Here I go ...

contours said:

G81 Can Cycle said:

I like the sound of the shorties over the SBT, that is pretty subjective. But they are a little louder and a deeper "growl".

Both systems are very well made (although I think the Motads are a little better) Some of the welds on the SBT are single pass, when I think they should be two passes. I think DBono had his SB pipes fail at one of the welds that concerns me on the silencer. They were warrantied by South Bay, but they did fail.

Additionally the stock pipes with cats have a hanger under the bike. This hanger supports the weight of the header pipes and cats. Then there is a sliding mount tube for the silencers. Motad builds the stock pipes (I think this is true but not sure), and the shorties and the Decatt X pipe have this same mechanical feature (the hanger) The SB pipes do not have this hanger, so the weight of the system is carried by the pipe at the head flange, and the fixed (not sliding ) mount on the silencers.

Cone Inc makes the SB pipes, and they do good work, but my opinion is the Motad shorties are a better product, both in sound and quality.

I purchased mine through Krazy Horse in London (as did TonyA, I believe) Great guys to deal with, and the shortoes were $100 cheaper when I bought them (I paid $1800 for the SB pipes and $1700 for the Motads) Either Tony or I can give you contact info for Krazy Horse. Calling them gets better response than email

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Thanks much for the scoop on these after-market pipes. I might be back to square one on a decision now, however. How boring are the stock pipes, anyway?

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Two factors on the stock pipes

1) They are very muted in sound. How loud your motorcycle is, is of course a personal decision. The stock pipes seem to perform quite well, I had mine installed on my red SF for the first 500 miles. I did see some increase in performance after changing to the SB DT's. But that may be because I also deleted the Cats when changing the pipes. TonyA (I believe) has commented on an increase in performance after removing the Cats alone. So I assume that you could keep the stock silencers and purchase a Motad "decat" pipe and see the same performance increase.

2) Since the stock silencers are very quite, it does make the sound from the engine (primary casing) much more noticeable. Everyone that has changed exhaust systems (whether it be SB or Motad) has noted that the primary noise (which has been eloquently described as "bag full of nuts and bolts" rattling around) is masked by the increase in decibels of the aftermarket silencers.

It should be noted that 961 riders on this forum have also noted a significant increase in performance with the new remaps. So I would make sure that MCC remaps your bike before it is shipped to you.

Finally. it's great to have you here on the 961 forum, and I hope you enjoy your 961 Sport. Please keep us updated after you take delivery. And, become good friends with Richard 7, he is one of the best guys on the forum for helping with problems, manuals, and tools.

Have you 'done it' yet ??

G81 Can Cycle said:

Finally. it's great to have you here on the 961 forum, and I hope you enjoy your 961 Sport. Please keep us updated after you take delivery. And, become good friends with Richard 7, he is one of the best guys on the forum for helping with problems, manuals, and tools.

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I did grab all of Richard's manuals and gave them a look. Having done so I don't think I'll be over my head with the constant maintenance required with this machine.

Thank you guys! I feel like I am floundering with my lack of 961 experience, but you all have been a big help. When I first jumped back into motorcycling in 2010 after 23 years away from it all, the Norton 961 was what got me interested again (plus the fact that my new bride owned a couple antique Harleys that she has since sold off for a ton of money. So much for going riding together, eh?). I could not justify the price tag at that time so I went for an 850 Mk3 instead. Five years later I have 3 bikes, the Triumph being my favorite. Honestly, the Daytona is just too damn powerful for me at this age. I feel as though the 961 will satisfy my urges to get frisky once in a while without going overboard.

Fast Eddie said:

Have you 'done it' yet ??

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Yessiree. I put down the deposit ahead of my order just to avoid chickening out.

BPHORSEGUY said:

Motad ( Norton ) also makes a long pipe!

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Oh, that sounds interesting. I visited the website, but am not having any luck finding options. Maybe I'll call them as suggested.

Thanks!

contours said:

Fast Eddie said:

Have you 'done it' yet ??

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Yessiree. I put down the deposit ahead of my order just to avoid chickening out.

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Congratulations!

I trust you'll keep us all posted?

Fast Eddie said:

Congratulations!

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Thanks.

Fast Eddie said:

I trust you'll keep us all posted?

