Exhaust noise

[jomamma1]

I don't follow this forum too often because my wife is the Spyder owner in the family. This may have already been covered (and probably better than I can). Due to health reasons, my wife has not been able to ride her 2011 RT for several weeks. As I was getting ready to ride my wing to work this morning it dawned on me that we use ethanol gas, her Spyder has been setting unused, and that the 2 facts are not good.

I decided to go ahead and ride her Spyder to work. It is only about a 30 mile round trip, but I plan on doing it once a week to keep her ride in good health. Now I have ridden her current Spyder before and also her previous sport model Spyder. Although I prefer my wing, and can see a time in the future when I may have to go to a 3 wheeler because of my age, and unless something much better comes along my choice would be a Spyder.

Well, I geared up and loaded my "stuff" into the Spyder, set the radio for my favorite station, and set off down the road. Besides the obvious differences between a 2 wheel and 3 wheel conveyance, something was nagging at me that I hadn't really noticed before. Another mile or so down the lane and it finally dawned on me what the difference was. Noise! I'm used to the mild purr of my 2005 wing. The Spyder RT is darn noisey for a turning bike. Now most people on this forum and other forums are looking for louder less restrictive exhaust systems. Has anyone looked into a "quieter" exhaust system? Is it possible to go quieter with out affecting performance negatively?

Joe in Modesto

 

[NancysToy]

No quieter system is available, as far as I know. The Spyder is louder than average, at least mine is. Besides the Wing, it is louder than my BMW, too.

Under the circumstances, I'd put some Stabil (perferably the marine version) or some Seafoam in tank at each fill, to compensate for the ethanol, and stabilze the fuel. The riding is the best, though...good plan. I hope your wife recovers well enough to get back in the saddle soon.

 

[1551retired]

No quieter system is available, as far as I know. The Spyder is louder than average, at least mine is. Besides the Wing, it is louder than my BMW, too.

Under the circumstances, I'd put some Stabil (perferably the marine version) or some Seafoam in tank at each fill, to compensate for the ethanol, and stabilze the fuel. The riding is the best, though...good plan. I hope your wife recovers well enough to get back in the saddle soon.

Just went to the Sta Bil website and see where they now have a new Ethanol Treatment. Anyone tried it?

 

[jomamma1]

Thanks Nancystoy,
She should be back to riding in a few weeks, but then again, she is mostly only a warm weather rider.

I am using Seafoam now, but I have a 250 Honda Rebel that sat with a full tank of gas with a healthy dose of Seafoam for about 9 months, and now it won't start. I don't want to take any chances with the Spyder.

1551retired,
I have seen the new Stabil product in the auto stores, but have not tied it. It is funny, I have a power washer with a Honda engine that has set for a little over a year with a quarter tank of gas. I tried it yesterday, and it started after about 11 pulls on the starter rope.

Joe in Modesto

 

[Gordy]

I have a 2010 rts and it seems to be geting noisyer, the front stabilyser bar on the engine was reworked at the dealer but I am wondering if the motor mounts are grounding because noise seems to be coming from the front.Am going to remove the frunk in the spring and check any thing that could be grounding.If I lean back in the seat far enough noise does not seem to be there

 

[NancysToy]

Thanks Nancystoy,
She should be back to riding in a few weeks, but then again, she is mostly only a warm weather rider.

I am using Seafoam now, but I have a 250 Honda Rebel that sat with a full tank of gas with a healthy dose of Seafoam for about 9 months, and now it won't start. I don't want to take any chances with the Spyder.

1551retired,
I have seen the new Stabil product in the auto stores, but have not tied it. It is funny, I have a power washer with a Honda engine that has set for a little over a year with a quarter tank of gas. I tried it yesterday, and it started after about 11 pulls on the starter rope.

Joe in Modesto

I have used both in the past. There used to be some difficulties with Stabil, too, but since they changed the formula it seems to last and work real well. I am on my first batch of the ethanol (marine) version, so I have nothing to report there yet, but friends have recommended it, and I am trying it in a couple of vehicles. I have used the newer formulation, regular version of Stabil for several years in my vintage bikes, and they start and run fine after as much as two years of storage. I put it in all of my vintage bikes, winterize the BMW, Spyders, and vintage cars with it, and run it in the lawnmowers and other power equipment year-round.

 

[boborgera]

I have a 2010 rts and it seems to be geting noisyer, the front stabilyser bar on the engine was reworked at the dealer but I am wondering if the motor mounts are grounding because noise seems to be coming from the front.Am going to remove the frunk in the spring and check any thing that could be grounding.If I lean back in the seat far enough noise does not seem to be there

The Spyder has an inherently noisy engine, The stock pipes are relatively quiet, If its not the motor mounts and the noise is getting louder i would suspect its your Y gaskets wearing out. :dontknow:

 

[Gordy]

The Spyder has an inherently noisy engine, The stock pipes are relatively quiet, If its not the motor mounts and the noise is getting louder i would suspect its your Y gaskets wearing out. :dontknow:

will find out in the spring weather in cold here and garage isnt heated

 

[PCBeachBum]

I'm on my third bottle of Stabil marine formula and noticed a difference as my Spyder starts right up and seems to run smoother. I have used it in my truck and boat with the same results and after seeing enough rusted out gas tanks, I'm going to keep using it on every fill up.

I know there were reports that many gas stations were getting E15 and they are not required to change the E10 on the pumps. I also know that marine engines have not been tested as to what effects ethanol has on them. So rather than ruin an expensive engine, I'll keep using Stabil. I have used ValvTect in my boat for a few years, that is also an ethanol treatment and the Stabil marine formula is better IMHO.

 

[Tonga]

I to think the Spyder engine is noisy but the is because of design, a big bore twin, well not big enough for me but I am talking this VTwin. It would be better with a V4 and smoother to boot. I hope BRP are working on one as I type this message!!

 

[Lamonster]

I think you'll find that the intake is the source of most of the "noise" of the RT. I hear my intake way before I hear my pipe. If you really want to freakout try riding it with no skins on it. :yikes:

I'm pretty happy with the noise level on the Rt compared to my RS with the Kewlmetal intake nojoke