Slip-ons worth it?
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 391
Likes: 22
From: Wisconsin
Slip-ons worth it?
So all the threads about head pipes and exhausts have me wondering a few things. Are slip-ons really worth getting? What benefits will it really give? Is it really only a sound thing? I am not interested in doing a full stage 1 upgrade. Would like more sound than stock. Is a tuner needed with only slip-ons. I am thinking about a cheap slip-on like Full Boar initially. The stock exhaust is okay especially for the tunes (my first bagger), but coming from my Heritage with Python slip-ons. They were loud but had the sound! Looking for suggestions.
You get what you pay for.
Or rather, don't get what you don't pay for.
Cheap = cheap.
If I've posted it once, I bet I've posted it 43 times...
The FIRST thing a man should do when considering making changes is GET A TUNER. It will help a stock bike, and when you change pipes and or air cleaner, you're ready for it.
Can you run without a tuner? Yes.
Will you blow your engine up running without a tuner? Probably not.
Can you expect to get 50,000 miles out of your engine without a tuner? Most likely.
Will it run correctly without a tuner? No.
Dealers and their parts and service departments are a business, in business to sell motorcycles, and motorcycle parts and accessories. They tell you that you can get away without a tuner, because a LOT of guys won't come off the jack for a tuner, and they're afraid they'll lose sales if they tell you to get a tuner.
Changing the air flow without changing the VE tables is not beneficial. These bikes run lean from the factory, adding a more free flowing exhaust makes them run more lean.
Do what you want, I won't criticize, just trying to offer things to think about.
...but there is a reason I won't buy a used bike as my primary ride...
Or rather, don't get what you don't pay for.
Cheap = cheap.
If I've posted it once, I bet I've posted it 43 times...
The FIRST thing a man should do when considering making changes is GET A TUNER. It will help a stock bike, and when you change pipes and or air cleaner, you're ready for it.
Can you run without a tuner? Yes.
Will you blow your engine up running without a tuner? Probably not.
Can you expect to get 50,000 miles out of your engine without a tuner? Most likely.
Will it run correctly without a tuner? No.
Dealers and their parts and service departments are a business, in business to sell motorcycles, and motorcycle parts and accessories. They tell you that you can get away without a tuner, because a LOT of guys won't come off the jack for a tuner, and they're afraid they'll lose sales if they tell you to get a tuner.
Changing the air flow without changing the VE tables is not beneficial. These bikes run lean from the factory, adding a more free flowing exhaust makes them run more lean.
Do what you want, I won't criticize, just trying to offer things to think about.
...but there is a reason I won't buy a used bike as my primary ride...
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 345
Likes: 3
From: New Jersey
Not arguing. Slip on with a baffle will not have any adverse effect on the bike. If anything you will see sound and power difference. Depending on the slip on. The baffles stop the unburnt fuel from coming out the exhaust. Just like the stock pipes/mufflers. Slip on just have less restriction. But it's still there. When you add streight pipes there are no baffles in them no restriction which allows the unburnt fuel to escape. Causing a rich air fuel mixture. Watch the video here this was posted in another thread about pipes and exhaust gasses(unburnt fuel). And yes this apples to fuel injection. It's just not done with a computer.
Here's the thread
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softa...confirmed.html
Here's the thread
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softa...confirmed.html
Last edited by 97 dyna lowrider; Jun 27, 2015 at 01:19 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 911
Likes: 10
From: Wisconsin
My previous bike (2004 EG) had a 95" BB kit with true duals and fuel map and Rhinehart pipes. When i traded for the 2015 I just went with the Screamin Eagle street cannons slip on's. I am very happy with them and they give me just the sound im looking for! I may do head pipes and tuner/intake next summer just to get rid of some of the "crotch heat" but not 100% sure
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 648
Likes: 24
From: New Jersey
Unlike your Heritage, your touring bike has the cat in the header, so you're not going to get as big of a loudness difference as your Softail just by swapping slip ons. If you want noticeable sound and performance gains, you'll need new headers, slip ons, a Stage 1 and tuner.
