Hear the Difference: 2023 Kawasaki KLR 650 Exhausts Compared

[@jakemcnally4868]

I found that a louder pipe got annoying for me on longer rides (4hrs+). I wanted to like my cool sounding loud pipe, but completely shelved it after the first few years of using it. Put the OEM "lawnmower" exhaust back on for endless hours of quiet riding in the nearby foothills, forests, and parks. Cheers!

[@adventurebikesaustralia7627]

Yeah, that’s a fair point. I’ve been riding with earplugs and haven’t found it too bad tbh. Time will tell though.

[@leroyjenkins4123]

@@adventurebikesaustralia7627 you wear the earplugs due to wind noise right?

[@adventurebikesaustralia7627]

@@leroyjenkins4123 Both.

[@jakemcnally4868]

@@leroyjenkins4123 I do wear earplugs. I am also 6'4" and wind noise is a bit of a problem since the airstream bubble hits me mid helmet even with a tall touring screen. Wind noise + loud pipe is too much for me on long rides.

[@leroyjenkins4123]

@@jakemcnally4868 right on. Yeah earplugs make everything better as far as I'm concerned.

[@MajesticMemetic]

I have the Staintune exhaust on my 2012, I love it. Though for long hwy rides I do put ear plugs in, helps with wind noise and exhaust. If you are ever riding around the Sunny coast , I would be happy to meet up and hit some trails.

[@adventurebikesaustralia7627]

Sounds awesome. I’ll be up your way in a few weeks for round 2 of the RAM Rally, out of Kenilworth. You should get a team together and join in - it’s awesome!

[@joeblow5037]

I have the 94db LeoVince on my '18 KLR. Steel baffles (no constant packing, like some others) Perfect noise...sounds great, people can hear me, not offensive been installed about 4 years, no problem..It's a quality piece

[@adventurebikesaustralia7627]

Sounds great. The zero packing is one of the reasons I bought the Staintune. Did you find a performance lift once you’d put on the Leo Vince?

[@joeblow5037]

@@adventurebikesaustralia7627 their dyno chart said a little over 3hp, but it's hard to tell. it seems to second gear wheelie a lil better. but AT LEAST it doesn't sound like a camp site generator anymore 🙂 has a pretty sweet exhaust note

[@adventurebikesaustralia7627]

@@joeblow5037 Hahahaha I hear you on that one!

[@Rezon8ing]

I installed a Staintune on my 2022 just after it's first service and have done over 6000Km with it. Apart from the fact that the KLR O2 sensor doesn't seem to be able to compensate for it, causing it to pop and fart a little on decel, I love it. The Staintune comes with a stick on compliance label that tells you what the dB rating is, and at what RPM. Mine is 94dB @ 3475RPM. On the KLR swingarm is a sticker from Kawasaki that states: 90dB @ 3000RPM and in 3rd gear at 43.1Kl/h 78dB. The frequency of the sound can also have a major influence on the sound level.

[@adventurebikesaustralia7627]

Ahhhh some good info there. Is it mandatory to display the sticker for the Staintune?

[@Rezon8ing]

@@adventurebikesaustralia7627 I don't think it's mandatory, but I placed it next to the Kawasaki sticker, just in case I get pulled over. At least I can point it out and say that it is legal. I believe bikes are legally allowed to have a higher dB rating than a car.

[@LostOnTwoWheels]

Subscribed! Love the comparison, thanks for the video.

[@adventurebikesaustralia7627]

Cheers mate. I’ve subscribed right back!

[@doublex632]

I'm not really into loud bikes anymore, had my share over the years. But put a 9in. Carbon Delkavic on my 22KLR and the clutch safety delete, and WOW totally transformed the bike. It has way more snap to it. You just can't beat the sound of a Japanese single with a pipe. I am planning on taking the bike out west on some BDR"s, I'll probably buy a higher end system with the forest screen that's not as loud, but for now just commuting and tooling around. thanks

[@adventurebikesaustralia7627]

I’m interested about the clutch bypass mod. What does it do to the bike?

