Best-sounding motorcycle engine?

[Jeremy Z]

For me, this one was tough, between Option 1, 2, and 6.

I went with Option 1 in the end though. That old Suzuki GS850 was a dog of a bike for me, but the engine sound was just beaitiful. It was much more throaty than today's fours. I could hear the intake growl, and it was just sweet.

The sound of a big sport twin, like a piped SV1000 or Ducati is great too.

Some Honda Valkyries with louder pipes were real head-turners for me as well.

[MuddDawg]

I voted V-4 because my 5th Gen VFR with the Gear Driven Cams and Staintunes is pure music to my ears.

[jsanford]

There's no desmo-valve V-twin option, so I can't vote.

[atypical1]

V-four. But not the VFR. I'm talking Desmosedici.  

james

[kevin_stevens]

Triumph 675

KeS

[Magnarider]

V-four. But not the VFR. I'm talking Desmosedici.  

james

+1!

[Orson]

I'm torn between by big Guzzi lump and my Thruxton  

as much as I hate to admit it, the Thruxton with Triumph accessory peashooters sounds a bit more melodious while the Guzzi is more mechanical.

both are gorgeous, but the Triumph might have an edge for being more musical sounding...old school

wait...let me think about this some more.  

[Bjorn Toulouse]

Because the bestest motorcycles have an odd number of cylinders...............

































...everything else sounds, well, mundane.  

You should have allowed 2 picks from the list.


Rex

[Bad Dad]

I voted for the boxer six, the Valky with the six pipes and no baffles just has this certain awesome sound around 4500 rpm and up     The RC 51 has a sound all it's own too  

[Jeremy Z]

There's no desmo-valve V-twin option, so I can't vote.

That would be under the big sport twin option. The poll results would mean nothing if we start putting specific engines in.

[CoolWhip]

Some Honda Valkyries with louder pipes were real head-turners for me as well.

Ahhh yes, now this is the way to do up the big Valk (gone street fighter):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqgrBnrm4Ak

That said…too dam hard to vote on just one,  so I voted “other“ as in diversity is best.  I dig twins, triples, screaming inline 4s, V-4s, opposed 6 packs…and let’s not forget those beautiful exotic Italian V-8s etc.   Ah yes, like the MG V-8 a blast from the past:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8O_7zwGFGwI

[Canuck]

I think the voters so far must be too young to remember the sound of a British vertical twin like a Triumph or Norton. Motorcycling's greatest symphony.

[DrMikey]

Nothing sounds better than a Ducati with an aftermarket exhaust.

[Galo]

I think the voters so far must be too young to remember the sound of a British vertical twin like a Triumph or Norton. Motorcycling's greatest symphony.

Not moi...I remember  
But, my Sprint ST with the TOR sounds even more glorious....

[mxvet57]

i had to vote other b/c there was no box for 2 strokes.

nothing never sounded better than Steve Lamson's 82 CR125 2stroke at the red bud national just holding it wide open and shifting through the gears.
that was one sweet sound.

[forester]

I'm glad to see at this time, the numbers have it right: There is nothing that tops the V-4 when "volume" is the value.

[R Doug]

I very much like the sound of a V4, but sporty twins have a deeper more sinister sound.  

[Rustydust]

Oh man, this one is SO easy! A RC166 Honda 250cc six (with Mike Hailwood aboard, natch) winding through the gears is the most glorious sound of any mechanical thing EVER!

[keppyou812]

Well, having been around bikes since the 70's, and working on race cars of all venues, and an aircraft mechanic. I have to say, there is one bike that gets my heart pumping, and the drool flowing!
 The new Aprilia RSV4.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzse-bvS55Q&feature=related

Nothing on the street, and very few on the track, get me like this does.

[Orson]

 The new Aprilia RSV4.  

ok...that was pretty nice  

but it's a little too complex sounding for my tastes.

for me, the parallel twin offers a purer, unadultered sound of internal combustion music.

