Real Difference in Duals
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 475
Likes: 55
From: SC
Real Difference in Duals
Hey guys, I have search not only here but many other sites and read more reviews on true duals than I care to remember. One thing I can't seem to figure out though, most duals I have looked at are the same diameter as the factor head pipes on my 07 FLHTCU, some pipes have slightly better reviews than others but they all have the same "you loose low end torque" concern. I am not very concerned with performance and I do like the sound of duals.
Anyway, with all this said, I looked at the fullsac conversion as they do not offer the X pipe for the 07 and I can't seem to figure out what real difference there would be between going with that or lets say the Cobra true duals. Some will say the looks of fullsac is a major drawback but I think that is easy to deal with. Is exhaust leak a real concern with the conversion because of extra joints in the system?, is performance really that different between the two options?
Thanks for any advise, I am 99% sure I am going duals, knowing 2 into 1 is better for performance but as I said earlier, not that concerned with minimum low end torque loss.
Anyway, with all this said, I looked at the fullsac conversion as they do not offer the X pipe for the 07 and I can't seem to figure out what real difference there would be between going with that or lets say the Cobra true duals. Some will say the looks of fullsac is a major drawback but I think that is easy to deal with. Is exhaust leak a real concern with the conversion because of extra joints in the system?, is performance really that different between the two options?
Thanks for any advise, I am 99% sure I am going duals, knowing 2 into 1 is better for performance but as I said earlier, not that concerned with minimum low end torque loss.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,923
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From: poway
I like the sound iif true duals, On baggers they have a tendency to kill low end torque. Rhinehart's or even VnH with mufflers that have smaller baffles will do OK and you get the nice stereo sound. With a W777 cam I'd go with Kromewerks / SnS 2-1-2 head pipe. They give a nice power band but don't have the stereo sound of TDs.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
They have that tendency on any model. They are in essence drag pipes, which can give good to-end power, but as you say, not so hot in the low/mid rev range.
On my own Glide I have used TDs and a 2-into-1, had both dyno set-up and got very similar headline numbers, but the torque curves were significantly different where most of us ride, in addition the 2-into-1 provides a much smoother ride.
On my own Glide I have used TDs and a 2-into-1, had both dyno set-up and got very similar headline numbers, but the torque curves were significantly different where most of us ride, in addition the 2-into-1 provides a much smoother ride.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,923
Likes: 8,027
From: poway
They have that tendency on any model. They are in essence drag pipes, which can give good to-end power, but as you say, not so hot in the low/mid rev range.
On my own Glide I have used TDs and a 2-into-1, had both dyno set-up and got very similar headline numbers, but the torque curves were significantly different where most of us ride, in addition the 2-into-1 provides a much smoother ride.
On my own Glide I have used TDs and a 2-into-1, had both dyno set-up and got very similar headline numbers, but the torque curves were significantly different where most of us ride, in addition the 2-into-1 provides a much smoother ride.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2017
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From: Ky
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,508
Likes: 303
From: N. Tx.
My left header pipe broke at the 90 degree bend behind the rear cylinder at approx 22K miles. So I took the bike to a local indy shop to see if it could be welded. The guy said the break was too jagged to weld and asked if I had around 22K miles on it to which I replied yes. Then he said that's about where the factory pipes break. The rubber mounted engine and the rear header pipe's rigid clamp to the frame at that bend is just a recipe for breakage.
He suggested I not put an OEM type header pipe on the RKC, since it would eventually happen again, and instead go with true duals. So we discussed options, all of which were about the same cost, and I went with Bassani true duals, only because I already had Bassani slip on slash cut mufflers and figured I'd match the headers to the mufflers. A week later, with the Bassani headers on the bike, the difference was night and day.
The bike ran smoother, accelerated great, sounded great, and if there was any decrease in low end torque I couldn't notice it. No, I've never had the bike on a dyno or tested the engine performance technically but I knew from just riding and making physical contact with it that it ran better.
Eventually I replaced the slash cut mufflers with Bassani fish tails. And I couldn't be happier with the results across the board...performance, sound, looks, it's all good. I went with the baffled tails, after much deliberation, and am glad I did. They're plenty loud but not obnoxious.
He suggested I not put an OEM type header pipe on the RKC, since it would eventually happen again, and instead go with true duals. So we discussed options, all of which were about the same cost, and I went with Bassani true duals, only because I already had Bassani slip on slash cut mufflers and figured I'd match the headers to the mufflers. A week later, with the Bassani headers on the bike, the difference was night and day.
The bike ran smoother, accelerated great, sounded great, and if there was any decrease in low end torque I couldn't notice it. No, I've never had the bike on a dyno or tested the engine performance technically but I knew from just riding and making physical contact with it that it ran better.
Eventually I replaced the slash cut mufflers with Bassani fish tails. And I couldn't be happier with the results across the board...performance, sound, looks, it's all good. I went with the baffled tails, after much deliberation, and am glad I did. They're plenty loud but not obnoxious.
Last edited by duoglider; Jul 28, 2018 at 05:33 PM.
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Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 475
Likes: 55
From: SC
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 565
Likes: 152
From: Calgary, Alberta
Not really.. On most baggers yes.. A good set of staggered duals on softail or dyna can work great. Hard to find a good set tho.. KW ARIIIs / AR100s and Cycle Shacks duals were some of the better ones. Both are discontinued.. Many HD owners forget that there are other big twin HDs out here besides baggers.