Does anyone actually like the stock exhaust, for look and sound?

I know even slipons are costly, full single systems are alot more, and full dual systems are nuts expensive, but do any ZX14R owners prefer the stock exhuast's look and sound, money not being an issue?

Interesting question actually. I rode my 14R for almost 4k miles all stock before installing Brocks CT Duals with PC5 and Brocks street map and loved every mile. It's the longest I've ever ridden any bike without installing full exhaust or at least slip on's. At first my plan was to swap it out right after purchase but due to the new 14R there weren't a lot of options for slip on's available and I wasn't sure I really wanted or needed a full exhaust given the perfect fueling and outstanding low end torque as well as top end. I've never been able to leave anything alone however and I really didn't like the look of the stock mufflers. I didn't however mind the quiet and found the performance on the bike stock to be excellent and not lacking in any way. During aggressive roll on's the combination of intake sounds and subtle exhaust note, after a thousand miles was actually quite appealing. The stock headers were actually very capable of producing some great linear power. Having said that, for me they really ruined the look of the bike not to mention the excess weight. I could easily have kept the bike stock with the performance of the stock headers and collector IF the pipes had any kind of aesthetic appeal to me at all. While my full system dual setup is a monster and delivers outstanding smooth power, there was nothing wrong what so ever with the stock setup and in fact probably had a tiny bit more very low end torque, but not as much power overall. I love my full system but I think I could easily have lived with stock headers and Yoshimnura R77 slip on's.

* Last updated by: Jagman on 9/3/2012 @ 5:48 PM *

Paint the tips and guards with a high temp flat black. It doesn't look near as bad. The silver just makes these pipes look Bigger.

As much as I love the sound...with helmet, its almost too quiet. I really need to hear my exhaust revs for me, the rider. I downshifted from 5th to 2nd at about 120 mph yesterday(not sure if I bumped it or it dropped on its own)...and couldn't tell until I hit the rev limiter. This, I don't like at all. When I downshift, I want to be able to hear it.

I'm not to keen on the canons, I do like a
Quietish bike for stealth. I would
like somthing like yoshi or m4 with baffle
in but need something that i just , slip on
I don't want to remap.

* Last updated by: triumphsliding on 9/2/2012 @ 10:38 PM *

Hi
Yeah I had the same dilemma as you. Now I really like the stock exhausts. I'm coming off a V-Twin so I'm a bit over the whole "loud" thing. One thing to consider is....THIS BIKE NEEDS NO PERFORMANCE GAIN (unless you drag race or have the skills of a GP rider). As far as I'm concerned pipes/full systems for this bike are for sound and appearance only. If that's your thing....go for it. Otherwise leave it alone. Personally I think the stock pipes give it more "presence" on the road, and the weight helps to settle the bike through rough, high speed sweepers. And the money you save helps with the constant Tyre replacement costs ;). The only exhausts I have seen that I would consider is Vance and Hines Black CS ONE slip ons. They look great on the 2011 ZX14 and are currently being tested to suit the 2012 model.
Each to there own I say. No disputing one thing......IT'S AN AWESOME MACHINE. :)
Cheers

* Last updated by: svscott on 9/3/2012 @ 3:18 AM *

The appearance of the oversized stock silencers has sort of grown on me to the point where I know think they look Ok and balanced with the rest of the bike. I've seen bikes with really small replacemant items and, IMO, they look daft. Can't honestly see the point in changing the headers for aesthetic reasons as they're hidden behind the bodywork anyway. Agree 100% with the bike not needing any more power for road use but I guess there will always be those that try to impress by saying they need more. As for the noise, the quieter the better! I grew tired of loud pipes years ago, an absolute pain in the ass on a long run and this bike eats miles like no other! JMO

* Last updated by: pegscraper on 9/3/2012 @ 7:39 AM *

Yes, Pegscraper, I gotta agree in that the massive looks of the pipes are somethign I am getting used to, and a smaller aftermarket pipe may now be seen as a bit wimpy. LOL

When I do get exhaust, I will obviously have to go with something like the big ol honkin' Akrapovic pipes, as smaller mufflers will look outta place on it, now.

I plan for a full dual Akrapovic system down the road, but that's a ways off yet. But as I wait, the look of the stock exhaust is *growing on me*, too. LOL

Interesting input, guys.

* Last updated by: ZX14MAN64 on 9/3/2012 @ 9:50 AM *

Great topic and views!!! I don't have a 14R yet, but I'm looking into the dual akro slip ons, I'm done wit the loud stuff.. I'll probably keep her stock for the first year or so, as I have no problem wit the stock look or sound.
Hopefully more companies will start producing dual slip ons next year!

* Last updated by: 06blackpearl on 9/3/2012 @ 12:08 PM *

Anyone with slip on's on the 14R have any feedback?

As much as the profound size of the stock exhaust maybe becoming *less of an eyesore*, I am not, however, warming up to the sound, which is a mere hum.

To me, the powerplant of the most powerful bike in production should not hum. LOL

But to each his own. I do look forward to having a more enthralling, racing engine sound to go along with the power this beast is capable of. But for now, the humming will have to do.

