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I have 4" Cobra race pros on stock head pipes and I love the sound I get from them. Not real loud but a nice deep throaty sound. I have a set of Cobra power port head pipes, Fuel Moto stage one AC and power vision that's been sitting in my garage for a month. Supposed to be some really cold (57) weather in Florida this weekend so I'll probably get it all installed.
Have a set of screaming eagle slip on's that have been on two stock bike's. Not to loud but just right for me.
It is ok to run just slip ons on a stock bike.
My previous 4 bikes had V&H full pipes and sounded great but were fairly loud, even with V&H "quiet" baffles on my FLSTF. I put Street Cannons on my Ultra to down it after hearing them on a couple of other tourers. Nice rumble but not obnoxious. This was a factor for me because I go to work at 0500 and my neighbors really didn't like my previous bike because it was too loud. No complaints anymore and Street Cannons give me the sound I wanted.
Sound quality is very subjective, as you can see from the variety of responses. Your best bet is to go to a Bike Night or similar function - look at listen.
Keep in mind if you kill the CAT most every slip on will be a bit louder and as other have mentioned with burn in time you will get a slight change.
I'll add my 2˘, I really like my Rush Big Louie's. I liked them to begin with because they are one piece slash cut without end caps but are also available with end caps. The SB2 models are made for a stock setup with a 3" baffle on one and 2.5" on the other. They are made for the stock header with the CAT in. But what really sold me as a first time Harley rider and no options to hear different pipes is the availability of baffles. I had the option to buy smaller baffles if they were to loud. I like the rumble, but still may pick up some smaller baffles for long trips.
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