R1150 running without a silencer

[Demongroover]

I am considering the possibility of running without the silencer on my Rockster, in order to fit RT BMW System panniers without the exhaust cut out in the left pannier.
Now, I haven't removed the silencer yet to gauge how loud / offensive it is, so may not do it anyway.
Recommendations from another website state this is ok to do.

My questions to you guys are:

Will this adversely affect the performance?
Will it damage the engine / valves?
Do I need to adjust the fuelling with a Powercommander or similar, or will the Motronic cope?
Will there be any difference in MPG?

 

[DrFarkoff]

You may need a stubby to prevent the hot gases melting your panniers

And I think you need a different left side front pannier mount too

As to running the lamda probe sorts the mixture and unless you start ragging the beans out of it MPG should stay the same

Might be worth fitting a Booster Plug or Accelerator Module that fits in the air temp sensor It basically fools the ECU into thinking that its colder and enriches the mixture

It made a great difference to my 1200GS although I'd be going for a reprogram with Mr Hilltop if I could afford it!

 

[oblertone]

Absolutely ...

... no changes required other than fitting a 'stubby' or your Cat will fill up with water. Slightly noisier but will pass MoT with no advisories; some report an increase in mid range but I'm not sensitive enough

 

[Steptoe]

I am considering the possibility of running without the silencer on my Rockster, in order to fit RT BMW System panniers without the exhaust cut out in the left pannier.
Now, I haven't removed the silencer yet to gauge how loud / offensive it is, so may not do it anyway.
Recommendations from another website state this is ok to do.

My questions to you guys are:

Will this adversely affect the performance?
Will it damage the engine / valves?
Do I need to adjust the fuelling with a Powercommander or similar, or will the Motronic cope?
Will there be any difference in MPG?

Lots of GSers run with just a cat and no silencer, and have done for years. No problems whatsoever .

 

[Packer]

The cat is a stamped certified silencer, you don't need two. Mine is more flexible and torquey at low revs with just a cat and stubby, slightly better on fuel as well. Probably lost a bit of back pressure in the exhaust as well as some 7kgs of weight.

No engine problems whatsoever.

BMW probably only fitted the rear can because a focus group said they wouldn't buy a bike without a big shiny exhaust sticking up in the air and getting in the way of luggage.

 

[Demongroover]

Sweet! Thanks guys.

I'm a bit more trusting of the UKGSer community than I am to a US based forum, having been a member here for a while with 2x GS's.

Now to see what it sounds like before I take the plunge and order the panniers from Motorworks.
(unless anyone has a set of system panniers up for grabs???

Apparently the left pannier will just drop on the existing Rockster pannier rail. Happy days!

 

[Demongroover]

Just another question... what about running with a Y-piece and no silencer?

 

[DrFarkoff]

Just another question... what about running with a Y-piece and no silencer?

That'll last about 10 minutes ! Loud DAMN Loud and I only did it for test but reckoned it was a No No

Y piece and standard silencer works quite well Too

 

[Demongroover]

Hehe! My 'collector' is not the standard 'ribbed' cat, but is not the Y piece either, it is a flat stainless affair, about 8-10 inches wide. Does anyone else make cats / collectors for oil heads?

 

[Coolcarbon]

Apparently the left pannier will just drop on the existing Rockster pannier rail. Happy days!

You'll need to check the Lower mounting lug, that may be different.....

 

[Demongroover]

Well spotted CoolCarbon, it is 'kicked out' further than the offside.
Is there a replacement or do I need one from an RT?

 

[Coolcarbon]

Well spotted CoolCarbon, it is 'kicked out' further than the offside.
Is there a replacement or do I need one from an RT?

This is what I use on the GS...





Uses the exhaust bolt mount....

 

[MarkShelley]

If you look at my R1150R in the non GS for sale section you will see that it has the lower exhaust/big pannier modification. It is looking possible that the buyer of my bike may not want the panniers. If so they will become available. They have another bracket fitted to the pannier itself that lines up with the offset footrest hanger on the nearside. This means no unsightly lumps of non standard metal on show whan the panniers are not fitted. Let me know if you are interested.

 

[Demongroover]

If you look at my R1150R in the non GS for sale section you will see that it has the lower exhaust/big pannier modification. It is looking possible that the buyer of my bike may not want the panniers. If so they will become available. They have another bracket fitted to the pannier itself that lines up with the offset footrest hanger on the nearside. This means no unsightly lumps of non standard metal on show whan the panniers are not fitted. Let me know if you are interested.

I am interested.
PM with your price etc.

Not too far from me, I could run down and get them, floods and winds permitting!

 

[Demongroover]

How do you lower the standard silencer to accomodate the full size left pannier?

Your bike looks ok with that mod, Mark.

Might be the way to go as I think I have a straight through collector (basically a Y piece).