Chasing that V-Twin sound
Discussion
My first few "big" bikes after passing the DAS were inline 4s, mainly from the likes of Honda CRB (carbs) and then the direct injection.
They were great high revving bikes, but it wasn't until i bought a V-Twin that i realised what type of bike sound i wanted.
Bought as a weekend toy and stable mate to the CBR F4i (mainly used for commuting), my first big V-Twin was the Aprilia RSVR1000 Factory, with carbon Akrapovic cans. That sounded brutal. A deep down guttural sound when at idle and just a menacing angry Thor like sound through the rev range.
The F4i was stolen, and that was replaced by a Honda VTR1000, so now i had two V-Twins.
I drilled out the silencer from the original cans and this got the VTR to sound similar to the Aprilia, this served me well until that was stolen.
With a house move, and no garage to keep the Aprilia, i sold that on too.
For a little while i was without a bike, but i came back and bought a Suzuki SV1000 Classic, which was kept for a few years, until i moved house again.
That SV1000 had the lovely low down grumble that i was so enjoyable to hear, although that was a touch too loud with the baffles out.
All these bikes were pre 2007, so i couldn't buy any of them again due to
y Khan and the ULEZ.
However, i have a itch to get another bike, but it needs to meet the ULEZ dictatorship.
So given the type of sound i'm chasing from a bike, what would be a more modern equivalent compared to the bikes I've had in the past?
I guess i will be after a sport touring style of bike, or a naked and must be ULEZ compliant.
They were great high revving bikes, but it wasn't until i bought a V-Twin that i realised what type of bike sound i wanted.
Bought as a weekend toy and stable mate to the CBR F4i (mainly used for commuting), my first big V-Twin was the Aprilia RSVR1000 Factory, with carbon Akrapovic cans. That sounded brutal. A deep down guttural sound when at idle and just a menacing angry Thor like sound through the rev range.
The F4i was stolen, and that was replaced by a Honda VTR1000, so now i had two V-Twins.
I drilled out the silencer from the original cans and this got the VTR to sound similar to the Aprilia, this served me well until that was stolen.
With a house move, and no garage to keep the Aprilia, i sold that on too.
For a little while i was without a bike, but i came back and bought a Suzuki SV1000 Classic, which was kept for a few years, until i moved house again.
That SV1000 had the lovely low down grumble that i was so enjoyable to hear, although that was a touch too loud with the baffles out.
All these bikes were pre 2007, so i couldn't buy any of them again due to
y Khan and the ULEZ. However, i have a itch to get another bike, but it needs to meet the ULEZ dictatorship.
So given the type of sound i'm chasing from a bike, what would be a more modern equivalent compared to the bikes I've had in the past?
I guess i will be after a sport touring style of bike, or a naked and must be ULEZ compliant.
The only V2 I owned was a Honda VT500 back in the 80s but I understand where you are coming from.
I was in the Lakes a few months ago and a Monster 8xx or 9xx naked bike really caught my eye. Lovely looking thing but I never heard it start up or pull away.
Watching this thread with interest.
I was in the Lakes a few months ago and a Monster 8xx or 9xx naked bike really caught my eye. Lovely looking thing but I never heard it start up or pull away.
Watching this thread with interest.
Monster 796 or 1100 for air-cooled or 821 and 1200 for water-cooled would be a good start. Ducati also do the Supersport as a sports-tourer, Hyperstrada, Multistrada (in all kinds of capacities), Hypermotard for sillyness, then the sports bikes of course. All compliant twins.
As noted KTM Superdukes in 990 or 1290 form, GT version for more touring-orientated.
Tuono you could have again as the later ones were EU3 compliant too.
As noted KTM Superdukes in 990 or 1290 form, GT version for more touring-orientated.
Tuono you could have again as the later ones were EU3 compliant too.
I bought a monster 821 as soon as the salesman started it up (1st bike; the deposit was put down before I passed my test - I was just browsing); add some termi’s 
It still makes me smile every time I start it up: It’s great on a blast going up and down the rev range but I find it a bit tiresome on a long run, I have tried other twins which could tempt me to upgrade but the cost, including necessary exhaust, for a marginal performance benefit I find hard to justify.
For less dramatic mixed commute I use an il4 (z1000sx) which does the job really well, it is nice and smooth, but even with a can upgrade doesn’t really make me smile like the V/L twin. (even in tunnels). Maybe goes against the concept of the recent one bike thread but I kind of like the idea, not that my wallet can support the ideology, of having different tools for different jobs.. the man maths don’t stack up at the moment but I quite fancy adding a triple or high revving 4 next for a bit of fun/ occasional track action..