[@doublex632]

@@adventurebikesaustralia7627 Supposedly it takes out the low end restrictions, I'm not an expert but ya get one, and I noticed you can chug down lower in 5th and the bike won't protest. thanks

[@adventurebikesaustralia7627]

@@doublex632 Interesting. Thanks for letting me know.

[@Ozsmallbore]

​@@adventurebikesaustralia7627 Nothing on Australian market bikes.

[@Bruski68.]

personally I didn't think there was much difference in the noise level between the two, I'd be more likely to change the exhaust because of the weight factor than the noise.

[@adventurebikesaustralia7627]

The weight saving is definitely an added benefit.

[@michaeljones6305]

I'd like to have seen the test include the Staintune without the baffle. Other than that, great work! I've got the full Staintune system on my 09, without the baffle, in the Sydney M5 tunnel it's louder than a truck on the Jake brake. 😉🤣

[@adventurebikesaustralia7627]

Hahahaha That’s a good idea for my back pocket for a video later. I would love the full system, but they didn’t have them for Gen 3 at the time….

[@wisecampmotorcycles8258]

Staintune is a premium brand, however, I put a stainless Delkevik exhaust on my KLR , it's a bit on the loud side for me, I usually wear ear plugs when riding, much more enjoyable.

[@adventurebikesaustralia7627]

Hahahaha even with the Staintune, I definitely still wear ear plugs!

[@flipfpv4539]

I’m 60 so give me quite any time lol 😊

[@adventurebikesaustralia7627]

Yeah, fair enough mate. As much as I love the new exhaust note, I still wear ear plugs every time I ride.

[@florme6494]

I’m 40 and I prefer the quiet too. I purchased the exhaust and removed it within one day of owning it. The airbox mod makes it sound better. That’s definitely worth doing. Thanks for showing all the detail.

[@adventurebikesaustralia7627]

@@florme6494 You’re welcome mate. Which Airbox mod are you referring to? Removing the snorkel, or drilling a bunch of holes in it?

[@engrcumins9809]

The tone from both are iritating. If the DB killer was removed from Staintuned perhaps the tone would be lower. A louder popcorn machine doesn't interest me. I'd probably try to gut the OEM first if I thought I wanted a louder pipe. I appreciate the weight reduction however, after riding a Goldwing for several years I cam to appreciate quiet exhaust. The only way a louder pipe would save lives would be if the exaust was pointed forward, in my opinion.

[@adventurebikesaustralia7627]

All good points there mate. What are you riding now and what pipe do you have on?

[@engrcumins9809]

@@adventurebikesaustralia7627 '09 VStrom 650 with stock pipe.

[@gary1477]

When I first heard a KLR650 fitted with a Staintune muffler idling in a car park, it drew me into the world of KLR650s. Firstly, I bought a KLX650 and later a second generation KLR650. I wear ear plugs when I ride. At a hearing test, it was found that my hearing at the frequency of lawn mower and motorcycle engines is reduced.

[@adventurebikesaustralia7627]

Yeah, I love the sound of the Staintune on a KLR. The KLX 650 is a rare bird. How did you like it?

[@travislivengood2744]

I've run a properly packed Lexx on my 08 both as a stock 650 and as a worked over 685. I did the exhaust initially for weight savings but truth be told its really not much louder on bike. Behind? I have no idea. I can't ride my motorcycle from behind my motorcycle. I'm also much more likely to short shift in traffic because that tip is pretty much ear level to most cars.

[@adventurebikesaustralia7627]

Good advice there!

[@robh3895]

please do header to tip upgrade . staintune do a entire system.

[@adventurebikesaustralia7627]

I wish! Unfortunately they don’t have a complete system for the Gen 3 KLR, but they do for the DR 650. I’m on a waiting list for when (if!) they do release one.

[@micah6872]

Hello Ben I noticed you have some plastic blocks on your crash bars. Are those aftermarket and if so would you have a link for them? Thanks in advance brother!!!

[@adventurebikesaustralia7627]

Hi mate, they came with the SRC crash bars, but I have seen them available on EBay, Amazon, AliExpress etc.

[@canoequest2]

Love my KLR. Louder is better to a point. I have an FMF PowerCore4 and it sounds really good. You can keep it quiet when needed by careful riding.