I sound like a poofter wine connossieur  

[Global Rider]

Oh man, this one is SO easy! A RC166 Honda 250cc six (with Mike Hailwood aboard, natch) winding through the gears is the most glorious sound of any mechanical thing EVER!

Well we have at least one person that got it right.

[Yakima9]

I voted V-4 because my 5th Gen VFR with the Gear Driven Cams and Staintunes is pure music to my ears.

For sure...V-4 gets my vote!

[Blunder]

[Orson]

http://www.vintagebike.co.uk/Sounds.htm

motorcycle sound wavs

while the Honda 6 is nice in a technological marvel sort of way, it's just too high strung for a purist and comes across as a shriek.

get a load of the 3 cylinder MV Agusta  

[Global Rider]

http://www.vintagebike.co.uk/Sounds.htm

motorcycle sound wavs

Finally, a use for an iPod.  

Actually, my 1975 Honda CB 400F Super Sport with the Yoshima hand bent open pipe at 9500 RPM, sounds best.

[Jeremy Z]

Great link Orson. I can see what some of the old folks are talking about. The Norton Commando from that site sounds AWESOME.

[Orson]

yup...them parallel twins are sweet.

my Thruxton isn't quite as deep as the Norton Commando, but you get the idea  

you look for any excuse to romp on it  

[Jeremy Z]

Here's a good one of a CBX: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39JM42N7_cc&feature=related

Here's a good one of a Valkyrie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hewbEGe-p8

Can't seem to find a good one of an air-cooled four that has decent audio. Bunch of shitty vids of parked bikes being revved instead of during the ride.

[Busy Little Whiner]

There's a reason the V4 wins sound awards... no engine sound is as pleasing on the ear drum as the
distinctive syncopated beat of a race bred V4... it's like an agitated growl... a wonderful angry exhaust
note... when ever I hear Mr.RC45 glorious growl I feel aggressive enough to take on the 1000cc Motors of
Death...



Ducati Desmosedici V4...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDUsbtx8-QY&feature=related#

Mr.RC45...
http://s59.photobucket.com/albums/g298/sgvridgerunner/?action=view¤t=DSCN6568.flv

[85V65]

For sure...V-4 gets my vote!

Mine also.....

[mjrfd99]

Kawasaki 3 cyl 2-stroke at full wail w/loud chambers. Still gives me douch chills

[Orson]

There's a reason the V4 wins sound awards... no engine sound is as pleasing on the ear drum as the
distinctive syncopated beat of a race bred V4...

negative.

purists frown on overly-complicated, expensive noise.

gasoline molecules willingly sacrifice themselves on the altar of internal combustion just to be a part of that glorious twin sound.

 

[kevin_stevens]

 Still gives me douch chills

I don't even want to know what you mean by that.  

KeS

[Busy Little Whiner]

negative.

purists frown on overly-complicated, expensive noise.

gasoline molecules willingly sacrifice themselves on the altar of internal combustion just to be a part of that glorious twin sound.

 

If V2s are glorious then doubling them up must sound even more glorious... after all a V4 is just a couple
melodious sounding V2s singing in concert... so sing along Orson... "oh the hills are alive with V4 moozic"

[Jeremy Z]

...and by that rationale, a six is even better.

[Busy Little Whiner]

...and by that rationale, a six is even better.

I don't know about a V6 but Honda's V4 and their V5 sounded about the same...

Rossi testing the RC211V V5 Honda at Phillip Island...
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xwh1s_moto-valentino-rossi-testing-rc211v_auto

[Jeremy Z]

V4s are nothing special, sound-wise.

I agree that there's a lot to be said for them as far as power delivery, but sound? That link directly above here sounded like a two-stroke. Again, nothing special.

[Orson]

If V2s are glorious then doubling them up must sound even more glorious... after all a V4 is just a couple
melodious sounding V2s singing in concert... so sing along Orson... "oh the hills are alive with V4 moozic"

unfortunately, and to Soichiro's great sorrow, the formula works exactly opposite to the way you'd think.  

adding cylinders only dilutes the dulcimer twin music.  

