Quiet exhaust options for the XS2

Wired1

Wired1

Kiwi bike nutter
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In New Zealand we have very strict noise rules and the pipes on my recently purchased '72 XS2 aren't even close. My bike has a two-into-one lake pipe thing. To register the bike here it has to first pass a very strict test called the "Warrant of Fitness" or WoF and as well as brakes, lights, indicators (turn signals) and general structural integrity it cannot exceed 95 dB at 3000 rpm. My XS2 idles at about 95 dB and at 3000 it's more like 105-110 dB.
I am looking at MikesXS and trying to work out which ones are quiet and I even asked them to tell me which ones are quiet and which are noisy but they say they haven't got time to rate them all and I need to be more specific so I'm asking you guys if you know if any of the ones they sell are quiet.
So I need a stock set of headers https://www.mikesxs.net/yamaha-xs650-chrome-xs-perf-headpipe-set.html and a couple of very quiet mufflers that are not too long like these:
https://www.mikesxs.net/yamaha-xs650-commando-style-universal-megaphone-muffler-26.html
https://www.mikesxs.net/yamaha-xs650-megaphone-reverse-cone-19-05.html
https://www.mikesxs.net/yamaha-xs650-xs-perf-reverse-cone-megaphone-muffler.html
The name "megaphone" makes me think they might be loud so might be a bad idea.
 
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Exhaust.jpg
This is my existing setup, 2-into-1 plus side pipe, way too noisy.

I'm going to list this exhaust setup online - will it fit an XS650? what is the difference between this and the XS2 in terms of the exhaust?
 
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Not too long and quiet, are pretty much mutually exclusive.
These are "fairly quiet", good quality, and are quite popular among the old guys and neighbor lovers here. I'd call them slightly louder and higher tone than stock.
https://www.mikesxs.net/yamaha-xs650-dunstall-style-replica-universal-muffler-reverse-cone.html
There are some variatiomns in mounts and room from the XS1-2 TX650 and tha later bikes but most aftermarket systems will fit all years without too much fiddling. The stock early bike replica "baseball bat" mufflers have been called the best sounding exhaust ever fitted to an XS650.
 
2001 to 2014 Triumph Bonnie mufflers are pretty quiet.
I'm fitting a set currently on stock headpipes; takes some putzing with adapters - could find nothing pre-fabbed, had to have some made at a custom muffler shop), but I hope to get on and running this weekend.
Paid about $100, brand new off ebay. Several sets on there now

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Wired1 said:
View attachment 95097
This is my existing setup, 2-into-1 plus side pipe, way too noisy.
I'm going to list this exhaust setup online - will it fit an XS650? what is the difference between this and the XS2 in terms of the exhaust?
Click to expand...

Hi Wired1,
FWIW, "megaphone" refers to the muffler's shape, not if it's loud or quiet.
My '84 Heritage Special came stock with megaphone shaped mufflers and it was sound suppressed to a fare-thee-well.
Could you not stuff your turnout muffler with steel wool to get the bike past the noise Gestapo?
 
Hi Wired 1. A friend of mine had a pair of standard Harley Silencers on a TriBsa he built, they were really quiet. Should be available as most Harley riders take them off. May not look too bad either.
 
Yes thanks for the advice guys, I have had a look around and there are plenty of newish second hand mufflers locally, I just need to get some head pipes. Is it worth getting the stainless steel headpipes for another $US100?
 
Stainless are certainly nice but be aware that those pipes are a larger diameter. The 650 seems to like about 1.5" best and those are bigger. They do have inserts you can add but that adds even more to the cost. Or, possibly, you may be able to make your own from the ends of old stock headpipes. That's what I did .....

HomemadeARs.jpg


Inserts.jpg
 
That great info thanks 5twins, I was all set to push the button on the stainless headpipes. I wondered why they recommended the inserts.
Has anyone tried the cheaper of the two original headpipe options? they have these for $168: https://www.mikesxs.net/yamaha-xs650-chrome-xs-perf-headpipe-set.html and these for $243: https://www.mikesxs.net/yamaha-xs650-replica-headpipe-set-for-1970-1973.html
I'm guessing the cheaper ones are thinner or crappier but they don't say if there is any difference.
 
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I'd recommend the Commandos. I started out with those fixed baffle Dunstalls and they were junk. One of the baffles broke out after a few hundred miles. I didn't think they sounded too bad until I got the Commandos. I mounted just one next to the Dunstall and started the bike. That Dunstall sounded like crap in a side by side comparison. If you do go with the Commandos, don't get those "universal" ones you linked to. They'll need adapter sleeves to neck them down for your 1.5" headpipes and those things always leak. Get the ones with the 1.5" inlets.
 
Not a bad sound track of "baseball bat" mufflers


5t is prolly right it's the commandos not the dunstalls that sound/work good.
Those emgos with about 10 smaller tubes in the exits are awful sounding, IMHO.
 
Cool! Hadda grin (and hold my breath) when I saw you take off shorts, no helmet or gloves, with the sidestand down. Glad you turned right! I um have never been THERE....
 

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