Really Quiet Motorcycle engines?

Question

What kinds of motorcycle engines are the ones that are very quiet. I usually see them with a racing-looking bike. They kind of make a humming sound and you could probably have a conversation by one. Please tell me what type this is and/or how to make a loud one very quiet.

Answer 1

your exhauhst is going to make the big difference in noise

Answer 2

BMW make some of the quietest bikes (even their sports bikes are comparatively quiet.) Also some of the larger Hondas (like the Gold Wing.) Moto Guzzi (think Ducati, only for touring) is also very good, although very expensive. I believe most (if not all) motorcycle manufacturers make a bike in this category. You seem to be looking for a sports-tourer, not a laid-back cruiser (like most Harleys) or a crotch-rocket. These bikes can usually be recognized by large fairings with tall windshields, an upright seating position (better for your back on long rides), a quiet engine (better for your ears on long rides), and hard-sided saddle bags. Many also have a third bag on top of the rear wheel, behind the rear seat. Some even come with a stereo, CB radio, intercom (for talking to your passenger.) They also handle better than a cruiser, but are not as twitchy as a sports bike.

There are 2 main things that influence how loud a bike is - exhaust system and engine. Sports bikes that make most of their power at high rpm will almost always be loud, and bikes with minimal muffling will always be loud. More effective (and more restrictive) mufflers will decrease your power a little, as well as making it quieter - they also usually lower your power band, giving you more usable torque at low revs while sacrificing top-end power. Thus, they are not quite as fast as full sports bikes, but are much easier and more relaxing to ride for long distances.

If you're looking for one, your best bet is probably BMW - build and design quality is supurb, and it's a rare sight to see one broken down.

Answer 3

Heard the French will soon export a compressed air engine but do not know if it is two or four wheels. Personal rapid transit vehicles at 60+mph designed to go and stop as no more than two riders decide and can be computer driven empty to collect
passengers off an established guideway. Wait time is near zero
and offers privacy if you don't want to share a seat. Look for it
out of the UK.

Answer 4

Honda Kawasaki Yamaha Suzuki sport tourers with multiple cylinders (4) are the smoothest and most quiet. These engines and the quiet exhaust systems are advanced designs to meet strict EPA standards. Most new buyers want to change this piece of equipment but at the cost of reduced power and dirty exhausts.

Answer 5

Most modern inline 4's are very refined with a standard exhaust. To quieten it down even further someone could fit some proper sound insulation to the inside of the fairings instead of the lame bit of foam that comes on them as standard.

Answer 6

A liquid cooled engine run quieter than an air cooled engine, simply because an air cooled engine runs hotter, so it needs more clearance between it's operating parts (cylinder to wall clearance, etc) than a liquid cooled engine. Those extra clearances translate into more operating noise.
Also, exhaust has a lot to do with it.

Answer 7

My experience is that the majority of them are very quiet. It's the aftermarket pipe you add on that makes the noise.

My husband bought a ZX-11 (well, he's bought many) but one he brought home with the stock exhaust and it was VERY quiet. I rather enjoyed it.

Answer 8

My R1 is soo quiet, that I can hear the chain over the exhaust, even during hard acceleration. It all depends on your exhaust.