Will I use more fuel if I remove the baffles from the exhaust of my 1997 kawasaki vn800 classic?

Answer 1

if ya have the bike dyno'ed after u shouldnt use much more than u are already....but u'd be better off leaving the baffles alone. not only will u become a cop magnet for excessive noise, the engine really wont even wake up to deliver hp untill u are over 4500 or close to 5000 rpms; something the standard street rider practically never sees. it's a proven fact via a dyno that straight pipes hurt hp/torque in the standard rpm range u'd be at for legal street riding, and legal meaning, keeping the speed limit. my bike is still stock, and at 65 mph, i dont even get close to 3500 rpm's.

Answer 2

As you can see, by the time I answered this question, you already have at least two conflicting answers. Thus will always be the case.

Fact: The Kaw. engineers have spent a lot of time and money to be able to extract the most performance possible with the legal requirements for exhaust systems in place.

Fact: Baffle removal will certainly make for louder exhaust note and will attract the attention of police officers.

Fact: Any change in an exhaust system will have an effect on timing (both spark and valve) and mixture requirements for optimum performance.

Fact: With unknown tuning requirements, the margin of error is serious enough to threaten the life span of the engine.

Fact: Although a free flowing exhaust system is generally believed to increase horsepower, there is also the same degree of chance that there will be a decrease, especially with amateur modification of a stock system. Without dynamometer testing there is no way to tell for sure.

My advice: If you want better sound or more performance, you need to go with a professionally produced and tested after - market system.

Answer 3

No, but that is not a good idea. the whole problem with just yanking out baffles in any exhaust system is that you have just made your bike in best case run worse, and on the other end possibly cause engine damage. when you remove baffles you remove backpressure in the exhaust which is like partially restricting fuel supply, if you want to modify your bike buy the aftermarket kits for exhaust, your bike will sound/run better and you will not damage the engine.

Answer 4

It depends. On my Roadstar, I was able to do a part of a 3 phase modification that resulted in bypassing the final baffle, and not have to rejet, didn't lose that much back-pressure. It depends on the construction of your pipes. I gained more horsepower and about 5 mpg.
There are probably web sites on Kawasaki's, most of those have alot of information and you are able to ask questions from people who have the same bike and most likely did the same thing to it.

Answer 5

Yes! Any modifications to the engine will affect engine performance. Exhaust is considered part of the engine because it affects performance. Removing the baffles from a perfectly tuned engine will decrease performance and lower gas mileage.

Answer 6

as you can see from other answers, it's not a for sure thing one way or the other because there are lots of factors that effect mpg. the thing is, does 5 mph one way or the other make any difference? i would change exhaust only if i wanted something specific, like performance improvement or even noise (rumble). and most exhaust modifications really require additional changes like re-jetting and air intake (high performance upgrades)

Answer 7

Why? you recognize what you are going to have once you are trying this? you have a small engined metric bike that sounds only like a small engined metric bike with a noisy exhaust. while you're searching for that deep H-D rumble (and that i understand you're) it is not happening with this motorycle. leave the exhaust by myself. Loud pipes do no longer save lives...loud pipes are only stressful.

Answer 8

Yes ,less back pressure creates a need for a richer fuel/air mixture. This requires (More Fuel). The pay off is more H.P.

Answer 9

it won't sound good.buy a good exhaust.if you want a nice
sounding bike buy a harley.they just have a better sound
than the metrics i also own a suzuki gsxr sport bike and a
harley.thats why when i was looking for a sport bike i never
gave the buell a second thought.thats why your metric will
never sound like a harley.

Answer 10

No, your bike will run poorly , though. Bikes are required to run lean.

Some bikes re-jetted, with straight pipes and proper air flow will get better mileage than stock.