That Ducati Sound
 

The reason i am most attracted to buying a ducati, is for the looks and for the sound :devil:

The model i've been eyeing up is the later 750 ss (2000 model with fuel injection etc). However i've heard a nasty rumour that these newer model are heavily silenced due to europen noise laws etc.

So, my question is this, is it true? if so how can i get that lovely sound back? must i try and find a model with race cans fitted or is there something i can do to the standard silencers without making it too noisey, loosing performance etc. Also, is it legal?

Lots of questions i know, but it's quite important to me as it's one of the main reasons for me wanting a ducati.

T.I.A. AL

Hi,

All standard cans sound pap really. There's no reason at all why you can't get the 750 sounding exactly as you want it, you just need to turn a blind eye to the 'for race use only' stamps on some cans.

For my money nothing sounds as good as a vintage set of race Termignonis, but you won't find any to fit the later SSs. I'm sure they do new models to fit the later SSs but I have a feeling they're oval in section.

There's a fair range of other cans available, with s/h sets going for about £150. Termis will cost more. The standard cans can be modified to sound louder by replacing the internal baffles, with no loss in performance. I'm sure a there's a few folk on this site that have do it before so ask around.

As for the law, they don't seem to mind so much with dukes as the pitch is so low that it's no bother around town. Personally I think the 2 valve motor sounds better than the 4 valve (my 916 had termis), a bit more bottom end to it, more car-alarm triggering frequencies!

Having said all that my SL is still on standard pipes (I've only had her a week) but some carbons will be going on tomorrow night!

Cheers,

Ali

Hi Al

I've a stage-1 tuned 888 Strada (chip/airbox mod etc.) which is still fitted with its original exhaust cans - although these have been modified internally to allow better breathing. They're certainly a LOT louder now than they should be - but since they are still stamped as 'originals', they are OK with the MOT inspectors. (Baines Racing/Silverstone can do this for you).

However, I've also a set of Ducati Performance oval carbon race cans (made by Remus to fit the 750/900ss IE as it happens) which I've adapted to fit my Strada. These cans sound absolutely awesome - and release even more power than the modified standard cans. I guess you pays yer money and takes yer choice!

Steve

The standard cans don't sound too bad, but as they are "road" cans, they are heavily silenced.
There are several options on aftermarket cans and a lot of the consideration depends on the £'s you want to spend.
As for the legality, anything without the E mark or BS stamp is illegal.
What you are starting to see now is more and more of the aftermarket stuff coming in stamped up, but with a removable baffle. This is usually held in with a screw which has been tack welded in place.
Crack the screw, remove the baffle and you have a "race" can but with the correct stamps on it. Probably not completely legal, but it may not land you in so much hot water??
These newer cans are more expensive than the normal race cans, but the extra may well be worth it.

Nice one guys, main reason i was asking is i'd probably save myself a few quid by buying a previously modded bike (one that already has race cans) but i didn't wanna buy something that wouldn't get through an MOT.

Anyone know which legal ones come with the removable baffles ?:roll:

The one's that I know of are Sil Motor. Most of the "big names" seem to be doing them now but I don't know what their fitment lists are like for Ducatis.

Cheers nelly - I'll look in some of those free catalogues that seem to come with everything now.
( true - better in yellow):sing:

[Edited on 26-5-2004 by STEVE M]

There's some Sil Moto's on ebay at the moment for the ssie models. :)