[R Doug]

I just posted this up under Mods 'n Maintenance, but it's appropriate here too (to persuade votes for big sporty twins, of course).  

[burnergold2B]

Other; Desmo L-Twin attached to a pair of Arrows @ about 7500rpm+

[Dr Gil]

[jfurf]

What about 45 deg v-twins?

Doesn't Harley have some kind of fancy acoustic chamber thing where their engineers spend all their time trying to get the right sound out the pipes? Are you saying that was all a waste of vital R&D money that could have been better spent developing the technology to bring the bikes into the 1950s?  

[Jeremy Z]

Other; Desmo L-Twin attached to a pair of Arrows @ about 7500rpm+

Again, this would fit under "Big sport twin."

Ducati fans apparently cannot read, or do not realize that Ducati V-twins are big sport twins.  

[Busy Little Whiner]

unfortunately, and to Soichiro's great sorrow, the formula works exactly opposite to the way you'd think.  

adding cylinders only dilutes the dulcimer twin music.  

Soichiro didn't waste time on sorrow... he was too busy building a better Guzzi...

[Orson]

Soichiro didn't waste time on sorrow... he was too busy building a better Guzzi...

3 out of 4 Guzzi pilots date Brazilian supermodels.  

Honda riders are lacking in that department.

That fact has always eluded Honda...that you can't engineer sex appeal with a slide ruler  

[R Doug]

3 out of 4 Guzzi pilots date Brazilian supermodels.  

Do you fall under the 3 of 4 or 1 of 4 category?    

[wolf46]

What about 45 deg v-twins?

Doesn't Harley have some kind of fancy acoustic chamber thing where their engineers spend all their time trying to get the right sound out the pipes? Are you saying that was all a waste of vital R&D money that could have been better spent developing the technology to bring the bikes into the 1950s?  

Hd's is because of the timing, it's purposely kind of off. I remember years ago they tried to sue Honda for copying thier "sound" on the Shadow's.

[Orson]

Do you fall under the 3 of 4 or 1 of 4 category?    

I'm 1 of 4  

that doesn't disprove my contention though  

[Busy Little Whiner]

3 out of 4 Guzzi pilots date Brazilian supermodels.  

Honda riders are lacking in that department.

That fact has always eluded Honda...that you can't engineer sex appeal with a slide ruler  

You think of Guzzi pilots... you think of guys sitting quietly at a table blowing on their soup... you think of
Honda pilots you think of guys like Hailwood and Redman or Spencer and Doohan...

[Orson]

Negative.

Guzzi pilots drove the team truck, spooned tires, changed gear ratios and still had time to cook home made soup for the team.  

meanwhile Honda teamsters threw a hissy fit if the champagne wasn't chilled  

[Jeremy Z]

Good God. Give it a break Orson.  

[Playinthestreet]

Orson, what about the Guzzi V-8?  

Start at about 2 min.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBdaBMmk6w8

[Motogeezer]

In 50 ++ years of riding, the song of my 1969 BSA Rocket III in-line triple was the sweetest of all.

Here we are, 40 years ago: http://www.dansher.com/images/mywheels/mybeezerR3.jpg

'Geezer

[JamieK]

Although the VFR sounds amazing...especially the gear drive cam Viffers (of which I have had one)...I had to go with the air cooled inline 4 as it was the wail of the old Zuki GSs and the Kawi Z-1s that drew me into motorcyling back in the 70s...and it's what keeps me smiling on my B12  

[Jeremy Z]

Great first post JamieK!

Welcome to STn!  

[JamieK]

Thanks Jeremy!!

[sammyseaman]

Great first post JamieK!

Welcome to STn!  

Thanks Jeremy!!

How did this thread get so ghey?????  

Oh and anything besides an I4. Just sayin'

[bubba zanetti]

MV ... with Ago on board ... from 2005 no less .....  

[Bjorn Toulouse]

In 50 ++ years of riding, the song of my 1969 BSA Rocket III in-line triple was the sweetest of all.

