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I found this pic on the internet. This person cut the head pipe, through the middle of the catalytic converter. I didn't read the post, but I'm pretty sure he's going to cut out the CAT, then re-weld the head pipe.... He'll then have a decatted head pipe..
Anyways, this is what the CAT looks like in the head pipe....
FWIW....
Believe it or not, this "honeycomb" design is far more efficient than people give it credit for, in terms of allowing the exhaust gases to flow through. I've heard from a couple very knowledgeable tuners, that a well designed CAT can flow really well...
Vance & Hines currently sells most of their exhausts with their "PCX (Power Chamber Exhaust) Technology", which is just a well designed CAT.
Thanks Hat....... looked at their website and maybe THAT'S where I've heard of the Cat being in the slip-on's and not he headers. Still, don't know how well my samiches will like the heat moved to the saddlebags like that though, lol. But to me, in my simple uneducated thought process, getting rid of the cat entirely is the best option. I don't think Brittany Force runs cats in her car, lol! So, it still looks like a full system, again. I'm not concerned with the cost really, just want a good sounding solid system for this bike like all my others. The bonus here is, because my 14 SGS died in VA and I had to but this new to me 2022 SGS there, it is not a CA compliant bike with some of the extra crap on it. Just had to deal with bringing it in to CA and their registration BS.......
Just for grins and experience though, I may drill a few holes in the baffles like Jackie Paper was talking about JUST to play around and hear what difference, if any, it makes.
Hey Moto. Just curious, are you in California and wanting to bring bike in from out of state? I'm sure you know about the 7500 mile bs to make the bike "eligible". You also know there's no smog check for motorcycles here right? Like stated earlier, I read that the newer cats are fairly negligible is exhaust flow. I decided to leave mine alone (2022 RKS), and simply add some slipons for more rumble.
Hey Moto. Just curious, are you in California and wanting to bring bike in from out of state? I'm sure you know about the 7500 mile bs to make the bike "eligible". You also know there's no smog check for motorcycles here right? Like stated earlier, I read that the newer cats are fairly negligible is exhaust flow. I decided to leave mine alone (2022 RKS), and simply add some slipons for more rumble.
The major improvement of decatting most of the newer bikes is less felt heat.
Just did my 23 with a fuel moto tune and header. It runs great and cooler. Only drawback is the exhaust smell that I get while I am actually riding. Have Tab Bam, sticks with zombie baffles.
Hey Moto. Just curious, are you in California and wanting to bring bike in from out of state? I'm sure you know about the 7500 mile bs to make the bike "eligible". You also know there's no smog check for motorcycles here right? Like stated earlier, I read that the newer cats are fairly negligible is exhaust flow. I decided to leave mine alone (2022 RKS), and simply add some slipons for more rumble.
Yes sir, aware of all that. In fact, after the unfortunate forced purchase of this bike in VA, I personally added 9,500 miles on it BEFORE it even got to CA.
Had to get a VIN verification at CHP today and have an appointment at CA DMV tomorrow to HOPEFULLY get some new plates on this thing. Loving that it's a Non-CA vehicle too! But, as you probably know, the registration fee is a BITCH!! But...... no choices in this game I'm in.
I want a full catless system to eliminate the excess heat and match header pipes to the slip-ons, add a torque cam, a tune, and I'm done playing with this engine till it REQUIRES some extra work.... then we'll see.
Just did my 23 with a fuel moto tune and header. It runs great and cooler. Only drawback is the exhaust smell that I get while I am actually riding. Have Tab Bam, sticks with zombie baffles.
Yes sir, aware of all that. In fact, after the unfortunate forced purchase of this bike in VA, I personally added 9,500 miles on it BEFORE it even got to CA.
Had to get a VIN verification at CHP today and have an appointment at CA DMV tomorrow to HOPEFULLY get some new plates on this thing. Loving that it's a Non-CA vehicle too! But, as you probably know, the registration fee is a BITCH!! But...... no choices in this game I'm in.
I want a full catless system to eliminate the excess heat and match header pipes to the slip-ons, add a torque cam, a tune, and I'm done playing with this engine till it REQUIRES some extra work.... then we'll see.
Interesting you had to go to CHP for the VIN verification... I've been able to do it all at the DMV...
FWIW...
I have bought two bikes from out of state dealers in the last 3 years. Because they were out of state dealer sales, I had to go to a DMV office that was also designated as a "Commercial" office. They handle normal stuff too, and also have DMV inspectors on site. They handled the out of state dealer paperwork, and DMV inspectors verified the VIN, mileage, and EPA label right at the DMV office. The entire process from arrival until I left, without an appointment, took an hour (amazing speed for a CA DMV office).
I installed a new HD shortblock in a friend's bike just a couple months ago. They come with new engine numbers. When he paid his reg this month, he tried to add the new engine number. He was told he had to go to CHP to verify the Engien number change. His DMV office said they can verify VIN, but only CHP can verify a new/changed engine number.
So, I didn't HAVE to go to CHP for the VIN verification, I chose to. The closest DMV is 45 minutes away and only open 2 days a week by online appointment only. CHP is 10 minutes away and I needed another VIN verification on my newly assembled trailer as well, so booked back to back inspections with Officer Casey. SUPPOSEDLY, ........ the Virginia dealer had a 3rd party take care of the registration part for me, but I got a call last week from the dealer telling me that CA DMV refused to VIN verification that was submitted. Officer Casey said that happens MOST of the time when it's handled out of state that way. Long story short, in an effort to not have the gal at the Mariposa DMV say that they don't have time to do the VIN right then and to come back, I'll have it in hand so HOPEFULLY I can walk out with a plate, be it paper or metal.
On a funny side note, the dealership took the plate off my 14 SGS that **** the bed, bolted it onto the 22 SGS and said I was good to go! I knew better in my heart, but went with their plan and carried ALL my paperwork with me for the remainder of the 9,500 miles home in case anything happened. Officer Casey said I got lucky, lol....
Last edited by MotoJockey; Sep 11, 2025 at 09:04 AM.
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Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
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........ the Virginia dealer had a 3rd party take care of the registration part for me, but I got a call last week from the dealer telling me that CA DMV refused to VIN verification that was submitted. Officer Casey said that happens MOST of the time when it's handled out of state that way. Long story short, in an effort to not have the gal at the Mariposa DMV say that they don't have time to do the VIN right then and to come back, I'll have it in hand so HOPEFULLY I can walk out with a plate, be it paper or metal.