[@adventurebikesaustralia7627]

I know a couple of guys with that pipe who love it too. Did you find a power pick up after fitting it?

[@canoequest2]

@@adventurebikesaustralia7627 I think so. Mine is a 2018, so carbureted, and I did the KLX needle kit at the same time. Together they did make a noticeable difference.

[@adventurebikesaustralia7627]

@@canoequest2 Yeah, I can’t wait for someone to come out with the equivalent for our EFI versions. Will be wicked.

[@jg1468]

Where did you get the passager seat back rest?

[@adventurebikesaustralia7627]

Hi mate, I grabbed it off of eBay: ebay.us/cG11CD

[@jankeydadon3969]

what if i want the exhaust to be even quitter than the factory?

[@adventurebikesaustralia7627]

Hmmmm good question. I have no idea. Off to the Google machine!

[@jankeydadon3969]

@adventurebikesaustralia7627 I looked around a bit. Only a bit though. Didn't find anything, it seems most people just want the louder pipes.

[@adventurebikesaustralia7627]

@@jankeydadon3969 Yeah, I didn’t find anything either. Sorry mate.

[@jankeydadon3969]

@@adventurebikesaustralia7627

[@bigshan5806]

Had a two brothers on my klr, sounded loud and I didn't care... great 4 waking up idiots on phones

[@adventurebikesaustralia7627]

Hahaha sounds like money we’ll spent then!

[@tasatasat]

Notice any decel popping?

[@adventurebikesaustralia7627]

If I give it a bit of stick while cold, yes.

[@maniacalgorilla]

Personally i like quiet bikes.

[@adventurebikesaustralia7627]

And that’s fair enough mate. What are you riding at the moment?

[@maniacalgorilla]

@adventurebikesaustralia7627 22 HD PAN AMERICA special and just bought the 24 klr650. Prefer the klr more already.

[@maniacalgorilla]

@adventurebikesaustralia7627 put the Vance and Hines 450 on the PAS and absolutely hate it on the highway. Drones on and on..LoL

[@adventurebikesaustralia7627]

Wow! KLR over a Pan America? Why’s that?

[@adventurebikesaustralia7627]

Yeah, growing up my Dad had a VL Commodore station wagon with a loud exhaust. Sounded great at idle and around town, but got old really quickly on long road trip holidays.

[@robh3895]

$$$$$$$ how much$$$$$$$?

[@adventurebikesaustralia7627]

The Staintune isn’t cheap, but they’re Australian owned, designed and manufactured, made of high quality materials and never need repacking. Almost $900AUD delivered from memory.

[@montiacpontana41]

Louder is annoying to everyone including yourself. You may say no, but it is.

[@adventurebikesaustralia7627]

@@montiacpontana41 Each to their own my friend.

[@simpletonballsack]

I conduct defect noise testing and have taken down all your details! We know who you are! 😂😂

[@adventurebikesaustralia7627]

Great! I look forward to meeting you and chatting about my KLR! 🤣🤣🤣

[@simpletonballsack]

@@adventurebikesaustralia7627 Haha, I'll be hiding behind a tree and clocking you going past me uphill 🤣🤣On the fair dinkum side, my 2010 KLR fully loses charge after one day so I've been scouring YT videos.

[@adventurebikesaustralia7627]

@@simpletonballsack Time for a new light weight battery?

[@simpletonballsack]

@@adventurebikesaustralia7627 That could be good but the issue is battery not being charged by the bike.

[@adventurebikesaustralia7627]

@@simpletonballsack So stator then?

[@fawcetttrips2466]

The video proved nothing other than you didn't find a way to test it successfully.

[@adventurebikesaustralia7627]

Hahahahaha watch it again!

[@fawcetttrips2466]

You just proved that an after market exhaust, designed to be louder, is in fact louder. Just wasted 4:59 of my life.

[@adventurebikesaustralia7627]

@@fawcetttrips2466 So your issue is that I proved a manufacturers claim to be correct? Sounds like you’re upset that I didn’t catch them out. Sorry mate. Maybe next time.

[@fawcetttrips2466]

@@adventurebikesaustralia7627 Where did you answer the question "is louder better?"

[@adventurebikesaustralia7627]

@@fawcetttrips2466 4:15