Here we are, 40 years ago: http://www.dansher.com/images/mywheels/mybeezerR3.jpg

'Geezer

A most excellent Beezer, Geezer!! Izzat a Wixom fairing?


Rex

[Desmo Duc]

Had to vote Big Bore Sporting Twin, but it needs something other than stock exhaust!!

I will say, a V4 is probably the next best thing!!

[artyboy]

I like inline fours.  When you're just putting around you can barely hear them but when you want to open them up they just scream.  

[falconati]

had to vote for the big sporty twin.  Maybe that's because what I'm currently riding, but god damn it sounds great.

[hig4s]

Too generic with some of those choices. With 70s/80s inline air cooled, big twins, and even modern inline water cooled, there are tons of different sounds..

Personally the best sounding bike ever was the late 70s Yamaha XS1100..

[Hotbrakes]

I voted sporting twin, but after hearing a day old Desmo at a trackday last year, I was trembling in my boots.  Just idling through the pits it sounded as if it was going to eat anything in front of it.  Anything sounds better than an I-4, except the new R1.  Can't wait to hear one with pipes.

[Coho911]

The only bike engine sounds that REALLY make my heart thump faster (no really, can make my heartrate go up !) are the V-Twins **NOT HARLEY'S) I am talking Suzuki V-Twins, Ducatti ( I hate the snobbish feeling of alot of Pseudo Ducatti 'Riders' -the poseurs-) and the Moto Guzzi's.  

Here's my additions :

1. Affordable :
Suzuki 650cc ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4fvqPfayHM
Suzuki 650cc ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylGzw6VHFfE

2. Beautiful:
1098cc ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blaJ56_IrOg&hl
998 cc...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etvr2avev4k&hl

3.  Reasons to tell her 'No, I have to get to the track' - for this experience...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzyoLb6F4-U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSHToyGIxWE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nA6zoK5luE

[Busy Little Whiner]

2. Beautiful:
1098cc ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blaJ56_IrOg&hl
998 cc...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etvr2avev4k&hl

Beautiful but it makes me think of something big and slow... like the fist of Muhammad Ali whereas the V4
sounds small and quick like the fist of Bruce Lee...

[Orson]

Beautiful but it makes me think of something big and slow... like the fist of Muhammad Ali whereas the V4
sounds small and quick like the fist of Bruce Lee...

mercy...I think he gets it.  

we all know that Ali would wait for Lee to finish all his yellin' and posin' before popping him with a right jab  

game over.

[maddjack]

The best sounding engine to my ears? The one under me running ,on a nice long ride

[jdaniels]

I've owned many bikes.I had an '86 vmax and still think it had the best sound.For car engines I think the flathead ford v8's were the best sounding.

[hig4s]

I've owned many bikes.I had an '86 vmax and still think it had the best sound.For car engines I think the flathead ford v8's were the best sounding.

Yamaha V4s all sound pretty sweet!!! Honda V4s not bad either...

[steve.ski]

I loves my V4, but for me when it comes to a purely melodious exhaust note, it's a choice of three:

Late 80s & early 90s vintage Suzuki RG500 square four 2 strokes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pexdIc_wrKc&feature=related

Honda NR 750:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNFmCnlXhPk&feature=related

Kenny Roberts' TZ Dirt Tracker:

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/dontpaymeenuff.htm

[schoon]

Inline 4, except stipulation is 600 vs. 1000. 600's at higher rev's have a F-1ish song , where the 1000 just doesn't have that sound.

[fcnorton]

V-four. But not the VFR. I'm talking Desmosedici.  

james

+1 on that!

[rockstar]

When it comes to sound I have to say 250cc 2stroke  =  reminds me of my youth

[rgbeard]

I like the sound of the Trophy (liquid-cooled inline 4), but I heard my GL-1200 without pipes one time, and DAMN that was nice.  You don't have a category for Boxer-4.

Overall - I like radial engines.  

[duceduceexplorer]

rc51 with a full sato exhust....i don't think i can ride anything but a big twin anymore

[R Doug]

Well, I finally heard a V4 VFR today with a sweet sato exhaust system on it today.  I won't change my vote from sporty twin, but I can certainly see where the V4 votes are coming from.  

And just to let you know I'm not biased w/ the sporty twin vote just because that's what I ride...  I'm now a proud owner of a V4 VFR.  Unfortunately, it does not have a sweet aftermarket exhaust on it.... YET.  

[MilleArp]

2003 Aprilia RSV-R.  Full Akro Ti dualies.

Nuff sed.

 

.

[Paul Barnard]

Big Ducati V-Twin with open pipes and a dry clutch.

A V-max with performance pipes is sweet in its own right.

[Blunder]

[arktazz]

I voted other because there was no all of the above  . Any motorcycle engine sound is music to my ears

[Kramer]

duh...

[burnergold2B]

 Ducati 900 with Feracci pipes, RC51 with Sato pipes?

Elefant 900 with Ducati pipes.

Any Harley with open pipes in the burnout pit.  

[duceduceexplorer]

 Ducati 900 with Feracci pipes, RC51 with Sato pipes?

Elefant 900 with Ducati pipes.

Any Harley with open pipes in the burnout pit.  

was that a ? for me or were u deciding between the two?

[Commando850]

My 1974 Norton Commando 850...

[Westy]

the one running properly.

[Thunderbox]

Moto Guzzi V8.  No doubt about it.  http://www.tremek.com/forum/bike-videos/12155-moto-guzzi-v8-pics-sound.html or try this one  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBdaBMmk6w8

[chornbe]

I gotta say... my old ZG1000 Connie sounded f'ing awesome wrung out in 2nd and 3rd gear in the mountains. That's about the only thing I miss from that bike; sounded great.

I think my Harleys sound like crap.

The FZ6 sounds OK wound out.

The Duc 1000 sounds nice when you rev it up so the engine is louder than the clutch  

The XR1200 sound freaking awesome.  

Meh... I don't think I care so much about the sound.

[Tar Snake]

As much as I like triples I have to go with Ducati or other 90 degree V twins.

The vast majority of my bikes I leave the exhaust stock, with a Ducati I'd make an exception.

[Emmanuel]

that gixxer does sound very nice!

and like you say it sounds just like a race bike!

but... it is a shame it isnt legal to run them like that!


I wonder how my zzr sounds w/o the muffler..
__________________
Proud owner of an 06 Ninja 250.

Yes I am 6'4 and yes I weight 160 lbs
_______________________________________ _______________________________________ ___________
health spas
steroids
 

[Busy Little Whiner]

Moto Guzzi V8.  No doubt about it.  http://www.tremek.com/forum/bike-videos/12155-moto-guzzi-v8-pics-sound.html or try this one  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBdaBMmk6w8

MG's V8 sounds a lot like my V4...

[Orson]

MG's V8 sounds a lot like my V4...

negative sake breath.

the Guzzi V8 came first. Honda aspires to one day sound like a Moto Guzzi  

[Busy Little Whiner]

negative sake breath.

the Guzzi V8 came first. Honda aspires to one day sound like a Moto Guzzi  

Technically speaking Orson that Guzzi V8 in the video is a hand made replica built after Mr.RC45...

[Orson]

Technically speaking Orson that Guzzi V8 in the video is a hand made replica built after Mr.RC45...

overruled.

inserting technical details into ST.N discourse would be like Fox News using facts.

artificial Guzzi rumblings still trump.

[Big Bo]

This Ducati.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp9xPyI8mCY

[turboderek]

[Busy Little Whiner]

overruled.

inserting technical details into ST.N discourse would be like Fox News using facts.

artificial Guzzi rumblings still trump.

Artificial V8 still trumps but it's 2000 Birthday still stands...

