2014 G-Valk F6C Exhaust... drill ?

[Chadleys1]

I've noticed that there are three small (about 1") circular openings/outlets in the back of each of the stock mufflers on the new 2014 Valkyrie.  If you stick your finger in each one, you'll find only one on each side is open.  About 4" deep in two out of three, you can feel a flat plug. 

I am usually very good about resisting the urge to do things like drill out a muffler without knowing what will happen, but I am really having to fight myself not to drill them out in this case.

Has anyone else wondered this or better yet, has anyone drilled them out ?

Care to share the results of how it affected sound, driveability ?

Thanks,
-Chadley

[Jack B]

I copied this from the F6B broad hope it helps.

I road for the first couple of months before I drilled my pipes. Put 3 1/2" holes in each pipe. The radio had to go up 2 settings. I could feel the sound in the foot pegs. Was trying to get used to the extra noise when I dicovered that I had lost 10 to 12 mpg. Bike ran fine making up the loss of back pressure. I was not good with loosing 60 + miles on a tank of gas. Covered all the holes up then put 1, 5/16" hole in each muffler. Life was good.

[imrubicon]

Let me guess , Loud Pipes saves lives LOL

[mrtappan]

Although I'd like a little better exhaust too, I think I'm going to wait.  Reducing the back pressure from a stock exhaust doesn't sound like it will yield great results without the additional of a fuel computer. 

[Chadleys1]

Yikes... that sounds terrible, losing 10-12mpg's !

I'm getting good miles per gallon with perfect driveability manners in stock form, so I won't be experimenting.
... just gathering info.

[luke]

after being frustrated by after market exhaust makers I have punched the muffler block off plates out on my valk and are very happy with the result, the cats are under the bike separate from the mufflers so the mufflers are just that, mufflers, I have punched thru the deepest one and the one directly above it as that one appears to have it's own baffle inside, it doesn't make it that much louder but to me it sounds like a v8 at idle, at speed it appears no louder than the stock exhaust, it doesn't appear to have lost any of it's power, I have no trouble staying with the best sport bikes from a standing start up to the speed limit witch annoys the hell out of them. now I wouldn't buy an aftermarket exhaust for this bike, it would be a waste of money, but that's my opinion only, for now.

[luke]

regarding fuel consumption after this mod I refuelled at 350km and put 15 litres in so I didn't notice any difference in fuel consumption if anything it's better than before, yes I'm in Australia so to my American brothers you will have to convert that to miles per gallon. but who care's anyway.

[mrtappan]

This post got me wondering so I sent Dynojet an email.  They of course sell a PCV for the bike since it's a Goldwing but they only have a download for a stock bike.  I sent them an email asking if they would disclose the dyno numbers pre and post PCV installation.

Since its a 50 state legal engine I expect a fair amount of detuning but I'd like to know for sure.

[hubcapsc]

This post got me wondering so I sent Dynojet an email.  They of course sell a PCV for the bike since it's a Goldwing but they only have a download for a stock bike.  I sent them an email asking if they would disclose the dyno numbers pre and post PCV installation.

Since its a 50 state legal engine I expect a fair amount of detuning but I'd like to know for sure.

There's a nice youtube of a power commander being installed on a new Valkyrie...

-Mike

[mrtappan]

This is a cut and paste from their rather quick reply.  Although 70hp to the rear wheel?

"The Power Commander will give you the capability to retune your air/fuel ratio for the entire range of the motor. The power and torque increases or decreases depends on many variables, such as the tune in the Power Commander, the bike, its modifications, the atmospheric conditions, etc. We do not market the tuner as a "plug in and instant power increase" module, and do not promise any numbers. It is simply a platform from which you can tune your fuel curve from.

 

That being said, the new Valkyrie pushes about 70 hp to the rear wheel at its peak. This peak number would change very little if at all just by installing a Power Commander and running a stock map. There is not substantial room for improvement in the engine air/fuel ratio on a completely stock bike in the peak RPM/throttle range. The only real room for improvement in the engine air/fuel ratio of a stock bike is in the lower cruising RPMs and throttle positions. The air/fuel ratio at the peak power output is already about as good as it can be.  "

[jimmytee]

This is a cut and paste from their rather quick reply.  Although 70hp to the rear wheel?

"The Power Commander will give you the capability to retune your air/fuel ratio for the entire range of the motor. The power and torque increases or decreases depends on many variables, such as the tune in the Power Commander, the bike, its modifications, the atmospheric conditions, etc. We do not market the tuner as a "plug in and instant power increase" module, and do not promise any numbers. It is simply a platform from which you can tune your fuel curve from.

 

That being said, the new Valkyrie pushes about 70 hp to the rear wheel at its peak. This peak number would change very little if at all just by installing a Power Commander and running a stock map. There is not substantial room for improvement in the engine air/fuel ratio on a completely stock bike in the peak RPM/throttle range. The only real room for improvement in the engine air/fuel ratio of a stock bike is in the lower cruising RPMs and throttle positions. The air/fuel ratio at the peak power output is already about as good as it can be.  "

I would be skeptical of the whole e-mail response. The 70 HP comment is clearly way off from real figures. I don't even know how that could be a typo. It seems that someone didn't put any time or thought into that response or their receptionist is answering their e-mails.

[mrtappan]

Oh well......

I guess I won't be wasting any time on that until (or if) someone actually makes an exhaust for it. 

[luke]

I don't know about you guys but I wouldn't be looking at horsepower figures, more at the torque numbers and the way they are delivered, if you start putting more open air filters on, removing the cats and installing fuel map manipulators you may gain a few ponys at red line but I'm certain you will lose some torque down low in the rev range, this motor isn't designed for big horsepower numbers but putting out 160+ nm of torque and having 6 cylinders gives it some serious low down mumbo, a bit more noise is nice but if it aint broke, don't go trying to fix it or you may be lighter in the pocket and very disappointed, if you want more performance try making the bike lighter, those grab rails on the back weigh a ton, that's a good place to start, does anyone use first gear? I find it completely useless on this bike as it idles off easily in second so I never use it.

[mrtappan]

I'd personally like a different exhaust for a few reasons but a significant increase in power (Torque or HP) isn't one.  I haven't looked at any dyno figures from Goldwings with exhausts/fuel processors though.  It may do nothing other than change the sound, which I can live with.

Can I live with the stock exhaust?  Sure.  I'm not going to unless I have to though.

I don't particularly care for the stock exhaust and I've heard Goldwings with exhausts that sound better so I know it  can be done. 

I haven't heard the Valykire next to a Goldwing with a good exhaust yet though either.  It may already sound pretty close making the pipes pointless. 

I have a solo kit on mine so no rails already.

[Roger]

Hi everybody,

Just received my new exhaust today ; I don't know of to post picture on the "VALKYRIEFORUM"so I did it on the "F6CFORUM.COM"
I hope this new exhaust will fit onto my bike !!!
Wait wait wait...

[mrtappan]

I've been waiting for this..........