Cat delete, is it worth the money

[Albec]

I'm curious. In states that require annual inspections, do Spyders have to be inspected? If so, do they check for the presence of a catalytic converter?

 

[Cobranut]

I'm curious. In states that require annual inspections, do Spyders have to be inspected? If so, do they check for the presence of a catalytic converter?

Shhhhhhhhh...

 

[Snoking1127]

Shhhhhhhhh...

I am surprised vendors and people talk so openly about cat deletes for Spyders in the US where there are laws regulating such equipment.

EPA fines Bay Area auto parts company $1.1 million for selling ‘defeat’ devices, harming air quality | US EPA

EPA News Release: EPA fines Bay Area auto parts company $1.1 million for selling ‘defeat’ devices, harming air quality

www.epa.gov

 

[AbNormy]

I am surprised vendors and people talk so openly about cat deletes for Spyders in the US where there are laws regulating such equipment.

EPA fines Bay Area auto parts company $1.1 million for selling ‘defeat’ devices, harming air quality | US EPA

EPA News Release: EPA fines Bay Area auto parts company $1.1 million for selling ‘defeat’ devices, harming air quality

www.epa.gov

It's not really a cat so much as a baffle or someone else probably knows the terminology, but it's not a catalytic convertor.

 

[Snoking1127]

It's not really a cat so much as a baffle or someone else probably knows the terminology, but it's not a catalytic convertor.

BRP CAM AM service manual says Cat.

 

[Dasmoetorhead]

It's not really a cat so much as a baffle or someone else probably knows the terminology, but it's not a catalytic convertor.

It absolutely is a catalytic converter. Look on your emissions sticker.
Look for TWC. TWC stands for Three-Way Catalytic converter.
Here's what my emissions sticker looks like.


BRP calls it the primary silencer. Which it does well, but still flows plenty of exhaust gases.

 

[Dasmoetorhead]

In addition to the catalytic converter, the stock secondary muffler is also part of the EPA's noise limit, but not the emissions.

 

[mecsw500]

Frankly I just keep the whole exhaust system stock. A cat delete and replacement muffler might cause a small boost in power, but it will move it up the rev range where to my mind it is less useful than power and torque lower down. The Spyder is setup to run with the stock exhaust and the only true way to increase power is modification to the engine internals including valve sizes and cam timing and possible compression lowering and turbo or super charging. Freer inlet and exhaust flow is not going to do very much.

I think the Spyder makes a decent exhaust sound when revving it, even when I have my hearing aids out. I like to ride under the radar, so the less noise I make the less the rozzers will notice me.

I know removing the cat and using a different slip on saves weight, but I could do that by going on a diet. Lol.

I’m in the keep it stock and use the probable $1,000 I’ll save on gas to go places camp. If the exhaust is louder I’ll just have to turn up the volume on my comms system to hear my wife.

This of course is my opinion and your mileage may vary.

 

[Albec]

I am surprised vendors and people talk so openly about cat deletes for Spyders in the US where there are laws regulating such equipment.

EPA fines Bay Area auto parts company $1.1 million for selling ‘defeat’ devices, harming air quality | US EPA

EPA News Release: EPA fines Bay Area auto parts company $1.1 million for selling ‘defeat’ devices, harming air quality

www.epa.gov

I'm also surprised as removing the OEM cat from a vehicle is illegal in the US. It's surprising too that Spyderlovers appears to not only condone this but to encourage it.

 

[Knizar]

I'm also surprised as removing the OEM cat from a vehicle is illegal in the US. It's surprising too that Spyderlovers appears to not only condone this but to encourage it.

Don't poke the bear, and let the sleeping dog lie!

 

[Snoking1127]

I'm also surprised as removing the OEM cat from a vehicle is illegal in the US. It's surprising too that Spyderlovers appears to not only condone this but to encourage it.

