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Last year, I was driving through the mountains, behind a motorcycle that sounded so good I had constant goosebumps from it. The sound of it echoing between the mountains, slowing down, accelerating for like 30 minutes was such a special experience. When I was behind it, I didn't know what it was, but I had to find out. When we came to a village, we both stopped at the same traffic light, next to each other, so I could see what it was. It was an Aprilia RSV4. I will never forget it, and the sound it makes. I think the guy on the bike saw the OMG look on my face and we both had a laugh.

Here's two videos of how it sounds. I just had goosebumps again watching them a bit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3WdxhXlLpc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wY_Bca6158s

> The sound of it echoing between the mountains

And sadly, annoying thousands of people during its trip

Waking babies, causing anxiety attacks, generally disturbing the peace for many many people all so a single person can go vroom.

I almost entirely always say we should err on the side of more personal freedom, but loud motorcycles need to be completely banned.

As a motorcycle drivers myself, I think that the obsession of my fellow drivers with producing loud noises is childish.

I really enjoy the acceleration though (when it's safe to e.g. accelerate away from a traffic light or when getting on the freeway).

The feeling of way faster responding control, and being exposed to wind, smells, sounds makes it a very relaxing immersive experience for me.

> I really enjoy the acceleration though

I dream of an electric motocycle that can accelerate like hell and emit almost no noise. Just like Tron or something.

Check out Damon Motorcycles.

>loud motorcycles need to be completely banned

Agree 1,000%.

Thanks for pointing that out. I hadn't thought of it that way.

I'm seriously contemplating a Tuono V4 (the naked, more upright version) as my next bike in a few years... I just wish that they made it in the same obnoxious Acid Gold finish as they do the 660 because I'm a sucker for loud colors.

It's a flatcrank, right? This simulation should sound similar?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5r7X9L8_pS4

V4 motorcycles are my favorite sounding bikes! Also arguably the best engine configuration for bikes as well. 3 of the 4 manufacturers in MotoGP use v4s and they sound amazing.

I had a co worker with a 6 cylinder Honda Valkyrie. I don’t believe it’s possible for a bike (or maybe even a car) to have a better sound: https://youtu.be/eoo5f7FkuDU

Anyone who has heard all these cars and then more on a racetrack, especially at the Hunaudières straight in the 24h of Le Mans will assure you the best ever sounding engine was the Matra V12:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tcPgE40t4dc

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jWmdIKXKh-g&pp=ygUJbWF0cmEgdjE...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xxWJO-SZKW8&pp=ygUJbWF0cmEgdjE...

Even the contemporary Ferrari 312 and 512, which were also sounding glorious, couldn't quite match it.

Obviously a video will never provide an accurate representation and the current remaining examples have a much lower rev limit than at the time to preserve the engines.

Sound like a higher-pitched TIE fighter.

Haha that rx7 video is so unfair, all you can hear is the straight cut gears. 4 rotors definitely sound better but it's still a cool sound imo https://youtu.be/MSbMeLE8qf0?t=19

ICEVs are absurd by modern standards, but sonically speaking the 917 has nothing on the 787B:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjwwV20iZYE

I guess you either like the buzzy sound that rotary engines make or you don't. As someone who's been to the 12 Hours of Sebring a bunch of times, I'm not a fan.

One of my favourites is the Honda CBX 1000 6 cylinder motorcycle:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=MBbskqcgs_o

4-rotors not so bad, most of the sound in that video is straight cut gears

Ferrari had a 2 liter V8 in the 208s that sounded way cooler than it was.

My list would probably include the Pagani Zonda for Mercedes v12 goodness.

Also the Carrera GT and the Lexus LFA are v10 cars known for their unique wail.

Love the sound of a screaming 6 like a Honda cbx as well.

I love the sound rotaries, but they are easily the most painful to the ear in regards to hearing damage. An open exhaust rotary is like a percussive area denial weapon. I had one on track with me and I lifted when we went down the straight together, as they just about blew my ears out.

I've got to add my favorites too.

Rob Dahms 4 rotor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOmDj9iPs5o

This 240z: https://youtu.be/9PAHenR3JgQ?t=10

Le mans hybrids that sound like world destroying alien spacecraft: https://youtube.com/shorts/HXD5Gao4F5k?feature=share and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqyGJTioXnc

My money is on the 360-degree crank Honda V4s as in the RC30/NC30 bikes: https://youtu.be/uTxe1_MPdiw

I love my 1991 VFR400. The Tyga exhaust takes it to a whole new level. Worth every penny. The extra 3500 RPM on top of the RC30 are nice too. Plus an NC30 can be had for about 1/5 the price of an RC30.

https://youtu.be/f-1HwvLLNEI Does a good job capturing the exhaust along with the straight-cut gears in the valvetrain and the intake noise.

