2018+ Softail Models Breakout

Any definitive comparisons on 2-2 vs 2-1 exhausts for 114 M8?

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Old Jan 15, 2021 | 11:49 AM
  #11  
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Nearly all exhausts work ok if the bike is tuned properly.

Select exhaust for appearance if you need a certain look and most importantly for the sound you like.

Performance is nice, however, the M8 engine in Stage II or more has adequate power with most any exhaust.
 
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Old Jan 15, 2021 | 12:01 PM
  #12  
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Fair points.

I’m just overly cautious after I fitted the V&H Eliminators and it felt like I was riding through a swamp up to about 4K rpm. Baffles sorted it but it showed me how important backpressure is.

I got an email from Thrashin’ and that 2-2 pipe is coming out at some point so I’ll wait for that.

Also the black V&H Upsweep 2-1 in Spring as a possible alternative.
 
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Old Jan 15, 2021 | 12:49 PM
  #13  
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Originally Posted by TeeJayEe
So I’ve been looking into this more, it’s mainly because I LOVE the low-mid range torque on the bike as it is so I don’t wanna lose that, but I’m not totally happy with the looks/sound so I’m trying to do as much research as I can before I spend like a 1000 on a new exhaust.

I’m not an expert when it comes to tuning, far from it but looking at this video from Blockhead on YouTube the numbers on a 131” show that whilst it’s super close, the 2-2 produces more torque. He mentions another M8 131 setup on a RK that’s also producing more torque with a 2-2 system.

Obviously this is on a Dyno and on the road/seat of the pants dyno might be a different story but it seems like it’s definitely not a clear cut difference.


Obviously that’s just a dyno
So a huge problem with Block's pipes before he swapped to the 2-1 is that bassani sweepers is the very short rear pipe and both have no reversion control whatsoever.
I messaged Chris on Instagram saying he should get Block to try a set of Thundertorque Inserts and he talked to Block about it, but Block decided to just go with the TBR instead.

One of the issues with 2 into 1s on the M8 is that a lot of them are getting a characteristic low end deadspot or dip that takes a lot of tuning effort to fix, it is fixable but it's a pain in the *** to do so.
Moonshine has been getting good results with the long pipes on the baggers, but ofc Softails dont have the length for long pipes. So you'd have to find a set of true duals that has length to it.
The M8 does not seem to like short exhausts.

Since you mentioned Thrashing Supply, check out their DogBalls anti reversion baffes. Moonshine has had great success with them.
I've also seen some people experiment with birdcage iron drawer ***** and mounting them in their pipes for reversion control.
 
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Old Jan 15, 2021 | 12:58 PM
  #14  
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Originally Posted by FranBunnyFFXII
So a huge problem with Block's pipes before he swapped to the 2-1 is that bassani sweepers is the very short rear pipe and both have no reversion control whatsoever.
I messaged Chris on Instagram saying he should get Block to try a set of Thundertorque Inserts and he talked to Block about it, but Block decided to just go with the TBR instead.

One of the issues with 2 into 1s on the M8 is that a lot of them are getting a characteristic low end deadspot or dip that takes a lot of tuning effort to fix, it is fixable but it's a pain in the *** to do so.
Moonshine has been getting good results with the long pipes on the baggers, but ofc Softails dont have the length for long pipes. So you'd have to find a set of true duals that has length to it.
The M8 does not seem to like short exhausts.

Since you mentioned Thrashing Supply, check out their DogBalls anti reversion baffes. Moonshine has had great success with them.
I've also seen some people experiment with birdcage iron drawer ***** and mounting them in their pipes for reversion control.
Awesome! Thanks for the detailed reply. I had a suspicion that might be the case.

It’s that low-end dip I’ve noticed people mention and what I want to try and avoid. I’m super happy with the performance on mine with the stock header and Eliminator mufflers, and the baffles act like torque inserts. It just doesn’t sound great.

That upcoming Thrashin’ 2-2 mentioned above looks promising, it’s a full length pipe and has an additional bend near the swingarm so that’ll help a bit too.

