| Author | Message | ||
     Jeepinbueller |
I only started it up in the garage last night after install ... but it's just as loud on the road, lol. The idle is just menacing and low RPMs sound great. The volume tapers off after about 5K RPM but still retains the same character sound-wise. I'll definitely have to have the QC installed for around town. Man, this thing sounds good. I was thinking the same thing Jules — I was going to get mine powdercoated a flat black instead — but the finish is so nice and looks good to break up all that darkness around the motor since mine's red. Looks nice brushed as it is, even with the deep scratch I put in it, haha. BTW Tim, did you change the look of the oval bracket? I'm guessing the amount of orders that came in prompted you to skip the machined recesses portion of finishing. I honestly think it looks better all black. (Message edited by jeepinbueller on March 23, 2010) | ||
| Leechykyle |
I was kinda wondering the same thing, as mine doesn't have the milled recess either. But it looks good all black too. | ||
| Freezerburn840 |
This pipe looks and sounds great. Give us some updates on performance. Not so much the power but the way the bike runs. Will it need a tuner or do your bikes run fine as is? Plug N Play more or less? | ||
| Jeepinbueller |
Freezer: mine runs like butter and I haven't even run it at 4K RPM in 3rd gear to let it "learn" yet. I reset the TPS even though it probably didn't need it (didn't I hear somewhere that the 1125s run best if the TPS is reset before each startup?! Craziness). No backfire or hickups engine braking, and the low RPM power is up a bit I believe ... hits harder on aggressive gear changes. I'm not sure if I have the latest ECM flash (I should b/c I specifically mentioned it to the dealer when I bought it, but you know how that goes sometimes) but the pre-3K RPM surging is all but gone. I'll be checking to see if I have the latest flash when I go in for the charging system update this Saturday in Frederick (8:30am appointment!) It's definitely smooth, across-the-band power increase by the butt dyno ... front end lifts a little easier now. I'm excited to hear from Easy about his findings and such. | ||
| Freezerburn840 |
Outstanding. Luckily mine has all the current updates. New stator, new harness, most current flash, servo eliminator, clutch cover. All that is left is a good pipe to put on. Not much choices for the point that the bike running lean and what not ecm afv's all over the place, bike popping or missing. This is good info about this pipe. Thank you | ||
| Rock_lobster |
I got home from work and got out the wd-40 and scotch brite, worked like a champ! Looks good as new now, thanks for the tip. I also took out the quite core. I never knew my bike could sound so good.  I still haven't had a chance to ride it yet, but that will be resolved very soon. Supper, clean up, ride... I'll probably put the qc back in later, I just want to hear how it sounds with it out first. | ||
| Jules |
This pipe looks and sounds great. Give us some updates on performance. Not so much the power but the way the bike runs. Will it need a tuner or do your bikes run fine as is? Plug N Play more or less? Plug & Play is right, no popping, banging or any other "bad" noises, just plenty of smooth power and a wonderful sound. It's hard to decide whether there's genuinely more power, (1) because I am still running it in and (2) because the bike will "sound" more powerful with a loud pipe on so it's hard to decide.. One thing is for sure, it suits the bike down to the ground, now the bike sounds as good as it looks and the huge grin I have when riding with the pipe on makes it worth ever cent (to me). | ||
| Rock_lobster |
Yeah, um... I think i'm going to be putting that smaller core back in.  Finally got to go out and ride for a few. It sounded so good, but just a tad loud for the city. The sound finally does match the appearance. Great pipe. | ||
| Thefleshrocket |
I installed my quiet core a few days ago and I think it's the best compromise. It's about on par with the Yosh "race" 3/4 system I had on my SV1000S. I say that unscientifically as I no longer have the SV and can't do a side-by-side comparison. But the Barker exhaust with the QC is loud enough to let you know that you're riding a powerful motorcycle, not a Cuisinart, but not so loud as to rival the "loud pipes save lives" Harley guys. I'd say the Barker with the QC is just about perfect. | ||
| Leechykyle |
I'd have to agree. I rode mine today, just down the street and back. It's indeed loud with the quiet core, but I'm pretty positive it's still a lot quieter than the straight-piped Harleys that are a dime-a-dozen. | ||
| Hack_job |
what size QCs are you guys running? | ||
| Leechykyle |
I got the 1 1/2 inch one. | ||
| Big_fitz |
What's the best way to ride for the ECM to learn ? | ||
| Keef |
like you stole it.....  | ||
| Jules |
What's the best way to ride for the ECM to learn I don't know if there's a best way to do that - I just rode it like I always do (quickly) and it seems perfectly happy.. | ||
| Jornum1 |
