I was actually reading about cross overs before I looked at the above posts. You guys make it much much clearer!

Might have to rethink another exhaust system then. I don't have that much low and mid range power as it is, at least not to me. If I were to put another system on, it might have to be a custom made one, and I know a local guy who is excellent when it comes to custom made exhausts. Now I think about it, might have to drop up and see him, see if he would do a bike exhaust...darn it - there goes the bank balance again!

 

The first appearance of exhaust crossovers was on high performance cars that were designed to be taken to the dragstrip in the 60's...so I would say performance is where they came from.

 

Not arguing/debating the origins of the "equalizer tube", just stating a fact that any system which utilizes two separate exhaust pipes can and will derive a benefit in low end torque from the addition of one ... My use of "having" was in reference to being used by only high performance engines.

PS ... I've worked on ( installed ) the system that you used for reference ... Street Hemi's ... Quite an impressive "torque monster"

 

The Harley is the first bike I have ridden that had a cross over. When I bought the bike from the original owner he told me he bought in Germany while serving the military. I just assumed, at the time, that it was European requirement of some sort.

 

I have an 89 FLHTC and switched to true duals with fishtails and no baffles !! definitely lost some performance but man she looks and sounds dirty !!! I didn't buy her for the drag strip so im fine with her

 

As far as I know all EVOs had some sort of crossover on the stock exhaust...I believe all the softails were just like the one you have...when they started making the twinkies they starting trying to hide them...even hid them in the mounting bracket on some models.

 

Unless you are hotrodding that bike you won't really notice it.
You will get more from that stage one and two you are putting on than you will loose if you get rid of that crossover.

 

Mines hidden so I just leave it. Are you guys telling me if I remove it my bike will be even more loud and sinister? Color me interested...

 

if you want loud get some V&H short shots and if you want stupidly loud get a set of LAF ground shakers

 

As I wont be hot rodding the bike, think I'll keep what I have for the time being, at least until I get the main work done to the bike then worry about the exhaust. All intersting stuff though and good to know.