Exhaust System Topics New and old exhaust system discussions. Fitment issues to sound bites and suggestions. Post them here.

Milwaukee 8 stage 2 stock exhaust

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 19, 2018 | 11:13 AM
  #1  
James1979's Avatar
James1979
Thread Starter
|
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
From: Montana
Default Milwaukee 8 stage 2 stock exhaust

I am in a unique situation were I'm getting a stage 2 kit put on my 17 RGS along with SE pro street tuner and SE intake but don't have the money at the moment for exhaust. My question is with the added back pressure will it cause any harm until I get at least slip ons? I know it is going to limit the gains and I'm ok with that just don't want to do any damage. To answer the question as to why not exhaust if I'm getting stage 2. I am getting all the labor for free on the stage 2 so only have to but parts. I don't have the cash for the exhaust yet and I can't wait on the stage 2 if I'm doing it it has to be now.
 
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2018 | 11:46 AM
  #2  
nevil's Avatar
nevil
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 9,281
Likes: 1,139
From: southeast PA
Default

You won't hurt anything by running the stock exhaust. You already know it won't produce maximum power, and if it's tuned correctly you will probably be very pleased with the results.
 
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2018 | 12:59 PM
  #3  
James1979's Avatar
James1979
Thread Starter
|
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
From: Montana
Default Thank you

Thanks that's what I thought but wanted to double check!
 
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2018 | 01:21 PM
  #4  
James1979's Avatar
James1979
Thread Starter
|
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
From: Montana
Default Nevil

How much of a difference do you think slip ons will make with the stock header having the cat?
 
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2018 | 01:32 PM
  #5  
04ctd's Avatar
04ctd
Banned
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,967
Likes: 206
From: Jax FL
Default

the SE EPA compliant pipes have the CAT in the muffs, so you will be fine. maybe lose a tad, but not worth worrying about.
sounds like a good deal to me.

maybe you can drill out your stock head pipe & your stock mufflers & that way:
-lose the heat of the CAT
-head pipe flows
-OEM slips flow
-get some HP & TQ with the tune
-the tune is not wasted (in other words, you are paying for a tune, and you can use it for a few months, vice a few weeks)

I think you could ride like that over the summer & enjoy the cam!

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/milwa...head-pipe.html
 
Reply
Old May 22, 2023 | 10:40 AM
  #6  
Road_Clam's Avatar
Road_Clam
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 719
Likes: 35
From: SE New Hampshire
Default

So i have a TC88 bored to 97" , street ported midrange torque heads , Andrews 54G cams , SE air filter kit, and 1-3/4" V&H Straight Shot HS exhaust. My combo needs to really flow the air. I added Big City Thunder Monster baffles. They are a simple old skool "lollypop" style baffle that flow outstanding , while still generating the necessary exhaust pulse backpressure to have good low speed throttle response. Even my dyno tuner commented he sees excellent flow numbers with Monster Baffles. Only possible issue is MB's are very loud (but its a deep throaty loud , not like the nasty crackly open pipe loud) . Im at max 95 hp and 104 ft/lb of torque at 4870 rpm. My engine hits like a sledge hammer around 4200 rpms, and No need to rev my bike past 5200 as the power starts rapidly dropping off. Really fun street engine .

https://bigcitythunder.com/collectio...onster-baffles
 

Last edited by Road_Clam; May 22, 2023 at 10:56 AM.
Reply
Old May 22, 2023 | 10:50 AM
  #7  
pgreer's Avatar
pgreer
Stellar HDF Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 3,167
Likes: 2,206
From: College Station, TX
Default

On my 2018 Road Glide, I removed the cat (to reduce heat) and kept the OEM mufflers because I like the look of them. Performance and sound is fine. The OEM header flows well and works fine. That's not to say you might not be able to squeeze a few extra HP and TQ out with another exhaust, but I doubt it would be enough to matter unless you are taking it to a track for racing.

Paul
 
Reply
Old May 23, 2023 | 05:46 AM
  #8  
Slingshot383's Avatar
Slingshot383
Road Warrior
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,522
Likes: 641
From: Saint Charles, Missouri
Default

American Custom Exhaust and Fullsac both rework the factory mufflers with new baffles that flow more and sound better than the factory baffle. Very economic way to get better exhaust flow and sound for your bike.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Kingman81008
Touring Models
6
Jan 9, 2013 08:28 PM
rufasim
Touring Models
16
Jul 1, 2012 11:31 AM
SportsterPapa
Sportster Models
6
Sep 18, 2009 02:20 PM
Lpye
Ignition/Tuner/ECM/Fuel Injection
5
Jul 24, 2006 12:13 AM
jeeptree10
Dyna Glide Models
5
Apr 27, 2006 12:12 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:38 PM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE