Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: connie14boy on May 10, 2012, 12:52:43 PM

Title: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: connie14boy on May 10, 2012, 12:52:43 PM
The stock bazooka muffler is so quiet I can't hear the engine at all. Is there a way to take out some of the silencing materials or baffles w/o changing the tune or re-flashing the ECU? I just need a little more engine symphony if ya know what I mean...
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: gPink on May 10, 2012, 01:22:12 PM
There are some who have modified the stock muffler with varying degrees of success. You should be able to use an aftermarket slipon without needing fueling modification if that's all you do.
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: W14 on May 10, 2012, 01:35:00 PM
+1, add aftermarket slipon.
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: Conrad on May 10, 2012, 01:37:46 PM
Some guys have shortened the stock can for a lil more gusto. It's still butt ugly IMO.

Get you an Area P slip on, no engine tuning required. At idle it's a bit louder than stock. At cruising speed it's about the same. When you get on it, it sings a VERY sweet song.    8)

http://www.areapnolimits.com/products/Slip-On-Exhaust-Kawasaki-Concours-14-2008.php (http://www.areapnolimits.com/products/Slip-On-Exhaust-Kawasaki-Concours-14-2008.php)
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: Kawi Ken on May 10, 2012, 05:06:18 PM
The area p stainless slip on seems reasonable priced and comparable to stock. Yet better looking.
Is this" lean" comment on their site anything to be concerned with ? -

 Slip-On - Power increase starts immediately from 2500 rpm and carries through peak at 9250 rpm. Very linear. Increase was 5.62 horsepower and 4.68 foot pound torque. The chart shows runs with the 18" muffler/2.0" core. The stock fuel curve was slightly lean in spots up to about 8000 rpm, then rich on top end.  Although not required, It may benefit with the addition of a PC3/V.
 
Especially if a more efficent air filter also added ?
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: XHarleyRider on May 10, 2012, 05:18:52 PM
I bought my Area P slightly used on this site for $285.  It looks
and sounds great.....not loud at all unless your really reving it. 
I have about 20k on it with no PC and OEM air filter.
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: gPink on May 10, 2012, 05:21:33 PM
Passing through lean spots in the rpm range is not going to hurt. Extended use in a lean condition will of course damage an engine but other than flat road cruising you are seldom flat lined at a given rpm.  Air filter discussions are kind of like oil or tire threads, lots of data interpreted many different ways. The stock air filter presumably flows very well and there is no immediate reason to change. I like the ability to clean and reuse the K&N and BMC filters rather than have to replace.
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: maxtog on May 10, 2012, 05:53:54 PM
The stock bazooka muffler is so quiet I can't hear the engine at all.

Maybe you have damaged your hearing with loud exhausts?  ;)
I can hear mine just fine.  Sounds like a bike should be, to me....  smooth and non-annoying.   Yes, I know that is not for everyone.
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: Pokey on May 10, 2012, 10:26:45 PM
Mine runs better than ever with my Area P, no lean spots at all. And it actually emits a nice pleasant tone unlike Maxtog's ride.
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: lt1 on May 10, 2012, 11:39:59 PM
Maybe you have damaged your hearing with loud exhausts?  ;)
I can hear mine just fine.  Sounds like a bike should be, to me....  smooth and non-annoying.   Yes, I know that is not for everyone.
It's also possible that the OP hasn't figured out how to start the engine because of KiPass.  LOL

I prefer quieter exhausts, and am happy with the stock muffler.  It is very easy to hear, especially at WOT.  I used to think that "loud pipes save lives" was a Harley/cruiser thing, but experience has proven that lots of people seem to hold to the doctrine, even if they don't preach it in those words.