ZX14man-a set of new Stainless Yoshimura R77 can ben had for a little as $750 shipped if you shop Ebay.
I do agree with you that the ZX14R deserves a bit more personalty in the way of sound, and in my case the full Brocks system delivers that in a beautiful way. A very rich deep growl at idle and mellow but aggessive pitch when running through the gears. The PC 5 also gives a very crisp exhaust note. All that of course with outstanding performance, but if you want a richer sound, not go full system, and have a very well balanced and racy sound, I think the Yoshimura R77's are hard to beat. They also look great.

hey lie2me do you have a pic of the tips painted black? i think that would make them look alot better but w2ould like to see them before i did it to mine thanks

ZX14MAN64, how many miles on your 14-R?

I ask cause my bike sounds better all the time. I'm at about 8000 miles now and the exhaust is taking on some timbre and a bit more volume to boot.

It really does sound better than when new; and seems to be mellowing as it ages.

I'm thinking slip-ons next season as I really liked my KR Tuned exhaust on my 07 Ninja 14. But I only continued to like it with the plugs in. Out, it was too loud over the long haul. I like to ride for hours at a time and the slip-ons, without the plugs in, were just too loud for the long ride; the drone got to me. Out, for the short romp and to blow away some traffic just for grins, KR's were fantastic.

If the big 'cannons' that are stock continue to deepen their growl over the next 3 months or so, I might be inclined to leave them alone. But some R-77's or 2 Bro's carbons may be in order next spring, even then, to drop the 20 or 30 lbs off the back end. I definitely do not want a LOUD exhaust like a full race set-up, since besides annoying everyone inside a mile or two, they would drive me batts as well. Like to listen to the radio and MP3 in my helmet when I'm riding more that a few miles to get somewhere; also enjoy a brisk ride to some driving rock on shorter runs.

When its all about the exhaust sound, however, this bike does need a bit more audio from its pipes! 100% agree!

pb

I have very few miles on mine, at this point, and was unaware that the sound deepens with more milage.

Thus far, I am still bent on full dual system, though. But maybe by the time I am ready to pull the trigger, someone else will offer the full dual system besides just Brock and Akrapovic.

But in the meantime, the stock mufflers and I are learning to tolerate each other, I guess.

I wonder if anyone has cut open their stock mufflers and gutted them in hopes of having more depth and volume and not having to spend all that $$$...? Not that I'd try that, but it seems just about everything you can imagine is dissected or cut apart on bikes these days in an attempt to get mo par and a louder roar.

* Last updated by: ZX14MAN64 on 9/3/2012 @ 4:38 PM *

Creepy847 just takes them off for a week or two.

Heh,heh.........you could always try that.

I had every intention of replacing the exhaust the week I took the bike home, simply because it is so UGLY. 1300 miles later, I have no interest in replacing the exhaust. I like quiet, and the $1K - for slip ons and a PC aren't worth it to me. I wont go any faster, and I wont enjoy riding it any more than I do now, so that $ goes in the drawer for oil and tires down the road..

I must be the exception because I like the sound and looks of the stock exhaust.

Kofla

NINJA ZX-14 MotoVlog

While I do not have a 14r...yet, I will have no desire to replace the stock exhaust. Figure what slipons/full system cost I could throw towards a high end helmet/jacket etc..

@ 40 yrs young my ears now prefer the stealth/quietness of a ride. This coming from a VRod with D&D Fatcats on it.

* Last updated by: phase44 on 9/3/2012 @ 7:32 PM *

Well I for sure have learned my lessons over the years with exhaust,in my opinion there is no need for a full system (hell Brock says this several times) on most modern bikes.. And that's exactly my plain with the 14R no full system only slip ons or a stock, as it's a street bike not racing don't need the extra 3 hp with headers or whatever it is..
What I do know is I would not switch too a single exhaust as I loss power on my 10R so I called Brock and he confirmed that my assdyno was right the alien head loses power vs the dual megaphones...
As seen in my video here..

After I sold the dual setup I purchased a muzzy gp single side, which was the worst pipe I've owned, waiting on Alien head but there was a delay and I wanted too ride (reason for getting it)....
Seen here.

Another..

Once Brock called me that the alien head was in stock the muzzy was sold instantly and on went the alien head..

Another...

My current exhaust and my favorite of all !! I purchased this extremely cheap it a full system like all the others however the headers are made to go with the firing order of the motor, which is truly badass in the tone it gives off and overall performance from low revs too high revs the power is there!

Another...

Found a pic as u see 1&4 cylinders are connected and 2-3 cylinders are connected unless they changed them recently I haven't seen any other systems (U.S.) made like this.
If Arrow makes a system for the 14R they would def be at the top of my list!

* Last updated by: 06blackpearl on 9/3/2012 @ 8:26 PM *

I agree there is no need to a full system and I could be happy without one but when these are available it's hard not to bolt em on:). If you're going to get one I can't think of a better one.

* Last updated by: Jagman on 9/3/2012 @ 8:37 PM *

If I get slip ons, will I have to get a power commander, or will it run alright without ? I dont want it to run too lean, any help would be appreciated, Thanks in advance

A PC never hurts particularly if you get a custome tune done by a reputable tuner, BUT it is not necessary to run a
PC with just slip on's. The stock ECU can adjust just fine and you won't have any issues primarily since the OEM headers are staying put.

Looks great, Jagman. I bet that thing's sound is an attention getter.

The Brock sticker is cool, as well. I was planning on no stickers, but may go ahead and put the PCV and Brock's stickers on it for added effect. Loud and proud! What the hell.

Good looking machine you got.