Noise Control?

[circlip]

Some background...
I've been riding my V7 II Stone for a little while. I bought it sight unseen because it was such a good deal. It had 50 miles on it when I got it. I almost had the engine broken in when the thrust bearings reared their ugly head. Guzzi installed a new motor and I almost have that one broken in.

Subjective question/comment #1 - I have always felt that the exhaust on the bike was a bit loud. I know, we all like that lusty growl of the mighty V-twin, but I'm getting a bit tired of it. Is it me? Is this normal for these bikes or is it just this particular bike? If it's normal, are there any suggested quieter exhaust systems? Or do I just need to buy a Vespa?

Subjective question/comment #2 - As I'm turning into an old curmudgeon, I am also taking issue with air noise at 45 mph or so and greater. I always wear ear plugs, but I have yet to find any that I like. I also wear a full face helmets, an Arai Signet-Q. It's not the quietest helmet out there, but it fits my skinny little head. I also have a neck cowl on it, which may or may not help. And the V7 has a Dart classic flyscreen.

I welcome suggestions on both questions. Maybe the answer is to move from the Guzzi to a Miata, although it's a bit drastic (and expensive).

[fotoguzzi]

Miata's hold their value better than a bike.. and you can bring your dog with.

[malik]

My first V7 came with a screen (OEM). It put the airstream right on the visor. Noisy. Took it off, & haven't looked back. The flyscreen on the Special is fine.

The most effective earplugs I've ever used were a gift - government issue - way more effective than anything I've managed to buy. Taxpayer funded. There's decent ones out there - you just have to come across ones that work for you. They can be hard to find.

Of the few mufflers I've had - stock, Staintunes, Mistrals & Agostinis, the Agostinis are the most comfortable - a lower, deeper base rumble, that I don't really notice. At least while riding.The Mistrals seemed the loudest, and I notice those. It's got to be a personal thing, a mate prefers the Mistrals WITHOUT the DB killers. No thanks.

[yogidozer]

Miata's hold their value better than a bike.. and you can bring your dog with.

You need to get your best friend matching sun-goggles 

[Sheepdog]

Baffled earplugs are available in sizes and allow conversational tones in, but block the concussive ones. I use "Pinkies," but many are available. Look for plugs that are made for live musicians...I think "Hearos" is another brand.

Even with Mistral classic mufflers, I don't hear much of my exhaust once I get above about 50mph. Perhaps it is intake honk that you are hearing. Check to see if the air box lid has been modified.

[Zoom Zoom]

I am assuming the present exhaust is stock, right? (You really didn't mention that.)

Anyway, I have never personally heard anyone complain about the stock pipes being too loud. Either they had been changed or maybe someone modified them by drilling holes down through the mufflers. I don't know, just speculating. Another possibility would be that for some reason it was running rich and dumping fuel into the mufflers causing them to burn out their packing material.

Having said that, it is unlikely that anything aftermarket will be quieter than an un-modified stock system.

If you are fortunate enough to have someone nearby with a small block you might see if you could try an experiment by swapping the mufflers for an hour or two, or simply make a side by side comparison.

John Henry

[Idontwantapickle]

Baffled earplugs are available in sizes and allow conversational tones in, but block the concussive ones. I use "Pinkies," but many are available. Look for plugs that are made for live musicians...I think "Hearos" is another brand.

Thanks for the info on the Hearos, I've ordered those. Foam plugs cause me pain after an hour or so. Looks like these could solve that problem.

Hunter

[circlip]

Noise is so subjective...

The Miata is tempting, but since I have some cats and no dog it may not be the same.

My V7 II appears to have a stock exhaust system.  I've never stuck a flashlight in the end to see what I could see, so I'll have to try that. I bought it from a retired physician who was deeply involved in scooters and the Guzzi just did not move him. I'm not sure that he would be messing with the exhaust, but one never knows. And I do agree - I've never seen a quieter aftermarket exhaust. Do they exist? Aftermarket pipes always seem louder to me, sometimes excessively louder. My larger issue is just riding around town, that's when I notice the exhaust snarl. At 45 or 50 mph the exhaust sound is eclipsed by the wind noise. It's easy enough to pull the Dart off to see if it makes any difference at speed.

I'll try the Hearos. I have used their foam earplugs and did not like them. I had no idea that they sold anything else. I starting discussing having a pair made by an audiologist, but the $200 price made me pause. Are there any positive experiences going that route?

[Wayne Orwig]

Everyone wants to drive my Miata.

[Ncdan]

 Control the upper body and head wind control and the noise will be minimal.

[Ryan]

I tried foam plugs, but they made my ears hurt and I hate the way they sound. I used some that I mixed and formed to my ears. They were comfortable, but made me feel like I was congested all tbe time.

I found a pair of "noise filters" at Wal Mart for $14 that drop the noise level 18 decibels, but I can still hear everything. I don't take them out every time my helmet comes off; they are comfortable and I can hear fine with them in. This seems to be a great solution, and cheap (Guzzi Content!).

[kingoffleece]

https://earplugsonline.com/motorcycle-ear-plugs/

[circlip]

I have been using the Mighty Plugs. I really liked them at first, but now I'm not so impressed.
The Mighty Plug product has not changed, my guess is that my hearing has changed.

[M0T0Geezer]

I bought this stick-on helmet wind noise reducer in 2014 and have been using it since then on my full-face helmet.   
It really works.  $20 on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003FHLNVK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[sib]

...I've been riding my V7 II Stone for a little while...

You might be interested to know that, on an Agostini muffler, the db killer is held in by, what else, a circlip.

[circlip]

I usually have to explain to non-riders just what a circlip is...and then they usually just stare at me and ask why I would know something like that.

I do appreciate all of the suggestions. I've had a Windjammer 2 on my helmet for the last 2 years or so. It helps a bit. I removed the Dart tonight and in the 45 to 55 mph speed range it also helps a little bit (I did not get a chance to go any faster). I'll try a few different earplugs and maybe I find some that I like better than what I'm currently using.
I find the wind noise issue to be extremely frustrating. I usually follow suggestions if they aren't outlandishly expensive (Guzzi content) just to see if I find any improvement.
I have considered buying a Shuberth helmet, but I suspect it would disappoint me.
Twenty years ago it did not bother me at all. Oh well.

[Tusayan]

I haven’t ridden a motorcycle since the early 90’s without ear plugs.  The best kind of foamies work for me, but other types of ear plugs cause discomfort. I get the good kind at work and they’re OK unless I ride all day, every day for a couple of weeks.  Might be worth looking into.

I agree that noise becomes more annoyingly with age, my ears were ringing in resonance with the exhaust note of my bikes for a while, and with the sound of a car now sold, but the issue seems to have gone away.  I suspect my brain has filtered it out somehow, for now... the body is an amazing thing.

A circlip is called an internal or external snap ring here in colonies.