MotoGuzzi V8 replica on display in Solvang California... let's go together Orson and make the pilgrimage...
http://www.motosolvang.com/bike_pages/Moto_Guzzi_500cc_DOHC_V8.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8O_7zwGFGwI

[rodm850g]

Guys,
My 97 TL1000S had a hi-fit pipe with carbon cans blowin straight back....a very baritone rumble that sounded something like a V8 ford.......
Rod

[Busy Little Whiner]

Guys,
My 97 TL1000S had a hi-fit pipe with carbon cans blowin straight back....a very baritone rumble that sounded something like a V8 ford.......
Rod

Mercy... I hear a Ford I think agricultural and no motorcycle should sound like that...

[veefer800canuck]

rc51 with a full sato exhust....i don't think i can ride anything but a big twin anymore

Haven't heard the Satos, but I rode a '51 with a full Moriwaki Ti system on it.  

[HKB3]

1) 09 Yamaha R1 with aftermarket exhaust(leovince)
2) 2 stroke.....ahh the smell of a 2smoker

[Busy Little Whiner]

A vote for the V2 is also a vote for the V4... after all a V4 is just a pair of V2 working in concert...

[Goose]

V4 with aftermarket exhaust. V twin is my next choice

[Orson]

The voters have spoken.

Twins win  

Everything else are just soggy farts.

 

[Croak]

The voters have spoken.

Twins win  

Everything else are just soggy farts.

 

Triple farts have a little meat in them.  

[Monk42]

My Buell  Lightning 1200 with a Drummond exhaust sounded awesome, I grinned every time I cranked it.   The VFR is sweet at higher revs too.

[Baz]

V4 with aftermarket exhaust. V twin is my next choice

 

[Thunderbox]

Technically speaking Orson that Guzzi V8 in the video is a hand made replica built after Mr.RC45...

I don't think that is correct, except the handbuilt part.  

[greywolf]

I've always been partial to twins ... be it Parallel, Flat , Desmo , or  V

[Harpo]

1925 Megola. Superb sound. Five cylinder radial four stroke 650cc aircraft engine mounted inside the
front wheel. http://www.vintagebike.co.uk/Bike%20Directories/OthersItoM/pages/Megola-1922-25.htm

[Lakeguy556]

I voted Triple. I am biased though.

Second fav. would be the new big bang R1 with aftermarket cans

[SpitfireTriple]

Have a listen to this:



and tell me the rotary should not have been an option

(dig the way the exhaust glows red in time with the throttle blips at 1:05)

[Chef675]

Really no right or wrong answer here.
It's a tie for me
RC51 w Sato & Daytona 675

[tomek]

Twin rotor Wankel sounds just like screamer I4,identical firing order,,,,,,,,

Exhaust temps are much higher due to inefficient "combustion chamber". ( Combustion happens on the rotor`s face,it actually circulates)

[SpitfireTriple]

Does this sound like an I-4?

[Orson]

puh-leez

As far as I know, ST.N polls are conclusively "the final word" on anything.

The voters have spoken, and the V twin rules supreme over all pretenders    

Moderators...time to lock this poll, before the VFR and FJR forums begin their usual ballot box stuffing  

[Croak]

Moar tirples!  

[delta one]

I love the sound of my Buell



but next and very close favorite would be a big bore inline 4. 1100 or more cc's I really like the ZX-14 and the super blackbird

[SpitfireTriple]

Delta One: 48 seconds of tick-over doth not a great video make.
Go out and make a proper vid of your Buell.  Get a friend to film you roaring past at speed. Otherwise, you open yourself to unkind jibes of the kind that suggest Harley/Buell owners never actually go anywhere.

[Squareman357]

...but next and very close favorite would be a big bore inline 4. 1100 or more cc's I really like the ZX-14 and the super blackbird

That would be my favorite. I like the deep rumble of a big bore piped I-4 both at idle and getting it in.  My second fave would be a piped big bore V-Twin, there've been a few that I heard that I really like, like a piped 1098, a piped SV1000, and a few other big bore V-twins

[delta one]

Delta One: 48 seconds of tick-over doth not a great video make.
Go out and make a proper vid of your Buell.  Get a friend to film you roaring past at speed. Otherwise, you open yourself to unkind jibes of the kind that suggest Harley/Buell owners never actually go anywhere.