I have all 3 sizes of quiet core, 1", 1 1/2", and 1 5/8" There is definitely a difference between them. I have decided on the 1 1/2" for my everyday riding. I was sold on the 1" originally but after getting some good riding in, it does(as I was told by Tim), lose a little in the mid range. Not enough that the bike runs bad, but I could tell the power loss. There isnt much difference between the 1 1/2" and the 1 5/8", just the larger is a little louder. I could not tell any performance difference between the two. So I chose the quieter of the two, as I dont like to attract too much attention. All three QC's run better in stop and go, low end riding. I guess its the added back pressure which makes lower RPM riding easier. I feel that I can take off at 2500 rpm much easier then with the fully open system. I put almost 200 miles on it with the 1 1/2" core Saturday through both highway and back road twisties. I am very happy with it, and have no complaints. | ||
| Sparropie |
Does everyone's tip have a turn-out... away from the tire/break?  | ||
| Dannybuell |
How easy it it to put on the Barker? Could someone post installation instructions? THX dannybuell | ||
| Jules |
Does everyone's tip have a turn-out... away from the tire/break? Yes.. (Message edited by Jules on March 28, 2010) | ||
| Sparropie |
Easy. About 45 min. sitting on the sidewalk. Most work is on taking the old anchor off, the Barkers jumps on easy after that... | ||
| Jeepinbueller |
It's a pretty easy install as they go Danny. On right side of muffler: 1.) Remove 6mm hex head bolt for rear muffler mount. This bolt is not reused for installation. 2.) Remove 6mm hex head bolt for front muffler mount which also happens to be the lower heat exchanger support fastener. Nut on back side of this bolt is captive so it stays installed in stock muffler and you don't need a wrench to hold it. When stock muffler is completely removed, this bolt gets reinstalled along with the nut and toothed lock washer that comes with Barker's kit to re-secure the lower heat exchanger mount. 3.) Remove 6mm hex head bolt that supports engine just below brake peg. Remove spacer. This is where the Barker's oval bracket mounts. It takes the place of the spacer, so put it away for storage in case you want to revert back to stock. 4.) Loosen two clamps for the header/collector. On left side of muffler: 5.) Remove 6mm hex head bolt for rear muffler mount that you can see through the holes of the idler pulley for the final drive belt. May need to move the bike forwards/backwards to be able to see bolt. This bolt is not reused for assembly. 6.) Remove 6mm hex head bolt for front muffler mount which is the same situation for the other side: it doubles as the lower heat exchanger mount, except the nut is not captive. You have to shimmy a 13mm (I think) open end wrench under the heat exchanger to get to it ... not hard at all. This bolt and nut gets reused after stock muffler is removed, though it's much easier to get to is after the stock muffler's gone. Barker's: 7.) Loosen muffler clamps and make sure they're oriented right for easy future loosening/tightening. 8.) CAREFULLY pre-install oval bracket on Barker's can with the mount to the right side. I recommend using the spacer that you removed from the stock mount to keep the bracket spread apart. The can will scratch VERY easily. No worries though ... surface finish can be restored with some 0000 steel wool, polish, or green scotch bright pad and WD-40. 9.) Slide collector over headers and orient bracket correctly and tighten up!! ENJOY | ||
| Dannybuell |
THX Jeepinbueller | ||
| Sparropie |
Mine came with a straight tip. As in it blows straight into the rear tire. That I didn't notice untill I was finishing putting it on. And I sure ain't puttin' that anchor back on my SuperBeast. I tried puttin' a piece of foil on the tire where the exhaust hits it, but the spot keeps moving as the tire turns... Have an email in to Tim but haven't heard anything back yet | ||
| Jules |
That's odd... Mine looks like this:  | ||
| Big_fitz |
Got the barkers in last week ! Looks alot better in person , and sounds awsome !! I still have the low speed hesitation , but I've ordered the ebr ECM , according to all I've read on here it should run alot better . | ||
| Jeepinbueller |
Definitely let us know how the EBR and Barker's work together fitz. That'll be my next upgrade. How (with what options/calibration) did you order the ECM? | ||
| Big_fitz |
I just ordered the ecm for pump gas off the web site, no special instructions . | ||
| Leechykyle |
Don't really need to give them any instructions, unless you have a CR, or you want your idle speed dropped or anything special. | ||
| Jeepinbueller |
Yeah, what's the consensus on this lowering the idle RPM? Some says it's a nice change, others are warning not to b/c of oil/water pump RPMs lowering causing low pressure? Even when I got the charging system update done the tech asked if my idle was always that high (around 1400-1500) and I said yeah. Sure makes it sound like the idle throttle cable is out of adjustment even though it's not (I checked). | ||
| Thefleshrocket |
I don't think there is any sort of cooling system issue with running the idle at 1200rpm. The only potential issue is that the rpm may be too low for the charging system to maintain the battery. I'm not sure at what rpm the charging system produces enough juice to charge the battery, but I'm pretty sure that most bikes do slowly discharge the battery at idle (even without the fans running) and that it usually takes a few thousand rpm to have any noticeable charging effect. |