The VFR had such a great unique sound, could hear them approaching in the city. I had a 1998 which didn’t last too long but it was fabulous sounding. Only four cylinder bike I owned, it’s been twins all the way for me otherwise and for my ears, nothing beats the V-twin grin :) But older VFRs before they got heavy are wonderful.

On the subject of the article, I hooned an F355 around Silverstone and while it sounded good, it was dull to drive at lower speeds and the Elise spanked it for fun.

The VFR400 ran for three generations (NC21, NC24, NC30) from 1986 to 1992. The successor was the RVF400 (NC35) which had a similar (same? different cams?) engine to the NC30 but a different intake and tank and inverted forks. It only ran as late as 1996. There were complimentary VFR750s for some of those years, including as late as 1998. Was your VFR a 400 or 750? If it was a 750 you had one highly desirable bike. From what I understand the last Soichiro himself developed.

Regarding the heavy weight in the later 1990s the VFR name was applied to sport touring bikes that had V4s but not big-bang 360 cranks. My NC30 weighs less than 400lb wet and is definitely not a touring bike.

Agreed on the V-twins. I would still love to have a RVT1000 but those command too high a price when Ducati Superbikes can be had for half the price.

I had an 800 and it was slow and heavy to my mind, was not devastated when it was stolen.

We didn’t see too many 400s in the UK, I think they were all unofficial imports but was a long time ago to remember.

Mate has a VTR1000 Firestorm if that’s what you meant? Outstanding bike, extremely hard to keep under 100mph, fuel tank was genuinely stupidly small. The SP1 and 2 were the superbikes IIRC and different beasts to the Firestorm, never had the pleasure of riding one of the superbikes. But yes, a Duke 998 over an SP1 I think.

The RC51 was the successor to the RVF750R (RC45) which was the successor to the VFR750R (RC30) and was built to beat Ducati at their own game in the superbike world championship. In the US the RC51 was called the RVT1000R, in the UK and Australia it was called the VTR1000 SP1 or SP2. The VTR1000 Firestorm (SuperHawk in the US) is a different bike, not intended for racing homologation but designed for the street. The VFR800 was a sport touring bike, very different from the RC30. The NC30 and NC35 VFR400s were sold legitimately in the UK after several years of grey import but were unreasonably expensive. My 1991 VFR400 was originally sold in Japan (1991 was JP-only), was imported to the UK (grey) and made it to the US as soon as it was 25.

These bikes were the end of an era. After the RC51 Honda went to the inline-four CBR1000RR Fireblade and never looked back.

I have exactly the same bike as well! :)

Cool! I have had trouble finding Bridgestone Battlax tires for it. I still have a decent pair on the bike but they won't last much longer. There are some tires available domestically that are close but nothing is quite right. I have had great luck getting parts from Rick Oliver and occasionally Aliexpress.

They are from a sweet spot in history. There was adequate technology to make them reliable and high performance but inadequate technology to truly perfect suspension geometry and engine layout. The big-bang four was intended to reduce rear wheel slip by maximizing dwell time between impulses. Modern bikes can make far more power and let computers do the traction control. But the VFR400 is a carbureted fully mechanical bike. The ignition is electronic but no more complex than points. Just more reliable. It's a real joy to own, maintain, and ride. It isn't even fast, but it sure feels like it's doing something!

Where are you located? Here in the US they're incredibly rare and except parts that were used on other bikes that were actually sold in the US, you pretty much have to order from the UK. I had to order my BT-090's from thevisorshop.com and ship from the UK. Stupidly expensive...

My NC30 is actually an EFI conversion project running Megasquirt. I got tired of trying to get to the carbs... ;-)

I’m in Seattle. The shop I bought it from had two. They specialize in importing “classic” foreign vehicles that were never sold here. Mostly kei cars from Japan.

When I did the valve adjustment I asked for parts for some other Honda that was sold in the US. There’s only two diameters of shim so once you find a compatible model you just order parts for that. Same for oil filters and non-exotic parts. Other than that you’re calling Rick.

My carbs work perfectly and I refuse to ask or answer any further questions on the topic ;)

Thanks for the tip on thevisorshop.com.

I'm intrigued by the EFI conversion. That seems like a big project. If you want to chat more send an email to my username at the domain in my profile.

For reference, here's the Tesla plaid: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ZlBfE6PWQU0

> Now let's listen to the ugliest sounding motor ever:

Which happened to win LeMans the very first time they tried, humiliating all the Europeans and subsequently being banned

Great videos, thanks!

About the second one, I'll leave this one here in case someone wonders why does the pilot hit the break and throttle pedals at the same time (heel & toe): https://youtu.be/xeoLRWCNGcA

I was always partial to the sound of the Alpha Romeo GTV6: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pJpN5pGCrCw

IMO nothing beats the sound of a watercooled Porsche flat 6

I love the sound of that wankel engine

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