I shot that for an old military buddy that hadn't seen my bike yet.  shot to show it off cosmetically more than the sound of it.  If I could have gone out and shot a video riding I would have but its cold and snowy and I'm just not that gutsy.  

22 degrees doth not a riding day make.




and I may tend to agree with you. I only get maybe two chances a year to go long distance on my bike. between my 2 and 4 year old kids, going back to college and juggling homework to maintain Deans list I don't get to ride a lot.  I commute on my bike in the summer months and the rain doesn't stop me, but I don't get to log the 20k a season that a lot of you guys do. there is no such thing as vacation time as a student like me, I go three semesters a year minimum 12 credits a semester.

[SpitfireTriple]

Okay okay.
I must admit, I talk the talk and type the type more than I ride these days.

[motrhead]

 I don't see my favorites in this poll. Where are the two strokes?
  I had to vote for the CBX six as the best option available, but a two stroke triple with a 3 into 1 gives me goosebumps like nothing else...except for maybe the Norton Rotary 588.
 I have to admit a Ducati or Guzzi with loud pipes will make the hair stand up on the back on my neck, and so does a TDM850 with pipes on it (which is weird because the Nortons and Triumphs don't do anything for me), but a two stroke twin always sounds better!
 What about the flat fours? A GL1000 with a header sounds way cooler than a v4...
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftDmqzpyDXk

 Dean
 
 

[sammyseaman]

 I don't see my favorites in this poll. Where are the two strokes?
  I had to vote for the CBX six as the best option available, but a two stroke triple with a 3 into 1 gives me goosebumps like nothing else...except for maybe the Norton Rotary 588.
 I have to admit a Ducati or Guzzi with loud pipes will make the hair stand up on the back on my neck, and so does a TDM850 with pipes on it (which is weird because the Nortons and Triumphs don't do anything for me), but a two stroke twin always sounds better!
 What about the flat fours? A GL1000 with a header sounds way cooler than a v4...
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftDmqzpyDXk

 Dean
 
 

You have one post and are Canadian therefore you're input doesn't count.  

[motrhead]

 Hey, I've been (lurking) here for almost two years...that should count for something.    I have too much time on my hands right now, so I'm speaking up on all the forums I belong to. This won't be the last you hear from me!
 Canadians get most of the cool bikes that the Americans want but can't have, and we don't get stuck with any of the restricted models  either...so maybe we should get two votes for having a more expert opinion?

[sammyseaman]

 Hey, I've been (lurking) here for almost two years...that should count for something.    I have too much time on my hands right now, so I'm speaking up on all the forums I belong to. This won't be the last you hear from me!
 Canadians get most of the cool bikes that the Americans want but can't have, and we don't get stuck with any of the restricted models  either...so maybe we should get two votes for having a more expert opinion?

Okay, you get a pass. But it's only because you own a Bultaco  

[tthompsr]

Kawasaki 3 cyl 2-stroke at full wail w/loud chambers. Still gives me douch chills

 +1 Nothing like a 3 cyl. 2-stroke wailing away!

[motrhead]

 +1 Nothing like a 3 cyl. 2-stroke wailing away!

   I'll have mine in Suzuki flavor thanks. I'm looking for a GT380.  

[canyonchaser]

Its hard to beat a 90-degree V-twin with the right pipes.  But I don't think anything can compare to a V-Four.  Its magical. V-Four Victory!

dp

[Busy Little Whiner]

Its hard to beat a 90-degree V-twin with the right pipes.  But I don't think anything can compare to a V-Four.  Its magical. V-Four Victory!

dp

True... V4s sound so good that even Orson will stop blowing on his soup to listen...

[canyonchaser]

To further the superioirty of the sound of the V4....

Have you had the chance to hear a Desmosedici or the new Aprilia?  OMG!  Spectacular!

dp

[Busy Little Whiner]

To further the superioirty of the sound of the V4....