What surprises me is companies making to delete pipes are so open about it, as that is who the EPA goes after first. Insiders at that Bay Area company told me the EPA is going to be working their way down the food chain. All they would have to do regarding deletes for motorcycles is fine one of the companies making them and it would be all over. Won't be hard to find a supplier given how open they are about their product.

My in-laws new to him last year 2014 RT has the optional BRP approved Akrapovič muffler. It sounds pretty cool, however I think one would get tired of the noise on a long ride.

I also think the louder exhaust would negatively effect the "you are one with the machine" riding experience of the Spyder. I love a windy country road out riding the Spyder, it's me and the machine bonded together enjoying the ride. Two up is slightly different, however I enjoy the share experience at a bit slower pace, with a pat on her knee once in a while that she really likes.

 

[Dasmoetorhead]

Most of us just want to get that perfect exhaust note, and reduce heat and weight.
The Spyder is easy to modify the exhaust. I went back and forth probably 10 times removing and reinstalling the Cat. I tried to like it, but it just didn't sound right for me. I was looking for a bit more exhaust note, but didn't want my Spyder to sound like a chainsaw. I knew the delete pipe wouldn't give me more power.
After testing the delete pipe while keeping the stock exhaust muffler I eventually gave up. But after more thought I took the plunge and bought an Akrapovic sinister exhaust can, and it for me is the best sounding exhaust. Not too loud, no droning while cruzing, it looks good, and is completely legal to use. Akrapovic even gives you a certificate that shows it complies with the EPA. In Europe I believe Spyders used to come from the factory with the Akrapovic. All I know is that I really like it. Waaay over priced though.

 

[Albec]

What surprises me is companies making to delete pipes are so open about it, as that is who the EPA goes after first. Insiders at that Bay Area company told me the EPA is going to be working their way down the food chain. All they would have to do regarding deletes for motorcycles is fine one of the companies making them and it would be all over. Won't be hard to find a supplier given how open they are about their product.

My in-laws new to him last year 2014 RT has the optional BRP approved Akrapovič muffler. It sounds pretty cool, however I think one would get tired of the noise on a long ride.

I also think the louder exhaust would negatively effect the "you are one with the machine" riding experience of the Spyder. I love a windy country road out riding the Spyder, it's me and the machine bonded together enjoying the ride. Two up is slightly different, however I enjoy the share experience at a bit slower pace.

While I don't know for sure because I've never shopped for one, but I suspect that these companies making delete pipes have an Asterix next to the description of the pipe. With the Asterix pointing to a disclaimer stating something to the effect of *for off road use only. Or *for testing purposes only. I have seen such things for my Kawasaki's cats and there was always the disclaimer. And no, I did not remove the cats from my Kaw.

 

[Snoking1127]

Most of us just want to get that perfect exhaust note, and reduce heat and weight.
The Spyder is easy to modify the exhaust. I went back and forth probably 10 times removing and reinstalling the Cat. I tried to like it, but it just didn't sound right for me. I was looking for a bit more exhaust note, but didn't want my Spyder to sound like a chainsaw. I knew the delete pipe wouldn't give me more power.
After testing the delete pipe while keeping the stock exhaust muffler I eventually gave up. But after more thought I took the plunge and bought an Akrapovic sinister exhaust can, and it for me is the best sounding exhaust. Not too loud, no droning while cruzing, it looks good, and is completely legal to use. Akrapovic even gives you a certificate that shows it complies with the EPA. In Europe I believe Spyders used to come from the factory with the Akrapovic. All I know is that I really like it. Waaay over priced though.

Over priced is an understatement. The low mile 2014 RT my in-law bought had the Akrapovic muffler, HD sway bar, magic mirrors, side case soft bags, and a full cover all for $11.2K.

 

[Dakotaz]

From AI, so the value is exactly what you paid for it.

Catalytic Converter Requirements for Motorcycles in the USA​

In the United States, a catalytic converter is not required by law on motorcycles - but it is required on most passenger cars and light trucks in every state.