Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Exhaust Long TORS-the sound changes with miles.

There are numerous threads on here discussing the merits (or not) of various pipes. A lot of people have said that they found TORS too tinny, too quiet, too...whatever and so, I'd like to relay my observations, based on 6k miles of riding with them.

I had the long TORS fitted, unheard, prior to picking the bike up from the dealers. They sounded 'nice' and a big improvement over stock and continued to sound nice for the next 2000 miles. And then, something changed. I don't know what happened but they ceased to sound nice and started to sound how others heard them-tinny and quiet. I regretted buying them at that time but couldn't afford a replacement so had to persevere with them.

I'm glad I did. At about 4k miles, the sound changed again. They became slightly louder and slightly deeper than they did in the 'nice' phase and I was enjoying them again.

I've not long rolled over 6k miles and the sound has changed again. I'm not sure if it's coincidence but I've also upped the main jets to 126's but now they sound...awesome. The bike itself is running smoother, seems more powerful and is a joy to run at 6k rpm, whereas before, 6k sounded like it was going to explode.

Whether it's a factor of jetting change, the engine bedding in, the pipe-packing burning off or a combination of any of those but I don't want for anything in terms of tone or volume. They're still pretty quiet at idle, which is important to me as I live in a 15-house cul-de-sac, but from the saddle, on the roll, the sounds coming from them are magical. Prior to this change, I could hear a lot of 'airbox'; now, it's all exhaust.

Sadly, however, my fuel consumption has also increased. Maybe not from any physical changes in the pipes or due to bigger jets, but because I can now happily run it for long periods at 6k revs...and so I do.

As a result of all this, my bike not only sounds better but it also handles better as I feel confident revving it higher for longer, which, of course, means I can concentrate on picking a line, rather than thinking about changing and I also get the gyroscopic/stabilising effect of the faster-turning motor.

In summary, the only way I'd get rid of the TORS is if I could get the same sound and benefits with something made of stainless.

Just some thoughts, should anyone be interested.

Sorry Dave but to be honest there is no real comparison between the tors and the tunes.

here's my evaluation as I see it

Does anyone know for sure whether the long TORS indeed use fiberglass packing? Mine also seem louder than when I first installed them, but it might just be me. Even with perfect hearing, acoustic memory is notoriously unreliable. In my case, the situation is aggravated by my own perception of sound, which changes depending on the time of day. I can't hear low frequencies at all early in the morning, so the bike sounds pretty lame on the way to work. But when I leave at the end of the day, those pipes produce a loud, guttural sound like nothing else on the road. Love those evening rides!

I see what you mean now Dave, and you are spot on there. Apologies for thinking you were meaning something else.

Yes the tunes IMHO are not as loud than the SS pipes for instance, so for someone who still wanted maximum gains without max noise and a whole lot more benefits, the money is worth every cent.

Of course, even for those who do like them a little bit louder you can have that too

Hi All

My America currently has the standard pipes fitted and I'm debating as to whether the Long TORs will be the way ahead.

Now, I don't have access to or know anyone who has an America or Speedmaster with them fitted so I'm rather unsure as to just how much louder the Long TORs are compared to the standard items.

If I said that on my personal noise scale (Where an open-piped Harley scores 10 and the standard America scores 1) I'd like to have something around 4-5. What would people say?

All feedback greatfully received.

I would say on your scale my short TORs would be a 3.5
Thats loud enough for me, but not that loud for other people.
If I was purchasing again I would be interested in the Tridents avalible in the UK with the interchangable baffels, see the thread.

NI Biker

Thanks for that. It seems as though the Long TORs aren't too much louder which is what I'm after. That is something to give the bike a bit more voice without upsetting the neighbours.

No problem.

You should perhaps meet up with srogerson1980 he is from Gosport Uk and has TORs
See his post on riding in the USA in events.

If you buy the Long TORS don't modify them unless you want noise...
On my 07 sm I bought a short set, at 6k miles they weren't quite grumbling enough. being as i am, I set about a minor mod and now... On your scale they are about 11. our db meter tops at 130, I can't get a reading at tickover... But they do sound beautiful and the local HOG know me from a mile away...

Lee, if you're not after too much louder, I would say the TORS fit the bill. Alternatively, try taking a baffle out of the stock pipes with a hole-cutting saw.
As mentioned in my first post, I live in a small cul-de-sac and I come and go at all hours. I've asked the neighbours and no-one has any complaints. Some of the more enlightened ones really like the sound.
Hopefully, sometime soon, I'll be riding to see Ant in Birmingham to do a side-by-side comparison/recording with his Tridents. Greg may also be there with his Emgos. We'll be putting the video/recording online for others to review. If anyone would like to come with another brand, or stock, it'd be a fantastic comparison.

exhaust rally

Cheers guys

It sounds as though the Long TORs will be on my shopping list when I have the 600 mile service carried out.

Lee I'm sure you'll be happy with them, they are a nice sound without too much volume...

I'm up for the exhaust rally.. Any idea what date? will there be a burger van and band to go with the entertainment ??

warlock can you let me no how you moded you short tors
cheers steve

HELLO I HAVE JUST JOINED CAN ANY BODY TELL ME WHICH PIPES TO BY I ONLY WANT SOMTHING A BIT LOUDER THAN STANDARD WHICH ONES ARE BEST PLEASE THANKS TICKY

Welcome to this great Forum Ticky! You'll get a great education here on pipes and other stuff that matters. I'll start...TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK....no need to yell at us.

WHERE ARE YOU FORM TICKY!!!! (sorry , I could hear you over the pipes)