Started riding last year. First bike was a 94 wide glide. Loved riding and needed (ok, wanted) a touring bike. Just bought a 2011 Street Glide. Prior owner changed the stock pipes to the V & H Power Duals, but didn't do anything with the air cleaner. It's still stock.

With this setup, this bike is loud. Too loud for a touring bike in my opinion. In comparison, my wide glide has a Thunderheader, and this street glide is considerably louder. My question is this. If/When I swap out the air cleaner to get this bike more air, should I expect it to get quieter as a result? Thanks.

 

No, that is not going to make it any quieter.

You didn't mention what kind of mufflers were on it?
I have the V&H Power Dual head pipes on mine with Rinehart 4" mufflers, and the sound is pretty good.
Some will think it is too loud, and some will think it is too quiet.

 

The Air cleaner Will not change anything . Without knowing the Mufflers I can,t help ?

 

The air cleaner will have no effect on the level or quality of the exhaust note. It will, however lean out the scooter considerably necessitating a tuner ( or other device ) to enrichen the AFR ( Air Fuel Ratio )

 

No change in the exhaust by adding an air cleaner.... but if the air cleaner you install is anything like the one I just installed on mine it will make a lot of noise itself. Not sure I'm liking the suction noise. Rsd venturi 7

 

the inexpensive way to quiet it down is to replace the mufflers ( "slip-ons" ) with a set of stock 2010+ HD mufflers. this will likely satisfy you for long days in the saddle.

If you want full control of the sound, a set of supertrapp supermegs slip ons or the made for screaming eagle fatshots.
Either can be altered for high flow, low exhaust note.

- I will assume that your V&H power dual headers have V&H mufflers on them- to my taste both the monster ovals and monster rounds are too loud for the rider, in addition the ovals project an annoying tinny rattle straight out the back ( my riding pal with that set up has to follow)

Your question quickly leads us to the usual follow on question....:
as noted above, an more open air cleaner will give you induction noise- I don't care as i keep my thighs to the tank- that blocks the noise

the advantage of the hi flow air cleaner ( with your hi flow header ( no cat) and pipes) is an additional 7 to 10 horsepower
best bang for the buck is the Ness Big Sucker w/ chrome backing plate on ebay from Easternpc- about $125

but this does open the "tuner" can of worms...which can run from about $125 ( nightrider.com Xieds/ Vieds) to over $800 (thundermax) with options inbetween.

I use the Xieds



and i do use Supertrapps on my Harleys


Mike

 

X2. If you ride it with the new AC and don't use a tuner to enrichen the AFR then you risk burning the valves.. Personally, I use the Vance and Hines Tuner. Good luck with your decision.

 

I agree with most folks here. As a new HD owner you need to listen to different brand of pipes and see how they perform. Save your $$$ now and take your time to research (i.e. listen) to different pipes. Then, make your decision.

I do like the suggestion of putting stock mufflers back on. This will provide a few benefits: your bike will run a bit cooler and less noisy. Once you've decided on the set of pipes you want, you should also get a fuel/air mixture module as well. Then, tune your f/a mixture to the pipes you decide on.

Hope this helps.

 

What kind of mufflers? and did you check to see if previous owner removed the baffles?

 

I agree no exhaust note change because of ac