Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Exhaust basic sound of bikes

I'm looking for a Triumph america, but my curriousity is how do the stock pipes sound? Are they very loud? What are the best options for pipes here in the states other than doing the baffles, and im not sure how to do that I couldn't completely understand.

Thanks for any help mates.

The factory pipes add a whole new dimension to the word stealth. If you are given to coming home very late, they are perfect. If they seem too quiet, there are a number of aftermarket pipes including a couple of optional ones from Triumph, all of which will awaken the sleeping giant in the engine and many will also wake the neighbors.

a couple things then, is ther eanywhere in the states that has a big triumph aftermarket, specifically pipes. My theory I've always followed is loud pipes save lives. If they can't see you they can at least hear you

what about removing the baffles also, i know that is cheap noise. I was looking but couldn't find a step by step DIY on here

Welcome Ben,
I like quieter pipes, but that's because I believe "Loud Valves Save Lives". I really need to shim my valves after 40,000 miles.
If you want LOUD - use the Sceptres. Just loud, go with the Specialty Spares or Thunderbikes from Austrailia.
Bub makes a good loud pipe, but offers a higher pitched "blap, blap, blap" sound. For a deep throated rumble, chose the first three listed.
I drilled my stock pipes out and am still deciding between Specialty Spares or JCWhitney turnouts like Jango uses. His bike sounds like a 283 Chevrolet with Thrush mufflers.
Just Ride It safe,
Dennis

Like everyone says "sewing machine". I was so embarrassed I wouldn't go to any bike nights with it. One thing I might add is that the general consensus is that the Triumph off roads are not that great so don't let a dealer sell you on a set. From what I see in here exhaust pipes seem to be a personal thing. I would suggest starting with stock and meet up with other Triumph riders and see what they have. That was my intention so I went with JCCheaply pipes until I found something I'd like. Turns out I like what I have.

I found the septres online, but they are a couple hundred more than the SS, and I found a thread where you remove the baffles on the SS and they sound good.

Can you drill the stock pipes or remove baffles so they at least don't sound like a econo car

hmm would it be easier to order online or have my local triumph dealership order them for me and have them come in?

Installation doesn't look too bad but I can't find exact places to order.

Again I am still currious about what can be done to the stock pipes ...

Also I am still shopping so if anyone is selling an America let me know because I would surely be interested. I'm in College Station, Texas, USA

I started out with the Triumph Short Off Road Pipes when I picked my bike up from the dealer (2004 BA). They were way too quiet at idle and just cruising down the boulevard. They sounded decent if you opened up the throttle and climbed to 4000 rpm and over. Still they were pretty restrictive and I bought a set of the Specialty Spares Short Slash Cuts as I liked the looks of the TOR Short Slash Cuts and these looked about the same. Big improvement in the sound and performance. Being from Central Pennsylvania, it helps when the deer can hear you coming. The deer are all now wearing earplugs. Love the SS Pipes.

The Sceptres are plenty loud (just ask my neighbors). They look and sound great. I've heard the SS as well and they sound good, but are not quite as loud. Brent at newspeedmaster.com offers the Sceptres and provides outstanding service and I have heard Dale with SS provides good service as well.

I've tried 2 sets of louder pipes, Triumph shorts and longs, and found them both to be too loud (I have pretty bad tinnitus from years of infantry, arty, and aviation). Even wearing ear plugs they were loud. The stockers have picked up a really nice sound over the last year, and they suit me, and many others, just fine.
But your taste may vary.

jj, i appreciate your post and like the varying opinion

I'm going to look at SS and Septre pipes; unless I can find a nice used bike with pipes allready on them

The good thing about tinnitus is it keeps the voices down.

well i got some insurance quotes and the bike itself and I think im going to get a green america tomorrow ... I'll remove the baffles at first until i can afford some pipes.

thanks for all the help guys

Cryption:
Keep in mind that the factory pipe baffles are welded in and can't be removed without major modification, drilling, etc. I went with the Specialty Spares long slash cuts as they looked similar to stock (which I liked) and I love the way they sound. Used the SS re-jet kit, removed AI, and ended up with 128/45s. Changed the pilots (to the 45s) after using awhile to stop decel backfiring. Runs fantastic now. By the way, my dealer did the pipe install and carb mods. I went with their suggestion as most all BAs they had sold liked the SS better than Triumph off roads due to the lower, more throaty sound. Good luck.

Just to throw my 2 cents in....I put a set of Staintunes on my BA 05 and removed the removable little baffle in the end of it and really like the sound. I do mostly longer runs and after about 4 or 5 hours of the drone I start to go crazy but these pipes are not so loud but loud enough people can here you coming and they are a very deep old style Trumpy throat. If you don't remove the little baffles you do not need to re-jet but I did and factory suggests 135's which I did. I also took the stock 17 tooth sprocket off and replaced with a 19....OMG what a huge difference. No snorkal and 2 1/2" holes drilled through the bottom of the air filter and box. AI removed and have no pharting at all on de-exceleration. The small changes I made, not that I feel that buying a new cycle warrents having to make the changes ( I didn't want to) but in the end it is totally worth while.

Snapperman,

I just read your post on your Staintunes and wanted to ask you what they're like.
Are they really the quality items I have heard that they are. I am told they are first class with a great sound and will really last a lifetime (and not 8 months like my current ones with a considerable amount of the chrome coming off and rust on the one pipe). I have been considering new pipes from a full-blown exhaust manufacturer (I am about to dump the famous Thunderbikes).
What do you think?

