT), give or take. > > how would “an upsetting amount of queit” be doable? i would like to know! what is a “straight piped chopper”? \*\* You are kidding, right? Straight pipes on a chopper, a sorta hand made motorcycle based on a Harley Davidson. Uhhh well, sorta like this pix of one of mine in one of her incarnations. [Spot](http://fff.fathom.org/pages/gusnspot/Straightpipes.JPG) ---
**Author:** ![Fuel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df705f/32.png) [@Fuel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuel)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2002, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quiet-muffler-for-sportbike/140463/17 "2002-12-07T05:28:18Z")
what are you talking about? i have a gixxer and you are telling me to put one of those straight pipes on it like those in that pic? sorry man, but you are not helping at all. i am looking for brand names or web sites and you are showing me a pic of your bike that looks nothing like mine. you are kidding, right? care to maybe explain a little better what you meant by your last post? ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2002, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quiet-muffler-for-sportbike/140463/18 "2002-12-07T13:39:52Z")
**Fuel** You asked what a “straight piped chopper” was and you were supplied the anwser, true it is not a gixxer but it was the correct reply to your question > [@](#): > > what is a “straight piped chopper”? Back to the OP, there is one manufacturer of mufflers that uses a “mini can” stuck on the side of the main can, because this smaller can a differant time delay through it , then at certain engine revs, the gas pulses and travelling up it and the negative pressure pulses going back down it, fill in the gaps between the pulses in the main can and so reduce noise. It is not designed to reduce overall noise though, just to get it legal at the standard measuring conditions, however I would think you could contact almost any bike exhaust system manufacturer and get useful information. I cannot remember the name of them, there are so many of them, do a search for manes like Remus, Yoshimura, Supertrapp(this is a tunable system so there could be something here for you, Motad,Cobra,Laser, Predator. If you want a stealth machine then a Gixxer is not it, the only reason that people fit aftermarket exhaust sytems on them is to make them louder and imrove the power delivery. If you are truly inot a quiet machine then you would have to look for a differant type of machine, the VFR800 is very quiet below 8k revs, and the STX1300 is a quiet machine, but the quietest would probably be a Goldwing of some description, or a variant with the same engine. Other quiet machines would include the “super scooters” such as the Burgmans and the like. ---
**Author:** ![rsa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/839c29/32.png) [@rsa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsa)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2002, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quiet-muffler-for-sportbike/140463/19 "2002-12-07T17:33:30Z")
I don’t know if this is feasable… I used to have a Ducati Monster 750. The stock pipes were so quite that all you could hear was the desmo valvetrain noise. I still have the stock pipes even though I have sold the bike. Of course the Monster doesn’t rev like the bikes you are looking at so back pressure would probably be a problem at high revs. (I’m no expert.) Would it be possible to convert one of those single pipe bikes to dual pipes. Perhaps that would handle the exhaust flow at high revs while remaining quiet. I don’t know how much work that would take, but the Ducati canisters look pretty similar to the stock pipes on the Yamaha and Susuki although they are oval rather than round. You can email me if this sounds like something you would want to give a try. ---
**Author:** ![Fuel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df705f/32.png) [@Fuel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuel)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2002, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quiet-muffler-for-sportbike/140463/20 "2002-12-08T00:28:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by casdave \* > \*\ ***Fuel** > You asked what a “straight piped chopper” was and you were supplied the anwser, true it is not a gixxer but it was the correct reply to your question > > Back to the OP, there is one manufacturer of mufflers that uses a “mini can” stuck on the side of the main can, because this smaller can a differant time delay through it , then at certain engine revs, the gas pulses and travelling up it and the negative pressure pulses going back down it, fill in the gaps between the pulses in the main can and so reduce noise. > > It is not designed to reduce overall noise though, just to get it legal at the standard measuring conditions, however I would think you could contact almost any bike exhaust system manufacturer and get useful information. > I cannot remember the name of them, there are so many of them, do a search for manes like Remus, Yoshimura, Supertrapp(this is a tunable system so there could be something here for you, Motad,Cobra,Laser, Predator. > > If you want a stealth machine then a Gixxer is not it, the only reason that people fit aftermarket exhaust sytems on them is to make them louder and imrove the power delivery. > > If you are truly inot a quiet machine then you would have to look for a differant type of machine, the VFR800 is very quiet below 8k revs, and the STX1300 is a quiet machine, but the quietest would probably be a Goldwing of some description, or a variant with the same engine. > > Other quiet machines would include the “super scooters” such as the Burgmans and the like. \*\* thanks casdave. i will look into those supscooters. could you tell me a little about them? they sound pretty cool. my bro has a vespa 150cc and that thing moves pretty well. i would LOVE to check out a super scooter. by the way, when asked i about the straight pipes, that was part of a three part question in my post. it was meant to relate to the topic at hand. the only reason i replied like i did, was because Gus was trying to be smart w/ me and he was not helping either. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quiet-muffler-for-sportbike/140463.md?page=2)