Why install custom pipes?
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,815
Likes: 44
From: Keizer, Oregon
I personally don't like the looks of the stock pipes and don't understand why Harley put the passenger pegs between the top and bottom pipes on the Softail or any other model they do this with. I really like the look of a slim straight pipe and not the look of the tapered out and back in muffler on the stock ones.
I'll be changing out my pipes as soon as I can swing it (next tax refund check).
I'll be changing out my pipes as soon as I can swing it (next tax refund check).
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,908
Likes: 19
From: Dayton
Weight, sound, performance, cosmetics...to be cool. 
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Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
Very few actually install Custom PIPEs...
MOST install mass produced after market made PIPEs...
BIGGEST reason I did it,, Was
NO 1. It cools the motor/oil temp down to made Ur motor last longer.!!!!
A. Better if U do a complete STG-1, Tuner and dyno
NO 2. Yes,, to give her a better sound, Not toooo freaking loud, just mellow.!!!
A. Love the sound my Rush gives. DEEEEEEP and mellow..
Our 07 didn't have CATS so that was not an issue,, but on a new one it would be.
.
MOST install mass produced after market made PIPEs...
BIGGEST reason I did it,, Was
NO 1. It cools the motor/oil temp down to made Ur motor last longer.!!!!
A. Better if U do a complete STG-1, Tuner and dyno
NO 2. Yes,, to give her a better sound, Not toooo freaking loud, just mellow.!!!
A. Love the sound my Rush gives. DEEEEEEP and mellow..
Our 07 didn't have CATS so that was not an issue,, but on a new one it would be.
.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,394
Likes: 1,868
From: California
New rider (<2 months), new bike (2012 Fat Boy Lo, <200 miles). Having a ball.
Question: Beyond the look (which I admit can be sharp), why would you want to replace the stock pipes? I happen to think the stock ones look pretty cool, what advantages are there to dropping a grand or so and swapping in some new ones? Is it just to make the bike louder? Does it significantly bump up the power output? In short, why are people willing to drop a pile of money on new pipes?
Just curious.
Question: Beyond the look (which I admit can be sharp), why would you want to replace the stock pipes? I happen to think the stock ones look pretty cool, what advantages are there to dropping a grand or so and swapping in some new ones? Is it just to make the bike louder? Does it significantly bump up the power output? In short, why are people willing to drop a pile of money on new pipes?
Just curious.
Now as far as practicality. Your engine is an air pump. the more air you can put in through and out of your bike in the proper measures the more power it produces.
Stock pipes are meant to comply with EPA, provide certain gas mileage and sound levels. None of that is geared towards max performance.
In short improving your exhaust is an excellent addition to a bike if you do other things to it.
But overall your question seems like stock is ok for me why would anyone want something else. The performance questions you asked are readily available to anyone using google search.