Oh Mike,
You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me.
Ride Safe Friend,
Dennis

Has anyone listened to the audio clip of Dmahn off road pipes they sound great . If any one knows how he modofied them I would like my speedmaster to sound the same.

Bedouin
I have the Staintunes on my TBA and can say with confidence they are first class pipes. the workmanship is excellent you would be pressed to buy a better made pipe anywere.
the sound is, i would say slightly less than the Thunderpipes but plenty loud enough, they give you that authentic Triumph sound. they are a little bit more exspensive than some but worth every cent. you would not be sorry for having these on your bike, thats for sure.
Safe riding out there
Herb

thanks for all the great posts guys

i got a green and silver TBA ... it has stock pipes for now but when I can afford it i think im looking at some SS long cannons, i love that look

Cryption, if you're looking at SS, be sure to check out the long slash cuts. Pretty much identical in performance to the long cannons, but more the look of the factory slash cuts. I really do like mine. Also, both the SS come with a re-jet kit and you'll probably want an AI removal kit as well.

I love the sound of my SS Long Cannons on my Speedmaster. I have to say that ticking sound from the engine gets to me sometimes though. When I'm just cruising along at a low rpm, I hear the ticking a lot more than I hear the exhaust. Reminds me of older cars running on cheap gas and low oil.

But, a quick romp on the throttle and the pipes drown out the sewing machine.

okay what is the AI .... i know n00b question but if i don't ask ....

I'm also going to remove the snorkel first thing when i get the bike next week after hurricane rita goes through

I have the Epco stainless pipes on my America. There is also a hotrod 1200 Sportster in my stable that the OL owns. The Sportster has gutless pipes and it is very loud. Where I can ride the piglet down the street and set off 5 or 6 car alarms, the Triumph only sets off 1 or 2. So, the Epcos are loud, but not shatter windows and get 3 tickets every block loud. They do have a nice classic Triumph sound to them.

Herbz,

Thanks for your input. Sounds good!
Do we have a contact for them, I would like to know if/how their pipes work on the '05 865cc SM?

Bedouin
im sure Staintune make them for the o5 865cc speedy, i could find their phone number if you want and post it here for you, but Staintune are in Austraila so could be a rather exspensive call. just look them up on the webb, type in, Staintune motorcycle exhaust and that should take you to their site, from their you can e-mail them direct and ask anything you want to know. the guys are more than helpful and will answer all your questions.
Staintune will ship to any country and the packing they use is excellent.
Good luck
Herb

Herbz,

Again many thanks, I'll check them out.

thanks for describing the AI ..... basically it won't do any harm to the bike?

What are the advantages really?

Great explaination from jj on the AI system. FYI, you can buy a AI removal kit that has all the plugs, etc. You can get it from your dealer and either you do it or have them do it. My dealer did the install of my SS exhausts and they remove ALL the AI systems when changing to less restrictive exhausts along with re-jeting. As I mentioned before the SS pipes come with a re-jet kit for the carbs.

i think when i get my SS pipes I will remove the AI and have them rejet it, especially since it comes with the pipes.

Now I'm just waiting for Rita to blow through so I can pick up my bike next week! I'm excited I'll post pics when i get her!

Thanks for all the great replies guys I really appreciate it; I've found my new home here

Anyone know people in here that live in Texas? I'm in college station and it would be badass to meet up

Does anyone know of any sound clips of BA with standard pipes? Thanks.

That is the one thing putting me off the bike [that and the pipe "bluing"] Is it really that bad? Maybe the Brit version differs from the US?

I don't think there is a motorcycle sold today that has the 'sound' most are looking for. That's just the way it is now days. As for the bluing - Many have had some serious issues, but I have nearly 13,000 mi. and what minor discoloration I've experienced has been resolved with minimal cosmetic maintenance. I have made NO jetting mods and my AI remains intact. I occasionally switch silencers from bone stock SM, to 3 Baffle removed SM, to Short TORs, and once in a blue moon will slap on a set of totally gutted TORs. I experience no noticeable difference in performance or bluing. IMO, my contention is that most bluing issues are the result of bad initial set-up when new, and owner installed modifications. For that matter, I strongly believe that ALL motorcycle pipes, except those that are separately shielded on the outer surface, will blue. If not, they wouldn’t sell so many polishing compounds that are formulated and advertised for the purpose.

So, if the sound and bluing are your only issues, if the bike fits your butt, your wallet, and your taste, I wouldn’t hesitate.

I'm going to remove the AI this weekend, I saw a Bonneville with the pipes blue and gold and all different colors ... he said it is stock and it just happened (he didnt know why). I figure AI removal will be nice to fix that. Thanks friends!

Ben

On the lookout for one at the moment, went to look at one in a local dealers, but he couldn't locate key to spark her up and let me hear it. Think I know why now

Thanks for you input

guy's if your looking for sound check this out.i bought 2 exhaust pipes 27 inches long 1 3/4 od.had the guy expand to ends of the pipes to 1 3/4 id to fit over the headers.slashcut the ends of the pipes.installed jc whitney 4 inch baffles.painted them with 1200 degree exhaust paint.flatblack they look pretty good with the rest of the black on my speedmaster.they sound better then my buddys 37 thousand dollar ironhorse copper.it runs a little on the lean side .going up 5 on both the jets

Snapperman, I just read your September post on the Staintune pipes. I recently picked up an 05' BA and live over in Dennis. Perhaps I could check out your pipes some time. Thanks