Why is it.................?

[admin]

..........that metric motorcycle engineering has in many ways surpassed that of our American V twin counterparts and yet, the imports still can't make a V twin engine that doesn't sound like a Briggs & Stratton when you put pipes on it?
Posted by: Shooter Bob on Oct 26, 06 6:27:29 pm

[admin]

I don't think that's true. I'm not sure that there's much difference engineering wise any more between metrics & domestics. The domestics seem to have made up the quality issues that plagued them in the past.
As to sounds, my 1500 Vulcan w/ Cobra pipes sounds every bit as good as anything else on the road.
Posted by: vegas56 on Oct 30, 06 1:47:15 pm

[admin]

At the office, we ride all brands so the difference in sound is very apparent. Most metric V twins sound like Tecumseh's when you put pipes on 'em! LOL!
Posted by: Shooter Bob on Oct 30, 06 8:02:52 pm

[admin]

It really depends on the pipe. Our giveaway VTX had the lope of an American V-twin after we slapped on a set of Samson Shoguns.

My Honda 750, on the other hand, simply sounds like a louder Honda with the DG pipes I put on it.
Posted by: RoadBike Trish on Oct 31, 06 1:46:21 pm

[admin]

The ONLY decent sounding metric V twin I've ever heard is the Vulcan 800. The cadence is right. All the others just sound like loud lawn mowers. It's such a shame too because there are so many nice import V twins. Now, if they could just sound like a Ducati. Mmmmmmmmmmmm, Ducati.
Posted by: Shooter Bob on Oct 31, 06 5:27:26 pm

[admin]

Well, perhaps sound is in the ear of the beholder. A friend of mine just purchased a used Honda VLX with Vance and Hines pipes. The little 600 sounds better than most stock Harleys.

By the way, have you heard the VRod? Sounds very much like an old leafblower I used to have....
Posted by: RoadBike Trish on Nov 1, 06 2:01:39 pm

[admin]

Agreed, V Rods are not up there on my list of favorite engine sounds either.

Personally, I'm really tired of the sound of straight pipes and loud exhaust systems so, when you put one on a metric bike that sounds like a lawn mower, it's really annoying. I have to give it up for American V twins. They really do have the best sound.
Posted by: Shooter Bob on Nov 1, 06 6:45:10 pm

[admin]

If you think my Roadstar sounds like a lawnmower I want to know what kind of lawnmower you've got. I need one. I've had a bunch of people tell me nice Harley based on the sound before they really look at the bike. No it ain't a Harley Bub, I mean Bob. It's better. Oh by the way Bob are you dyslexic? Bob is a good name for a dyslexic cause you can spell it the same both ways forward or back. Don't get pouty Bob or Dog will strike you dead with lightning. Not that there's anything wrong with being dyslexic. Some of my best friends are dyslexic.
Posted by: Brutha on Nov 8, 06 2:27:33 pm

[admin]

OK, you're right. It sounds like a LOUD lawn mower. LOL!

I'm not talking about the actual "tone" of the motor as much as the "cadence." The way a single crank pin, v-twin sort of gallops when it runs and the way it makes 95% of it's power just half way into it's rev range.

The imports have awesome features and performance and are a joy to ride but, for my money, they just fall a little flat in the "engine character" department where their V twins are concerned.
Posted by: Shooter Bob on Nov 9, 06 7:26:10 am

[admin]

Considering that this post is on a web site for METRIC enthusiasts, I think you are in the minority here Bob. I do think that some bikes sound better than others, just as some look better than others. But it's a personal choice.

And I still disagree with your theory, as I too have heard metric v-twins that sound just like Harleys - with the same gallop you mention.
Posted by: RoadBike Trish on Nov 9, 06 10:22:45 am

[admin]

I ride a 2003 Roadstar, and put on the Vance & Hines longshots...I added the V&H quiet baffle, and like them much more now...Now if only they could keep the pipes from turning color!!
Posted by: calan818 on Nov 10, 06 4:41:19 pm

[admin]

To each their own. It's my own personal observation.

As much as I dig metric bikes like the Meanstreak, VTX-F and the Roadstar Warrior, their engine sounds just don't cut it for me. I don't want a metric bike that sounds like an American V twin. I want a metric bike that doesn't sound like a piece landscaping equipment.
Posted by: Shooter Bob on Nov 13, 06 11:52:42 am

[admin]

That's interesting cuz the Roadstar is a single crank pin V twin of 102 cubic inches of displacment that gallops as it idles (bigger than a Harley). The redline is less than 5000 RPM depending on the year from 4200 to 4500. The torque and horsepower are just about all in at 2500-2800 RPM. Sound familiar?
Posted by: Brutha on Dec 2, 06 9:57:51 pm

[admin]

LOL! The specs sound familiar, but the exhaust note doesn't!