If you're looking for more sound only, then I would suggest one of two slip on options: the Rush Big Louie with 3" baffles or the Screamin Eagle Street Cannons. Both have a nice, deep rumble. The Rush is much louder, and I found them a bit much on longer runs.
Your best bet is to go to a bike night and listen to what you like and don't like. Take your time. Even some full exhaust systems are relatively quiet, so do your homework.
If you're looking for more sound only, then I would suggest one of two slip on options: the Rush Big Louie with 3" baffles or the Screamin Eagle Street Cannons. Both have a nice, deep rumble. The Rush is much louder, and I found them a bit much on longer runs.
Your best bet is to go to a bike night and listen to what you like and don't like. Take your time. Even some full exhaust systems are relatively quiet, so do your homework.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
Likes: 7,203
From: Oxford, Nc
I've now got an old ('00,) bike with a '10 stock 2 into 1 header (with a cat,) and a slip on Nightstick / Supertrapp muffler (cheap on EBay.)
I thought I might need to gut the cat from all I'd been reading but at least on my ride the heat isn't severe enough to bother with it and the muffler is tuned to give me both the volume and backpressure ( low end torque,) that I desired. So yes, a slip on works just fine for me.
I thought I might need to gut the cat from all I'd been reading but at least on my ride the heat isn't severe enough to bother with it and the muffler is tuned to give me both the volume and backpressure ( low end torque,) that I desired. So yes, a slip on works just fine for me.
Club Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 937
Likes: 22
From: Ontario, Canada
You get what you pay for.
Or rather, don't get what you don't pay for.
Cheap = cheap.
If I've posted it once, I bet I've posted it 43 times...
The FIRST thing a man should do when considering making changes is GET A TUNER. It will help a stock bike, and when you change pipes and or air cleaner, you're ready for it.
Can you run without a tuner? Yes.
Will you blow your engine up running without a tuner? Probably not.
Can you expect to get 50,000 miles out of your engine without a tuner? Most likely.
Will it run correctly without a tuner? No.
Dealers and their parts and service departments are a business, in business to sell motorcycles, and motorcycle parts and accessories. They tell you that you can get away without a tuner, because a LOT of guys won't come off the jack for a tuner, and they're afraid they'll lose sales if they tell you to get a tuner.
Changing the air flow without changing the VE tables is not beneficial. These bikes run lean from the factory, adding a more free flowing exhaust makes them run more lean.
Do what you want, I won't criticize, just trying to offer things to think about.
...but there is a reason I won't buy a used bike as my primary ride...
Or rather, don't get what you don't pay for.
Cheap = cheap.
If I've posted it once, I bet I've posted it 43 times...
The FIRST thing a man should do when considering making changes is GET A TUNER. It will help a stock bike, and when you change pipes and or air cleaner, you're ready for it.
Can you run without a tuner? Yes.
Will you blow your engine up running without a tuner? Probably not.
Can you expect to get 50,000 miles out of your engine without a tuner? Most likely.
Will it run correctly without a tuner? No.
Dealers and their parts and service departments are a business, in business to sell motorcycles, and motorcycle parts and accessories. They tell you that you can get away without a tuner, because a LOT of guys won't come off the jack for a tuner, and they're afraid they'll lose sales if they tell you to get a tuner.
Changing the air flow without changing the VE tables is not beneficial. These bikes run lean from the factory, adding a more free flowing exhaust makes them run more lean.
Do what you want, I won't criticize, just trying to offer things to think about.
...but there is a reason I won't buy a used bike as my primary ride...
even if its 43 times, this is the clearest answer i have ever heard, great response 
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,263
Likes: 36
From: Georgia Mountains
The stock mufflers will get louder over time. If you want a little louder, with added benefit of less heat on legs, swap out for a decatted header. No tuner necessary since no additional air is being introduced.
I'm jealous of the "classic" sounding bikes, and maybe one day I'll add slip on mufflers and a tuner. For now, 7,500 miles in, I'm really enjoying listening to the wind and the music without my ears ringing.
I'm jealous of the "classic" sounding bikes, and maybe one day I'll add slip on mufflers and a tuner. For now, 7,500 miles in, I'm really enjoying listening to the wind and the music without my ears ringing.
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Brandenburg,Ky