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I would say, and most would agree, that the number one complaint about the Viking is the amount of noise you hear in the cab. I have tried a few things, and all have worked to varying degrees. However, I just finished my soundproofing project, and I am MORE than pleased with the results.
I took my Viking to a local shop, that specializes in soundproofing, and challenged them to come up with a solution. We tried several products that seemed promising...so I took a bunch of it home and gave it a shot. What I can tell you is this...Between the Hushpower muffler and the installed soundproof material, I now have the quietest Viking out there. I can have a normal conversation with the person next to me and have to raise my voice just a bit to talk to the person in the far seat. I can honestly say that noise is no longer an issue for me! I'm not saying it's a golf cart quiet...but it is no louder than anything else I tried....and quieter than some.
Here's the info: I used 3 materials
#1. 3 LF of 1" SSP foam mat (SSP = Super Sound Proof)
#2. 2 LF of 2" SSP
#3. 3 LF of 1/8" MLV and 1/4" SSP bonded (MLV = Mass Loaded Vinyl)
Plus 1 can of spray on contact cement
This stuff is a closed cell foam that is water proof - mold, mildew, gas and oil resistant.
I removed the seats and covered all of the plastic from where your heals touch on up to the front of the seats. I did this on the back side (inside) so it was not visible. Then I cut individual pieces and covered all of the plastic (on top the outside) under the seats. You need to take your time with this as there are many different shapes and stuff. This was all done with the MLV SSP and contact cement. Then I pulled the side panels off and used a large piece of the 2" SSP and ran it front to back along the inside square frame from under the drivers seat and used the same stuff around the outside seat belt holes and gas tank. Then I put the seats back in and used the 1" SSP to fill every void in between the seat frames and over the tool storage area...and used 2" SSP over the top of the air cleaner box. Don't forget the holes where the seat belts come through as well. Next I used a piece of the 1" SSP that fit perfect on the front of the bed. I left the pipe insulation and bed mat from my earlier sound project. Next, I used some pieces of the 2" SSP that filled the gap between the back of the seats and the pipe insulation.
When I started it up, I was amazed at the difference...I mean it's HUGE! One thing I also learned is that, after doing all this, I found that there was a howl coming from the air intake under the hood. I threw a piece of the MLV over that as well. In short, all I did was put a sound barrier between the cab and the engine...and the difference truly is night and day!
The sound proofing materials will run you approx. $175 plush shipping. The name of the company is "Super Soundproofing" just ask for Randy...he really knows his stuff! (888-942-7723)
Best Soundproofing Materials, Noise Control Materials and Solutions by soundproofing.org
I would HIGHLY recommend the Hushpower silencer along with the SSP material. In my opinion, if Yamaha would have done this from the beginning the sound problem would hardly be an issue! It really is that big of a difference!
Here are the install photo's...
MLV over the seats
1"SSP in all the voids around the seat frames and 2" over the air box
2" SSP along the interior frame
1" SSP on front of bed w/pipe insulation on latch rod
With seats installed material is not that noticable
Behind seats w/2" SSP to fill gap between seats and bed
Here are the materials
What I learned most of all was that it makes a huge difference if you use materials that were specifically designed to reduce noise and sound transfer. This stuff REALLY works! Here's a link to the video... http://www.vikingforum.org/forum/yamaha-viking-how-diy-section/4746-quiet-viking-video.html
I took my Viking to a local shop, that specializes in soundproofing, and challenged them to come up with a solution. We tried several products that seemed promising...so I took a bunch of it home and gave it a shot. What I can tell you is this...Between the Hushpower muffler and the installed soundproof material, I now have the quietest Viking out there. I can have a normal conversation with the person next to me and have to raise my voice just a bit to talk to the person in the far seat. I can honestly say that noise is no longer an issue for me! I'm not saying it's a golf cart quiet...but it is no louder than anything else I tried....and quieter than some.
Here's the info: I used 3 materials
#1. 3 LF of 1" SSP foam mat (SSP = Super Sound Proof)
#2. 2 LF of 2" SSP
#3. 3 LF of 1/8" MLV and 1/4" SSP bonded (MLV = Mass Loaded Vinyl)
Plus 1 can of spray on contact cement
This stuff is a closed cell foam that is water proof - mold, mildew, gas and oil resistant.
I removed the seats and covered all of the plastic from where your heals touch on up to the front of the seats. I did this on the back side (inside) so it was not visible. Then I cut individual pieces and covered all of the plastic (on top the outside) under the seats. You need to take your time with this as there are many different shapes and stuff. This was all done with the MLV SSP and contact cement. Then I pulled the side panels off and used a large piece of the 2" SSP and ran it front to back along the inside square frame from under the drivers seat and used the same stuff around the outside seat belt holes and gas tank. Then I put the seats back in and used the 1" SSP to fill every void in between the seat frames and over the tool storage area...and used 2" SSP over the top of the air cleaner box. Don't forget the holes where the seat belts come through as well. Next I used a piece of the 1" SSP that fit perfect on the front of the bed. I left the pipe insulation and bed mat from my earlier sound project. Next, I used some pieces of the 2" SSP that filled the gap between the back of the seats and the pipe insulation.
When I started it up, I was amazed at the difference...I mean it's HUGE! One thing I also learned is that, after doing all this, I found that there was a howl coming from the air intake under the hood. I threw a piece of the MLV over that as well. In short, all I did was put a sound barrier between the cab and the engine...and the difference truly is night and day!
The sound proofing materials will run you approx. $175 plush shipping. The name of the company is "Super Soundproofing" just ask for Randy...he really knows his stuff! (888-942-7723)
Best Soundproofing Materials, Noise Control Materials and Solutions by soundproofing.org
I would HIGHLY recommend the Hushpower silencer along with the SSP material. In my opinion, if Yamaha would have done this from the beginning the sound problem would hardly be an issue! It really is that big of a difference!
Here are the install photo's...
MLV over the seats


1"SSP in all the voids around the seat frames and 2" over the air box

2" SSP along the interior frame

1" SSP on front of bed w/pipe insulation on latch rod

With seats installed material is not that noticable

Behind seats w/2" SSP to fill gap between seats and bed


Here are the materials

What I learned most of all was that it makes a huge difference if you use materials that were specifically designed to reduce noise and sound transfer. This stuff REALLY works! Here's a link to the video... http://www.vikingforum.org/forum/yamaha-viking-how-diy-section/4746-quiet-viking-video.html