im going to buy a 2-1 exhaust for my 16 roadster, wondering what one would give me decent gains and won't interfere with the stock location of mid foot controls or require me to ditch the rear passenger pegs. Thanks.

 

Check out Thunderheader. I have them on mine. No problem with controls, but make sure you get the ones for mids. They sent me pipes for forward controls first, but I got them sent back and replaced with the proper ones. No problem with rear pegs. I love these pipes. Of course my bike is a little older than yours.

 

Decent gains in "sound" or "horsepower"?

 

i like the road rage 3 looks awesome.

 

power

 

Check hammer performance's website. They've tested damn near every 2-1 and have the dyno numbers to back it up

 

Not an air flow dynamics guru, but increasing flow restriction(back pressure) will increase low end rpm torque output, while decreasing flow restriction will increase high rpm power output.
It is most desirable to have the flow restriction in the forward collector to equal the flow restriction in the rear collector.

Visted local H-D dealership, recently, and noticed all sportier models have identical exhaust system configurations, even the new Roadsters.

All XLs. have two 90 degree and one 45 degree bends in the forward collector and only two 45 degee bends in the rear collector.
All models have a cross over tube connecting the forward and rear collectors.

Therefore, the flow restriction in the forward collector and rear collector are unequal. The 1200cc engine is more unbalanced than the 883cc engine, because the flow rate of the 1200cc is 25% more than the 883cc engine and flow restriction is even a higher % , because the pressure loss is linear to the flow rate.

Believe this exhaust configuration forces H-D to incorporate a cross over back pressure balancing tube feature.

Notced the new 500 & 750 Steet models incorporate a 2 into 1 exhaust system with no cross over back pressure balance tube.
The rear collector tube is curved in front of the side inspection cover rather than behind the cover as done on all Sportster models.

Have noticed that most aftermarket 2 into 1 exhaust systems for the XL have the rear collector tube curved with a 180 degree bend in front of the inspection cover,
except the Vance & Hines black coated non competition ( blackout & up sweep), exhaust system with a single slip-on muffler.

Also noticed that big V&H do not list a 2 into 1 exhaust system for the late 2016, 1200 Roadster.

​​​​​Still window shopping for 2:1 exhaust system for my 09 XL, since that configuration will return best low end rpm torque and no cross over back pressure balancing tube.
Prefer the feeling of acceleration and pulling out of curves in the canyons here in CA rather than flying down the highway with all the potholes.

Noticed the torque curve for the Patriot Defender 2:1 shows less torque at 2500 rpm than XL stock and equal at 3000 rpm, but more power at higher rpm than stock.

 

I personally ordered the Bassani Road Rage 3 for mine. I wanted something in raw stainless, I wanted 2-1, I wanted enough ground clearance and price was last consideration.

Also V&H does offer a 2-1 that fits the roadsters. The "UpSweep". Below was my short list, barring a few that I found too ugly to live with (sorry patriot, freedom etc)


Firebrand 52 black - $719 revzilla
RSD slash “Discontinued”
bassani road rage 3 $799 revzilla
vance and hines upswept $699 revzilla
D&D bob cat $999 “Doesn’t fit roadster”
Cobra El Diablo $649
Sawicki speed $999

A short list without getting into the EDM Remus exhaust etc and without getting into the JDM tramp and Dlive etc exhausts. There are some really cool esoteric pipes from overseas that I really wanted.

Best all around product for me, so I went with the Bassani.

 

Check out Two Brothers 2-1. Saw one of the new Roadsters today at the dealer that just had this system put on. The owner was very happy with the increase in torque as well as the sound. He said the pipe itself was just under $800 with his HOG discount, of course the dyno/tune added a bit more lol.

Looked great too.

 

Noticed the only difference between the Two Bros 2:1 & Bassani road rage 3 , 2:1, is the length of the megaphone shaped muffler, the Bassani is longer than the Two Bros, which may result in greater low end rpm torque. Both have identical collector routing to the transition fitting and both systems are bare stainless steel material.

V& H does not list a 2:1 exhaust for the 2016 XL1200CX roadster but Revzilla lists the V&H upsweep and JP cycles lists the V&H competition 2:1