Do you HAVE to have louder pipes?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,255
Likes: 112
From: Florida
Just so happens that Rizzo and I live in the same state and I know of at least 3 people who have had bikers rev their motors right next to them while they were walking. Not saying it was Rizzo.............just saying that these people told me their ears were ringing from some guy revving his motorcycle. Me thinks there isn't much respect for doing this. Besides, there's already enough complaints about loud pipes......why add fuel to the fire?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,477
Likes: 14
From: Western MD
First, let me say that I'm no mechanic at all. I have no clue about how to do stuff, so I have to have someone else do everything for me. And I have to rely on the advice of others, too.
That said, when people talk about changing out the air filter, changing the pipes and adding Power Commander, is it really necessary to change the pipes?
I understand the part about the air filter providing more air. I understand what the Power Commander does. I understand what taking out the catalytic converter does.
But everyone talks about the louder sound of the new pipes. I don't want louder sound. I'm happy with my stock sound. And new mufflers cost even more money.
If I do the other stuff and add, for example, Rush ceramic headers, does it really negate the benefit if I keep the stock mufflers?
That said, when people talk about changing out the air filter, changing the pipes and adding Power Commander, is it really necessary to change the pipes?
I understand the part about the air filter providing more air. I understand what the Power Commander does. I understand what taking out the catalytic converter does.
But everyone talks about the louder sound of the new pipes. I don't want louder sound. I'm happy with my stock sound. And new mufflers cost even more money.
If I do the other stuff and add, for example, Rush ceramic headers, does it really negate the benefit if I keep the stock mufflers?
you didn't say what kind of bike you have.. some have the cats in the header pipe, some are in the mufflers. if the cats are in the mufflers all you have to do is swap out mufflers, if there in the headpipes then just changing the pipe should deepen the exhaust tone. doing either one shouldn't require a remapping of the fuel system. it has O2 sensors and map sensors so it, the computer can adjust for some changes to the engine. you should also be able to change to a SE air filter element keeping the stock base and AC cover without needing any changes to the computer syst.
if you need just mufflers, check with American custom exhaust, they're a sponsor here and do a excellent job.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,206
Likes: 6,082
From: Black Hills
Just so happens that Rizzo and I live in the same state and I know of at least 3 people who have had bikers rev their motors right next to them while they were walking. Not saying it was Rizzo.............just saying that these people told me their ears were ringing from some guy revving his motorcycle. Me thinks there isn't much respect for doing this. Besides, there's already enough complaints about loud pipes......why add fuel to the fire?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
Just for the record, I simply listed S&S as an example. These guys get the same numbers and build them for under 200 bucks. They have all the information and a complete dyno sheet for a stock motorcycle with just slip on mufflers. Again, the gains are not huge, but they are real. That was the only point I was poorly trying to make. I am the last one to jump on the foolish "you get 10-15 horsepower with mufflers" bandwagon.
http://www.americancustom.com/performance
.
Last edited by bikerlaw; Feb 12, 2012 at 08:20 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,022
Likes: 60
From: Greer, South Carolina
Dandolfn,
If you like quiet pipes leave it stock. There is nothing wrong with "stock". If you really get into all the stuff on this forum regarding H.P. and torque, you be trashin' your engine and goin' out and buying a 120R racing engine.
What you have to ask yourself is, 1) What do I want this bike to sound like? 2) How do I want this bike to perform? 3) What am I willing to pay?
Let's face it, most of us who ride Harley's aren't racing them, so do you need to put $1,500 into a Stage 1 including a new head pipe?? I did on my Street Glide, but I'm not doin' it on my EGC. I'd rather put the money in comfort and appearance improvement items. So my 96" engine will haul my fat butt anywhere I want to go and it'll do it plenty fast enough. Now I did put a pair of V&H twin slash slip-ons on it, but that was about $340 for a little better sound than stock and I like the looks of them too.
Use this Forum as a reference and a guide, not a "me too" kind of thing.
If you like quiet pipes leave it stock. There is nothing wrong with "stock". If you really get into all the stuff on this forum regarding H.P. and torque, you be trashin' your engine and goin' out and buying a 120R racing engine.
What you have to ask yourself is, 1) What do I want this bike to sound like? 2) How do I want this bike to perform? 3) What am I willing to pay?
Let's face it, most of us who ride Harley's aren't racing them, so do you need to put $1,500 into a Stage 1 including a new head pipe?? I did on my Street Glide, but I'm not doin' it on my EGC. I'd rather put the money in comfort and appearance improvement items. So my 96" engine will haul my fat butt anywhere I want to go and it'll do it plenty fast enough. Now I did put a pair of V&H twin slash slip-ons on it, but that was about $340 for a little better sound than stock and I like the looks of them too.
Use this Forum as a reference and a guide, not a "me too" kind of thing.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,106
Likes: 51,387
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Loud *** pipes are an ego choice they don't do a damn thing for the bike mechanically . Your gonna get as many excuses as replies why everybody has to have them but bottom line once all the bullshit is stripped away is somebody just what's to play " Dig me " .
Stage III
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Kansas
Loud or Quiet
For me I like the louder pipes, especially when riding in traffic. You might try finding an exhaust you really like and then adding some baffles by smartpartz.com. Ive heard these and they are not loud at all..
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 469
Likes: 2
From: Downriver, MI
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,390
Likes: 259
From: Southern California
Quiet does not necessarily mean loud within the context of a street bike. There are two ways to muffle noise: One is to restrict the flow. Restricting the flow is cheap and easy. The other way is to create reflected sound waves in the exhaust system so that when they are reflected off the end of the pipe and/or the Collector they are timed to collide with the next sound wave. Doing this tends to cause the two sound waves to cancel each other out. Large chambers (or simply large Muffler Canisters) on a muffler, essentially Expansion Chambers, do a lot to reduce exit noise for this reason. Other folks have posted numerous suppliers that can deliver an Exhaust System that will increase your power without much if any of a noise penalty. One that I would add to this mix would be Suppertrapp. They build a system that even the mechanically challenged can "tune" by adding and removing discs. When I was doing a bit of amateur road racing (Sears Point, Laguna Seca, Willow Springs, etc.) the different tracks had different allowable dB Levels, and Laguna even has/had limits that change hourly throughout the day. Using a Supertrapp system made this workable.
Last edited by Bluehighways; Feb 12, 2012 at 08:31 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,255
Likes: 112
From: Florida