I like thte way v&h short shots look but have heard they huert performance. is this true even with stage 1 air cleaner and dyno tune?

 

Hey they will work...but in my opinion they are not worth spending money on a dyno with those pipes. It's your bike....performance or looks? Or maybe a compromise on both?

Plus after all day of riding your ears will be ringing...look where they dump out at

 

Any free flowing exhaust and air cleaner (not stock) will give you better performance that what you have with a choked up stock Harley.
Are there better options for performance than those Short Shots, absolutely yes.
I'll let others chime in as to what those might be since my suggestions would be biased towards SuperTrapp.

 

Different pipes give you performance in different areas. Generally speaking, long pipes give power on the low end. And short pipes give more power on the high end. Just try to learn where each different type of exhaust makes its power. Or at least learn wher the exhaust you like is known to make its power. That way you will not be disappointed afterward.

 

You'll get better performance with a good 2-1 pipe but if you like the looks of your V&H Short Shots, I wouldn't sweat it. One of the guys I ride with has them on his bike and he rides the hell out of it.