this is the nicest exhaust HD has made since the last time they made it, in the 80's.
love how they look, although i haven't heard them.
you can always punch some holes and make things louder.

if anyone in the socal area is looking to part with a set, let me know. i'd love to run one on my '08.

 

Such a personal thing, pipes and volume.

Just for another perspective: I've got a '14 street bob and had V&H Big Shots staggered put on before delivery. Stage One AC too….

The dealer forgot to order the V&H Quiet baffles so had to ride the bike with standard baffles for a week. Hated it. Real top end "crack" in the sound.

Got the quiet baffles fitted and it changed tone, but not volume - was better. After 2000 miles I've ordered some Smartpartz Hard Kore baffles to install as well as the V&H. See how that goes.

I guess what I'm saying is that in hindsight, I'd keep the stock pipes, save myself $1400 AUD (pipes and se pro tuner) and probably de-cat it after a while.

I want tone/note/sound, not volume and it seems difficult to get the "right" sound (for me) without scaring the neighbours and getting the attention of the police.

I'll see how these new, extra baffles go and if it's still not working, I will probably put the stock system back on..

 

Wow, good insight everyone. With this bike I have made the decision NOT to customize anything until I am 100% sure what I want/need. I can see myself changing grips, mirrors, pegs etc but no rush at all. The pipes were the first thing I thought Id change but slowly starting to think "wait, lets see". I have a super loud Sporty and Softail Deuce so I want more of a low "rumble" but maybe the stock pipes will grow on me (they are starting to).

 

How does your bike run with the de catted header?
Did you change the air filter also? if I could get just a bit more pep from the motor by de catting and another air filter, and stay with the FL-VIED, would be happy with stock, not to mention money ahead.

 

No, I didn't change the air filter. The engine has a little more pep but the biggest plus is that it runs so much cooler. Before I decatted it, the bike would constantly go into parade mode at stoplights etc. and now it only occaisionally does. Also, as I mentioned, the exhaust sounds better.

 

Mind sharing how you de-catted? Did you cut open/dig it out/weld it back up, bore it out from end, buy de-catted replacements or some other method? What method(s) would you recommend?

 

I used the "trap door" method and cut an approx. 3" by 5" area out on the inside of the collector then dug out the cat material with a screwdriver and chisel. Slow, nasty work but only took an hour or so. Wear a face mask because I don't think that stuff should be breathed. I had the trap door welded up after that. All in all, I am pretty happy with how it turned out.