Thunderheader vs Road Rage
#21
#22
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Tallahassee, Florida
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#23
I've had 5 Thunderheaders on various bikes. Build quality is questionable on all of them. The one that had a chrome defect (bubbled up when bike was started for the first time) was warrantied in 1 day.
What most people don't get about the T-header is that you can't just bolt it on. You need to take the time to shim the pipe to the mount so that there is no tension on it. Then there's no torsional flex and no reason for it to break. People who have breakage just bolt the pipe and mount together and ram it home.
it's a peculiar quirk of a Thunderheader.
Nothing, and I mean NOTHING sounds as good as a Thunderheader. The baffle is unique, and that is what creates the sound. Armchair quarterbacks all over tell you they don't perform. I'm here to tell you BS. They do if your tuner knows what's up.
I burned a hole in one on my Street Bob so I had it twisted. Looked pretty cool, and didn't scrape any more.
What most people don't get about the T-header is that you can't just bolt it on. You need to take the time to shim the pipe to the mount so that there is no tension on it. Then there's no torsional flex and no reason for it to break. People who have breakage just bolt the pipe and mount together and ram it home.
it's a peculiar quirk of a Thunderheader.
Nothing, and I mean NOTHING sounds as good as a Thunderheader. The baffle is unique, and that is what creates the sound. Armchair quarterbacks all over tell you they don't perform. I'm here to tell you BS. They do if your tuner knows what's up.
I burned a hole in one on my Street Bob so I had it twisted. Looked pretty cool, and didn't scrape any more.
Last edited by JCleary; 12-22-2016 at 11:15 AM.
#24
#25
#26
Installed the RR3 on mine yesterday and rode into town to compare to a friends Dyna with the TH. TH sounds a bit deeper, mellower, the RR is crisp and has a bark to it when you crack the throttle.
On the highway the TH is quieter, but that could be because it is further back. The RR3 ends right at the shock mount on the swingarm, so you hear a lot. WOT from behind the TH and RR are both loud, but I think the TH is a little quieter where the RR gets real loud. Higher pitch in the tone from the RR, the TH is noticeably deeper in note. I prefer the RR sound as it doesn't sound like every other Harley blatting away with open pipes.
The RR build quality is excellent, installed with no drama, and after heat cycling it properly it turned a nice gold color that looks just right on my FXDLS.
On the highway the TH is quieter, but that could be because it is further back. The RR3 ends right at the shock mount on the swingarm, so you hear a lot. WOT from behind the TH and RR are both loud, but I think the TH is a little quieter where the RR gets real loud. Higher pitch in the tone from the RR, the TH is noticeably deeper in note. I prefer the RR sound as it doesn't sound like every other Harley blatting away with open pipes.
The RR build quality is excellent, installed with no drama, and after heat cycling it properly it turned a nice gold color that looks just right on my FXDLS.
#27
Installed the RR3 on mine yesterday and rode into town to compare to a friends Dyna with the TH. TH sounds a bit deeper, mellower, the RR is crisp and has a bark to it when you crack the throttle.
On the highway the TH is quieter, but that could be because it is further back. The RR3 ends right at the shock mount on the swingarm, so you hear a lot. WOT from behind the TH and RR are both loud, but I think the TH is a little quieter where the RR gets real loud. Higher pitch in the tone from the RR, the TH is noticeably deeper in note. I prefer the RR sound as it doesn't sound like every other Harley blatting away with open pipes.
The RR build quality is excellent, installed with no drama, and after heat cycling it properly it turned a nice gold color that looks just right on my FXDLS.
On the highway the TH is quieter, but that could be because it is further back. The RR3 ends right at the shock mount on the swingarm, so you hear a lot. WOT from behind the TH and RR are both loud, but I think the TH is a little quieter where the RR gets real loud. Higher pitch in the tone from the RR, the TH is noticeably deeper in note. I prefer the RR sound as it doesn't sound like every other Harley blatting away with open pipes.
The RR build quality is excellent, installed with no drama, and after heat cycling it properly it turned a nice gold color that looks just right on my FXDLS.
#28
I have the RR2 Mega Power on my Street Bob. It sounds a lot better after installing the quiet baffle IMO. Sounds like a vintage muscle car when the throttle is cracked open. Great power after a bit of dyno time. Quality is top notch and dealing with Bassani was a very pleasant experience.
#29
I have the RR2 Mega Power on my Street Bob. It sounds a lot better after installing the quiet baffle IMO. Sounds like a vintage muscle car when the throttle is cracked open. Great power after a bit of dyno time. Quality is top notch and dealing with Bassani was a very pleasant experience.
But I will say that it sure picked up some power, that stock exhaust was choking this thing real bad.
#30
After taking it out again this morning I think I'm going to throw the quiet baffle in there, the standard baffle is just too damn loud. I live in a small town, and I'm one of the few who ride year-round, so it's pretty obvious who is making the noise.
But I will say that it sure picked up some power, that stock exhaust was choking this thing real bad.
But I will say that it sure picked up some power, that stock exhaust was choking this thing real bad.