Loud pipes get old real fast, and I'm old enough already.
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: W14 on May 11, 2012, 04:36:06 AM
Whether one likes a loud pipe or not is a personal preference. Some like them loud, others do not. I personally like to hear the full sound of the engine, like a deep growl, which means an after-market muffler. This issue has been debated fully on this site, and there is no consensus regarding sound nor a specific after-market muffler. My suggestion is that you do a search of  "Battle of the Cans." Then, decide what is best for you.
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: Conrad on May 11, 2012, 05:34:48 AM
It's also possible that the OP hasn't figured out how to start the engine because of KiPass.  LOL

I prefer quieter exhausts, and am happy with the stock muffler.  It is very easy to hear, especially at WOT.  I used to think that "loud pipes save lives" was a Harley/cruiser thing, but experience has proven that lots of people seem to hold to the doctrine, even if they don't preach it in those words.

Loud pipes get old real fast, and I'm old enough already.

Thanks for sharing your opinion about the "loud pipes save lives" issue Clyde. I can assure you that I do not subscribe to that doctrine. That's what I like about the Area P. If I ride and keep my wrist in check, the Area P is about the same as the ugly stocker, sound wise. But sometimes I just want to let her rip and when I do, I want to hear Connie sing. I never do this in traffic FYI. 
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: Gumby on May 11, 2012, 05:48:21 AM
Mine runs better than ever with my Area P, no lean spots at all. And it actually emits a nice pleasant tone unlike Maxtog's ride.
:goodpost:

I really like my Area P slip-on, I find I can turn some heads if I want to.
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: So Cal Joe on May 11, 2012, 07:32:40 AM
Depends on the kind of riding your doing. If your out for a short day ride a LITTLE rumble might be fine, If your on a vacation and on the bike for several hours over several days I like quiet. I listen to music and have a CB to communicate with other bikes, loud pipes, after a while get annoying, at least to me.
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: Conrad on May 11, 2012, 08:38:26 AM
Depends on the kind of riding your doing. If your out for a short day ride a LITTLE rumble might be fine, If your on a vacation and on the bike for several hours over several days I like quiet. I listen to music and have a CB to communicate with other bikes, loud pipes, after a while get annoying, at least to me.

As I said, the Area P is about the same as the stocker duing normal 'crusing' or on the highway. It's when you get on it that you hear the difference. See the numbers below from Area P's site.

           Idle            5000rpm
 
Stock   77-78 dbA    92-93 dbA
 
Slip-On 83-84 dbA    92-93 dbA
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: Mister Tee on May 11, 2012, 08:56:57 AM
I like quiet exhausts.  And I can hear my engine just fine when I rev it up over the entire RPM band.
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: Jack Daniels on May 11, 2012, 11:17:52 AM
I like moderately loud exhausts.  I love the look and sound of my CS One.  8)

The factory muffler is huge and U-G-L-Y.   ;D
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: rtarp1 on May 11, 2012, 11:31:07 AM
vance and hines CS 1 looks and sounds the best.
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: VirginiaJim on May 11, 2012, 06:14:54 PM
My Area P only sounds loud in the garage.  So I stopped riding in there.
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: ZG on May 11, 2012, 06:16:01 PM
My Area P only sounds loud in the garage.  So I stopped riding in there.

 :rotflmao:
 
Sparky is a wise man!  :thumbs: :hail:
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: BanditDude on May 11, 2012, 07:14:28 PM

 :rotflmao:
 
Sparky is a wise man!  :thumbs: :hail:

I agree completely.  Frankly, my Area-P full system is very subdued at highway speeds.  Much quieter than the full Hindle (pre-Brock) system on my previous steed.  I'm a big fan of their systems.  :thumbs:
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: ZG on May 11, 2012, 07:21:26 PM
My Area P only sounds loud in the garage.  So I stopped riding in there.

 :rotflmao:
 
Sparky is a wise man!  :thumbs: :hail:
I agree completely.  Frankly, my Area-P full system is very subdued at highway speeds.  Much quieter than the full Hindle (pre-Brock) system on my previous steed.  I'm a big fan of their systems.  :thumbs:

Actually I was referring to the not riding in the garage comment... (http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/facepalm.gif)
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: Pokey on May 11, 2012, 07:40:41 PM
vance and hines CS 1 looks and sounds the best.


Ummmmmm........NO.
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: rtarp1 on May 12, 2012, 07:43:17 AM
area p is ugly. 

this ugly thing ?

http://www.areapnolimits.com/images/10rextreme_halfside.jpg (http://www.areapnolimits.com/images/10rextreme_halfside.jpg)

or this gorgeous thing.

http://www.vanceandhines.com/store/sport/kawasaki/43511 (http://www.vanceandhines.com/store/sport/kawasaki/43511)

Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: katata1100 on May 12, 2012, 09:21:00 AM
I like quiet exhausts.  And I can hear my engine just fine when I rev it up over the entire RPM band.
I need quiet as I have a blutooth helmet and when I am on the highway, don't want to have turn up the volume to dangerous levels to listen to Pandora.
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: Conrad on May 12, 2012, 07:16:04 PM
I need quiet as I have a blutooth helmet and when I am on the highway, don't want to have turn up the volume to dangerous levels to listen to Pandora.

Did you not see all the coments about how the Area P is about the same as the stocker at cruising speeds? At 5k both the stocker and the Area P are the same. The loud doesn't come out of the Area P till you really give your wrist a good twist and whined them gears out a bit. From 6 to 9k it sounds VERY nice to me.
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: feelergaugephil on May 12, 2012, 08:13:46 PM
2 brothers slip on for me, stocker is a huge paper weight in my shop!
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: SANDPSYCHO on May 12, 2012, 11:03:28 PM
The longer I own the bike the uglier the stock muffler looks. I almost can't see anything but that when I look at the bike anymore. It has to be the ugliest most disproportionate thing ever stuck on a motorcycle. I have no complaint with regard to sound or performance, making it very difficult to drop 400 plus on something just for looks.  Maybe I'll get lucky and it will fall off make a replacement a needed purchase.
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: ZG on May 12, 2012, 11:38:28 PM
The longer I own the bike the uglier the stock muffler looks. I almost can't see anything but that when I look at the bike anymore. It has to be the ugliest most disproportionate thing ever stuck on a motorcycle. I have no complaint with regard to sound or performance, making it very difficult to drop 400 plus on something just for looks.  Maybe I'll get lucky and it will fall off make a replacement a needed purchase.

 :goodpost:
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: W14 on May 13, 2012, 04:23:44 AM
An after market muffler will not only improve the looks but also increase the "WOW" factor
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: maxtog on May 13, 2012, 06:06:07 AM
An after market muffler will not only improve the looks but also increase the "WOW" factor

"Wow" factor?  Yeah- "Wow, it looks and/or sounds different"...
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: Conrad on May 13, 2012, 06:15:49 AM
"Wow" factor?  Yeah- "Wow, it looks and/or sounds different"...

It's more like, "Wow, why didn't I change out that big ole POS a long time ago?"    :o
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: W14 on May 13, 2012, 06:44:16 AM
"WOW" like, it looks great and sounds like a motorcycle instead of a scooter.
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: maxtog on May 13, 2012, 07:12:10 AM
It's more like, "Wow, why didn't I change out that big ole POS a long time ago?"    :o

LOL :)

Well, it wouldn't be YAMT (Yet ANOTHER Muffler Thread) without me saying I *like* the stock muffler.
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: rtarp1 on May 13, 2012, 09:00:38 AM
i threw a brand new 2011 stock muffler in the  dumpster!  piece of ****.
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: Pokey on May 13, 2012, 09:56:31 AM
i threw a brand new 2011 stock muffler in the  dumpster!  piece of ****.


Should have sent it to Maxtog.
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: Axxman on May 13, 2012, 10:05:00 AM

Should have sent it to Maxtog.

+1 :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

What is his address? He can have mine too. Then his bike can be twice as quiet.  ;D
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: Canada44 on May 13, 2012, 10:11:29 AM


Approximately how much weight is lost by replacing the stock muffler?

thanks
C44
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: rtarp1 on May 13, 2012, 02:12:50 PM
feels all of 25 pounds.
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: texrider on May 13, 2012, 04:37:47 PM
Dealers around here really go extra low-ball on bikes without stock exhaust, so I always keep the originals in case I want to trade. Out-right sale is another matter.
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: maxtog on May 13, 2012, 04:53:35 PM
Should have sent it to Maxtog.

I already have one!
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: maxtog on May 13, 2012, 04:54:38 PM
feels all of 25 pounds.

"Feel" doesn't matter.  I can guarantee the difference is much less than 25 pounds.
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: Pokey on May 13, 2012, 05:26:18 PM
"Feel" doesn't matter.  I can guarantee the difference is much less than 25 pounds.


And your bike is still ugly regardless. ;)
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: maxtog on May 13, 2012, 05:39:55 PM

And your bike is still ugly regardless. ;)

Hey- them's fight'n words!!!  I will hit you with my bazooka, and I bet you will feel THAT better than some wimpy aftermarket one :)
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: VirginiaJim on May 13, 2012, 08:03:13 PM
I'm first before you..... ;)
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: wally_games on May 13, 2012, 08:08:59 PM
Sold my '11 stock exhaust for $100 to an owner of an '09 because mine looked better than his.

I believe that the weight savings was about 13# when I installed the Leo Vince, if I remember correctly.
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: texrider on May 13, 2012, 08:14:36 PM
Sold my '11 stock exhaust for $100 to an owner of an '09 because mine looked better than his.

I believe that the weight savings was about 13# when I installed the Leo Vince, if I remember correctly.

And it does look fine on my '09!  ;)
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: wally_games on May 13, 2012, 08:16:55 PM
And it does look fine on my '09!  ;)

You're welcome!  8)
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: W14 on May 14, 2012, 04:49:11 AM
Whatever the weight savings, after installing the after market muffler, I did not notice any difference in the handling or performance of the bike..maybe the latter is not entirely correct, as my gas mileage has gone down a bit because I twist the throttle more to get the pleasure from the sound - above 6k rpm on acceleration is nothing but pure delight. 
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: Conrad on May 14, 2012, 05:08:34 AM
Whatever the weight savings, after installing the after market muffler, I did not notice any difference in the handling or performance of the bike..maybe the latter is not entirely correct, as my gas mileage has gone down a bit because I twist the throttle more to get the pleasure from the sound - above 6k rpm on acceleration is nothing but pure delight.

A BIG +1!!!

Area P's website says that you lose 14lbs going to their slip-on from the stocker.
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: lt1 on May 14, 2012, 08:06:57 AM
After considering just how slow, ugly and awful-sounding my C14 is with its stock muffler, I am too ashamed to even ride it anymore. 


Not.
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: Conrad on May 14, 2012, 08:39:07 AM
That's the spirit Clyde!
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: gPink on May 14, 2012, 08:45:30 AM
If I didn't know better I'd guess he had a black bike.
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: Conrad on May 14, 2012, 08:55:39 AM
If I didn't know better I'd guess he had a black bike.

 :rotflmao:
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: Gumby on May 14, 2012, 10:32:12 AM
If I didn't know better I'd guess he had a black bike.

That $&i% ain't funny!!!!
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: Jack Daniels on May 14, 2012, 10:38:06 AM
Area P looks like it needs a little Viagra.  ;D


area p is ugly. 

this ugly thing ?

http://www.areapnolimits.com/images/10rextreme_halfside.jpg (http://www.areapnolimits.com/images/10rextreme_halfside.jpg)

or this gorgeous thing.

http://www.vanceandhines.com/store/sport/kawasaki/43511 (http://www.vanceandhines.com/store/sport/kawasaki/43511)
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: Conrad on May 14, 2012, 11:43:50 AM
Area P looks like it needs a little Viagra.  ;D

Can envy? I think that you've been looking at the stock can too long is all.
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: Jack Daniels on May 14, 2012, 12:58:27 PM
Can envy? I think that you've been looking at the stock can too long is all.

Stock can is up in the attic over my garage.  I'm talking about the droop.  :D
Title: Re: Stock "socially responsible" muffler too quiet.
Post by: Conrad on May 14, 2012, 01:19:02 PM
Stock can is up in the attic over my garage.  I'm talking about the droop.  :D

She straightens right up above 6k.    ;)