Edited Date/Time
4/4/2020 6:04pm
Since my local unapproved riding area has come under recent noise sensitivity by nearby neighbors, I’m looking for quieter replacements for my 125 and 250f. Outside of an Alta, which would work, but am concerned about parts support and availability. Maybe a kx500 that doesn’t rev too high with a Q4 spark arrestor? Thanks..
Husky fc - fx -fe's are all very quiet.
If you can find a good deal on a clean alta. Grab one. Get on an alta forum. The internets amazing and will make finding parts and solutions easy enough, for long enough, until a main stream e bike is available.
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Small displacement 4-stroke, smallest diameter exhaust, and longest silencer.
And keep as far away from the sensitive neighbors as possible.
Might want to talk to the neighbors and see if you can work out a time that doesn't disturb them. The quietest gas-powered bike might still trigger a phone call to police.
For not being a small displacement motor, it is QUIET.
Also I know you said you don't want electric but Sur-Ron makes a light duty e-moto bike that's only 120lb and costs less than $4k. It's not as heavy duty as a real dirt bike but it's a great neighborhood alternative to have fun on.
I'm an acoustical engineer. Generally complaints aren't solved until the noise is about half as loud, or even less.
Other people do not think like we do. We don't mind the sound. Others don't want to hear it. They can't stand it.
This problem may not be solved until the neighbors cannot even hear you ride.
I suggest getting to know the neighbors. Let them know how long you've been riding there and how important it is to you. Show empathy. Maybe there is a solution. If they go to church every Sunday you might get to ride every Sunday.
Feel free to PM me if you want me to dig into local noise codes and the location details.
Pit Row
But get a 450 (stock exhaust) and learn to ride low in the rpm and carry momentum in a higher gear. Concentrate on slow smooth throttle operation and you'll be surprised how quick you can go while making little noise.
Watch Roczen in stealth mode for inspiration.
Somehow I still have one from back when (pic attached below).
If you use header-wrap on the the expansion chamber it can bring a quiet two stroke to the next level.
Someone mentioned that DB Snorkel above... Those work well. I would imagine you could fit a snorkel on something like the FMF Q Stealth or one of the PC Trail Friendly series and get the sound level way way down there.
The stock KTM two stroke enduro bikes are pretty damn quiet. Maybe find that OEM enduro silencer and put it on a 250-SX with a wrapped pipe.
Your bike is so loud that neighbors went through the effort to shut you down. I don't know the legal situation but I doubt you have any leverage.
Think of it this way: a garage band moves in next door. They play every weekend and they're so loud neighbors lose sleep. Neighbors call the police and solve their problem. Band plays again but turns the guitar amp down one click. Is it quieter? Of course! Does it solve the problem? Of course not! You're turning the volume down one click.
A gas-powered motocross bike that is quiet is not going to be fast. Motocross Action had an article in 2009 about making a MX bike quiet and fast- it was slightly quieter and not fast. https://motocrossactionmag.com/we-ride-the-rocks-racing-stealth-yamaha-yz450f/
I see three solutions:
1. Make friends with the neighbors and work out a time you can be loud.
2. Find a different place to ride.
3. Electric. I've ridden the Alta EXR- it's amazing.
A different solution requires a different way of thinking.
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