2010 GSA Exhaust Noise

[Dainese Brave]

Now I will admit that I've never been one for after-market exhausts...or the pursuit of a 'throatier' sound...on any of the bikes I've ever owned.

And to be honest I like the pitch of my 06 GSA, with its growl under throttle, and over-run mis-fire.

...but having test-ridden the new engined 2010 GSA the other week, the one thing that puts me off it (that and the speedo design which i found hard to read) is the noisy exhaust.

I rode firstly without ear plugs, and although it didn't seem too bad, it was noticably noiser than mine. When I put my ear plugs in there didn't seem a problem.

My point is that it is just on the verge of being too noisy. I know that's my personal viewpoint, many will love it, as the healthy after-market exhaust sales prove.

But everyone who I showed the bike to all said "it's bloody loud!"

That has actually put me off.

You can always hear when I'm taking the bike out of the garage, and I always think it sounds great......but I'd hate to take it out and have all the neighbours turn and stare with that " what the f...! bloody noisy biker" look.

Am I alone in my objections to the noisy new exhaust?

 

[Giles]

Ummmmmm, I'm sitting on the fence on this one. It is quite rorty, and I can see that it could really get on yer tits if you've been on it all day and you didn't wear ear plugs. Personally, I think its just about right - bit of character, gives the bike a bit of spunk, without being too over the top.
I'm guessing you've not ridden 600 sports bikes! If you want to get the best out of an R6 / Zx6 ... etc, even with a standard can on, you will make it scream!! And the bike will love it - its designed to do it; over 11,000 and they come alive. But yeah, my toes used to curl sometimes doing it .
I have a diesel car and am very conscious about leaving it running while the window defrosts or whatever, so I understand your thinking re your neighbours.

 

[Dainese Brave]

Ummmmmm, I'm sitting on the fence on this one. It is quite rorty, and I can see that it could really get on yer tits if you've been on it all day and you didn't wear ear plugs. Personally, I think its just about right - bit of character, gives the bike a bit of spunk, without being too over the top.
I'm guessing you've not ridden 600 sports bikes! If you want to get the best out of an R6 / Zx6 ... etc, even with a standard can on, you will make it scream!! And the bike will love it - its designed to do it; over 11,000 and they come alive. But yeah, my toes used to curl sometimes doing it .
I have a diesel car and am very conscious about leaving it running while the window defrosts or whatever, so I understand your thinking re your neighbours.

I've only had one 600 sports bike, and that was a while ago, been mainly 1000cc sports bikes and tourers since then.

I'm not adverse to a 'roar' of the exhaust at speed, or when thrashed...except for the high pitched scream that can be heard for miles from some after-market cans on some bikes/sports bikes( I honestly think this does more harm to motorcycling than good)..

..it's just that the new engine is so loud when just sitting there on tick-over.

And it is definately more 'noticable', or more noticed, when I rode it through some towns and built up areas.

I think if anything, it is the one thing that I would regret if I traded up.

 

[Giles]

Don't you think its giving the bike a slightly gruffer image though? BM's have historically been labeled an old duffers bike, and I reckon BM have probably altered the exhaust to target this very issue. Good for them! Its refreshing to see them reflect on their place in the market and look at ways of re inventing themselves and keeping their bikes alive and kicking. Bloody good job at their first proper sports bike too!

 

[Dainese Brave]

Don't you think its giving the bike a slightly gruffer image though? BM's have historically been labeled an old duffers bike, and I reckon BM have probably altered the exhaust to target this very issue. Good for them! Its refreshing to see them reflect on their place in the market and look at ways of re inventing themselves and keeping their bikes alive and kicking. Bloody good job at their first proper sports bike too!

Although I'd have to agree with you, with the image BMW used to hold (...I even used to say myself that I'd never own one!), I don't think the GSA, or the GS, have really been labelled with the same stigma.
Perhaps it was the start of the new era for BMW?

I just don't think the GSA really needed to be louder to be honest.

As for the 1000RR.....I totally agree....BMW really deserve plaudits for producing a sports bike of such beauty (unusual for BMW!), and such high performance, almost at the first attempt (forgetting the K1, those old enough to remember)...if I had the money, and wanted a sports bike, I'd buy one no messing.

I think Honda/Kawasaki/Suzuki/Yamaha will lose a lot of sales to the 1000RR this year...and bring another type of buyer to their dealerships. They deserve applauding for their efforts and achievments

 

[Yonkyo]

Am I alone in my objections to the noisy new exhaust?

Yes

No, but personally, I like to hear the exhaust note. Not mega loud though.

1. GS + De-cat header and Akra/Remus end can with no baffle = Mega loud
2. GS + De-cat header and Akra/Remus end can with baffle = Still a bit to loud for me.
3. GS + De-cat header and standard end can = Just right.
4. GS + Standard exhaust = is the engine running?

I’m currently running with no. 3, and to my ears, my bike sounds very similar to the 2010 GSA that I tested recently.

 

[Dainese Brave]

Yes

No, but personally, I like to hear the exhaust note. Not mega loud though.

1. GS + De-cat header and Akra/Remus end can with no baffle = Mega loud
2. GS + De-cat header and Akra/Remus end can with baffle = Still a bit to loud for me.
3. GS + De-cat header and standard end can = Just right.
4. GS + Standard exhaust = is the engine running?

I’m currently running with no. 3, and to my ears, my bike sounds very similar to the 2010 GSA that I tested recently.

I realise Yonkyo, that the exhaust note is a personal preference...that's why loads of bikers change the exhausts to get what they prefer.