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I will. Once I get my head straight on the best "long-pipe" exhaust system I will be ready to place the order. My mind is made up on the color and I'm pretty sure I'll pass on the carbon wheels since their cost is higher than the value of 2 of my 3 bikes. I'll go with the black rims instead.

contours said:

Fast Eddie said:

Congratulations!

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Thanks.

Fast Eddie said:

I trust you'll keep us all posted?

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I will. Once I get my head straight on the best "long-pipe" exhaust system I will be ready to place the order. My mind is made up on the color and I'm pretty sure I'll pass on the carbon wheels since their cost is higher than the value of 2 of my 3 bikes. I'll go with the black rims instead.

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Sounds like you're having fun with it already !!

contours said:

Fast Eddie said:

Congratulations!

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Thanks.

Fast Eddie said:

I trust you'll keep us all posted?

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I will. Once I get my head straight on the best "long-pipe" exhaust system I will be ready to place the order. My mind is made up on the color and I'm pretty sure I'll pass on the carbon wheels since their cost is higher than the value of 2 of my 3 bikes. I'll go with the black rims instead.

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You can't get Motad mufflers short or long (loud variety) from the US dealer as far as I know. You will have to order from England. And when I say order I mean through third party like Krazy Horse (Phil). The Motad long and loud mufflers look just the stock Motad mufflers only free flowing and louder. There are pictures on this forum from members like Dozer . They are not quite as loud as Motad short. You may also want to consider getting the Dyno Break In Service that MCC Chicago offers . Of course you will have to pay for this service. I was fortunate to live close to them so I broke in my bike with the stock set exhaust according to the owners manual . After I ordered my system from Krazy Horse , I brought it all in and had it installed and dyno'ed. Either system you go with you can do the break in service first and then let them put the new system on , re-map and give you your dyno results. This way according to MCC you can ride your bike normally when you get it as it should already be run in . The results of the re-map and free flowing exhaust are very satisfying . I was able to live with the stock setup for more than 1000 miles and then I made the switch. The bike is very quiet at the low and middle rpm range with the stock system , but once it is reved up it made a very memorable growl.
You really need to consider removing the cats (go with the de-cat X-pipe) as this will add a lot more torque especially at the low and mid range. It is well worth it I think. The power is clearly higher than it was stock , I cannot say how much more because I was not able to get a baseline run done first. But the increase in torque made it all worth the effort. Maybe you (Contour) will be the one to get the before and after numbers some of us crave. Don't forget to get a trans vent installed and drain the air box every 300 miles . Watch out for Police speed traps !

TonyA said:

You can't get Motad mufflers short or long (loud variety) from the US dealer as far as I know. You will have to order from England. And when I say order I mean through third party like Krazy Horse (Phil).

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I should be more clear about how my order will be handled and then you can tell me if I would still need to got through Krazy Horse. I am hoping to have all the options added from the get-go. In other words, as part of my order through MCC. I made this assumption because the sales guy was able to quote it all as part of the order. But, after reading the following from your post ...

TonyA said:

You may also want to consider getting the Dyno Break In Service that MCC Chicago offers . Of course you will have to pay for this service. I was fortunate to live close to them so I broke in my bike with the stock set exhaust according to the owners manual . After I ordered my system from Krazy Horse , I brought it all in and had it installed and dyno'ed. Either system you go with you can do the break in service first and then let them put the new system on , re-map and give you your dyno results. This way according to MCC you can ride your bike normally when you get it as it should already be run in . The results of the re-map and free flowing exhaust are very satisfying .

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The idea of having MCC do all the up front break-in is perfect for my situation because the bike will probably arrive in Chicago before I can actually take delivery (I will most likely be snow bound through May of 2016). So are you saying that it's necessary to purchase both the stock exhaust and the after-market one in order to break it in properly? In any case, can't MCC do the ordering as well as the service? That would be ideal!

TonyA said:

You really need to consider removing the cats (go with the de-cat X-pipe) as this will add a lot more torque especially at the low and mid range. It is well worth it I think. The power is clearly higher than it was stock , I cannot say how much more because I was not able to get a baseline run done first. But the increase in torque made it all worth the effort.

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I like this option, too.

TonyA said:

Maybe you (Contour) will be the one to get the before and after numbers some of us crave. Don't forget to get a trans vent installed and drain the air box every 300 miles.

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I could ask MCC about this, too.

