Thinking Stock Exhaust, Will I Be the Only One
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,651
Likes: 1,278
From: PA
Your bike your $$$ so do what pleases you. I know after I completed the break in on my 15 RGS I couldn't get those stock pipes off fast enough!!! To me it didn't even sound like a harley. I'm not 1 for obnoxious loud pipes but I do like to hear a rumble or 2 and a nice growl when you get on the gas. Damn thing sounded like a Honda or something with those stockers on it. Since i did the stage 1 it sounds better, looks better, and most importantly Runs better/Cooler.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 153
From: Utah
I just put a set of American Custom slip ons on my 2014 RK. I rode with the stock exhaust, which didn't sound bad once you got moving at highway speed and it was kinda nice to be able to talk to my passenger or listed to music through my headphones. However, I just went from a pretty hot Nightrain to the stock RK pipes and I couldn't tell what gear I was in without looking at the gear display in the speedo. I also had three people try to kill me in one week... so I figured I would test the adage that louder pipes save lives. The nice thing about the American Custom slip ons is that they look exactly like the stock pipes, they have a decent low rumble, and you can buy the "slightly blemished" pipes that they have for sale without a core charge (I wanted to keep my stock mufflers). They are very economical and a good compromise between all of the pipes that make people hate those "damn bikers" and stock putt putts. Good people to work with, also.
C#
C#
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 11,630
Likes: 990
From: NC
If you have any high air temperatures in your neck of the woods, you should want to at least de-cat or go with a aftermarket pipe.
The bikes get hot, even hotter in warm climates.
Sometimes the heat is almost unbearable.
The bikes get hot, even hotter in warm climates.
Sometimes the heat is almost unbearable.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,500
Likes: 332
From: Blue Grass (KY)
I have a 16 SGS, put a set of used Wild Pig slip ons, not to bad. This winter I have a FullSac header I'm going to install and put the stock mufflers back on and see how it sounds.
I too am not into the loud exhaust anymore...tiring on long trips.
I too am not into the loud exhaust anymore...tiring on long trips.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 918
From: coast to coast
I opted to save a few bucks on my American Customs since they guarantee 100% satisfaction. I chose the "blemished" pipes, which turned out to have no blemishes I could find. Happy customer.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 22,999
Likes: 11,439
Well if your the only one, then you will have a 1 of a kind exhaust. I notice my 2016 RGU sound ok with stock exhaust and considered leaving it a lone. But the darn CAT thing just ate at me so I did change the header to a Fuel Moto 2-1-2. sounds even better with stock exhaust pipes. 4000 mile son it now , knowing me , I will change the pipes mid-summer anyway. Just something I do.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 698
Likes: 13
Have right at 5K on my limited and so far have no real desire to change out the stock exhaust. Not even gonna pull the CAT as of right now..........Just gonna leave it all stock. With my hearing getting worse all the time, I have been wearing 3/4 and full helmets so with that you cant really hear the exhaust too much anyway.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 233
From: North East, MD
I'll paddle against the tide here. I think the stock pipes on my '14 Limited sound just fine. I've had it a bit over a year and I've got 12,000 miles on the clock. I am considering de-catting but I don't want to if it will make 'er any louder. Is anyone running stock mufflers on a decatted bike who can tell me how the sound level changed?
Last edited by rwven; Dec 15, 2015 at 06:05 AM.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
I'll paddle against the tide here. I think the stock pipes on my '14 Limited sound just fine. I've had it a bit over a year and I've got 12,000 miles on the clock. I am considering de-catting but I don't want to if it will make 'er any louder. Is anyone running stock mufflers on a decatted bike who can tell me how the sound level changed?
FWIW, I agree that these bikes sound fine when they're stock. Had I not found the parts I got used and dirt cheap, I'd have had no problem leaving it alone.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 286
Likes: 23
From: Ma
Stock pipes and love it. I can hear everything going on around me even with the head set wired into my helmet. That's the beauty of being able to do as you like. Quiet pipes are not for everybody. 2014 Limited.