Wife says I stink of exhaust after a ride.

[John Schmidt]

She's right, not sure where it's coming from though. I have some modified OEM pipes that use the same muffler but is cut down in size. Also have stacks that extend just past the saddlebags. Everything seems tight but I'm definitely getting it from somewhere. Any suggestions are welcome, it really is kinda strong...especially after slow riding in traffic.

[Bighead]

Is it bike exhaust or your exhaust? 


sorry couldn't resist

[98valk]

same here sometimes, have tourer windshield, bakers, fork and foot shields, all for winter riding. when just using smaller summer shield never have problem. viking pipes, but had same issue with OEM/glass pack exhaust.
its caused by a vacuum, this explains it fairly well.
http://www.clearviewshields.com/blog/clearview-shields-windshield-venting/

[Patrick]

Two things.
You're not riding fast enough
or
its better than smelling of someone else's perfume.

[gordonv]

Same here. Sometimes bad enough I can smell it on my own cloths. But it is a smell of satisfaction, and seems to be gone in no time at all.

Almost all the bikes I have had, have had windshields or front end plastic (fairing/cowl).

Now my GW I can smell fuel also.

[John Schmidt]

Is it bike exhaust or your exhaust? 


sorry couldn't resist

Hmmm, I'll have to ask....could be both. Oh wait...mine don't have an odor so must be the bike! 

[salty1]

Since it's  the bike exhaust, have opened up those Bakers to allow more air flow past you? It sure sounds like a back flow current is developing as you ride and bathing you with fumes.  ??? A wind tunnel would be helpful. 

[Jess from VA]

If you sit/ride in enough traffic, couldn't it just be fumes from the collective mass?  Carbon monoxide is not entirely colorless and odorless.  

And man you need to never end up sitting next to a city bus exhaust port.... when the light changes, it's like a black cloud of fumigation yuk.  

Speaking of fumes, I always enjoy Fall riding when folks start firing up the wood stoves and fireplaces.  Rolling thru the hills, the smell is earthy and homey.  

[John Schmidt]

I agree Jess, even down here in the Fall it seems to bring out the people. I love riding in the country during that time of year, even the bike seems to run better when it's cool and crisp.

As for city buses, I know what you mean. All our buses now have gone to overhead exhaust but you can still get a good blast if you get too close to that side. Can't wait until Sunday, supposed to be much cooler during the day and in the 60's that night. Woohoo!

[pago cruiser]

Per the other posters, gotta be a backdraft.  Our mongo fairing/screens cause the same effect as a pickup truck with a flush mount camper shell.  Open the rear window in the camper shell going down the road and it feels like you can almost be suffocated by exhaust fumes coming in.  In our camper, most of this could be mitigated by opening the camper shell side windows; I could believe the air wings make it worse, eliminating the "flushing action" of air wrapping around the fairing. 

As the average schmo has no access to a wind tunnel, it would be interesting to do it the poor mans way.  Have your wife cut you several dozen 2" lengths of yarn, and then duct tape several to your helmet (top, sides, back), to the seat/fender behind you, saddle bag tops, etc.  Then have a friend video you whilst riding down the road at various speeds.  Do it on a calm day, with and without air wings, and possible a shorter windscreen if you have one. The results would be interesting.  Expect the results to vary A LOT based upon your ground speed, as well as wind speed and direction.

There's a website called ecomodder, where guys are doing all kinds of cool stuff trying to get 100 mpg out of (mostly) older cars, and testing wind flow in this manner is derigueur.  Prior to computer CFD (computational fluid dynamic) modeling, this is/was the best way to get (almost) instant knowledge of unseen forces, and see cause/effect relationships of changes.

[Michvalk]

Maybe it's not your exhaust she's smelling, but, everyone else's. Especially riding in heavy traffic.

[bill-jr]

Just tell her to buy a nose plug ...

[John Schmidt]

I put the Baker Air Wings back on in preparation for a possible ride Sunday. I'll see if that makes a difference.

[PAVALKER]

I put the Baker Air Wings back on in preparation for a possible ride Sunday. I'll see if that makes a difference.

Curious why you take them off?  I recently came in to having a pair on the newer Valk, and they appear to be really adjustable to block or direct  even more air flow.

[YoungPUP]

I'm backing the idea of the vacuum behind the windshield.  On a recent rain ride I was watching rain run down the front of my full face and then watched the drops fly forward away from me.  Pretty wild to watch.  That's on my '99 Std with the Hondaline windshield.

[John Schmidt]

I put the Baker Air Wings back on in preparation for a possible ride Sunday. I'll see if that makes a difference.

Curious why you take them off?  I recently came in to having a pair on the newer Valk, and they appear to be really adjustable to block or direct  even more air flow.

Here in Florida I oftern remove them for the summer. Gets much more air flow in the heat without them. However, if I'm traveling in summer, I make sure they're on. Helps in the rain among other things.

[RONNIEB]

If you leave the bakers on and turn them out to scoop in more air you"ll get more flow that without them on.It lowers the oil temp 5 degrees in 100+ weather on both my gurls.

[Hox]

Maybe it's just a replacement for the "I have got a headache" thing...

[PAVALKER]

If you leave the bakers on and turn them out to scoop in more air you"ll get more flow that without them on.It lowers the oil temp 5 degrees in 100+ weather on both my gurls.

That is what I was thinking.  But, then ...It could very well force the smelly gas exhaust of your riding party or cars ahead into the fabric of your clothing.


But then again......   

Maybe it's just a replacement for the "I have got a headache" thing...

[O-B-1]

 
le parfum de Valkyrie

[Jess from VA]

I used to wear toilet water......... but the lid kept closing on my head.