Hello Contours , The break in service sounds great to me too. But I want to get something straight , When Norton ships you your bike , it will be stock meeting all US Regs. Unless something has changed , they do not sell the Motad high flow exhaust in this country. Canada can get it , but US cannot . So , MCC probably can get you the SBN system and install it for you. Have you spoken to JB the sales manager ? The last time I spoke to JB they were able to purchase the SBN systems and all I needed was a credit card ! Thank goodness we don't have to emission test our bikes in this country yet.

My first 961 was broken in with stock exhaust and stock map then I changed the pipes / decat. My second SF had the short motads and cat-delete done at the dealer (Gold Coast) and I broke in the bike in with the free flowing exhaust and remap 77. The break-in was fine under both conditions

I have read cautions that when changing pipes to free flowing and/or decatting, that you should have the proper remap in place. The stock map runs far too lean for the free flowing pipes. I am sure that MCC knows this, judging from Tony's stories of MCC, they seem to be the best technical dealer east of the Rockies.

MCC may be able to order the Motad pipes. I believe Richard 7 got his short Motads from his Canadian dealer. I bought my short Motads from Krazy Horse because, at the time, I could find no other alternative.

I

Yes , I agree.

TonyA said:

Hello Contours , The break in service sounds great to me too. But I want to get something straight , When Norton ships you your bike , it will be stock meeting all US Regs. Unless something has changed , they do not sell the Motad high flow exhaust in this country. Canada can get it , but US cannot . So , MCC probably can get you the SBN system and install it for you. Have you spoken to JB the sales manager ? The last time I spoke to JB they were able to purchase the SBN systems and all I needed was a credit card ! Thank goodness we don't have to emission test our bikes in this country yet.

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Okay, that explains it. They had no problem writing up the SBN exhaust into the quote. Thanks for clearing that up.

G81 Can Cycle said:

I have read cautions that when changing pipes to free flowing and/or decatting, that you should have the proper remap in place. The stock map runs far too lean for the free flowing pipes. I am sure that MCC knows this, judging from Tony's stories of MCC, they seem to be the best technical dealer east of the Rockies.
I

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Yes, I got that feeling about MCC.

Hello Contours , This is obvious , with all the excitement, signing papers etc when you get your new bike , Don't forget to pickup your stock exhaust system and take it home with you...

G81 Can Cycle said:

My first 961 was broken in with stock exhaust and stock map then I changed the pipes / decat. My second SF had the short motads and cat-delete done at the dealer (Gold Coast) and I broke in the bike in with the free flowing exhaust and remap 77. The break-in was fine under both conditions

I have read cautions that when changing pipes to free flowing and/or decatting, that you should have the proper remap in place. The stock map runs far too lean for the free flowing pipes. I am sure that MCC knows this, judging from Tony's stories of MCC, they seem to be the best technical dealer east of the Rockies.

MCC may be able to order the Motad pipes. I believe Richard 7 got his short Motads from his Canadian dealer. I bought my short Motads from Krazy Horse because, at the time, I could find no other alternative.

I

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Correct, mine were ordered from Norton Canada. :mrgreen:
We have some bolt-on performance enhancements in the works too. Now that my dad is doing better, things are again starting to become alive again.

Congrats on the purchase Contours. :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

richard-7 said:

Congrats on the purchase Contours. :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

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Thanks, Richard. I am sure we'll be talking a lot by next Spring.

I placed my order with MCC today: red Sport with solo seat and black rims. They quoted 2 to 3 months for arrival, but I am thinking it will be more like 4 or 5. I will have MCC do the dyno break-in, but I am still working on contacting Krazy Horse for the Motad exhaust system. Timing has been a problem - work has been too busy most mornings to call in time. :|

I won't get excited until the Motads are locked in.

contours said:

I placed my order with MCC today: red Sport with solo seat and black rims. They quoted 2 to 3 months for arrival, but I am thinking it will be more like 4 or 5. I will have MCC do the dyno break-in, but I am still working on contacting Krazy Horse for the Motad exhaust system. Timing has been a problem - work has been too busy most mornings to call in time. :|

I won't get excited until the Motads are locked in.

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I get up at 5 AM every morning for work. Used hands free calling on my way to work to call Krazy Horse. This worked great, it was still morning in the UK and Phil was not at lunch. Number I used was 011 44 1284 749645 Automated answering, I think you press 5 for Nortons, then ask for Phil