It still makes me smile every time I start it up: It’s great on a blast going up and down the rev range but I find it a bit tiresome on a long run, I have tried other twins which could tempt me to upgrade but the cost, including necessary exhaust, for a marginal performance benefit I find hard to justify. For less dramatic mixed commute I use an il4 (z1000sx) which does the job really well, it is nice and smooth, but even with a can upgrade doesn’t really make me smile like the V/L twin. (even in tunnels). Maybe goes against the concept of the recent one bike thread but I kind of like the idea, not that my wallet can support the ideology, of having different tools for different jobs.. the man maths don’t stack up at the moment but I quite fancy adding a triple or high revving 4 next for a bit of fun/ occasional track action..
Do 270 degree parallel twins give a V-Twin alike sound?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYOPBQLZsvM
I think I get more a feeling of well being from torque rather than noise.
I should get an SV650 really.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYOPBQLZsvM
I think I get more a feeling of well being from torque rather than noise.
I should get an SV650 really.
bunchofkeys said:
All these bikes were pre 2007, so i couldn't buy any of them again due to y Khan and the ULEZ.
However, i have a itch to get another bike, but it needs to meet the ULEZ dictatorship.
So given the type of sound i'm chasing from a bike, what would be a more modern equivalent compared to the bikes I've had in the past?
I guess i will be after a sport touring style of bike, or a naked and must be ULEZ compliant.
Someone on the TL1000R/S facebook pages just got their bike certified for ULEZ. I don't think many injected bikes struggle to get through if well maintained so could be an option if you want something older?y Khan and the ULEZ. However, i have a itch to get another bike, but it needs to meet the ULEZ dictatorship.
So given the type of sound i'm chasing from a bike, what would be a more modern equivalent compared to the bikes I've had in the past?
I guess i will be after a sport touring style of bike, or a naked and must be ULEZ compliant.
carinaman said:
Do 270 degree parallel twins give a V-Twin alike sound?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYOPBQLZsvM
I think I get more a feeling of well being from torque rather than noise.
I should get an SV650 really.
Same firing intervals - 270°/450°- as a 90° v-twin, so same sound.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYOPBQLZsvM
I think I get more a feeling of well being from torque rather than noise.
I should get an SV650 really.
The Husqvarna Nuda had a 315° crank, so find one if you want the bike to sound like a Harley 45° v-twin.
Thank you for the recommendations so far.
KTM, i'm really not sure on the looks of these bikes.
They sound great though, and there is one YouTube clip of a 1290 that sounds like the RSVR.
The Monsters look more appealing, the 1200 is sounding about right, so i think i may have to take myself off to a Ducati dealership to have a proper listen.
I may need my bank cards at home.
And the Suzuki SV1000 i had, was the 2007 K7, MY2007. It was 6 months too old for the ULEZ, as the 57 plates were ok.
Bit st that i could have challenged the ULEZ category, oh well.
A R1 Big bang went past the other day, now that also sounded good, but it's an in-line 4?
KTM, i'm really not sure on the looks of these bikes.
They sound great though, and there is one YouTube clip of a 1290 that sounds like the RSVR.
The Monsters look more appealing, the 1200 is sounding about right, so i think i may have to take myself off to a Ducati dealership to have a proper listen.
I may need my bank cards at home.
And the Suzuki SV1000 i had, was the 2007 K7, MY2007. It was 6 months too old for the ULEZ, as the 57 plates were ok.
Bit s
t that i could have challenged the ULEZ category, oh well. A R1 Big bang went past the other day, now that also sounded good, but it's an in-line 4?
bunchofkeys said:
Thank you for the recommendations so far.
KTM, i'm really not sure on the looks of these bikes.
They sound great though, and there is one YouTube clip of a 1290 that sounds like the RSVR.
The Monsters look more appealing, the 1200 is sounding about right, so i think i may have to take myself off to a Ducati dealership to have a proper listen.
I may need my bank cards at home.
And the Suzuki SV1000 i had, was the 2007 K7, MY2007. It was 6 months too old for the ULEZ, as the 57 plates were ok.
Bit st that i could have challenged the ULEZ category, oh well.
A R1 Big bang went past the other day, now that also sounded good, but it's an in-line 4?
Some people rave about the sound of that engine in the MT-10. I think the latest version of the MT-10 has had induction plumbing mods to make more or better induction noise and possibly meet emissions testing criteria. KTM, i'm really not sure on the looks of these bikes.
They sound great though, and there is one YouTube clip of a 1290 that sounds like the RSVR.
The Monsters look more appealing, the 1200 is sounding about right, so i think i may have to take myself off to a Ducati dealership to have a proper listen.
I may need my bank cards at home.
And the Suzuki SV1000 i had, was the 2007 K7, MY2007. It was 6 months too old for the ULEZ, as the 57 plates were ok.
Bit s
t that i could have challenged the ULEZ category, oh well. A R1 Big bang went past the other day, now that also sounded good, but it's an in-line 4?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvaY_ulod_g
A KTM Super Duke comparison is on the test.
I like the looks of the 790/890 Duke, but most of the colourways grate on me. The original ones with the silver coloured aluminium seat subframes look great to me.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff