Exhaust Cutout

[ShinySideUp]

OK,OK, this is probably a totally crazy idea, but....

The other day I was splitting lanes behind a Harley and I envied how he could pull his clutch in, rev the engine, and (compared to a horn) gently have the cagers be aware of his presence. Lots of them moved over, and we both filtered through.

Ever tried that on our R12R? You rev the engine... nothing! Even YOU can't hear the exhaust!

So it occurred to me that an exhaust cutout might be a very handy thing to have. I did a little googling and found a variety of solutions. Two electric-operated versions for about $200 and a cable-operated manual version for about $40. Here's an electric version:

http://www.dmhperformance.com/ecutout.htm

Assuming I could find a way to fit something like this under the bike, does anyone know whether or not this would adversely affect the engine performance or longevity? I would be using it rarely (I really DO like the quiet ride) and only briefly, say about 15 minutes at a time to get through a line of stalled cars on the freeways. But I don't want to mess up something in my engine.

[eisen]

Ever tried that on our R12R? You rev the engine... nothing! Even YOU can't hear the exhaust!

Thats just not true. I rev my engine and i hear one of the finest sewing macine noises ever to come out of the fatherland


Actually - the cutout is a nice idea. I can't imagine that it will be an easy install on the bike, though.
But on more practical note, i would probably buy an akrapovic with removable baffles. The inserts are easy to remove (and put back in) and the bike sounds great. You may even gain a few horses as well...

[ShinySideUp]

Thats just not true. I rev my engine and i hear one of the finest sewing macine noises ever to come out of the fatherland

That kind of supports my original assertion: how many cagers move out of the way for the big, bad, sewing machine coming through?!!

I, too, don't think it will be an easy install, but hey, doncha like a good mechanical challenge every once in a while? Especially one of your choosing?

The after-market exhaust idea is a good one but suffers, for me, from 1) cost issues and 2) lack of ability to quickly switch from loud to quiet. I really do value the quiet and cherish the R12R purr almost all the time. Maybe if I were young enough to attract the attention of the young ladies walking along...

[def38]

Bad and potentially dangerous idea...you could set the bike on fire or at least do some heat damage to something on the bike. Also, modification of the exhaust system in this manner is likely a cause for denial of warranty and may constitute an illegal modification to the emission system on your motorcycle, a federal offense.

Use the horn and quit the H-D envy!

[NCGS]

What!.. A Beemer rider admitting that "LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES!"..

I'm now picking myself up off the floor...

This should get interesting..

[NeilS]

How about an .mp3 recording of a Harley and an electronics box that transmits it into a cager's cell phone via Bluetooth?

[parkec]

hmm

My full Remus Exhaust has a little omphf, and it does pop and snarl pretty good on de-cel... not quite like an HD w/ straight pipes, but certainly not the sewing machine of a stock R1200R.

[Echo]

The akrapovic makes my bike sound like a really angry but still rather quiet sewing machine