 
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Old Jan 15, 2021 | 02:04 PM
  #15  
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Originally Posted by FranBunnyFFXII
So a huge problem with Block's pipes before he swapped to the 2-1 is that bassani sweepers is the very short rear pipe and both have no reversion control whatsoever.
I messaged Chris on Instagram saying he should get Block to try a set of Thundertorque Inserts and he talked to Block about it, but Block decided to just go with the TBR instead.

One of the issues with 2 into 1s on the M8 is that a lot of them are getting a characteristic low end deadspot or dip that takes a lot of tuning effort to fix, it is fixable but it's a pain in the *** to do so.
Moonshine has been getting good results with the long pipes on the baggers, but ofc Softails dont have the length for long pipes. So you'd have to find a set of true duals that has length to it.
The M8 does not seem to like short exhausts.

Since you mentioned Thrashing Supply, check out their DogBalls anti reversion baffes. Moonshine has had great success with them.
I've also seen some people experiment with birdcage iron drawer ***** and mounting them in their pipes for reversion control.
Grow some Dog *****

 
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Old Jan 15, 2021 | 03:56 PM
  #16  
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I am also waiting for Thrashin Suply 2-2 exhaust ^.^ I saw another polished version on their Instagram and it looks like super jewelry! I am very interested in it and I want it


 
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Old Jan 15, 2021 | 04:51 PM
  #17  
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Originally Posted by TeeJayEe
Awesome! Thanks for the detailed reply. I had a suspicion that might be the case.

It’s that low-end dip I’ve noticed people mention and what I want to try and avoid. I’m super happy with the performance on mine with the stock header and Eliminator mufflers, and the baffles act like torque inserts. It just doesn’t sound great.

That upcoming Thrashin’ 2-2 mentioned above looks promising, it’s a full length pipe and has an additional bend near the swingarm so that’ll help a bit too.
Dude I am in exactly same boat as you. I also have VH E300 with quiet baffle and while I am excited to hear this low end torque got good improvement with VH Quiet baffles (freaking winter in Chicagoland it brutal so no way to try it now) these mufflers sound lame now for sure. I heard about these FM torque inserts and was told these will quiet down the VH pipes a bit as well but just by looking at it these are no as restricted as VH quiet baffles so this might be something worth considering that might offer better sound while still preserving this low end torque. These also have adjustable "tongue" that control flow (and loudness to some degree). If it was riding season I would definitely consider trying these FM torque inserts before bringing my bike to FM for install to dial in loudness before bike is on dyno in May unfortunately freaking winter offer no break.

From what I see so far from these posts looks like only advantage in 2in1 is higher HP while torque numbers are really close between the two but what do I know.

This is becoming really valuable post which I hope someone can refer to in the future as looks like there is a lot of material o these M8's on Touring platform but not so much on Softails so hope we can gather some good knowledge here for future reference. I also heard FM is gearing up to build dedicated Softail exhaust in late winter early spring so I really would like to see this come to life soon and hope to see some digitsa.

Hope to see more members to chime in as well.
 
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Old Jan 15, 2021 | 05:52 PM
  #18  
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Exhausts always been the controversy. Read the link and decide where you wanna go
https://www.denniskirk.com/blog/2018...-a-comparison/
 
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Old Jan 15, 2021 | 07:06 PM
  #19  
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Yep its tough on softail M8's, also depends on motor size/headwork
Seen good results on a stg2 114 with a V&H pro -pipe=fits the criteria long pipe & volume muffler ,but a 128/131 with headwork primarys too small
but everyone wants a look, Fuel Moto got a new short pipe coming Show a graph how they cured the dip of most 2-1,softail not in prod yet bagger 1st,difference in the mounts i guess
Hard to compare with so many different builds
 
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Old Jan 15, 2021 | 07:14 PM
  #20  
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I like the sound of a 2 into 2 or 2into1 into 2, when you go 2 into 1 it's like going from stereo to mono . I know that the most of the 2 into 1 systems have great grunt but yea the sound is flat for me from a 2 into 1. The old days of straight loud pipes was awesome , I get they didn't help down low but man they sounded great when WOFO. lol
 
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