V9 Footpegs and exhaust note - A case for letting them be

[Roamer853]

I am often befuddled why so many want to tinker with the designers form when it comes to inevitably classic motor bikes but have a great reluctance to affect authenticity when purchasing a classic or classic -to-be motor car.

Yes, I can understand getting the right fit etc etc for safety's sake. But let me argue for the 2016 foot peg placement and muffler.

Yes the later editions have moved the footpegs aft and provided a more standard seat ( unattractive in my opinion). But for me, the slight forward foot positioning " breaths" cool. Not ergonomic folly with arms up and legs in the air but a real understanding of the bikes intent. Just relaxed. Yes some caution with avoiding contact with cylinder heads is required, but slight positioning adaptation deals with that.

As for swapping muffler notes... my take... nah! There is a smoothness to the tone and who wants a headache or to initiate the pain in others.

Let it be, accept and enjoy and honour the original creators I say.

I'll brace myself for the rebukes 😬😬

[oldbike54]

 "When I find myself in times of trouble
 Mother Mary comes to me
 speaking words of wisdom
   ...                                 "

 Sorry , just couldn't help myself 

 Dusty

 

[Roamer853]

"When I find myself in times of trouble
 Mother Mary comes to me
 speaking words of wisdom
   ...                                 "

 Sorry , just couldn't help myself 

 Dusty

Exactly my intention man. Don't tinker with a Lennon/ McCartney or Guzzi classic.

Peace Bro

[Ncdan]

"When I find myself in times of trouble
 Mother Mary comes to me
 speaking words of wisdom
   ..let it be ;).                                 "

 Sorry , just couldn't help myself 

 Dusty

[Idontwantapickle]

I'm pretty sure the Italians only use quiet exhaust because they are forced to. As a friend used to say regarding such things "It is not a noise! It is a sound!"

YMMV

Hunter (a guy with persistent tinnitus)

[Roamer853]

I'm pretty sure the Italians only use quiet exhaust because they are forced to. As a friend used to say regarding such things "It is not a noise! It is a sound!"

YMMV

Hunter (a guy with persistent tinnitus)

Ah thanks did not realise that was the reason .

Still, I prefer the French horn to the trumpet - so it suits me

[Huzo]

Modifications can be seen as an expression of one's individuality or a statement of their ability.
There are folks who leave their bikes stock, and that could be for a myriad of reasons and all of them would be valid. Sometimes it's because mechanically, they couldn't find their own arse with both hands, so they're wise enough to leave well alone.
Amen to that !!!
However I'm given to wonder what Guzzi would have said to Beetle if he'd been seen looking at an ECU being fitted to the very first brand new Norge and he was heard to say..
"I'm going to modify this"
Just as well for some that he did.
Hmmm?
I've buggerised around extensively with my Norge, but most of what I did was a "taste" thing.
The re mapping, rubber bushes in the reaction rod and startus interruptus and top box mount, are screaming exceptions.

[beetle]

I'm here to make things better.


Merry Krampus to all.

[Huzo]

I'm here to make things better.


Merry Krampus to all.

Happy Christmas and and new year to you and your mob Beetle. Thanks from me to you for your input...
Huzo.

[pete roper]

One of the major reasons for dumping the original pipes has nothing to do with *Sound* or *Noise* or even basic running. It's down to weight.

On any of the CARC bikes keeping the original muffler, though it may work well, is like riding around with a deep frozen Emporor penguin strapped to the left hand side of the bike!

The weight penalty will still be there with current models but since they make no pretence at being modern motorbikes with even performance equivalence with anything else on the market it's a bit of a non issue.

Pete

[rodekyll]

One of the major reasons for dumping the original pipes has nothing to do with *Sound* or *Noise* or even basic running. It's down to weight.

On any of the CARC bikes keeping the original muffler, though it may work well, is like riding around with a deep frozen Emporor penguin strapped to the left hand side of the bike!

The weight penalty will still be there with current models but since they make no pretence at being modern motorbikes with even performance equivalence with anything else on the market it's a bit of a non issue.

Pete

Where else would you strap your deep frozen emperor penguin?  It would look silly on the right. 


First, I don't necessarily subtract points for an owner altering his bike to suit him.  I argue that short of frame, paint and internal engine upgrades, most mods are bolt-on farkleyzing that can easily be returned to oem should a fella suddenly discover his inner purist, provided he's kept the original bits in a tote somewhere.  It's win/win.  You get to ride your ride as you like it for as long as you want, and when returned to stock the bits don't have near the battle damage. 

[fossil]

Well, regarding the original exhausts of the V9 I have the same opinion I have on the original LaFranconis at my V7 Stone: they look nice, the sound nice. Let them be!

The forward positioned pegs however are the first thing I would alter... To me they are uncomfortable.

[Adan]

The mistrals on my V9 are louder without necessarily sounding better, to my ears, than stock.  But I'm always going to replace stock pipes just for weight loss. 

I replaced the stock mufflers on my V7 Classic with mistrals, and also on the Griso I owned.  Both improved the sound quality immensely.  I don't feel I got that improvement on the V9. 

As for pegs, I think people should make whatever mods needed to be comfortable.  To me the stock pegs are comfortable.  If you bring them back, then you'd also want to raise the seat, which is exactly what Guzzi did with the 2018's.  But the new seat looks like a botched graft operation.

Suspension upgrade on the V9 was worth every penny, and there was a lot of pennies.

[Green1000S]

One guy likes skinny ones, the other full figured.
Third one likes blonds, fourth one redheads.

Thats why there is so many different bikes and so many different aftermarket acessories.

Sounds like you found yours, I like mine with Cajun spices.
(and that my friend.... means modifications!)

[Sheepdog]

I�ve had this discussion on other boards. Many folks assert that if you have to make a number of changes to your new bike, you may have bought the wrong bike. I have yet to purchase a motorcycle (or a bicycle, for that matter) that fit me properly. Handlebar, grip, foot control, seat, and windshield changes offer the chance to make your bike a perfect fit. As for exhausts, I found the stock fueling on my Vintage very close to being unacceptable. I tried every map that my dealer could find, but my bike fueled poorly at low revs. I wanted to reflash my ECU, but was concerned about clogging up the cats with a richer mixture so I installed Mistral Classic mufflers and an h-pipe (paranoia need not be without rewards). The bike sounds melodious (and not really loud), but the revised fueling is the real treat. As for suspension, I rode the stock boingers for ten years and swapped out for fork springs, shocks, and a steering damper this year for nice quality aftermarket units. It is better than it has ever been...absolutely just right for me. Judicious changes can be a pretty great thing. I didn�t get that Vintage as an homage to Mandello...I bought it to ride.

[MotoG5]

On any of the CARC bikes keeping the original muffler, though it may work well, is like riding around with a deep frozen Emporor penguin strapped to the left hand side of the bike!
Pete

Thanks Pete, I will never be able to look at my stock 12' Stelvio with out seeing that penguin from now on. lol