Just as an update, got myself pipewerx baffles for akra, and it feels quite tame now, I have no idea how the stock sounds, but I assume it's not too far off. This stupid question came to my mind, has anyone here tried riding with baffle in only on one side? Wonder how that would affect bike sound and how bike runs?
I know a few people who have modified the baffle either by shortening it or drill holes in it to “tune the sound” I think that would be a better option than running one in, one out. Just remember it’s easier to cut more off than stick it back on is the way to approach this sort of thing
years ago on a DSC ride out on a sunny Sunday morning a woman dropped to her knees to cover dogs ears as we trundled though her village at 30mph. I find that 125’s can be really loud. Harley’s the same of course. Same for IL4s with those stubby AR racing end cans are all a bit much too. as has been said, there is loud and too loud. The 749R with Termis and Thruxton with BC Predators always get good comments from non bikers
Current estimates suggest UK population will rise by 2m more people over the next decade. Current population 67m.
I've done both (drilled more holes and cut ends off) with baffles for Arrow cans on a Triumph Bonneville and an AR can on a KTM 1290 SDR - but I only did it on spare sets so if I go too far I can stick the stock ones in.
Serious question regarding tinnitus, I had a pretty mild case, now I caught some flu, my tinnitus really ramped up. But at the same time I bought the 899 a couple of weeks back. I'm wondering if the bike could've affected my tinnitus as well? As I mentioned before I always ride with ear plugs, and the perceived noise from the bike is not bad at all, but I'm wondering if somehow the mid-low end noise is damaging my hearing, without even it directly/perceivably being loud? I'm hoping my hearing comes back after I'm done with the flu, as at the moment I'm hearing really badly, and I wonder if the bike contributed at all, or just unfortunate timing. As I rode past my friends, and they didn't even find the bike to be absurdly loud. The last bike I was riding with zx6r with shorty exhaust, but most of that sound was higher frequency, so not much low-mid end tone/rumble.
Its the high frequency noise that I am led to understand is the problem. I always wear plugs. (ears not butt) The HF wind noise that is generated right by your ears whilst riding is believed to be the main problem.
Earplugs are a sensible precaution anyway. Wind noise above 70 in most helmets will damage your hearing. I've never had any complaints about my mildish Termi open system. Although I am very careful approaching horses etc- especially after coming round a blind corner and nearly going head on into one, I narrowly missed having my head taken off by flailing hooves! But it is really the rider to blame as their fright transmits to the horse. MY old 350 had a short reverse meagphone for a period and a eteremely tiring until I discovered Paul Dunstall products.
A couple of members at my local IAM group did take exception to my KTM SDR with an Austin Racing 'silencer' - it did make a nice noise I would have the racing silencer/s on the Streetfighter I've got on order but it is not insurable (in the UK) if you are honest and declare it.
Is it right to protect your own hearing with ear plugs and not give a shit about the people you ride past? Asking for a friend.
To be fair, the people you ride past get the noise for a few seconds, generally at lower revs in 30mph zones. For the rider, it’s constant. Also, it’s the wind noise that’s more likely to cause the damage to the riders ears. Certainly the case for me and my tinnitus.
One thing I noticed is that majority of the low-mid end vibrations that I'm getting with akra is on deceleration. I really wonder how akras with pipewerx db killers fair against stock exhaust, because I might be looking into swapping to that in the future, in case the low vibrations do cause my tinnitus to get worse. Which I still don't know, it could totally be cold that I had recently lol, bad timing with new bike and a cold. Always interested to hear any other takes on this dilemma I have right now.
A mate had a Triumph, a 959 I think, it had the biggest bore pipes I have ever seen or heard. Nobody would ride behind him, he always rode at the back, he tried stuffing the end cans with all manner of stuff but nothing worked. Absolutely pointless.
So I was reading around a bit, because I’m thinking worst case scenario I’ll go on eBay and just buy stock exhaust for the 899 to replace my Akra. But apparently Akras with baffles in are same, if not quieter than the stock can. Anyone here can vouch for this? Also since my bike only has akra slip on, is there anything else between the engine and exhaust end that could’ve been altered that would increase noise? I’m guessing the only thing is the catalytic converters which came off with the stock exhaust
My 899 with the standard exhaust was plenty loud, and because of that I never felt the need to change to a brand like termignoni or akropovic purely for vanity’s sake. I have, however, changed the full system to Termis on my old Diavel (original sound was like it had a marble rolling around in the cat), my old Scrambler Sport (this was vanity, but the Termis changed the whole performance and handling) and my new Scrambler (same reason - and I’ve had it upmapped and dyno’d this past week and added 7 bhp at the back wheel ) I’ve not tampered with the Bayliss as the exhaust is plenty loud as standard
I recently had a Medical for work purposes, on the hearing test it was almost a fail, Dr suggested a proper hearing test. Moderate to severe loss of hearing, according to GP, umm. set of hearing aids collected a few weeks ago. Ive been out on my V4S with Akra silencers this afternoon with the hearing aids in rather than ear plugs. its fecking loud with out the DB killers in
Thats rough, you're not old!. Did the GP give you any suggestions as to why your hearing loss is severe? I hope the hearing aids work for you mate.