Funny you should mention RoadStars. I rode one yesterday with a set of real obnoxious pipes on it. It sounded OK. Not great, but OK.

Again, I'm not looking for a metric bike to sound like an American V Twin. I'd just like to hear more of them sound good. Oh well, with the EPA regs coming, none of this will matter is a couple more years.
Posted by: Shooter Bob on Dec 4, 06 6:27:06 am

[admin]

Bob,
Some people think that Brittney Spears sounds "good."
Others think Tom Petty sounds "good."
Some people think Oprah Winfrey looks "good."
Lots of people even think that cigarette smoke tastes "good."

Do you see where I'm going with this?
Posted by: RoadBike Trish on Dec 4, 06 6:54:21 pm

[admin]

Uh......, huh huh......, you're outing me as a closet Brittney Spears fan?
Posted by: Shooter Bob on Dec 5, 06 6:41:03 am

[admin]

Did anyone ever consider the other American V-Twin? Victory. Yes it is metric and no it doesn't sound like any lawn mower I've ever had the dubious pleasure of riding (or driving, whichever it is). I have a Victory Touring Cruiser with a Stage II (100 ci) kit and pipes. I'm not a fan of loud pipes and I find these to be right on the edge. As long as you don't push it too hard. (I know sometimes I can't resist).

Now how about those of us who think Ray Charles, Otis Redding, and others from that era sound good. Who cares about Britttney anyway. Can she sing? All I ever hear (see actually) is her belly button swerving and thrusting. Not that that's a bad thing, I just never thought of it as singing. Like my Victory does.
Posted by: Vicrider on Dec 5, 06 1:11:31 pm

[admin]

Victorys are really nice bikes. I reviewed the Vegas when it was first introduced and I liked the bike alot.

Put a set of mufflers on that Touring Cruiser of yours and watch your torque and midrange horsepower numbers jump!
Posted by: Shooter Bob on Dec 6, 06 6:54:57 am

[admin]

Already did that. That's what the Stage II is all about. If you like the "classic" touring set-up, ie windshield and hard bags, take a ride on a Touring Cruiser. You also need to test the new models with the 100 ci six-speed set-up.
Posted by: Vicrider on Dec 8, 06 10:43:40 am

[admin]

I just realized that Shooter Bob's got an opinion and no one is going to change it. Partially because an opinion is like an a**hole, we've all got one and no one want's to hear it. Partially because he is a contrarian and is just stirring the pot. Partially because his gray matter has ossified and cannot be reprogrammed. Partially because he thinks he's right.

Besides who cares what he thinks about your motorcycle? Truth be told Harleys are too loud and I don't really want mine to sound that obnoxious. If I had wanted the Harley sound I would have bought one.
Posted by: Brutha on Dec 10, 06 10:44:22 pm

[admin]

Yo Brutha, it would appear that Vicrider and I agree with eachother. I agree with you. Re-read our last posts. Slowly.

The dyno numbers don't lie. My mention of straight pipes sacrificing horsepower is in an effort to kill a common misconception, not to "stir the pot." Personally, I don't like all the racket loud pipes make. I also don't like the power they sacrifice. I said what I said in the interest of what most bikers want. More usable horsepower. You get that by tuning the intake with a set of somewhat restrictive pipes. It's not an argument. It's a fact.
Posted by: Shooter Bob on Dec 11, 06 6:40:20 am

[admin]

No need for the personal tags - Bob has his points :)

For me, I did some research and I realized that with an Aero 750 I would have limitation on the tenur and lope of the sound.

I chose the Cobra Dragster and I personally like the sound - it delivers a chest rumble that I like.

Ride Safe - Robert
Posted by: RDS07Aero on Apr 17, 07 7:52:32 pm

[cat mech]

I have Samson Street Sweepers on my 1100 Shadow Spirit and it sounds pretty good. It doesn't lope like the American V-Twins but it still sounds pretty good. I think anyway.

[RDS07Aero]

I was at a mini-rally near where I live this evening.

For the most part the majority of the bikes were HDs - I walked around (well hobbled since I still have a broken foot) and noticed 2 that had a Cobra Dragster exhaust.

I have this exhaust on my Aero 750 and I ahve to say I did not hear a HUGE difference; howver, I did feel more of a drum in my chest.

