This is my first Harley (and street bike), a 2016 Fat Bob. I'm loving it so far and trying to finish the break in so I can really see what she's got. I've been looking at exhaust options for the bike and so far I am very indecisive about it. I like the Cobra RPT slip ons because they sound good, don't require tuning, not obnoxious, and are fairly inexpensive. But, I've also been considering a good black 2:1 pipe so I can get a good power bump for the long run. I'm looking for a deep sounding system that isn't obnoxious. I'm figuring videos online can be misleading with the sound so I haven't ordered any yet.

 

amazing how comfortable that stock seat is. anything vance and hines will be good

 

Theres MANY options.. Me I like V&H.. Regardless of whatever pipes you go with, if you do anything other then slip ons, you really need an intake and a tune.. Slips are really just a sound bump imho..

 

Thunderheader 2 into 1

 

Nice bike and congrats. I'm in search of the same exact thing you are. It's difficult because what one person thinks is loud, may not be to another. If you're parked somewhere and there are other bikes and you see an exhaust you like ask if they'll start it up so they can hear. I am interested in the Bassani Road Rage. I posted on here looking for anyone in NJ that's rockin it and if so are you willing to meet. Someone responded and I'm meeting them tomorrow.

 

I'll say don't jump into the loud pipe thing so fast. Many times that louder, free flowing exhaust may give a slight amount of HP gain at high RPM's. At the cost of losing torque at the low to mid range where the bike is run most times.


If you look into independent dyno tests you may be disappointed. Real gain tends to come from a balance of cams, then exhaust and air filter. A competent speed shop will be a better place for true performance than a forum or V&H ad.

 

The stock seat is pretty comfortable. I have looked at the V&H pipes and I do like the big shots, I also like the bassani road rage, d&d fat cat, and a few others. And you guys are right about loud being subjective. Obnoxious pipes to me would be pipes that are extremely loud at idle and cruising. Im totally cool with it being really loud when I crank the throttle, I just don't want them real loud all the time.

 

i have the short shots on my fatboy lo and at idle they're loud, but not ear shattering. cruising down the road isn't to bad either, not till you crack the throttle

 

Your Low Rider is pretty sharp man, nice bike.

 

A friend of mine has the short shots on a Nightster and they sounded pretty good. I don't know how much different a 103 would sound compared to the 1200