Removing stock baffles
Thread Starter
|
Stage III
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Orange Texas
Removing stock baffles
I have a 2015 streetglide that sounds like a honda. was wondering if i cut out the baffles on my stock slipons would that cause any damage to my engine or would it affect my warranty?
Intermediate
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Rcole, there is lots of info on here that I was able to find when I was considering doing the same. I say go ahead and do it, I did with my '13 Road King when it was a few months old (same issue with the sound). Your exhaust all flows through the cat in the header and so is a 'closed loop' system. You don't change the performance characteristics at all by removing the baffle, therefore no harm to your engine. It also should not affect your warranty since again, no change to the performance characteristics...but I am certainly no expert and rumor is they will void your warranty for anything or very little depending on your dealer.
I just took a 3 inch bi-metal hole saw and cut them out. Not sure if the '15s are different as far as pipes go, but the right side baffle takes a little work because of its shape, but left comes right out.
All that said, some people don't end up liking the sound, but I think it is great. Much louder but not 'wake up the neighbors' loud. My personal opinion is removing the baffles is the cheapest way to start, if you end up not liking it, you either need to look at slip-ons or a whole new exhaust. But it doesn't really hurt anything to try the cheaper version fist.
I just took a 3 inch bi-metal hole saw and cut them out. Not sure if the '15s are different as far as pipes go, but the right side baffle takes a little work because of its shape, but left comes right out.
All that said, some people don't end up liking the sound, but I think it is great. Much louder but not 'wake up the neighbors' loud. My personal opinion is removing the baffles is the cheapest way to start, if you end up not liking it, you either need to look at slip-ons or a whole new exhaust. But it doesn't really hurt anything to try the cheaper version fist.
MODERATOR
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,108
Likes: 1,964
From: New England
...You don't change the performance characteristics at all by removing the baffle, therefore no harm to your engine. It also should not affect your warranty since again, no change to the performance characteristics...but I am certainly no expert and rumor is they will void your warranty for anything or very little depending on your dealer...
The exhaust baffles accomplishes a few things. Typically, they change the exhaust note, reduce the likelihood of sparks, and produce a certain amount of back pressure. It is the back pressure that can affect performance. Too much or too little can affect how the bike runs.
As far as warranty issues, only the company that underwrites the warranty can answer that. And yes, there are warranties besides the Motor Company.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Fair enough Pine Tree. You have definitely proven I need to read up a bit more. But, while my comment about the baffles not changing performance characteristics may not be entirely accurate, I will say that the catalytic converter creates plenty of back pressure for the stock bike.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
