Exhaust pipes: What are the expected performance perks?

[Anonymous]

What exactly does a Stage 1 do to the carbs? How many stages can one go "up"?

The stages refer to the level of intake system modifications;

Stage 1 - new main jets, new needles, maybe new pilot jets (depending on the kit), air screw adjustments. Meant to work with the stock airbox and filter, mainly corrects the factory lean settings required to clear emissions rules. Can be used with the stock pipe or an aftermarket one.

Stage 3 - new main jets, new needles, new pilot jets, air screw adjustments. Used with individual pod filters or open velocity stacks. Used to alter carb settings to work with the much higher airflow of the individual filters. Meant to be combined with an aftermarket pipe to maximize airflow gains and improve performance.

Mark

Mark...typically speaking, what does having a mechanic do a stage 1 upgrade cost?

Thanks
Rudi

[Anonymous]

Just a note on the pro pipe. There is a baffel called a competition baffel which can be installed in the negaphone((one bolt) It can be used with or without fiberglass . it deepens the tone to a very tollerable point and also restricts enough to make normal lower rpm torque. The problem is that it is so obvious. the pipe definitely is not for someone who enjoys doing twisties. I never drag the pipe but i never race in corners either. and my bike is lowered 2 inches

Which "Pro" pipe are you talking about, Scotty? The Standard Pro...or the Competition Pro? :-)

Rudi

[KGB]

Rudi,
All of these pipes will be louder.
The Pro and comp pipes will be very loud.
I just ordered a V&H 4>1 for my 1000. They sent me a defective one......
anyway it states, again for a 1000, to increase the main jet size.

So you may need to re-jet the carbs. No big deal, if you don't feel comfortable doing it any competent mechanic can do it.

A 4>1 pipe will increase mid range and top end power.

[KGB]

Rudi,
Look in the for sale section cbxchris listed a Kerker for an 1150
Not sure if it will fit, but take alook

[Anonymous]

I went through with it. I got the VH megaphone, stage one jet kit and K&N drop in filter on my GS750T.

The megaphone is louder than stock but it sounds very good and isn't overwhelming. I have noticed more midrange power and response. Response maybe partly because the carbs were in desperate need of a rebuild. Anyway, these mods have woke my bike up alot and I am very happy.

BTW, those stock pipes are a load....probably around 50lbs.

[Anonymous]

Rudi,
All of these pipes will be louder.
The Pro and comp pipes will be very loud.
I just ordered a V&H 4>1 for my 1000. They sent me a defective one......
anyway it states, again for a 1000, to increase the main jet size.

So you may need to re-jet the carbs. No big deal, if you don't feel comfortable doing it any competent mechanic can do it.

A 4>1 pipe will increase mid range and top end power.

Is there a way to make the Street Megaphone more quiet? I'm not looking for unrealistic results...but don't want to sound like a Harley either...

[Anonymous]

Mark...typically speaking, what does having a mechanic do a stage 1 upgrade cost?

I really don't know, as I've never had one done by a mechanic. I know I can do it in one afternoon without really rushing anything. Figure on 2-3 hours of labor plus the cost of the kit. I hate trusting anything on my bike to a shop, since I have heard too many horror stories. The entire bike industry seems to have a different ethic than the auto industry, so I get a manual and do as much as I can. It is not that hard to do a stage 1 kit and you get the satisfaction of having done it yourself...

Is there a way to make the Street Megaphone more quiet? I'm not looking for unrealistic results...but don't want to sound like a Harley either...

I can't imagine the street megaphone is that loud. And I am not a fan of really loud bikes (must be getting old or something 8O ). No matter what you do to your bike it will NEVER sound like a Harley.

Seriously, Harley's get that obnoxious blatting sound (described to me once as sounding like a Briggs & Stratton with a fouled plug ) because they have big cylinders (big pops from each exhaust pulse) and the uneven firing order of the 45deg twin arrangement. Because your GS is a four, it has smaller cylinders and an even firing arrangement, so it will never be that bad. Most pipes are prett tame if you keep the revs down going through your neighbourhood, then after that it should be no problem.

Mark

[skip]

with the street baffle in the megaphone they are not that loud, with the comp baffle and all the fiberglass they are louder but tollerable with the comp baffle and no fiberglass they are loud but you would have to ask the guys who rode with me on the last new england ride (the one Jethro did} if it was too loud or not . ask keith he rode with me part way home.

[KGB]

with the street baffle in the megaphone they are not that loud, with the comp baffle and all the fiberglass they are louder but tollerable with the comp baffle and no fiberglass they are loud but you would have to ask the guys who rode with me on the last new england ride (the one Jethro did} if it was too loud or not . ask keith he rode with me part way home.

Naaaaahhhh

That was sweet music
As Brion said between the Kerker on mine and his, we had a great sound going.
It's not too loud, not like straight pipe. It does get louder as the motor comes "on the pipe"......but it's all behind me anyway

[Anonymous]

I just finished installing a V&H 4 into 1 street megaphone and a stage 1 dyno jet kit into my 82 GS1100GL. All I can say is the overall throttle response is very smooth and top end performance is better than expected. I think the sound from the exhaust is pretty mellow, I was afraid at first that it might be a bit too loud but after firing it up all doubts went away. I would say it sounds alot like my friends GSR 750 with stock exhaust ( and by the way I do have friends, and both of them still talk to me )

[Anonymous]

Alfa

If anyone offers you a alfa (4-1 with a tiny internal baffle at the end same diameter as the pipe) and your bothered about noise, pass on it.
Although my gs750 ran lovely and came on cam about 6k, and rev'd all the way through the red with it on, it did result in a engine note so loud my riding buddies couldnt hear their own engines above the wail when it came on cam. Small throttle openings were the order of the day when passing through towns or with lurking police near...
Never had to knock on anyones door at journeys end though