Well, I am perfectly happy with the Cobra's on my Metric :)

[bonehead]

I like the louder pipes myself, not full straight pipes but louder than stock. It depends on the bike as far as the cadence and "lope" as you like to call it. Some sound better than others. Personally, I don't like the sound of a straight pipe HD. I grew up in farming country and they remind me of a 2-lunger John Deere tugging through the field. No mud slingin, just my opinion. :cool:

[Dude]

I don't think that's true. I'm not sure that there's much difference engineering wise any more between metrics & domestics. The domestics seem to have made up the quality issues that plagued them in the past.
As to sounds, my 1500 Vulcan w/ Cobra pipes sounds every bit as good as anything else on the road.
Posted by: vegas56 on Oct 30, 06 1:47:15 pm

I like the 1500 Vulcan engine except my 1999 had the plastic oil pump gear. Plenty of power. Regular gas. Smooth low RPM operation.

[Shooter Bob]

I don't know if any of you have noticed but, Vance & Hines is now offering a "Q-Series" exhaust system that is said to produce good horsepower without all the noise. I sincerely hope this trend catches on. I'm sure the new "Q" systems will offer a nice increase in mid-range power while sacrificing a little at red-line. Lets face it, midrange is where it's at. That's where we ride. Anyone racing around on a v-twin cruiser is just kidding themselves as any stock 600cc sportbike will suck the headlight out their cruiser.

The "Q" series pipes remind me of an old proverb. "Walk softly but carry a big stick."

[Dude]

I had a 750 Norton ranger back in the 60s. I didn't take the gut out of the mufflers, they vibrated loose and blew out. It had a hell of a good sound. One day a Kamikaze 3 cylinder 2 cycle pulled next to me at a red light going ring ding ding ding. when the light turned green I got on it. Next thing I knew all I saw was 3 little smoke trails going out of sight. ring ding ding ding:eek:

[pikepass]

My '03 Road Star with a V&H's Classic II exhaust system sounds more like a HD than my 1200 Sportster does. Almost too loud for my liking. V&H's doesn't offer the "quiet" baffles for this series though. Wish they did.

Pike

[Shooter Bob]

But still the best sound of all comes from my Triumph Trident with some cheap 3-into-1 exhaust.

Right on man! A Trident through a 3 into 1 makes an evil howl like nothing else I've heard.

[Roadie Rod]

Well, my Roadie with Hard Chrome "straight shots" sound nearly identical to my buddies HD, in fact a few years back HD took Yamaha to the U.S. Supreme court saying that Yamaha had copied the SOUND of the HD, but the case got thrown out by the court saying that HD can not patent it's bikes sound; with or with custom pipes.

Under newer EPA rules and the very tough ones that go into effect in 2009, we will see a lot of the louder pipes begain to dissapear, at least for now they will not meet the new requirements that are coming up.

[michaellee32084]

..........that metric motorcycle engineering has in many ways surpassed that of our American V twin counterparts and yet, the imports still can't make a V twin engine that doesn't sound like a Briggs & Stratton when you put pipes on it?
Posted by: Shooter Bob on Oct 26, 06 6:27:29 pm

Where have your ears been.For one thing does not any one else even notice even Harley's sounds have changed dramatically over the years.sure they still sound good.but nothing like an old flat head.man I love to hear those things idle.Funny how a 1600 road star with cobras can idle down real low and sound a lot like an old flat head.more even than the new fi short stroke Harley.
There are a lot of sweet sounding motors out there these days.The virago 1100 for years had this sound down.with a set of cobras nothing sounded better.But much like a Sportster,at hiway speeds the motor is way to bussy.
But wait we are talking about sounding good. Here are some of the best Harley like ones That are metric that I have heard.
750 Honda Ace single crank pin no longer made, Virago 1100,Vulcan 800 and 1500.Honda VTX 1300. and.Victory 100.stage one.
I am sure there are plenty others, but these I have savored personaly.
Frankly, the only bikes I know of that sound like lawn momers with Pipes, are the dual crank pin hondas ,like the VTX 1800.In fact,aren't they all like that now except the 1300 ?

[Shadow Shack]

Mostly it depends on what pipe you put on the bike. If you simply want loud and obnoxious, well then you sacrafice sound "quality" (and performance). I've heard many a bike sporting Vance & Hines pipes on them, be it Harley, Honda, V2, I4, etc and every one of them sounded, in using just a single word, "awesome".

[osun061]

My 06 Road Star was as quiet as a sewing machine when I drove it out of the dealer lot . And while I didn't want overly loud , I could see the potential for a good bass note without being obnoxious . So re-jetted and installed Cobra 2 into 1 pro and presto , the great sound I was looking for .

Didn't know Brittany had any talent until I saw her getting out of that Limo with Lindsey . Now I know .

[michaellee32084]

Oh Yeah, lots of talent!