Have you had the chance to hear a Desmosedici or the new Aprilia?  OMG!  Spectacular!

dp

 The tracks are alive with V4 music... Desmosedici 990...

[tomek]

To further the superioirty of the sound of the V4....

Have you had the chance to hear a Desmosedici or the new Aprilia?  OMG!  Spectacular!

dp

I had a chance to hear DR16 for couple of seconds before I passed him ( track day).Totally unimpressive,dull drone.They use 0-90-360-450-720,etc "symmetrical" firing order.I prefer asymmetrically   firing   V4s like VFR, no clue about Aprilla, but since they have narrow angle V4 it is gonna sound like nothing else .

Not all V4s sound the same.

[85V65]

Not all V4s sound the same.

Very true. My V65 Magna..meh..  My 97 VFR...pure sexy!

[Mookie]

RC-51 has to be up there

[Big D]

No potato option?

I voted V-four for Vmax.

YouTube

[JamieK]

No potato option?

I voted V-four for Vmax.

YouTube

Check out the exhaust tips on this Max...it was the next vid after the one you posted

Guns

[motrhead]

Its hard to beat a 90-degree V-twin with the right pipes.  But I don't think anything can compare to a V-Four.  Its magical. V-Four Victory!

dp

 Meh. V-4s always sound like  a real 4 cylinder with a  miss  

[Justmike]

All twins! ok that was easy....

[duceduceexplorer]

RC-51 has to be up there

thats why i bought mine..but with stock pipes its defintally tame, need some aftermarket full kit to make it come alive got my 51 running yesterday and it was like being alive for the first time in awhile

[hazra]

I would have said sport v-twin, until I heard the crossplane crank in the R1 at Millville last year.  I guess that counts as a modern liquid cooled inline 4, but it's different enough that I had to pick "other".

The best sounding I-C engine of all time has never been in a motorcycle as far as I know...

[motrhead]

The best sounding I-C engine of all time has never been in a motorcycle as far as I know...

 Well, if it's a V12 or V-16 you were thinking of, there has been at least one V12...check this out CBX -which may be the best sounding bike of all time:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEe6c3KIUB4

 Sorry, not sure how to embed the video on this forum. If someone wants to fix it or explain...

[RF900Flyer]

                 I do like the sound of Buells.....its kind of weird looking @ whats ounds like a HD but is essentially a Ducati Wannabee.

               My Vic has off road pipes & sounds like an old impala hot rod when it has a fast idle.

[QBTO]

Benelli six cylinder, ugly bike sweet sound

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJjGM5r40sc

[bonnieboomer]

That Benelli sounds just like the Nissan L24/6/8 inline six in racing trim! Very nice!

Best-sounding V12's were the various Ferrari 250's [racing. of course] and the F1 Ferrari and Matra.

But for street bikes, there's nothing sweeter than an inline triple. Sound so pure that very little muffling is needed. From the old Kawasaki H1/H2 and the original Triumph Trident, right up to today's 1050 Sprint etc.

bonnieboomer

[sammyseaman]

The Street Triple I demo'd recently had the Arrow slip-ons and it was   I truly don't know if there's a better sounding motor than an uncorked triple. Twas nearly enough to make me buy it. If only it came in roulette green.

[duceduceexplorer]

The Street Triple I demo'd recently had the Arrow slip-ons and it was   I truly don't know if there's a better sounding motor than an uncorked triple. Twas nearly enough to make me buy it. If only it came in roulette green.

if u think the slip ons are great u should hear one with the full arrow kit on it header and all

[Busy Little Whiner]

Since Ducat pulled out of WSBK they only place you can hear a V2 is at Dennys... when the old guys get done
blowing on their soup and saddle up to ride home for a nap...

[Mac]

For me hands down is the 302 V-8 of the boss hoss. It may be cheating, though, because it is a car crate engine in a motorcycle frame.

However the next best I've ever heard was a V-4 in a 99 VFR with vance and hines pipes. It sounded like a frekkin hot rod!