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I would like to have a lower (not necessarily louder) sound in my 02 r1150r. However I happen to like the big silver exhaust pipe. I keep it polished and I think it looks good. Is there something I can do within the confines if this pipe to get get a throatier sound? Thanks all. MDrei

I'm told that if you remove the catalytic converter you get a better sound plus better performance. You shouldn't do that where it is illegal however.

I have the same feeling about the stock pipe. It is much nicer looking than most of the aftermarket ones.

I think the stock pipe is just a dress up. It is heavy and in the way of the rear wheel removal.
As many have done, remove the exhaust pipe, put a small downturn pipe on. You will get the sound you want and the bike is easier to service (rear wheel removal). I am not a "boy racer" type either but in this case, it is a win win.
If you like the look of the muffler, you can frame it and keep it in your room

Believe it or not, if you add an AF-XIED, set it on setting 8 you will get a deeper, throatier sound. And you'll get more pulling power in the low RPMs. Someone who's installed this may be willing to confirm it. The sound isn't louder, just a bit more powerful sounding. BTW, I don't advocate that as a reason for doing the lambda-shifting mod, it's just a byproduct.

In my opinion there is no problem getting the rear wheel out with the standard set up. And even with the ventilated and double skinned standards silencer the contents of the LHS pannier get pretty warm. I'd be wary of overheating my hard luggage with a non standard set up. The bike is loud enough for me with transmission whine and clonks and overwhelming wind noise even with ear plugs. The exhaust is only noticeable to me on pulling hard through the gears at 4-5 thousand.
Following my BILs Commando 850 last weekend I could appreciate what an unfettered big twin could sound like. The luggage-rack shattering and exhaust vibrations were interesting.

So I guess what I'm reading is there is no way to "change baffles or anything" with the standard exhaust. If I want a lower, more throaty sound and not much louder volume, replacement of the standard exhaust is the only option?

You can gut the stock pipe. It is a real PIA though. That's what I did and I cut it down about 6".
Sounds a lot better and looks good too.

Roger 04 rt wrote:Believe it or not, if you add an AF-XIED, set it on setting 8 you will get a deeper, throatier sound. And you'll get more pulling power in the low RPMs. Someone who's installed this may be willing to confirm it. The sound isn't louder, just a bit more powerful sounding. BTW, I don't advocate that as a reason for doing the lambda-shifting mod, it's just a byproduct.

Roger, is setting 8 richer or leaner?

8 is one setting richer than 7.

I have read on another forum that if you drill three 3/8" holes in the end cap of the standard muffler, it produces a nice, mellow tone. I am curious to know if anyone on this forum has done this and, if so, with what result.

Between that and Buckster's cutting down his standard exhaust-which looks great, I'm anxious to here more...

Thx.

The very cheapest thing to do is just take the muffler off and put on an exhaust tip. 12 dollars and if you don't like it. Put it back. The sound is not much louder. It sounds better, it reduces the weight and makes it easy to remove the rear wheel.

If I had known I could do this I probably wouldn't have coughed up for a Y-pipe customs muffler combo. Even if you had a customs tip made from 38mm stainless it would still be cheaper by a HUGE factor.