I'm not saying that it is mega loud...just a little too loud...and wondered over the overall of potential buyers was it thought as a plus point or a negative.

As for not hearing the GSA/GS with a standard exhaust when it's running???.......

.......if you can't hear the pleasant 'thump thump' of the engine, surely you must have noticed all the rattles and clanging coming from it?

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

I'll admit I've not heard a 2010 GS but is it something that the right wrist can control?

I run a full BOS system and if I give it plenty of throttle it is reasonably loud (but not overly loud IMO). However, when bimbling though built up areas, I don't consider it to be loud at all. A different 'note' to stock, yes, but not loud. I've never noticed anybody look around to see what the noise was [1].

I'd be surprised if the stock WBM system was louder than any aftermarket one.

Andres

[1] Unlike my Husky, now that IS loud............................

 

[snerkler]

Yes it is a personal thing, but I like the sound of my 2010 GSA. I had the Tiger 1050 before and that was as quiet as a mouse, and I was a bit disappointed. Yes the actual sound of the triple is gorgeous, but it was far too muted. I expect some noise with motorbikes, and I think the noise of the GSA fits it perfectly. After all it is a beast of a machine and imo should sound a bit beastly.

Also, I feel a touch safer when commuting as I think the extra noise gives some drivers an extra clue that I'm on the road. I'm not saying it's 'right' but I've spoken to a lot of people who often hear bikes before they see them when they're driving, so if more drivers can hear me then great

As for the neighours thing, I must admit I'm a little paranoid about the noise, plus my car is a Scooby and that makes a lot of noise too. I just try not to leave them running any longer than necessary. And besides I have to put up with neighbours kids playing making lots of noise so it's nice to give a bit of payback

 

[Dainese Brave]

The exhaust is noisy from tick-over Outtomunch, so not just a control of the wrist option.

As for the noise adding to the road presence.....

....I can honestly say I've never been on a bike with such road presence....I'm sure that most drivers think it's a copper coming up behind them! So again I don't think added noise was a requirement.

And if a driver doesn't see a GSA coming up in their mirror, I can't see some extra decibels distracting him from their texting/i-Pod/lunch etc

 

[LBL]

exhaust note

Yes

No, but personally, I like to hear the exhaust note. Not mega loud though.

1. GS + De-cat header and Akra/Remus end can with no baffle = Mega loud
2. GS + De-cat header and Akra/Remus end can with baffle = Still a bit to loud for me.
3. GS + De-cat header and standard end can = Just right.
4. GS + Standard exhaust = is the engine running?

I’m currently running with no. 3, and to my ears, my bike sounds very similar to the 2010 GSA that I tested recently.

Number two for me is just about right, ive always had end cans on my bikes its normally just for the look and a better tone, my last two bikes i have cut the length of the baffle down to suit the noise i like best.

Without the baffles just gives me a headache on a long run.

It would be interesting to see exactly where the new "control box" thingy on the new GSA is, would it be removed with a new end can

 

[Dainese Brave]

It would be interesting to see exactly where the new "control box" thingy on the new GSA is, would it be removed with a new end can

It's on the feeder pipe, just before the (restyled) heat shield just before the end can....so I'm thinking it wouldn't be removed with an end can change.....but it does seem like it is in the perfect place to be knocked/kicked/covered full of crud!

I think I might arrange a second test ride...to see if I could live with the extra decibels.

 

[snerkler]

And if a driver doesn't see a GSA coming up in their mirror, I can't see some extra decibels distracting him from their texting/i-Pod/lunch etc

Probably not if they're 'one of those' people

But I do stand by what I said. I treat a lot of patients throughout the day and most know that I'm a biker and inevitably get onto the topic of bikes, and it is very scary how many say they didn't know a bike was there until they heard it and then looked in the mirrors to see where it's coming from.

So despite what some articles say that noisy exhausts don't make drivers more aware of bikes on the road, from my own little 'survey' I tend to believe they do. Obviously I'm would never rely on this fact, and nothing can compensate for good road awareness, road positioning etc, but as a certain supermarket says "every little helps"

 

[APE]

I think it's great - saves having to spend £3 - 500 on an aftermarket can - similar idea i understand to what Porsche have done with their 'legal' sports exhaust on the 911 - which also sounds great.

Standard exhaust makes the bike sound like a sewing machine.

 

[APE]

btw will have a BMW supplied 1 year old titanium akro exhaust for sale in about 3 weeks time when I pick up my new bike if anyone is interested

 

[Balders1450]

You thinks it's noisey!!!!!

After 10 years of riding Harleys with straight through pipes...noisey it ain't!!
I used to set off car alarms, yeah it was silly and immature, but I was 45 at the time and if the neighbours complain...The Bee Joke comes to mind.....

First Bee keeper,
"How many bees do you keep?"
"I've got 3 hives, in all I've got around 50,000 bees" answered his colleague.
"So how many bees have you got?" the second beekeeper inquires.
"Oh, about three million or so"
"Three Million?! How many hives do you have?"
"Just the one"
"You've got a three million bees in one hive?"
"Yeah. F**k 'em, they're only bees"

 

[MIKE R]

....but it does seem like it is in the perfect place to be knocked/kicked/covered full of crud!

When you're on the move it seems to be protected by the centre and side stands as well as the pipe itself. Having said that, I bet the after market firms will soon have a cover on the market at a silly price.

Mike

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

I guess it could always be disconnected if you don't like the noise

Andres

 

[Giles]

So Snerkler's got a scooby????


Ummmmmm, got his number ........ !!

 

[snerkler]

So Snerkler's got a scooby????


Ummmmmm, got his number ........ !!